The bag to end all bags - poll

[MrsSeanBean]

It's the 'big one' approaching. I've decided to treat myself to massively indulgent super-bag purchase. Chanel 2.55 or Hermes Kelly?

I'll still be wearing this in 50 years time so need to choose wisely.

Your vote?

What about a Prada bag? I have the double handled tote in both black and a pale grey. I adore the grey one, goes with everything and all occasions , timeless and although expensive , not in the same bracket as your other two choices .

Gone I love those. I have a bag "split personality" ... half classic/understated Prada and Coach type bags and vintage, half Viv Westwood crazy OTT statements.

If I came into the funds for a new bag I would be stumped. I once walked round Self ridges for an hour before my DH pointed and said "what about that one!?" and luckily it was a good un!

I just 'need' lots of bags - that was my conclusion

OP I prefer the Chanel but I would say go for the one you would use more often as its kind of sad to leave a beautiful bag sitting on the shelf for months on end.

I kind of agree with what you are saying frugal, I considered buying a designer bag while abroad last week and just felt a bit jaded by it after trawling through various shops! Maybe I just spent too much time in the malls though

Having said that I do love my bags and use them all the time, don't know if I would buy many more though so glad to have a few key items. My every day wallet on chain is lambskin and its fine even with the battering I give it. Lambskin just feels soo much nicer than the caviar I think I would pick that every time.. Have fun with it and make a nice day of going to pick up your bag

Go with your heart OP, which one will make you smile when you look at it?

I have made a few luxury purchases over the years to mark birthdays or inheritances, but I like to buy things that I'll use everyday rather than keep in a dust bag. My two best buys have been a navy Chanel mini cross body, my everyday bag, and my Hermes Cape Cod watch which I wear every single day. I aim for good cost per wear!

OP faced with a similar decision recently I went for Chanel Classic in black lamb skin with silver hardware. I love it and it has worn well - however my dancing on table days are in hiatus due to a sleep averse toddler. I feel it's a lovely event bag as in lunches (could also imagine myself sheepishly lurching from the woseley) concerts etc. Chanel were v helpful and did explain lamb skin doesn't wear as well but I just fell in love with it. Black because my formal look is probably home counties goth - conservative but I just love draping myself in unrelieved black.
Honestly despite all the advice here just go with the one you love yourself - you will know!
Good luck and ensure the shopping expedition is bookended by champagne!

at being able to go for something so extravagant - good on you OP

I must admit I don't like the chanel, I prefer the mumsy bag, although it does look a bit cumbersome - and I absolutely love the Mulberry bayswater mentioned upthread. Must admit, I have had to google all of them

DH and I have taken to saving up to have a blowout in significant birthdays, usually a trip abroad sans children, however a holiday is but a fleeting thing and a handbag lasts forever...

They are both beautiful bags MrsSB, and its very difficult, to pick one, the chanel reissue is really beautiful and i love the beaten up look of aged calfskin,the flap is equally beautiful, both are iconic classics.

. i have both lambskin and caviar, and i would say i like lambskin better. Mine has scratches on, but it doesn't bother me,as I'm not very gentle with my bags,sometimes its nicer to have a worn look,IMO,

I'm having an hermes moment ,bought my second bag recently, a beautiful Berline in swift leather, and I absolutely love it,
but the Kelly is very hard to find in stores, unless you are an hermes customer,or go to paris where by luck you can find them in stock sometimes,

The thing I love about hermes bags,is that they come in many types of leather,and colours,so even a classic bag like Kelly can look very contemporary in Clemence leather in a size 35cm for instance, and you can get the thicker strap ,which is wider ,and can be worn casually on your shoulder . Box calf kelly gets nicer with age,and looks less formal,it really depends on how you wear it really.m

My dream is a Kelly 35 or 32 in Clemence leather, either in etoupe or blue sapphire.
So I would say if you can find a Kelly then go for it.

Wether its a Kelly or flap/reissue , they will never go out of style,they've been around since 1950s, (2.55 and kelly) the first chanel was a 2.55 in jersey, and its still going strong,

Kelly. Absolutely the end.

Santa is right about Kellys not being that easy to get. Again I learned a lot about hermes on purseforum. In fact if I was ever to be on mastermind, I think the bags of Hermes and Chanel could be my specialist subject

I don't get the love for Chanel bags at all, my mother has a couple and they do nothing for me, never have.

pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=181767704988

Lovely, lovely Chanel bag on EBay - going in 55 minutes. A black jersey one. I can't afford it but omg it's so lovely

And only 412 quid

pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=231558728062

And another 2.55 in Burgundy for 600

Neither affordable for me

Lovely thread . Without wishing to derail, any other suggestions for bags? I am inheriting some money and plotting a bag purchase. Thinking of givenchy antigone (there is a beautiful python). Or BV.