Designer bags - worth it, which ones? and Ash boots

[MissDD1971]

I keep on seeing some nice designer bags (saw a nice Marc Jacobs one this morning) and my aunt has a gorgeous Fendi one from a few years back (simple, hardly any logos or metal ware), ditto Celine bag I saw a few years back.

Are they worth the money? Should I save up? Which ones to go for? The MJ ones with the metalware writing almost like like River Island which slightly puts me off. I sort of come from a generation (am 41) where IIRC designer bags were not as popular as they are now - although you did see the Chanel quilted chain ones and Gucci logo ones.

I LOVE quality bags but with hardly any (or small) logo and don't mind metalware on it but not too much - does that make sense? don't like bags you can carry small baby in or miniscule trendy ones (both not practical for me).

and every 2nd woman I see carries Mulberry and they're not really me.

At the moment I have various suede/leather bags, Whistles ones etc.

Ash boots - are they worth it too? which ones? keep seeing them mentioned on here. I love skinny jeans so they'd work well with those.

I have a few Mulberry bags, most of which were bought in the Shepton Mallett factory shop, which is fairly close to me. The reason I kept buying was because of the longevity of the first one I bought. Mine have lasted brilliantly, much much better than any High St bag I've ever had, and for that reason alone, I feel have been worth the money. HOWEVER, Mulberry prices have gone ridiculously high in the last 3-5 years and for that reason, they've priced me out of the market, even at factory prices. There seems no quality reason for prices to have gone up - the old hand stitched workshops in the homes of local women in Somerset have all been pretty much shipped off abroad, and now it's all about the celeb factor.

I have enough bags to be going on with for now, so am not in the market for another, but I like the look of some of the Anya Hindmarch bags and Longchamp.

As for Ash, I had a pair of Jalouse last winter, but they just didn't work well on me. Beautiful boots, though. I bought from Brand Boudoir.

carrie I read that mulberry are moving production back to Uk,so maybe that explains the increase? AH are nice,but like mulberry ,they increase is just unjustifiable,

Allthingspretty, I've taken pretty good care of my bags, and they still look terrible. I have bags and leather goods from other brands, cheaper and more expensive, and they are much better quality and last better.

The metal gets discoloured (and this happens even after only using the item 3-4 times) - this has happened to all of my bags with postman's locks and it has happened to a couple of my purses. I've had one item replaced because of this already, and one item waiting to get looked at and repaired.

The piping wears through (there's a piece of wire with leather around at the edges of the bags) - I have two bags with this issue waiting to get repaired.

The inking (the lacquer on the edges of the leather) on some of the bags gets sticky, ruining my clothes if the inking touches it. It doesn't wash off and will not harden again - and it can't be repaired.
This has happened to one bag.

I have a bag with a metal chain as the strap, and there's a piece of leather woven into the chain. The leather unraveled and started coming off.

The screws on the back of the postman's lock bits come off - this happened to a couple of my bags.

I had one bag replaced as the leather ripped in a place where it shouldn't actually happen. The replacement bag I got has had problems with the screws (mentioned above) and metal getting discoloured (mentioned above).

I've treated all bags with the products recommended. Having followed up with the treatments recommended often. But still, the bags tend to be very sensitive - to water, rubbing against clothes and so on. I accept water damage happens when out in the rain and that colour transfer can happen from blue jeans to a lighter bag. But going for a 10 minute walk in white clothes and a green bag (mini-Alexa worn cross-body) and then noticing that the leather is getting really shiny where it's touching my clothes is a bit disappointing for a bag that isn't exactly cheap.

My mum had some Mulberry bags when I was a kid, some in Congo leather, others in Scotchgrain, and they lasted for 15 years or so. I started buying Mulberry bags because of this - and I'm massively disappointed that the quality has gone downhill since when my mum bought those bags.

Wow, that was long - sorry.
And I'm pretty sure someone in the Mulberry repairs will know who I am now

Vibbe I was not saying you had not looked after them. I was trying to say most of my bags are five.plus years old a.d were reasonably priced.

I'm not saying you did :)

It is interesting how prices have gone up and the quality has gone down.

