So, if you were getting an "investment" handbag, what would you get?

[bleh]

I've been contemplating this, because I'm sick and tired of buying rubbish bags that die within a year. So, the original plan was to get a Mulberry Bayswater (after I finish paying off a massive loan), but now I'm wondering what else is out there.

I want something that will:

• Last a while
• Can hold lots of useless tat posessions
• Is smart enough for work
• And works with a wardrobe that is mostly in blues and greens.

What would you get if you could?

[TheDevilWearsPenneys]

The Mulberry Bayswater is dull , dull , dull.

I like this

www.net-a-porter.com/product/37524

[orangina]

Oooh, that is my dream bag tdwp.....

[LaurieFairyCake]

very similar style to TWDP's one but Mulberry

[bleh]

I did think that, particularly in black, the Bayswater cn be very boring. I do LOVE this one but at 4 times the price of any others ... my budget doesn't quite stretch to that.

[bleh]

I like the shape of this one but not the fabric and the whopping big logo

[TsarChasm]

How can a handbag be nearly 2 grand?!

[peanutbrittle]

i bought this one in selfridges sale last NY. Love it. Plenty tat space roomy. Lovely and soft.

[joliejolie]

I have that bag in bright pink peanutbrittle. It was marked down 70% in the xmas sales and it would have been rude not to buy it!
I agree that it is pretty, but I never really use mine.

[peanutbrittle]

I don't use mine much either joliejolie but when I do I love it! I reckon it should last for years so no harm if I don't use it every day. I would if I were a handbag every day sort of girl but I am mostly lugging a laptop around with me so use a laptop rucksack thingy and a small pouch for my purse. The Mable comes out when I am unencumbered by laptop and not going anywhere filthy where it will get ruined if I put it on the floor (like the playground etc). Like nights out, nice trips to clean places ...etc etc etc

[Skimummy]

I think a Bayswater in Oak is classic.

Otherwise I would look at a nice Prada leather bag maybe like this one in brown.

Another very spacious bag is the LV Neverfull but depends whether you like LV or not...

I also think Tod's is a very overlooked brand when it comes to handbags like this one but in a different colour/leather.

If my budget was generous I would be buying this in brown. I have one in black and I loooooove it!

[joliejolie]

I love Mulberry bags and I do think the Bayswater is a classic. I would say black though, so you when it rains you don't have to worry as much. Especially if this will be your one main bag.

[Sunshinemummy]

I have this Marc Jacos bag in dark grey and it's lovely and so versatile. You can wear the strap long across the body, or short on the shoulder. It has three compartments with loads of room, one of which is zipped and the other two press studs.

[BobtheWoodmouse]

Mulberry Bayswater in oak gets my vote - been using mine for years.

[SuzeMcG]

I'm very tempted by the LV Neverfull in Damier.

[jemart]

Another vote for Mulberry.

[Orangesarenottheonlyfruit]

I have a couple of Mulberry's from teh Shepton mallet seconds place and they last forever and look fabulous still. The Bayswater is my ultimate bag (swoon), well that or a Birkin...

[BitOfFun]

Are Mulberrys actually any better quality though than a nice leather handbag you could get in, say, John Lewis' though? I've got a lovely one in teal from there I got for my birthday for about seventy quid by Nica.

[ReginaCovington]

nothign is classic in fashion

[BitOfFun]

Here is mine, from last year. It looks a bit more teal in real life than blue though, and it was £60. It's stayed in great shape,and because it didn't cost the earth I was brave enough to go for something not black!

[shhhh]

LV, I own several and can honestly say they have not dated and are still looking immaculate.

[jemart]

I have two mulberry bags, very well made, they just go on and on. I've not come across Nica before, so can't comment on how they would compare but have had a leather bag in a similar price range before and got about 18 months use out of it before it broke.

[traceybath]

Well i love designer handbags and have had gucci, LV, Tods and Mulberry. Of course this was back in the pre-children days.

They are lovely quality but i do think you get bored of them - especially if you use it everyday.

So although i think its worth spending a bit i wouldn't spend loads and think you'll use it forever because if you're anything like me you'll be bored of it after a year or so.

Definitely try the outlets at Bicester/Shepton Mallett if you like mulberry - tend to be about half the normal retail price.

[Mulanmum1]

"Are Mulberrys actually any better quality though than a nice leather handbag you could get in, say, John Lewis' though?"

No they are not

[BitOfFun]

Good to know!

[joliejolie]

Nica bags are cute, but not real leather.
I just bought a bag today from the Mulberry outlet at a bargain price and it is for a bag that is still full price on the website. It is considered sub-standard, but the salesgirl and I looked for ages and we could not see a single flaw.
Definitely try the outlets first, there are four in the UK.