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Original poster

People with 17yo daughters- an expensive bag

320 replies

WildFigs · 08/12/2024 22:46

My mum wants to buy DD a bag for Christmas and has suggested this one https://www.johnlewis.com/coach-bandit-leather-cross-body-bag/black/p110804303

I think it looks lovely but I'm in my 40s 😂 Would love some views as it's obviously a very expensive gift and more than I would spend on a bag for myself- mum always includes receipts so not a disaster if it's not right but it would be good if she at least had a chance of getting it right. Thank you!

OP posts:
letthemalldoone · 10/12/2024 00:19

Wheelyfast · 09/12/2024 23:48

@mitogoshigg that's nice for them, each to their own but it's not a "young"' brand. Where I am the only people carrying Radley bags are ladies who appear to be 60+ ( I've never asked their age) same when I've been to other towns/cities.

Fuck, I'm 60+ and I wouldn't be seen dead with a Radley! I have a couple that I inherited from my late mum and I have never ever used them!

Delphigirl · 10/12/2024 00:23

WildFigs · 08/12/2024 23:00

Thank you! Can you suggest an alternative?

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Staud. A Tommy beaded bag. I like this one below but you know your daughters taste. v popular with 17-25s. My daughter has one that she rents out and she says it is her hardest working investment. It is currently on holiday with some girl in Spain for a £70 rental! 😎.
staud.clothing/products/tommy-beaded-bag-black-white-zebra

letthemalldoone · 10/12/2024 00:27

I wonder if it would be worth selling the Radleys? They're 20+ now so I suppose vintage and they were either barely used or not at all!

Bowies · 10/12/2024 00:35

I think it’s risky - but if it’s John Lewis easy to exchange for something she wants.

MangoesAndPeaches · 10/12/2024 00:48

Take a look at Polène. Their tote bags are very on-trend at the moment, but they also have some cross-body bags.

Whitewolf2 · 10/12/2024 01:15

Interesting that some are saying Coach is coming back, it’s very popular with the 40+ crowd where I live!

letthemalldoone · 10/12/2024 01:17

Whitewolf2 · 10/12/2024 01:15

Interesting that some are saying Coach is coming back, it’s very popular with the 40+ crowd where I live!

I think it's generally come back for all ages which is great because I have several of their bags!!

Cattina · 10/12/2024 09:14

Honestly I would say no. What about Vivian Westwood? Even not a bag but their jewellery is trendy, like the earrings.

RubyBirdy · 10/12/2024 09:55

What’s her style? Does she like neutrals and is fairly mainstream in her taste, such as Michael Kors? A bit more alternative, so more Vivienne Westwood?

Jostuki · 10/12/2024 10:22

Lots of lovely bags from Fairfax & Favor.

Example here -

www.fairfaxandfavor.com/products/langham-messenger-bag-tan-suede

luckylavender · 10/12/2024 10:42

No way should anyone chose a bag for someone. Far too personal

Viviennemary · 10/12/2024 10:45

soupmaker · 08/12/2024 23:06

Honestly I'd ask your DD for a shortlist of bags she likes within your Mum's budget and then pick one of them. It's such an expensive gift, you want her to love it and use it.

I agree. It's too much money to spend to get it wrong. I don't think those coach bags would appeal to a teenager.

claudiawinklemansfringetrimmer · 10/12/2024 11:01

Wheelyfast · 09/12/2024 23:48

@mitogoshigg that's nice for them, each to their own but it's not a "young"' brand. Where I am the only people carrying Radley bags are ladies who appear to be 60+ ( I've never asked their age) same when I've been to other towns/cities.

Radley always gets shat on on mumsnet - I’m 31 and all my friends have been carrying them since our early/mid 20s. Might not be teenagers but we’re not old ladies!

Wheelyfast · 10/12/2024 11:08

claudiawinklemansfringetrimmer · 10/12/2024 11:01

Radley always gets shat on on mumsnet - I’m 31 and all my friends have been carrying them since our early/mid 20s. Might not be teenagers but we’re not old ladies!

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As I said each to their own. I really honestly don't care what handbag you carry, I care what handbag I carry & it would not be Radley .

Commonsense22 · 10/12/2024 11:21

Wheelyfast · 10/12/2024 11:08

As I said each to their own. I really honestly don't care what handbag you carry, I care what handbag I carry & it would not be Radley .

Edited
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No but to be fair, I wouldn't have wanted any if the ones mentioned on this thread as desirable because of the letter branding / logos etc. They all look a bit "celwbrity/influencer" to me which is a look my peers and I were actively trying to avoid since teenagehood.

