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Original poster

Saga of dark wine red bag continued. Views needed, please!

25 replies

polyhymnia · 08/10/2013 12:49

Lots of you kindly contributed to my search for a stylish everyday tote or other casual-ish bag in dark wine red.

I'd fallen in love with this:

www.russellandbromley.co.uk/shoppers/miniwillow/invt/712478

But decided in the end it just was practical enough - no zip at top, no inside pockets for phone, Oyster, etc.

On trek in West End yesterday, saw this:

www.marksandspencer.com/Autograph-Leather-Zip-Hobo-Bag/dp/B00D3AF65I?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=1625695031&sr=1-1&qid=1381232249&pf_rd_r=01HBAAVQ4KAFWEMBFVM7&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=1625695031&pf_rd_p=321381387&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

Colour very close to what I want, if not as lovely as the R and B, obviously a lot more affordable, zip, inside pockets, etc. But not sure - am I just being snobbish and can't love it because it's M and S???

Views again, please.

OP posts:
Original poster
polyhymnia · 08/10/2013 12:50

PS - not a great fan of the side zips but could keep them done up, I guess.

OP posts:
bunnymother · 08/10/2013 14:00

I've seen it in real life. It's beautiful. The shape is too deep and narrow for me, but it's a lovely looking bag, that feels like a quality piece.

Original poster
polyhymnia · 08/10/2013 14:14

Mmm was a bit worried about the narrow bit ...

OP posts:
Original poster
polyhymnia · 08/10/2013 14:15

Thanks though.

OP posts:
GoofyIsACow · 08/10/2013 14:18

That R&B one is amazing! Shock Blush

I do like the M&S one though, very nice.

I agree about the deep thing though, i have a bag that is a similar shape and I sped my life digging right to the bottom. I do however have small children so it is always full of nappies/toy cars/raisins/food/crap...

SundaySimmons · 08/10/2013 14:22

I like it, not as nice as the r &B one and I would be concerned it would be one of those bottomless pit bags where you have to rummage to get at anything.

One of the nicest bags I own is a black leather one from m&s and it's very rock and roll and everyone is surprised when I tell them where it's from, so dog be put off by m&s, if the bag is nice it doesn't matter where it comes from.

GoofyIsACow · 08/10/2013 14:27

Oh dear... This thread is not going to be good for my bank balance this is amazing

Original poster
polyhymnia · 08/10/2013 14:59

Yes the Mini Willow colours are amazing, no question. But someone on here said the lack of a top zip did limit its usefulness and I do go on the tube all the time ...

OP posts:
SundaySimmons · 08/10/2013 15:12

Just a thought. You could take the willow bag to have a press stud fastener fitted.

Like this

www.toryburch.co.uk/AMANDA-CLASSIC-HANDLE-HOBO/32139681,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_32139681_color=207&start=30&cgid=newarrivals-bags

A shoe repairer will often do leather repairs for bags etc so it may be a good idea to see if it is possible to get a fastener fitted.

Original poster
polyhymnia · 08/10/2013 15:15

Will certainly ask my shoe repairer.

OP posts:
SundaySimmons · 08/10/2013 15:21

Too purpley for you but I so want this bag

www.lyst.com/bags/tory-burch-robinson-double-zip-tote-bag-violet/

Twinklestein · 08/10/2013 15:22

I think the M&S one, it's a bit purple & ungainly. Nowhere near as nice as the R&B one.

Have you checked out this Whistles one already?

A sample from Yoox:

Darre 1

Darre 2

Moschino

Talisin · 08/10/2013 15:24

I have that M&S bag and it is lovely and a complete bargain for the quality it is. My one and only niggle is that I wish the handle were slightly longer. I can sling it over my shoulder with no problem but actually getting anything out without moving it off the shoulder requires absolute contortions.

Twinklestein · 08/10/2013 22:40

Modalu?

wiltingfast · 08/10/2013 23:04

I personally do like the M&S bag and think it is v stylish and good quality esp for an M&S!

However the R&B bag is stunning!

Do you know you can buy bag organisers made to measure on www.etsy.com? Some are awful obviously, but I bought one from a woman in s korea -Samorga. She has her own site now samorga.com/. They are felt, she will double wall them if you want, add whatever pockets you want and even add a zipped top for security ! She seems to have all colours under the sun.

I got one for my Sophia Hulme bag last Spring. The bag was beautiful (obv) but was unlined and really had no useful pockets. The assistant suggested a bag organiser (clever girl!) And once I found samorga I went for it. Matched it to the inside and really, looking into the bag the casual observer would think it was part of the bag. So go look!

wiltingfast · 08/10/2013 23:07

And here's a link to people chatting about them on a purse blog forum.

forum.purseblog.com/celine/samorga-bag-inserts-luggage-phantom-pictures-designs-measurements-773841.html

Original poster
polyhymnia · 08/10/2013 23:49

Thanks again. did check the Whistles one in RL - nice, but has no internal pockets for phone etc - which I would expect in something that's a handbag not a tote and that price.

Not a Modalu fan, I'm afraid.

The organisers look fascinating - well worth investigating.

OP posts:
CeeceeBloomingdale · 09/10/2013 07:40

link

Original poster
polyhymnia · 09/10/2013 09:39

That is very nice - like the extra strap as well as internal pockets. Red perhaps a little light - though hard to tell online.

OP posts:
PrimalLass · 10/10/2013 13:03

I love the M&S bag and might get the back one. It needs a cross body strap though for me, so if I can find one that will work then I'll get it. I might hold off in case it goes in the sale.

Original poster
polyhymnia · 10/10/2013 13:21

Agree on cross-body strap as I go on tube all the time. Actually Peony and Moore do a black one, I see - not very cheap at £29 but would still make whole package a lot cheaper than R and B ...

OP posts:
spaghettina · 11/10/2013 10:03

I like this one by Furla, beautiful leather, lined with a pocket, and a shoulder strap included...but it's got dark brown bits on it which you might not want
www.furla.com/en/eshop/gemini-tote_727336.html

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