If I don't like MK, Mulberry or Marc Jacobs which...

[bagbagbag]

other handbags should I avoid? I'm looking for an everyday black bag, preferably crossbody. I would like something understated, rather than look at me designer.
Have a budget of around £600 but could spend more but would rather keep under £1000.
I don't want to buy something and it becomes the new 'mulberry' or even worse Michael Kors.
Love bottega venetta understated elegance but SIL has lots and don't want to copy!

Help from experienced bag ladies please.
Thank you

[mge]

I would spend some time looking at net a porter and matches fashion for inspiration and to discover new designers. Hey, not an unpleasant thing to do. Enjoy!

[bagbagbag]

Thanks mge. That's what I'm currently doing. Maybe I'm over thinking it. I was going to go for a Chloe, but wondered if they were also a bit naff now!

[botemp]

Chloe, the YSL chain bags, MCM, etc. can feel a bit naff sometimes due to their ubiquity but it's a step up from the dreaded MK, DKNY, Tory Burch, and the rather predictable Mulberry.

Salvatore Ferragamo is a bit like BV but can feel a bit mature, I think the newer models from Celine and the less recognisable models (so not the Antigona) from Givenchy make for good understated elegance but probably pushing the limits of your budget, though, in the sales you might get lucky.

Love Marni bags, and currently liking the look of Victoria Beckham, J.W. Anderson, 3.1 Philip Lim, Loewe, Tom Ford, Carven, and Proenza Schouler but they tend to be more contemporary/minimalist so may not match up to your tastes.

There was a mention on here a while ago, can't remember it now but it was a Spanish high-end brand similar to BV but differentiating enough and more affordable.

Try the Purse Forum too for inspiration.

[Kit30]

Milli Millu, Aspinal,Smythson?

[bagbagbag]

Perfect post botemp, thank you. Just the sort of advice/confirmation I am looking for. Love some of the labels you have mentioned. Marni may be more than I want to spend.
Will carry on looking. Thank you, any more advice very welcome.

[GrumpyOldHorsewoman]

Lanvin get my vote. And there are some lovely ones on Vestiaire Collective which (in my experience) will probably be as good as new but half the price. Some are quite 'look at me', but there are some lovely understated ones too. I really like the Amalia.

[WhooooAmI24601]

I love Aspinal and Coach (but also fall into the Mulberry trap occasionally). Coach have a great sale on at the moment.

[bagbagbag]

Hadn't really considered pre loved but maybe I should.
Whoooo thanks for your post. I'm not sure if Coach or Aspinal feel special enough but maybe I would need to up my budget to consider Loewe, Tom Ford etc.

[MadameCholetsDirtySecret]

Lancel have some lovely bags and I can guarantee they last and last.

[botemp]

Try Farfetch (and sometimes yoox) for Marni, they have this crossbody black one on there for £700 in the sale currently but don't know how it would suit your everyday.

Also, there are a few Italian (very trustworthy sites) that do for good luxury bag browsing, LuisaViaRoma, L'indeLePalais, and Forzieri. Good options in the sale too and they tend to do more on the bag front. Theoutnet occasionally has some fab finds too.

On the budget end, &Other stories have some really nice bags too in the vein of Marni, Celine, etc.

[MrsC2810]

I'd go for a celine if budget allows, you may get a good sale bargain or preloved.

[bagbagbag]

Thank you everybody. Checking out all your suggestions.
I have a couple of &OS bags and I really like them. I swing between is designer worth it and then question myself as to why I feel the need to buy a designer bag. 😬 I don't worry about spending when it comes to clothes as I really feel you get what you pay for.

Appreciate the chat, if I talk to my husband about bags he makes me discuss his hobby too 🤓

[bagbagbag]

botemp what do you think of Jil Sander?

[MarshaBrady]

Céline is a nice option for understated and elegant.

[Shopgirl1]

I think Loewe might be the Spanish bag branded mentioned about...beautiful bags, but possibly over your budget.

I've just ordered a Jil Sander bag as a new year treat, they are minimalist, chic and great quality, I have a black tote a few years and it's still like new despite carrying heavy loads on a regular basis.

[mscongeniality]

Furla?
Celine is understated but very £££
Check out mytheresa.com they have a lovely selection; I usually order from there!

[Mominatrix]

Mansur Gavriel for understated and in your price range.
Givenchy and Saint Laurent have some great bags and are not as ubiquitous as Celine.
Above your price range, but by favourite bag is the understated, wonderfully crafted, and ever-so-practical Louis Vuitton Sophia Coppola.

[botemp]

No, it wasn't Loewe, Shopgirl1. It has a very similar aesthetic with the textured woven leather like BV.

Jil Sander hasn't really been on my radar until recently since it started popping up here and there and there's a few residing in some online wishlists of mine. Don't know if I'd buy them at full price though. I do like them and I think they're all made in the EU (which is my main condition for high-end bags, I don't see the point of justifying the price tags if it's made by cheap labour in China). It is very reminiscent of The Row, though who also make some fab bags but so ££££. I do always find that tricky, it's one thing for places like Zara and H&M to be producing more affordable 'inspired by' copies but I hate it when designers do it to other designers as they're competing in the same field, Michael Kors, DKNY, etc. being the worst offenders of the lot.

[bagbagbag]

I quite like the simplicity of Phillip Lim and not too ££££. Celine, lovely but too much for my everyday go to black bag. Love the row and Loewe but all out of budget, which makes me just think sod it, may as well just buy from high street as I can't have want I really want! (First world problem, I know)

mscon I have been prowling the mytheresa site. I have ordered from them before, but thank you for the heads up.

[bagbagbag]

Wasn't sure about Gavriel, moninatrix but will take another look, thank you.

[MarshaBrady]

The trio is in budget, but it is small. I use it every day but wouldn't work if you want to take more stuff.

[MarshaBrady]

Saint Laurent is also nice

[bagbagbag]

Trying to find one to look at Marsha. Where do you buy them from?

[botemp]

I remembered it again, Tissa Fontaneda! Not really my cup of tea but if you like the Bottega Veneta textured look in a bit more of an obvious way it might please some.

Mansur Gavriel bags don't age too well (a bit like Sophie Hulme bags) and are unlined, think everyone went a bit mad for them and then it quickly subsided.

It's a shame Alexander Wang left Balenciaga as he had started to do some really interesting things in the accessories department there. His own bag line isn't as interesting as it used to be either.

Celine won't allow their bags to be sold online, you have to visit them, unfortunately.

[MarshaBrady]

Actually I've just been to the Mount St store each time, when they get a bit old I move onto the next one - but I do love them

I just looked on Shopstyle and I didn't think it would be that hard to find one online, it might have to be an in store thing.

Oh just read Botemp, it is.