I just don't 'get' bags. Would love to be enlightened.

[jocesar]

I'm 38 and discovered S&B 3 months ago. It has been little short of amazing and has transformed the way I think about clothes and beauty. I've never been interested before- thought I was a hopeless case.

But I'm struggling to understand bags. I do not own a 'proper' bag. Of course I have survived using rucksacks, changing bags, own pockets and husbands pockets but have never really 'needed' a bag. And obviously there is a whole world of bags out there ready to fritter money away on. But I want to know what is the deal/ fuss about bags and why do so many people have so many?

Oh, and if you manage to convince me, can you suggest a sensible first purchase to get the show moving?

You need one good leather bag with lots of pockets, two if you are greedy. One black, one brown.

I don't bother with two because I'm to disorganised to swap things over.

DH always refers to it as my battery pack. He swears I'll stop if it isn't with me. He's right since no money, cards, keys, phone, ipod (diary and book combined) and other female bits and pieces does = end of the world.

Have just had to pour myself a stiff g +t when I read your post. Have been on the handbag porn thread and it's just getting too much.and cheers!

Ok I adore clothes, shoes,bags.....I have a problem. And btw its certainly not all designer. I love the thrill of putting an outfit together from different shops, some v cheap, some not so.

My only rule when buying bags is they must be leather....plastic looks cheap eventually (apart from patent which looks plastic anyway). T k Maxx is an excellent place to get them and good quality too.

I love bags because;

They finish an outfit
They feel lovely....I love soft squishy leather
Some are so beautifully made (you wd not believe the work/time/skills involved in making a Hermes bag)
They make you feel stylish and chic
You don't need to be thin to wear them
They can update a really simple outfit

Ok I'm off back with mmecholet to the bag porn thread

Slug really like both those links. So how does a bag accessorise an outfit. Is it more than just the colour? When would you go for an oversized/ shoulder/ across the body etc? And are bags just like shoes- you can have hundreds but actually only use 3 or 4 regularly. And if you use a different bag each day with a different outfit, isn't it a faff to keep swapping things over?

And when you say bags must be leather, should I avoid all fabric ones too?

Oasis bags are quite classic, and a good price. I'm not a bag person either, but I bought a tan leather doctors bag, that has a handle or an over the body strap, and I love it. It goes with everything, I use it all the time, and it was down to £25 from £50 in the sale.

Oh drywhite I love your list of why you like bags...here's my attempt

I love bags because:

They feel like an extension of me (personality)
They cheer me up
I can style up a boring outfit by just wearing the right bag
They make me organised
They make me happy
They don't have to be pricey to be lovely
They complete any outfit

and don't get me wrong jocesar, altho I started handbag porn thread, I lust after bags from £10 to £1000.... it's just I don't buy them all!

drywhite

I think for me bags represnt different parts of my personality. I have bags to represnt my quirkyness /sense of humour, classic bags for my sensible size etc.

Jocesar, I kind of agree, although I own quite a few bags, I have used my current one (brown leather hidesign shoulder bag) constantly for the last 3 years at least.

I can't get excited by bags, and can't be bothered to swap things over.

am I a lost cause...?

jocesar if I was starting from a no bag position I would get;

1 black shoulder bag,quite roomy,lots of pockets (I love pockets)....this is my everyday bag.
1 tan bag (tote,grab,shoulder)
1 tan cross body (for when you need hands......shopping/days out with kids)
1 small inexpensive evening bag

Once you've got those then you can build.....
Others may disagree, but I could survive with these.....but I don't because I do like to change them to go with my mood or what I'm wearing.
Tan more or less goes with everything.

Novelty fabric bags can be nice.

I have maybe 10 bags, but stick to one on a daily basis, the others are for particular occasions. My main one at the moment is a shoulder bag whose straps slip through to convert it to a backpack which really helps as I can't carry one on my shoulder for long due to back problems, you can switch it in about 2 seconds.

Leather for everyday, but you can get some fabulous fabric ones from Accessorize for example.

I have to say though, although I think they can look great and are necessary at times I do feel a lot more comfortable physically without one, pockets are a lot easier.

I feel a shopping trip coming on but must go with a bag only rule no jeans

Nope, I don't do bags either. Have a changing bag rucksack still from DD (now a change of clothes bag since she's 3) and that ends up with all sorts of crufty bits of orange segments and biscuits in the bottom so I can't imagine spending £££ on a bag.

Wallet goes in (zipped up) pocket, keys, phone and camera in other pocket.

jocesar I'm also a jeans and converse wearer but somehow a good style bag smartens the look.

Go for a neutral colour, black, tan, grey depending on your preference and what will go with your clothes and just play around with styles in the shop and see what you like the look of. Debenhams usually have a good selection of bags and with their never ending blue cross sales there's always a discount to be had. Or John Lewis/house of Fraser are good for looking at styles.

I'm sure by the end of the day you'll be stroking the soft leather of bags and lusting

Happy shopping

Ohh I feel a shift change, jocesar you sound to me like you're open to giving it a try

My advice for a shopping trip is let your heart rule your head. It should be practical and tick all your requirements, BUT you must love it and not want to leave the shop without it. :)

I love bags... how can you not love bags?? Once you find one you like you ll see :-)

Try natetnin.com for lovely bags too
or nicolacrenini.com for some othere lovely unusual bags that are practical not handbagish!

I think these are the two you were referencing, whitelilies

Nat Nin
Nicola Cerini.