Vibbe I have never bought a Mulberry at full price. I am not really a fan of the modern styles especially the Daria style aith that big plaque as I think its just OTT and I see it loads on fakes.

Mulberry bags in calfskin are not worth the expense. They get very shiny. I have an Alexa in leopard calf hair and it looks like it has been mauled by a big cat. However the Roxanne is quite a few years old now but because it was made from Ox Hide leather it is resilient. This Mulberry Dorset tote is £395 on their site.

I have quite a lot of 'designer' bags plus mid range. The name is no guarantee of quality I am afraid. The Smythson bags wear well. I would buy the new bag [http://pinterest.com/pin/457326537131555000/ here]] as it looks classic and will suit most outfits. Shanghai Tang are another label with lovely bags here. I have a PS1 by Proenza but you have to be careful with the dye when it is new and raining. Rag & Bone make a style called a 'Pilot' that has loads of pockets and I also like the tough leather bags by The Frye Company.

I buy less costly clutches from companies like Merci Paris, this clutch here cost about £55 and although it is a bit fiddly to get in and out of, I like it for evening. Not all 'names' need cost a lot. This MJ bag cost me £39 in the sale. Satchels like this Barbara wiggins one are mid priced yet look very exclusive and I have had plenty of people asking me where I got it from. Ally Capellino makes fantastic leather satchels that look really cool too for under £200. I have bought Missoni straw shoulder/clutch bags for less than £70 in a sale and a McQueen bag for £200 which is still going strong five years later. Cocosa, Hervia, The Outnet, Brand Alley, TK Maxx, My Theresa (Moschino bag for £60 from MyTheresa) Shopbop all do proper sales online.

M&S make this leather tote and it is very sturdy. LK Bennett's new bag range promoted by Rosamund Pike look good this one being on my wish list. Massimo Dutti has some lovely leather clutch and work bags too.

A company called The Bridge sells bags made in the Italian leather works used by top designers. their bags are an 'insider' secret so to speak being very classic, emminently practical yet with that Euro chic and unmistakable quality.

For big bucks I would go with the Spanish company Loewe because Spanish leather goods are excellent. Celine are the fashion darling as are Prada and the logo is very discreet. Bottega Venetta are another dream buy of mine.

Smythson Panama bag here

mignonette - don't tell me about Loewe - was just in Barcelona passed one of their stores almost every day and had to stop myself going in.

My SIL and her mother (who I was with) think I'm a shopaholic anyway and I swear they just thought "another expensive designer bag" but I know quality!

Thanks for the heads up about The Bridge. mig have pinned for the future

I love Loewe MissDD. They are beautiful beautiful bags. The 'Flamenco' in the bright shades is to die for. I had to be dragged out of their Terminal 5 shop at Heathrow a month ago! There are some Ebay sellers who sell The Bridge bags Carrie , all guaranteed genuine. I'll try to track their names down. She has plenty of other bags including some very desirable high end euro brands.

I used to have a lovely Celine bag that i wore to death. I bought my mum a purse too and it's still going strong 10 yrs later

lovely quality

Marc by Marc Jacobs bags are really good value IMO, the leather on most styles (not some, avoid Chicret and Katie) is thick and smooshy and hardwearing, and the finish is perfect. Not to everyone's tastes, but I love them and have far too many The 'too hot to handle' range is lovely.

I have a Mulberry - Mitzy - and it is tough as nuts - it's an utter workhorse of a bag.

I also have Celine (beautifully made) and a Botkier (gorgeous but a bit flakey) and mmm what else a Miu Miu which is quite delicate and lovely but not as well finished I'd say.

I do have a Miu Miu bag (old) which I hardly use now, I'm just not keen on it anymore. and 2 Miu Miu purses but the zips broke (the tabs) on them.

I was searching web for Marc by Marc Jacobs prices and they are very good value. Saw lady with same bag I saw yday with Natasha one in navy not seen this one online but will look as I think nicer (pebbled leather) than the black..

thanks for the tips InMyShreddies re the quality etc of Marc MJ bags really helpful to have another opinion.

I didn't really care that much about bags until I spied Celine in Harvey Nics. Very lovely and worth it.