Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

If you were an 18 year old girl, what brand of bag would you go for?

83 replies

vigglewiggle · 13/04/2012 11:39

my lovely niece is turning 18 and I would like to buy her a nice bag. I'm a bit out of touch with what is 'in' for the 18 year old crowd. I don't mind spending a bit on her as she is my niece and is a cracking lass!

She's sporty, but also girly - not sure that that helps!

OP posts:
ClaimedByTheEasterBunny · 13/04/2012 11:44

Pauls Boutique?

Original poster
vigglewiggle · 13/04/2012 11:49

Ooh they look good. I take it they are fashionable?

OP posts:
ClaimedByTheEasterBunny · 13/04/2012 11:54

My sister likes it and shes into fashion, im into comfort!

Msarsebiscuit · 13/04/2012 11:59

They are very much in , vigglewiggle, but aren't very durable for the price - 60 quid + , bought one for my dd's birthday after many,many months of begging and the handle detached after several weeks of use.

BackforGood · 13/04/2012 11:59

My nieces like "what they like" which isn't necessarily a particular brand. I'd take them shopping with me if that's what I wanted to get them, and let them choose.

BabsJansen · 13/04/2012 12:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/04/2012 12:02

I think I'd take her to chose for herself, it would be very difficult to know what she would like iyswim? And Pauls Boutique really isn't liked by all

Original poster
vigglewiggle · 13/04/2012 12:08

She lives 200 miles away and I won't see her until after her birthday. I know she likes jack wills and she has one in her nearest town, so I could go for one of theirs and she could swap it I suppose.

I wanted to be the cool aunty who bought her a cool bag (even though in reality I have no idea) Grin.

OP posts:
TheCraicDealer · 13/04/2012 13:06

If she likes Jack Wills I have one word for you- Longchamp. I got mine a year ago and use it nearly every day and it still looks perfect. They're really roomy and come in lots of different colours. Some branches of House of Fraser stock them, and you can order them online from Selfridges.

celticlassie · 13/04/2012 13:09

Maybe try to get something from a department store with a gift receipt so she can return it? Topshop have lovely real leather bags.

MadameMessy · 13/04/2012 13:09

Oh no, not Pauls boutique! They might be fashionable now, but get something lovely that will wear and age as well as being cool? Guess or dkny for "not too expensive but designer all the same" type bags?

PimpMyTunnel · 13/04/2012 13:11

I can't believe how popular Pauls boutique is. I literally see 8 year old girls with the bags and coats on its ridicoulous considering the price their mums are paying especially as the children only want them too show off with

TequilaMockinBird · 13/04/2012 13:14

I wouldn't go with Paul's Boutique. My DD is 14 and is past the PB stage - apparently PB is for Chavs and kids Hmm

I'd go for Jack Wills or, like somebody else has mentioned, DKNY.

LesAnimaux · 13/04/2012 13:15

I think by the time girls are 18 most of them have grown out of PB. I'd go for Jack Wills.

Whatevertheweather · 13/04/2012 13:16

Google Disaster Designs - their bags are just gorgeous and a bit different. The leather is super soft. I got my 17yr old niece one for Christmas then ordered myself one too and apparently all her friends have asked for them too.

marmaladethecat · 13/04/2012 13:16

I second TheCraicDealer's suggestion, a Longchamp Le Pliage. I use mine for travelling, but it would make a great day to day bag.

namechangingagain · 13/04/2012 13:21

Pauls boutique is no longer the in thing they are for "young girls and chavs" apparently (I like them but there you go).

PimpMyTunnel · 13/04/2012 13:33

3 years ago I splashed out £140 on the Pauls boutique parker coat. No one had them and I wanted it because it looked warm. 3 years later 6 year olds are wearing them so I refused to wear it anymore. I sold it and miss it but I don't want to look like I'm trying to be trendy like the kids!

madammecholet · 13/04/2012 15:05

A huge NO to Pauls Boutique... bleugh.

I second a Jack Wills one, or the Longchamps (maybe a bit 'old' for her), why not look here at Red Direct, some lovely ones under £100..

FriskyMare · 13/04/2012 15:08

My 14 yo dd reckons Pauls Boutique is really naff.
What is your budget op? I have a soon to be 17 yo neice, I'll ask her whats in.

Bonsoir · 13/04/2012 15:09

French teenagers like the (ubiquitous) Vanessa Bruno sequin shopper

TeaTeaLotsOfTea · 13/04/2012 15:38

My 13yo babysitter says PB is really rubbish now.

I'm assuming its overkill.

I just looked at the Jack Wills link and liked everything Grin

TheCraicDealer · 13/04/2012 16:35

Hold on Madame, I'm only 23!!! Haha, I see what you mean though. They're the in thing here in Belfast (and in Sydney, according to my travelling friend).

LesAnimaux · 13/04/2012 16:42

The thing is, Bonsoir, what French teenagers like (and look good with) is considered frumpy by British teenagers. (The ones in your link look very "NEXT")

When I came back from France aged 21 with a Longchamp bag my friends were quite bemused by my "old carrier bag". Bet they'd like one now they are nearly 40 Grin

TheCraicDealer · 13/04/2012 16:53

Well, some people are born with taste, others have to learn it after years of Hmm faces resulting from questionable outfit choices