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Handbags for beginners...

38 replies

Wigeon · 23/03/2013 09:52

I have reached the grand old age of 33 without ever buying a real handbag (rather than a cheap faux leather one from somewhere boring...). I need a large bag for work. I have been looking for a while but have no idea of brands. Budget maybe up to £100? I think I might have too many criteria:

Must be black, or silver, or grey, or purple, possibly deep red.

Must be large enough for A4 papers, and my lunch, and an iPad, as well as all the usual handbag crap.

Can't be Radley - find them annoying.

Metalic trimmings to be in silver, not gold.

Mustn't look like it's my mother's. Mustn't look like I'm a teenager. But maybe has something a little bit quirky (not sure what). But needs to be suitably smart as I wear smart or suit for work.

Must be able to close with a zip, not just a popper, to prevent people stealing my purse while on the Tube.

This looks ok, but just a bit boring.

Any help gratefully received!

OP posts:
madammecholet · 23/03/2013 10:38

That's a knock off the new Mulberry willow...

I'll have a look for you..

madammecholet · 23/03/2013 10:49

and of these:

m&s

jigsaw

claudia canova

Dune

ajandjjmum · 23/03/2013 10:57

DD often finds her work bags from River Island - might be worth a look. Also Episode often have lovely bags, and there can be some real bargains in the sales.

SirToffeeDoris · 23/03/2013 11:13

too plain? Not gold hardware, John Lewis £79

JennySense · 23/03/2013 13:32

Suggest you hunt for a bargain and trade up !
www.tabithalondon.com/shop/bags/23
for a bit more out of your budget you could buy a red Staying Alive which looks lush!

JennySense · 23/03/2013 13:33

Gah!
www.tabithalondon.com/shop/bags/23

IDoTakeTwo · 23/03/2013 13:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wigeon · 23/03/2013 16:28

Oh, this is all extremely helpful - don't have time to look properly at all the links right now (too many children-wrangling going on) but will have a proper look later. Thanks everyone so far!

OP posts:
Allthingspretty · 23/03/2013 16:31

Tk maxx is your friend. You can buy online

2fedup · 23/03/2013 16:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wigeon · 23/03/2013 18:50

Thank you so much everyone again! I think my main mistake has been to only look in real shops, rather than online, because I assumed you'd got to see it before you bought it. So I did got in TKMaxx, but didn't find anything I liked. But browsing online is so much better!

Allthings - I really like this purple one you linked to, although my winter coat is deep purple, and a Spring/ Autumn rain / trench coat I've got is also purple (I look good in purple, ok!) so don't know if I'd just look too purple?

SirToffeeDoris - I do really like this navy one you linked to - ticks loads of boxes (meant to put navy as one of my colour options in the OP) - is it a bit mumsy? Or is the colour going to lift it - looks quite a bright navy, and the v positive reviews all say the colour is lovely.

Also love love the bright green White Stuff bag, love the colour. The toned-down colour on the White Stuff site is really misleading though given the brightness of other pic in the blog you linked to! But think it's just a bit too exciting for work, and a bit too slouchy looking?

Will keep browsing, although I think this is in first place at the moment...

OP posts:
Allthingspretty · 23/03/2013 19:04

Wig. That john lewis bag is a bit erm mumsy. U thought you wanted something different?

Wigeon · 23/03/2013 19:08

Oh bugger. I did think it was a bit mumsy. But it's so...practical! And I definitely prefer navy over black I think. And a good price for a leather bag.

OP posts:
Allthingspretty · 23/03/2013 19:38

I think more googling is in order....

Allthingspretty · 23/03/2013 19:39

...off to google

Wigeon · 23/03/2013 19:41

What about this purple quilted number? Nice and big. Quite funky. But too much with my purple coats?

OP posts:
Allthingspretty · 23/03/2013 19:42

www.oushka.com/shop/details/308/35/handbag-sale/camellia---damson.html think this might be the one with a proper pocket for your ipad. Slightly over the budget but worth it imo

Allthingspretty · 23/03/2013 19:44

Yes i saw that and like it however how heavu would it be when it has all your bits and bobs in and also would it withstamd the british weather if you arw puttimg expensive electronics in?

TomArchersSausage · 23/03/2013 19:47

Fossil at TKMaxx

I'm rather tempted myself at that one. Love Fossil bags!

FairPhyllis · 23/03/2013 19:49

I like the purple ones best. Don't like the John Lewis one at all.

Or how about this?