New handbag - keep or return

[TapStepBallChange]

I always seem to go a bit mad when I finally have some time to myself to go shopping. Yesterday I had the afternoon in oxford st and was looking for a handbag, and ended up buying this

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/midi-marylebone-tech-in-bordeaux-croc

(Hope link works am rubbish on my phone). I can afford it, but it is a lot of money. I'm wondering about taking it back, my original budget was nearer the £400 mark. Is this bag a good buy? Is there anything similar for nearer my original budget? Ideally I'd like something I could put a small laptop in, smart for work meetings etc. I'm in London so can take it back next week if I change my mind. I'm just dithering and need the advice of the MN handbag gurus

Hmmmm I don't think it's a good buy but then the question is are you in love with it?

I always ask myself that when buying clothes or handbags etc if I'm not in love with it then I don't buy.

I went out to get a summer one that I can fit my laptop in and found a lovely Kate spade one for less than 300

I've seen a lovely Kate spade one in the John Lewis website for about that, but wasn't able to see it in store. The morning after I'm beginning to think I was just seduced by the nice sales staff and shopping experience after the hell of oxford st

I think it looks a bit tacky tbh, sorry!

If you don't love it, return it. Fine to spend that much money on something that you do love, but a waste if you're not sure. You'll never enjoy it.

This bag looks nicer in real life than online I think. Is not to my taste but I don't like croc.
If you're asking here it might reflect you don't love it. Personally I'd buy a bag at that price but would really have to love it.

It looks nice, but Doesn't look like you could fit a laptop in it, so not so great for work. I love the built in charger though!

Have a look at lk Bennett for totes it's nearer where you wish to spend and the bags are fab. I have the roasamund, which is excellent quality and a few others, which I've had basically for years and they stand the test of time. However if you specifically wish that colour you might not be in luck.

www.lkbennett.com/Collections/Handbags/Tote-Bags/c/handbags-totes#esp_viewall=y

I'm not into bags at all, and I think it's quite nice, so that's probably a sign you should return it! 🤣

I'm not a fan of the croc skin, I think you could do better for £850
sorry

I'm not all that keen on bags that are stiff, and this one looks stiff. I think it's because ripoff cheap versions of them are so easy to produce? But also I prefer a nice soft bag. I think if you're asking The Internet, then you probably already know you don't really like it xx

The burgany saffiano is much nicer and looks more expansive than the shiny croc but I haven't seen them in real life.

I love it and it's very much my style! (I have a dark green Liebeskind bowling bag, purple Biba tote and burgundy Ralph Lauren similar to your Aspinal all in mock croc!)

I think you can get a very lovely similar bag for a quarter of that price tho.

Thanks, like the Regan one on LK Bennet, and there are some nice ones on the Kate Spade website. It is a very stiff bag. I'm not wedded to red or cord, it just made a nice change from my usual black or brown plain leather.

I love it 😀
However, if you're looking to return it, Emma Hill bags (previous designer at Mulberry) are gorgeous and around £550 I think.

I did look at the burgundy bag, but I didn't like it as much.

You don't love it. Return it. Find something you love. It will be worth it.

Ok, so I can see that it is a 'good' bag, but probably wouldn't have put that price on it (to be fair, I'm not very up on bag prices). Not a huge fan of the 'wider at the top'bag, and I think you would be better with something with straight sides for a laptop. Sounds like you might not be completely in love with it...

There is the Reiss Bleeker which comes in a deep red. I have been planning to by a min bleeker in cream as a going out bag, now I want an LK Bennett Reagan in black for work!

I think it's very smart but as others have said you need to love it. Could you order a few on-line then decide once you've got them all together?

To spend that much I would have to love it. I would keep looking.

I love the Reiss one, I never go in there as I think my waist line would set off some sort of alarm, but might have to go for a nosy to Reiss and LK Bennet tomorrow

I love it! But as others have said if you have to ask you probably don't so I would return it for something you do.

I'd take it back if you're not 100% in love. It's a nice colour but I don't like the mock croc. I'm a fan of gold hardware but the gold looks very brash in the picture.

(I think the burgundy staffano is much nicer)

I have the exact bag in black and cream- I used it for work as you intend to do and got on really well with it (have had it for over two years now and it's wearing really well). Having said that, I want to get a new slouchy /tote style because when it's really loaded up it's sooo heavy to carry in the crook of the arm...