Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

bags of questions

15 replies

sudointellectual · 12/06/2013 08:47

I really dislike going shopping but I've got to the point where I probably really need to buy a decent new bag and some shoes. So can anyone advise me? I'm happy to take direction if it means I don't have to go into town. I so prefer to order online! What's good now? Who's doing good leather bags?

I've got a Scaramanga large satchel for my laptop, which is okay for most days, but I go to this "women in business" thing once a week with swim/sauna/lunch and I need something practical but smart-ish for that. Is hobo over? I'm not bothered about high fashion but I don't want to have something absolutely wrong, either.

I really like plain things in good materials. I like all my things to feel good/ be touchable. Buttery soft leather and not so much of the tassle/frill/studdery. Muted colours, not bright yellow etc. Probably don't want to spend more than £150. Is that a reasonable amount?

OP posts:
Original poster
sudointellectual · 12/06/2013 17:34

OK, sorry! Have committed some faux pas here, I think. Never mind!

OP posts:
fuckingscabies · 12/06/2013 17:37

Don't worry, the bag lovers will be with you soon! Smile

mignonette · 12/06/2013 17:40

I will be back later to have a good bag natter with you. Have a peruse of the Mumsnet 'Vogue' thread. Plenty of bag talk on there.

See you later.

Suburban · 12/06/2013 17:45

Red Direct and TK Maxx online good for nice leather bags.
You will definitely get sometime for £150 from these too. I also like Oushka bags.

I also like the Kurt Geiger website for shoes. They stock Los of brands and have good sales!

Good luck finding something

mignonette · 12/06/2013 19:42

It is worth keeping an eye on these sites if you like the idea of getting a 'designer name' on sale -

cocosa.com

Hervia.com

AtterleyRoad.com

TheOutnet.com

MyTheresa.com

Also keep an eye on the department store websites such as House Of Fraser, Selfridges, Fenwicks etc as they do good discounts on the classic leather goods brands such as Raddley. The Laura Bailey for Radley bag range is pretty well designed and John Lewis's 'Somerset' range by Alice Temperley has some classic designs with an edge.

For the High Street, Mango and Zara do good leather totes, hobo's and shoppers in leather. You could buy two for your budget, a summery one and a sturdier winter-dark leather. I would avoid cheaper suede or suede effect because it will crease and eventually crack and tear along those creases. Look for studs underneath the bag so the leather is not resting directly on the floor. Also look for carrying straps and a handle which will help take the strain when full of files/books. Give straps a good tug to see how well the stitching holds to the main body. The strain should not be at the stitch point.

mignonette · 12/06/2013 19:46

Finally, for swimming, consider one of the large more summery fabric or neoprene totes. TheOutnet has plenty. They look good and you may find they have a waterproofed lining. Heidi Klein sells excellent beach bags that would double up and look appropriate for swimming/lunch gear.

mignonette · 12/06/2013 20:05

I like the Aubrey Royston and the Kors bags.Must your bag be leather OP?

Original poster
sudointellectual · 12/06/2013 22:07

Wow, amazing! I'm opening all this up in tabs. I have a pile of John Lewis vouchers, actually, hurrah. I've got their credit card. And thanks for the detailed advice. I really appreciate this.

It doesn't have to be leather, although I really like some of these links. The Botkier is the most promising. And I will get those Hobbs courts probably, as they don't look too bad in the heel, thank you, mumofone.

(While I'm here, are there such a thing as nude court-type-shoes with a really low heel that don't make you look a million years old? I don't have a problem walking in heels, it's just that I'm five feet ten in my bare feet and it all gets a bit HELLO DOWN THERE, TINY HUMANS after three inches. Sick of ballet pumps and Mary Janes don't suit me in the least. I'm thirty and rather severe looking (not in a bad way): little girl shoes just look wrong and I'm just not ready for old lady shoes, yet!)

OP posts:
mignonette · 12/06/2013 22:12

You are actually in luck because the fashion for sky high shoes is on the wane. They'll always be around but more and more stores are stocking less stratospheric heel heights. The low block heel is a good bet as is a modified kitten heel-a little more substantial.

Louis Vuitton and Celine started the trend and ASOS have plenty of 'tributes'. Reiss, Hobbs, Mango and Zara are all good high st locations too.

Original poster
sudointellectual · 13/06/2013 17:20

I checked out everyone else at this thing today and this is basically in line so have ordered the Botkier.

My field is niche technical and male-dominated (more than 95%) and so I'm rarely around other professional women. (And actually it's not always an advantage to be fashionably dressed at the sort of meetings to which I normally go.) But I have to get up to speed now and I'm so glad to have all this help. Thank you!

OP posts:
madammecholet · 13/06/2013 20:15

The Botkiers lovely.. I buy & love Peony & Moore bags, leather buttery soft and not fugly like Radley..

New posts on this thread. Refresh page