If you had about £800-900 to spend on a handbag, what would you get?

[DontmindifIdo]

that's about it really. Basically, I have some money to buy something to remind me of someone who's died. I've a lot of very good jewellery already that I don't actually wear that much (normally the only jewellery I wear is my watch and my wedding and engagement rings), I was going to buy a piece of furniture with it, but we have just bought some new furniture and don't need anything.

so I was thinking a 'good' bag might be something I'll actually use. I have been looking at the Mulberry Bayswater or Alexa, but just wondered if any more stylish ladies had any other suggestions.

Thanks!

Lots of great ideas on this thread, no need to add new ones.
I just wanted to say that this to me would be a lovely and very tangible way to remember someone who is no longer with us.
Whatever you pick, I hope you'll really enjoy it.

I'd really love to be remembered this way after I'm gone

FWIW I would much rather be remembered by someone using a lovely designer item than by a wooden bench.

good luck with your search, OP. I can't help much - my most expensive bag is a Marc Jacobs one I got in Paris for £250 or thereabouts, and then something from LK Bennett, so obviously I'm not much of a bag person. I would however love to find that elusive one off amazing item that will amaze me for the rest of my life!

Oh yes, me too. I can't think of a more appropriate way for me to be remembered than someone walking into a department store and dropping a load of cash on a fabulous bag. It's kind of my M.O.

OP when I mentioned a tree I didn't mean one for your own garden .
I meant one in a public place. When my uncle died ( young) my mum ( his sister) had a tree planted in the grounds of a local museum/stately home/with parkland, and 30 years on the family still visit.

You do what you want- just clarifying what I meant.

Sorry for your loss.

I love handbags and have said to my best friend that if I go before her she must spend on a handbag (Hermes) in my honour.

Normally I would say Mulberry Bayswater. They are classic and timeless. I am a bit pissed off with Mulberry atm as their prices are going up and quality down. I have my eye on a Smythson Cooper Tote atm and they are currently in the sale at about £500 (normally £900). With the change you could buy a purse or get it personalised.

Also a Chanel WOC would be classic but may be out of your budget.

My preference would be for a classic if I was getting it in memory of someone. Balenciagia City/Giant City, Tod's, Longchamp, Prada (plain black leather) or Gucci (in classic leather). I wouldn't get a Mulberry because you see them everywhere and there's nothing special about them. Same with LV.

Oooh yes, not sure how I forgot Smythson. Just the most divine bags.

Balenciaga Tube.

Balenciaga giant city

just gorgeous, and roomy, without being TOO big. and goes with everything

dh bought me one for christmas 3 years ago (in anthracite) and i still adore it, and it looks better now its aged a bit if that doesn't sound too pretentious

Loving the bag porn on this thread.

If ladylike chic is your thing I have a soft spot for Audrey from Thomas Lyte. Might be a bit too Thatcheresque for some tastes though.

How about Delvaux Tempete? www.labellov.com/vintage-luxury-designer-fashion-handbags/delvaux-219/tempete-delvaux.html

Love this idea, OP, and will be leaving instructions for my DDs to do the same. No bench please I like the Mulberry Bayswater but gone off the brand apart from that style. Balenciaga or Anya Hindmarch gets my vote. I have the regular size AH Gracie and it's a very classic style.

Another vote for Balenciaga, or Chanel. You would never regret a Chanel bag.

Yes cream bags don't wear as well, my Marcie is cream: beautiful but you do have to think about it constantly - Fortunately here in the ME if you go for dinner the waiting staff usually bring a bag or stool for your bag

I have a gorgeous gold tweed Alexa clutch that is trashed from one wear with black jeans. I used the cross body strap and the back rubbed against my hip turning the back of the bag black

jump it's interesting you say you never regret a Chanel, many people post 80's clearly did and second hand bags went for very little, sadly I was both too young and too clueless to snap one up.

They have had a massive resurgence but like all things the fashion for bags is very cyclical. I don't think you can expect to buy any bag and consider it something you would use every year forever. Bags fade in and out.

I do like the idea of getting two bags. A practical classic everyday thing and then something like a clutch or a coloured bag. Whatever you buy make sure that it sets your heart on fire and that you really love it. Happy shopping.

I have both an Alexa and a Bayswater and use the Alexa a lot more than the Bays, but it is less structured and I don't think it'll last forever. As PPs have mentioned, prices are going up and quality isn't as good as it was.

If you want a work horse bag, consider black or chocolate over oak - I had a coke bottle explode in a Mulberry Roxanne many years ago and I'm still scarred from the experience.

Have you considered a trip to the Mulberry outlet (Shepton Mallet, Cheshire Oaks, Bicester, York)? They have current and past stock, and you'd be able to get, say, and Alexa and a Bayswater clutch for £900. If you know any students you can borrow for the day, they get another 10% off. My black Alexa was £520 from there.

Thank you andadietcoke (and surprised you didn't stop drinking it after that!) will have a look at the outlets.

Thank you all for the additional suggestions, I'm going to do some research. I do think black or dark brown/another dark colour might be the way to go for getting "cost per use" down (and pale bags and toddlers might be a bad, bad plan).

I'm not expecting whatever I get Ill still be able to use in 20 years time, but hopefully something that will last me 5+ years, rather than something that's very now and then dates. (So plain is the way to go)

There are some truely beautiful bags on this thread.

Sorry I know this isn't the answer to the question posed but I just wanted to say that I think buying a special something, be it a bag, a painting or a piece of jewellery is a lovely way to remember someone you have loved and loss. I know nothing of handbags though! Sorry about your friend.

Loved and lost

Can anyone give me a link for a Chanel for £8-900? I can't find one for much less than 2k.

Can I suggest a handbag with a very large 'grip'

Well ( apart from a bag from m and a ) I only have mulberry handbags so I suppose I gravitate towards those. I still really like the styles and quality so 900 pounds would be spent on another one if I had that to spend

M and S!

Yes paler handbags aren't practical at all - they get marks from indigo jeans and are hard to clean in my experience.

But black bags are a bit dull - I really love the blue marcie - have I mentioned that

Mcphee - ooooh which bags have a good grip - mulberry?