Which bag...?

[butterfliesinmytummy]

I'm looking for a new handbag with some Christmas money.... I've been trawling through the sales for ages and am picky but have narrowed it down to two:

Smythson in grey
Peony and Moore in blue

Smythson will knock of VAT for me (live outside the EU) but it's still more expensive.... does it look like an older lady's bag in a funny colour? Feel the blue might be more easily dressed up and down and I have a P&M bag already that it lovely. Is it just the lure of a big label with a big reduction that's swaying me towards the Smythson one?

I much prefer the second one, I don't really like the first one at all sorry.

I choose the second one too, not keen on the Smythson.

I really like the second one too.

Don't like the Smythson, it's a strange colour and the wrinkles are oddly disturbing.

Love the second one!

Second one, far more classic. You'd learn to hate that quilting on the Smythson...

Thanks, you've helped me decide on the blue. I'm a sucker for a big label that's reduced that much but it's not always the right choice....

I have the second one and I luuurrrve it! - - like no other bag I have loved.! The leather is very very soft and there is lots of room for all my stuff including pockets - having different coloured straps it goes with my jeans, my best black wool coat and my quilted puffa - - I am hoping they will do it in another summer colour as I love it so much!! - - - - the Smythson quilting is just not nice . . .

The Smythson Nancy only looks good in very structured form such as the clutch and weekender versions and in bold colour like the emerald green. The hobo shape and pebble shade remove any redeeming features.

So I think the Peony and Moore!

Second one definitely! Don't like the quilting either on the smythson. I have the mariella in toffee and love it! I had a huge problem deciding between the Navy and the toffee as they both looked gorgeous and to be honest i reckon i would have been happy with either (a new pair of tan boots swayed the decision!)

Has anyone got any experience of hair on bags? I love the look of the peony and moore antonella (though i hope they bring it out in a different colour as I have a tan bag)? There was a Max Mara calf hair bag I lusted after last year but it was silly money (about 5 times the price!). What happens if you get them wet??

I love the Smythson, the quilting IS the whole point if the bag otherwise it would just be a big standard hobo.
Quality wise would go with them as a brand any day over p&m.

The second one - looks more versatile

Ruby Thank God it's not just me. I love the Smythson one and think the other is rather ordinary

Yes, I far prefer the first bag with quilting. The second is absolutely bland.

I have a thing about handbags and the Smythson is one of the most stunningly beautiful bags in my collection. The quality and craftsmanship is outstanding and they are so beautiful look at, that is rare that I use a Smythson and don't get a compliment from a stranger.

Smythson as it will be very well made. Not keen on P&M and that one is a bit bland.

Hmmm, was settled on the P&M one. The Smythson is lovely and I'm sure it's top quality (I have a Smythson wallet that is fantastic) but it looks a wee bit corporate to me... I don't work in an office, I'm a sahm who works freelance from home. The Smythson would have been me when I had a proper city 70 hours a week job but that was a lifetime ago. I also fear it getting dirty.

I think it's going to be the P&M...

Bottles, I haven't had a calf hair bag but I've had calf hair boots and the hair rubbed off them on the sides, I guess a bag rubbing along your side would produce similarly bald results. It's a gorgeous bag but you might have to hold it at arm's length.....

I don't like the Smythson but have to say that, having ordered the P and M Mariella - in toffee - and sent it back have to agree it's very bland/boring.

I hate over fussy bags, flash metalwork etc beyond everything, but do like some sort of 'character' and found the Mariellla just too dull as it's very big but has no detail on the outside at all, except for two discreet zips.

Love the smythson

Quality of P&M is fabulous, I have 3 or 4 of them (plus that one in pink from years ago) and they've lasted years. Its not bland, its classic. The quilting on the other one will not look classic in 2 years time plus its twice the price in the sale! Wonder what you get for the extra £545 if you paid full price?

I hate bling bags, Michael Kors are the worst for it so for me the simplicity of P&M one wins!

I like hobos but there's something not right about the brown and navy from P&M, it looks drab. Much prefer the Smythson, but I wouldn't get too excited about that either.

Less is often more poly - plain bags have classic style that lasts and could never be boring . .

I just think they're in 2 different leagues. I know peony and Moore are v popular on s&b but I just don't get the attraction.

I do totally agree that less is more - it's probably my top style maxim and no one loathes Michael Kors bags, most Modalu, and indeed some Mulberry (eg Daria) more than me.

I just think it's a question of proportion with the Mariella. It's nice - and I can see the matte navy one being useful to me. But I just found the large expanse of leather with only two zips on one side a tiny bit dull. Plus the toffee, which I'd ordered, was too shiny for my taste.

As an eg of what I do like, which is still pretty minimal, but has just enough interest - but, as it's black is probably not relevant to OP, sorry - I've just bought this:

www.russellandbromley.co.uk/totes/compassion/invt/712757

(It's a bit smaller than the Mariella and also has a zipped pocket on the back.)

I'm not keen on bling, but I just can't get on with P&M.

There's some 70% off floating around, I'd go for one of those (Matches).

I didn't realize the p&m was so big...

I've looked at matches, nothing jumps out at me. I'm looking for a bag that will see me through summer in navy or grey (not cream, beige or tan), with a shoulder strap (don't like a small handle with a longer shoulder strap), pref leather, not too blingy or structured or formal and not massive. Budget is up to about 200 but can be pushed.... Any thoughts?