Handbags... luxury ones....

[alfabetty]

I have decided I am going to treat myself to a 'good' handbag. Having never spent over a few hundred pounds on a bag, I am bit in the dark as to what a 'luxury' handbag should be about.

Am prepared to spend whatever it takes....

A quick mooch online made me think I like Lanvin - soft leather, slouchy, not too big, not too structured. Defintely no big buckles and pockets.

Not keen on Mulberry-style. Had considered a Chanel bag. But is that too conservative? And what colour? I spend a lot of time abroad so the classic black Chanel might not be so wearable in more summery weather.

But I'm definitely going for classic, I don't want the latest 'it' bag that is dated in a few months. And I dress in quite a classic way - think Sam Cam rather than Sam Fox.

Grateful for any guidance

A Chanel 2.55 is a classic which can be worn dressed down as well as up. Look also at Celine's new bags - classic lines with a modern edge. If you are really going for classic (and the best quality construction), check out Hermes. Hermes will really last a lifetime (one of mine is a Kelly handed down from my mum and is is fabulous condition).

Thank you.

The Chanel 2.55 was what I had in mind - with the mademoiselle lock rather than the CC shape, I think. Would black be OK with summer clothing? Tailored 3/4 length pants etc I guess would look good. Dresses less so.

Hermes are beautiful bags but just a bit too structured (and of the minute, I think?) for me.

I really don't tend to go for things with labels/names showing, so something as iconic as an Hermes would be maybe more obvious that I'd usually go for. Hence the avoidance of the 'CC' Chanel bags!

Or am I missing the point a bit? I just want something beautiful, subtle, classic that perhaps one day I can pass to my daughter, but in the meantime use every day and love wearing it.

Tbh, I think that what you are describing is probably Hermes. Maybe you need time to come to terms with the fact that this is actually what you and your bank balance want though! Chloe bags (paraty and Marcie) are reasonably understated. The Mulberry bayswater, also.

HTH - it's just with Victoria Beckham marching around with an Hermes constantly on her arm, makes me feel it is too fashionable. Am I wrong about that?

Just googled the Chloe bags you suggested, and I had seen them and quite liked them, so you are right in suggesting that sort of thing. But didn't love them.

I seem to like the Lanvin bags and some Anya Hindmarch but don't know much about the build quality.

Was thinking about a light grey or silver, so good for evening but also OK for summer outfits. Or perhaps purple.

An Hermes Birkin has a really long waiting list so you're not necessarily going to get immediate gratification (think 2 years . . . )
Anya Hindmarch are really good quality and actually not as expensive as Chanel, so you could potentially get two with the same amount that you'd spend on a 2.55
But, a 2.55 is a such a classic, and SO beautiful, that I don't think you'd ever get tired of it, and it's neither young nor old and can be dressed both up and down - it is a perfect handbag. And black totally works during the summer too, imo.

You mention Celine - I love the Celine boogie bag.

I think that VB has probably jumped on the Hermes bandwagon because they are about the most expensive brand out there, iykwim. Kind of the bag, pinnacle! At the moment, I would say that hermes is very classic and timeless. Not fashion, as such, just renowned luxury.

BUT. Be aware that louis Vuitton are closing in on Hermes. They have recently upped their shares in the company and people are wondering what LV has in mind next, iykwim.

www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-27/hermes-birkin-bags-315-iphone-cases-spark-lvmh-s-strategic-investment.html

Lulu Guinness have a lovely purple bag on their website, can't remember the name of it but it is in the sparkle range.

www.harrods.com/product/anya-hindmarch/cornelia-shoulder-bag/000000000002206268?cat1=accessories&cat2=for-her-handbags

Do we like this? Good with jeans, evening and summer? Or am I wrong about that?

Not sure it is my 'forever' bag though. I am very drawn to the Chanel.

I think that one might date quite quickly. I'd go for the chanel

I like it but tbh, I don't think that Hindmarch has quite the credentials you are looking for in a forever bag. I love the colour though. Chanel 2.55 is just perfect, I think. If you wanted to keep the price more sensible though than a classic mulberry bayswater in black or oak is £650 and will last forever. I have a couple and I adore them. Total workhorses.

