Please, please find me a perfect everyday bag!

[polyhymnia]

I've been looking for a new everyday bag for spring/summer for months now and I still haven't succeeded. Meanwhile, my current workhorse bag is getting shabbier every day. I've trawled all my usual supply sources (R and B, Hobbs, LKB, Massimo Dutti, Whistles, Nat and Nin) and drawn a blank.So hoping all the S and B mavens will be able to come up with something!

Have to say, I'm quite fussy and have clear ideas of what I do and don't want.
Must be leather.
Nothing from Clarks or M and S, please.
Nothing with gold metalware that's at all blingy - preferably 'silver'.
Not too structured and 'worky', but not too casual.
Not too 'classic', not too fussy.
Not tiny - unfortunately for me, mini bags are very in this year, but just won't work for me - but not too huge or heavy.
Must have a cross body strap - even if it has one or two handles too.
Must have some sort of outside pocket to put my Oystercard.
Neutral colour - tan, grey, olive/khaki, possibly dull metallic, possibly denim-y blue.
Price range: I'd expect to pay over £100 for what I want but don't want to go much over £250.

Think that's about it. Sounds easy, doesn't it? But it's not!

Really hope you can help. TIA.

[Gbean]

I was going to suggest a pre loved mulberry Alexa but that would be more expensive - but for the quality and utter gorgeousness it's worth the extra pounds imo

[BeautifulMaudOHara]

I've got one like this, I think, will see if I can find it online

[BeautifulMaudOHara]

Mine isn't quite this but similar

www.ospreylondon.com/products/the-caversham-leather-cross-body

[Pinkcadillac]

I have this, and is lovely Madewell

[midnightmoomoo]

Try the Jasmine hobo bag from White Stuffing grey, I love mine.

[Oly5]

Fossil Preston Flap bag in large ticks all your boxes. I have two and love them!!

[polyhymnia]

Thanks so much for ideas. I've checked them all out but haven't quite found 'the one' yet. The Fossil Preston would definitely be it, but sadly isn't available in any colours except wintry ones or ones I don't like (red, pale eau de nil). If anyone knows where I can track down a tan or grey version would be very grateful to hear.

I'm not a Mulberry lover, sorry. Just don't do anything for me.
The Osprey is lovely, but not deep enough across the bottom for my preferences, and the same applies to the Madewell - great brands, though. The White Stuff one is just a bit too unstructured and hobo-ey.

Hope I don't sound ungrateful - I did say I was fussy.

Please, please keep suggestions coming.

[sleepwhenidie]

I think that [http://www.allsaints.com/women/handbags/allsaints-pearl-hobo-bag/?colour=584&category=8606 this]] is lovely and seems to fit most of your brief (except a bit over budget - but there are often discount codes/wait for sale, 20% off would do it )? the hobo is lovely too.

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Maybe look at something by Coach? They have a lot of bags for under £300.

[sleepwhenidie]

Mint Velvet ?

[sleepwhenidie]

sorry - first link failed...this

[cressetmama]

Village England have some good practical bags.

[sleepwhenidie]

Radley

[Acornantics]

I'm not sure if you have friends/family visiting the US soon but if so, take a look at Coach or Fossil online, often the outlet malls have out of season colours and the prices are pounds for dollars.

I bought two Fossil and one Coach bag when we lived there, the quality of both is excellent and there are loads of timeless styles.

[burnishedsilver]

Coach Turnlock hobo is over budget but it ticks most of the boxes. I have it in red with silver hardware and I love it.
uk.coach.com/coach-designer-purses-turnlock-hobo-in-pebble-leather/36762.html

[burnishedsilver]

I agree about buying from the US, if possible. Coach is dramaticaly cheaper and places like Macys and Bloomingdales will often have 25% discounts.

[citychick]

have you had a look on www.modalu com?

HTH

[polyhymnia]

Thanks for the Coach recommendation - I'm going to look round one of their London stores this week. Sadly don't know anyone going to US soon.
I do have a Modalu Pippa, which I don't actually like all that much (too much gold, too heavy). But I do like the look of the Erins - though they're a bit work-y for my present purposes.
Several of the Village England bags look lovely.

[rubybleu]

I went into Coach in Regents St about a fortnight ago and found the current bags reaalllllyyyy blingy.

I've recently bought a Kate Spade Cobble Hill Small Ella in porcelain for work. It meets most but not all of your criteria - worth a look though as I really like the shape.

[bojorojo]

Ralph Lauren handbags which are sold by House of Fraser. They have several styles which are suitable - although the Oyster card pocket might be missing. I woud give that up for a decent bag though. The RL ones are well made and the leather is top quality - lovely rich tans. Not common either (like Michael Kors that are everywhere).

[polyhymnia]

Yes, ruby, that was what I thought when I looked into the Coach Regent St store once - blingy, though not as bad as the horrendous MK one! But have seen a particular style (the Prairie Satchel) online that I want to check out.

Particularly like the look of the Kate Spade Cobble Hill Small Toddy online, so interesting that you have, and like, the Ella.

[rubybleu]

Ooh that's really nice - both the Prairie and the Toddy.

If you sign up to the Kate Spade newsletter you get 10% off your first purchase. My husband was in the States for work so I was hoping to get him to get it, but with Californian sales tax, the strong dollar and a local 10% discount, the full price was pretty similar in USD and sterling.