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!

Bag rehab...
www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Handbag_Spa.php

I live in quite an affluent area. I have also seen Balenciaga bags, Chanel shoes, DVF dresses. Some very generous ladies round these parts!

I have a Chanel jumbo flap which was worth every penny, bought it a few years back at a tax free price but they do retain value so if I were to sell it I would make money on it. Unfortunately the pricing these days for them is ridiculous and I could not justify it. I don't think they are worth buying any more, that said you could get a vintage one for your price range.

If I were you I'd go for a Balenciaga, a good roomy everyday bag with the most buttery soft leather that only looks better with age.

Celine bags are also gorgeous, not sure of the prices though. I'm too scared to look! Beautiful bags.

BV in Oxfam? . I was thinking today about the quilted Chanel I didn't buy for $300. [sighs]

Does anyone know how long the sale on Anya Hindmarch will be on for?
Have fallen in love with the mini Gracie someone linked to and don't want to miss out while I'm dithering.

H yes BV - don't have one really really want one.

I love the maxi intrecciato, it looks lovely in cream but i just know it'd be a bitch to keep clean. Actually French connection had a reasonable version in cream for about 150- might take my chances with that.

amber the ladies of Bristol obviously aren't so generous

I bought a Marc Jacobs bag years ago when my gran died, she was bag obsessed she left me just enough to buy one in the sales. I still have it now and every time I use it I think of her and all the lovely things she used to do for me.

DH bought me the Chloe Marcie Satchel for Christmas and I love it.

I am using it everyday at the mo but just because its new. Now the DC are back at school and I am running around constantly I am going to haul out my old battered mulberry as I dont want to knacker it.

Oh and buy some collinol to waterproof whichever bag you choose.

DMIID For 990Euros (£820, give or take) you could own this beautiful, handmade Henry Beguelin Sharazar bag. IMHO, this is much more beautiful than a Bays, and you're very, very unlikely to ever run into anyone else carrying the same bag as you. It has the practicality of a cross-body, and is very work appropriate too.
Henry Beguelin (and Henry Cuir) bags are so amazingly well-made - and you'll love the customer experience of buying one.

Alternatively, if you want a bag to last forever, you should look at Saddleback Leather. The Tote is about $600, plus duties (and ferociously expensive postage), so well within budget.

Good luck on your bag quest

SW London. Some crazy money round here. Not much of it in my account sadly.

I wonder if the people who put such expensive bags in the charity shop receive them as gifts and have no idea of the cost.

I adore the Chloe bags but some of them are very heavy, so bear this in mind if you're going to be using it every day!

Oops missed out the marcie bit

Yeah, I think even if I was super rich I could probably be arsed to eBay a BV. If I really didn't need the cash I'd donate it - better for the charity!

Not sure if someone else has suggested it, but how about a vintage Chanel bag - they often look more "original" because of all the obvious modern fakes around and there are reputable specialist sellers around. That would be in your price range I should think (I have an inherited Chanel bag and have had people offer to buy it from me quite randomly: it would probably keep its value).

I love the Marcie but don't have one yet.

www.malleries.com/ deals in a lot of second hand and vintage bags. Is American though, don't know if they ship. I go on there to swoon

How about a Longchamp Balzane? It comes in a variety of styles and is just gorgeous and classic. Won't do a link as the Longchamp website is a bit fancy but go to longchamp.com and have a look. If I had a ton of money, I'd buy it in an instant.

That malleries site is great. Thanks for posting swooosh

You're welcome! It's highly recommended on The Purse Forum too must resist the Chanel camera bag...

i would buy chanel, classic timeless pieces that are gorgeous and vintage sometimes appeals more than new!!

A bit over budget but one of the women I work with has this and I just stare at it constantly on the days she uses it - it's so gorgeous. Also like this one

libertychick, I have the shoulder bag version of that bag (from 4 years ago). I agree it's beautiful. A black classic Prada is just timeless. I have a couple of other Pradas going back about 10 years and they still look brand new. The fabric Pradas are to be avoided, especially iff you use them a lot.