If you like SamCam what about the Smythson Nancy bag? Alternatively MuiMiu do amazing slouchy bags www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Designers/Miu_Miu/Bags

I agree that this bag will date quickly. The 2.55 is much better (is it the jumbo size you are going for?).

Not all Hermes is super structured. The iconic Kelly comes in 2 styles, one being boxy (sellier) and the other softer edged (returne). A retourne one in a leather like Togo/clemence would look modern, yet classic. There is also the Constance, the new toolbox, plus some more casual bags (in the spirit of the channel flaps) coming this spring. Also, there isn't a wait list for the birkin anymore, in case that was what you were after.

I have a Mulberry Bayswater too that I love (in gold) but I think I overfilled it in the past because the handles stretched and it doesn't look as nice as it used to anymore. I use it as a gym bag now.
My Celine Boogie bag has done really well and I love it every time I use it and it hasn't really aged at all.
My Chanel bag (not a 2.55, tragically) hasn't aged at all, partly because Chanel have an amazing service whereupon they service their handbags for free so I got new gilt chain handles etc. - amazing!
My Anya Hindmarch bags all do really well and I love them and I especially love them because I feel that they're not immediately recognisably obscenely expensive - no massive logo anywhere - I'm using a bronze Carker at the moment as a handbag/ nappy bag (DS is 4 months).
Various handbags have not seen the light of day in years because my husband hates them/ they are immediately recognisable complete with price tag which I hate - these include a Balenciaga Lariat, a Marc Jacobs Stam, and I've forgotten what else.
I have a stupid amount of handbags. I used to work in fashion and get given them for free. Now I have babies and work from home the only bags I ever spend money on are from Anya Hindmarch. Which potentially says lots about how brilliant they are.
But a Chanel 2.55 . . . oh how I'd love one. Or three. One black, one beige, one baby pink . . .

Oh by the way the leather that the Anya Hindmarch you give a link to is really soft and not as durable as the quilted leather on a Chanel 2.55 - a Chanel bag really does last forever and ever.

This one, sorry I can't do linkswww.luluguinness.com/ProductPage.aspx?productId=LULU-0124-481-279-501

There you go, Darkside . Us bag lovers must stick together!

productId=LULU-0124-481-279-501

Trying again for you!

productId=LULU-0124-481-279-501

Sorry, can't make it work

Gah! thanks for trying though

That damned website has something against us, lol. I think it is sign from the Gods that OP should not buy Lulu.G!

Thank you all. Really so helpful - actually starting to enjoy looking, rather than feeling overwhelmed!

The Bayswater just isn't for me. Don't know why! I have looked at them over the years but never quite made the purchase. That's partly why I've held off buying a really top-end handbag, and why I'm thinking that I may now be as well to really go for it and get the Chanel.

I had been looking at Mui Mui, as I know they do both quilted and slouchy bags, but thought they were more of a high-fashion house than classic bag maker? (Again, I may have that wrong!).

Likewise, I like Marc Jacobs quilted bags but think I may as well have the original Chanel if I'm going for that look.

Not keen enough on the Smythson bags, that was a starting point - nice but not 'the one'.

Which takes me back to the 2.55...

Don't think I'll go for the jumbo size, perhaps a size down, any thoughts on that?

Lulu Guinness's bags have not been as good since she stopped doing her 'couture' range anyway . . . Although I still love her lips clutches (and they ALWAYS get positive comments. Although they fit practically nothing in them.)

Re size, how much do you usually have in your handbag? Phone, wallet, notebook, diary, keys, book that you're reading . . . ?

What I really really like about the Chanel is that it not traceable to a particular season, which bags by Miu Miu/ Prada/ Marc Jacobs etc. are. Thus, it'll never go out of fashion.

You're right in what you say about liking Marc Jacobs's bags but figuring you may as well just go for the Chanel. I've always thought that pretty much every single Marc Jacobs bag is a job application, that Marc is just waiting for Karl Lagerfeld to step down . . .

why don't you take a walk down bond street or wherever and try your shortlist? I"ve done that before - they are such personal things - you really need to see how they feel on your shoulder, in your hand etc - how they look on you.

Have you been to the purse forum? That's a very good place for research - a different section for each make, and people post photos of themselves with bags. It's very useful!