The Bag Dilemma

[ToastedTeacakes]

After recent issue with a leather saddle bag from Massimo Dutti, I'm kind of not sure what to do.

So I bought this lovely leather saddle bag, cost near £80 or thereabouts, and within a week it had basically collapsed into itself, forming a hideous slumpy shape, a bit like origami. Surely saddle bags are supposed to be a bit sturdier, or at least keep to some sort of basic shape....but never mind, the leather also has a crappy sheen, so you can see why I've decided to shove it into a corner and forget it ever happened.

Now I want to replace it. Ideally I'd like a tan/brown every day bag, preferably small, like a saddle or little duffle bag, or around the size of a Mulberry Lily.

I already have 2 bags - One lovely burgundy Jaeger tote, which is great for when I need to carry stuff, and one black Mulberry Lily, which I like to use for special occasions.

So my eye caught these two: and one of them is stupidly expensive, so I am caught in a bind.

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?v=1&utm_expid=37820566-0&productID=0113-1382-020000&productvarid=0113-1382-020000-TAN-1SIZE&refpage=bags&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hobbs.co.uk%2Fbags

www.selfridges.com/en/Bags/Brand-rooms/Collection-A/CHLOE/Marcie-mini-satchel_221-3001525-3P0580161TAN/?previewAttribute=Tan

Would also love a Mulberry Lily in Oak, but that would probably be a bit too much......aaargh, and thoughts? Basically, I am wary now of all damn bags and their supposed quality after the Massimo Dutti affair. I am willing to spend, but not sure how much..

Definately return the massimo even if you don't have the receipt.

I don't personally like the hobbs bag as I think it looks a bit cheap. So definately the Chloe...

Thanks!

I know, the Chloe is beautiful, and most definitely overpriced. It kind of irks me that I always naturally gravitate towards the expensive version of things, even before I know the brand/price. I first noticed it months ago and haven't been able to cast it out of my mind entirely since, even though I partially recoil at designer prices. I always search for a cheaper version - like I did with my Mulberry - for over 12 months before giving in and just buying the damn thing!

I'm not particularly obsessed with bags either, so this tendency annoys me a bit , but def sick of purchasing inferior quality crap. I know there's a perfect, affordable bag out there, I just can't find it!

Have you considered Lancel? this is a bit like the Hobbs bag, but I've no idea how much! It comes in lots of different colours.

I bought a lovely Lancel bag from Paris years back and I remember it being expensive at the time, but not eye-wateringly so. They are lovely, lovely bags.

Get the Chloe bag, this is my pattern: I buy 2 or 3 versions of the one I really want that aren't that expensive, none are quite right and break/wear out quickly, I might have just bought the thing I really wanted from the beginning.

Also, I would have to call Massimo Dutti as I don't know of any stores (I am up north!). They certainly ought to know about this.

Not only that, but a cardigan I purchased with the bag came unravelled within 5 days too. I think I need a word with them! Not sure I will be shopping there again.

And thanks Rosina, they are quite special - love the monogrammed ones....still kind of distracted by Chloe though!

Yes, Olivia, this is me, too!

I love the scaramanga one
Fossil has lots of options such as this one: www.fossil.co.uk/en_GB/shop/women/handbag_silhouettes/crossbody/austin_large_flap-zb5589p.html?parent_category_rn=331138&departmentCategoryId=&beginIndex=0&pageSize=1000&pn=c&cm_vc=331141&imagePath=ZB5589216