If I don't like MK, Mulberry or Marc Jacobs which...

[bagbagbag]

other handbags should I avoid? I'm looking for an everyday black bag, preferably crossbody. I would like something understated, rather than look at me designer.
Have a budget of around £600 but could spend more but would rather keep under £1000.
I don't want to buy something and it becomes the new 'mulberry' or even worse Michael Kors.
Love bottega venetta understated elegance but SIL has lots and don't want to copy!

Help from experienced bag ladies please.
Thank you

[bagbagbag]

Bag not day

[bagbagbag]

botemp lovely day but not really what I was looking for as my black everyday.

Anyway I've ordered now! Bought 2 in the end.

Thank you for all your help, very much appreciated.

Can PM you my choices if you're interested.

[botemp]

I've been looking at the PS11 too... lemme just open up a vein here

OP, don't know what exactly you are looking for but I came across this Tom Ford Day Bag in black at 50% off (the shop is legit, have been to their stores in Italy and ordered from them, flawless service). Comes in just under budget, but only just but not sure if this is what you're looking for in terms of a day to day bag.

[OCSockOrphanage]

BabyBarrister, you are correct. I was trying to remember Lupo Barcelona! Thank you for the refresher.

[bagbagbag]

Too not to

[bagbagbag]

Thanks amber your post made me laugh. It was getting a little to serious for a bag thread!

[AmberNectarine]

Next target is a PS11.

[AmberNectarine]

I have a Chanel, a YSL and an LV I love and use regularly. Cut me and I bleed crude

OP the trio is gorgeous, very understated. I also really like Balenciaga, P.Lim and Gucci lately.

Recently acquired an Aspinal mini trunk which is bringing me a lot of joy too.

Day to day, my most used is probably a Stella Falabella. Money for old rope really as it's not even real leather, but it looks brand new after a year of use (though not too hard, I have quite a few bags).

[W8woman]

Lara I'd venture that none of the celebrities you mention have ever paid for any of these branded bags. Their image is carefully honed as part of the bag's marketing because they lose their style credentials the moment they're seen with the likes of Victoria Beckham or Daniella Westbrook. But having seen Peony Lim with a Chanel, lots of twentysomethings living with their parents are happy to spend their savings in the hope of emulating her glamour.

You know Peony Lim is a very carefully managed brand herself don't you? Her father is the Malaysian equivalent of Richard Branson.

[Larastheme]

dizzy that's really bad!
w8 but you are insinuating and generalising that anyone who buys YSL or chanel are inscure and crude,
The exact bag can look totally different on different people, 99% its the person, their taste in fashion,preference in dressing up ,makeup, hairstyle, even shape and height can have an effect on how a bag looks,

Anyone remembers victoria beckham and her hermes birkins and Kellys ? They looked vulgar and cheap although they are the finest handbags in the world, The bags were just one big display of "look at how many croc bags i can afford" and most of the time they looked empty ,as if she has another bag for all her stuff, and the bag was just for display
But these hermes bags look so elegant and understated on peony lim, Miranda Kerr, Mira Duma ,Catherine Deneuve ..etc, the bags look so effortless and perfectly incorporated into their overall look and style,

[W8woman]

Something that always recommends a brand to me is the willingness of its makers to repair and restore its products. Mulberry has been through its ups and downs since Roger Saul was in charge back in the 1980s, but it has always stood by its workmanship.

[botemp]

Dizzy, is it real leather? If so you can paint it (if interested I'll look up the tutorials and products on it again), you could just dye the handles in black and it wouldn't look too bad I think, or you can paint the entire thing black (or possibly a deep ink blue or dark purple) instead. The professional dye is dead cheap on Amazon but if IIRC you needed two different types to avoid the wear that happened on your bag but it's still under a tenner or so and worth a try since it's just sitting there doing nothing.

Wilbur, some people are of the opinion that Mulberry is of the same quality as it used to be and that the prices are too inflated. However, if your friend has always coveted one she'll be over the moon with it so I really wouldn't worry too much about it.

I just remembered, OP, Maison Martin Margiela sometimes have really nice bags, provided they haven't done something weirdly conceptual with it (though I've been a bit hesitant about the brand since John Galliano moved in). Acne Studios also have the conceptual challenge issue too but in amongst it sometimes have some gorgeous bags too.

[bagbagbag]

babybarrister, it was botemp earlier on in the thread that couldn't remember the name of the Spanish brand. Will explore the site now, so thank you.

[bagbagbag]

Great link babybarrister, thank you!

[Dizzybintess]

This is my sad VW one

[WilburIsSomePig]

Thanks W8 I don't think it's very 'blingy', quite understated, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that she likes it!

[W8woman]

There's nothing wrong with Mulberry, Wilbur, and nothing wrong with any bag ethically made and priced.

Your friend is very lucky to have such generous and organised friends!

[Dizzybintess]

I absolutely adore Vivienne Westwood however I would not recommend getting any bags from there. I spent over £400 a few years ago on a bag for Christmas, my entire family Chipped in for a violet snakeskin handbag With a gold orb.
It lasted 10 months before all the print wore off the handle. I was told it would have to be sent back to Italy, it took 4 months to return it and when it was returned by courier they had done sod all and there was no note either. I took it back to the shop and the manager investigated and they said it was wear and tear. I took to Twitter to complain and a week later I had a credit note for £100.
I am now stuck with a bag that can't be used as the handle is white and I couldn't use the money to get it fixed as it was store credit. I bought a t shirt. It's still in a dust bag mocking me!

[WilburIsSomePig]

Oh this thread has me worried now.

Some friends and I have clubbed together and bought a Mulberry bag for our friend for a big birthday coming up. God I hope I haven't made a really bad mistake! I know nothing about bags.

[W8woman]

I don't think anyone is taking advantage of anyone else, OP.

Whether you're choosing to pay a premium for ostrich leather in your favourite colour with inside pockets matched to the precise size of your business cards, made by people in Britain earning a significant specialist wage, or whether you're paying a premium to have a giant brass YSL on your bag, you're still choosing to pay a premium. That the choice you make in itself conveys information about you is interesting, that's all.

I'm sorry I missed the irony in your post; you seem to have missed the point of mine.

[bagbagbag]

W8 are you serious? Did you not realise my comment was ironic?

Don't you realise you're being taken advantage of with your 'stealth wealth' bags, just in the same way the 'insecure, lacking in confidence, cool girls' are with their 'crude' heavily labelled bags? Talk about hook, line and sinker!

If you've not understood the thread, I'm looking for a bag. Not an inspiration or a joy that will last me forever.

Anyway, have to dash, don't want to be left behind by the cool girls. Oh, no, sorry, I'm no longer 15.