a good classic bag - help needed!

[thehappycat]

I am in a real post-baby/lazy bag rut and using a Pliage the whole time.
I have a birthday coming up and I'm looking for a lovely classic bag - probably black so it will work when back in the office (smart environment) but also look great other times, so not too structured.
I like Mulberry - Daria and Effie hobo and also Chloe Marcie although that's a bit more spendy!
What are people's thoughts on these and are there any others? very grateful for suggestions. I used to like bags but have fallen a bit out of the habit. Thank you!

Tod's are timeless, Bulgari do lovely Kelly-type bags.

How much do you intend to spend?

Hermes Kelly bags for example are truly classic but quite expensive. Then there is LV and their bags literally last forever and always look new.

YSL has great black bags that can be used for office & out.

Thanks, will take a look... Around 1k is probably my limit as I wouldn't get any more value out of a bag than that. So Hermes and Chanel and uber-brands probably out. But definitely want something that will last and is not too structured but that I'm not afraid to tote around with kids in tow.

Hermes is out but I think you will find that Louis Vouitton has a lot to offer in your budget. With a bit of care, their bags truly last forever. My mum has one that she has bought in the '80s and it still looks new.

Anya does nice bags, like this one

Chic and seek have pre loved bags on their website including chanel ,chloe and anya hindmarch. Op if you were prepared to go down that route then take a look you would have plenty of scope with your budget.

I browse but have never nought as yet...

Also look at Vestiaire Collective - they have a tomato red LV Speedy for about £400 which I'm currently trying not to buy.

Oooh, a subject close to my heart! Smythson has some beautiful timeless bags. Very spendy (£600-£1000) but they don't date, are gorgeous quality and also aren't instantly recognisable as a particular label. I've had one for two years and love it. I have a mulberry as well, which is a lovely bag, but there are a lot of mulberrys around, so it's nice to have a slightly different one.

I've always coveted a Prada bag (they have an online shop) but have never been able to justify it.

Zara also have some lovely bags which look really good quality.

LV is over-used, IYKWIM, everybody sports one, from fake-tanned fly-by-night wonders to teenagers, waving about fake models.
LV vintage pieces are very nice as they are not so 'bling'.