But yes, there are just different tastes. But the scorn poured on Radley here is just not reflective of it's consumer base.

MumWifeOther · 10/12/2024 11:25

It’s a lovely thought, and I do actually like the bag as a near 40 year old woman now, however the fact is that most desirable designer bags are £500-800+. Especially the brands that most 17 year olds want eg Gucci, Louis Vuitton, YSL.. Michael Kors has always been chavvy and basic, Vivienne Westwood has always been a bit meh, Kate Spade is def for older market. I would just gift the cash to buy something she really wants. Most good trainers are £200 now, let alone a proper designer bag!

Wheelyfast · 10/12/2024 11:36

Commonsense22 · 10/12/2024 11:21

No but to be fair, I wouldn't have wanted any if the ones mentioned on this thread as desirable because of the letter branding / logos etc. They all look a bit "celwbrity/influencer" to me which is a look my peers and I were actively trying to avoid since teenagehood.

But yes, there are just different tastes. But the scorn poured on Radley here is just not reflective of it's consumer base.

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I don't like the bags being suggested either if you read my comments .
I'm not sure how much clearer I can make it . You do you, I truly don't care what handbag you carry, I care what bag I carry. I've never thought oooh look my friend has the same bag because they don't. The only time I've lent a bag to a "friend" they ruined it (bulgari) and her parents offered £20 , the bag now would be over 2k. I like bags, I like that bags I like. You like the bags you like it's a personal choice.

Grammarnut · 10/12/2024 14:15

Looks similar to bag toted by my step-GD (21) but I don't think I'd want to trust a 17-year-old not to lose it. Very nice, though.

Grammarnut · 10/12/2024 14:19

MumWifeOther · 10/12/2024 11:25

It’s a lovely thought, and I do actually like the bag as a near 40 year old woman now, however the fact is that most desirable designer bags are £500-800+. Especially the brands that most 17 year olds want eg Gucci, Louis Vuitton, YSL.. Michael Kors has always been chavvy and basic, Vivienne Westwood has always been a bit meh, Kate Spade is def for older market. I would just gift the cash to buy something she really wants. Most good trainers are £200 now, let alone a proper designer bag!

Well, I don't like logos either. And DD, who has two Gucci bags, carries the one with logo so it cannot be seen (gift from DP). As for spending £500 to £800 on a bag for a teenager, some people have more money than sense, obv. Bag in question is fine - but I wouldn't buy it for a 17-year-old (because likely to leave it somewhere).
NB Well done for telling OP her mum is a skinflint/has poor taste/doesn't have enough money for a 'proper' designer bag.

Daschund1 · 10/12/2024 15:47

With her not being here and being 17, would she have cash and wait until the sales? DS bought me one in their New York store for less than half price to the identical one I'd chosen.
Coach is surprisingly popular again. My other DS's girlfriend has asked for one for Christmas. She's twenty and usually ahead of the curve fashion wise.

Daschund1 · 10/12/2024 15:49

MumWifeOther · 10/12/2024 11:25

It’s a lovely thought, and I do actually like the bag as a near 40 year old woman now, however the fact is that most desirable designer bags are £500-800+. Especially the brands that most 17 year olds want eg Gucci, Louis Vuitton, YSL.. Michael Kors has always been chavvy and basic, Vivienne Westwood has always been a bit meh, Kate Spade is def for older market. I would just gift the cash to buy something she really wants. Most good trainers are £200 now, let alone a proper designer bag!

Ouch! Any need?

MumWifeOther · 10/12/2024 15:52

I think that’s you jumping to conclusions as I never said those things. The fact is that proper designer is expensive, it’s just the way it is. Whether you or your daughter likes logos is personal to you both. A £200 odd bag is a nice bag, it’s not considered “designer”.

MumWifeOther · 10/12/2024 15:53

Perspective no? There’s people here suggesting Radley for a 17 year old girl…. 🙃

Jenkib · 10/12/2024 16:03

WildFigs · 08/12/2024 22:46

My mum wants to buy DD a bag for Christmas and has suggested this one https://www.johnlewis.com/coach-bandit-leather-cross-body-bag/black/p110804303

I think it looks lovely but I'm in my 40s 😂 Would love some views as it's obviously a very expensive gift and more than I would spend on a bag for myself- mum always includes receipts so not a disaster if it's not right but it would be good if she at least had a chance of getting it right. Thank you!

I wouldn't dare choose anything for my 17 year old son / 19 year old daughter. Their tastes are so specific.
It means they do not get surprises, but money is not wasted !
Perhaps ask her to send some links to bags she likes