Dear Handbag manufacturers, put a zip along the top!

[SilverHawk]

I know the little magnetic dots are cheaper but I want the security and the dryness. The UK is a pretty wet country most of the time.
I have not bought several options because of this and am now stuck

I hear you op!! I don't want buckles or magnetic clasps, just a zip! Scaramanga, I'm looking at you

Agreed.

Totally.

I want a zip and a flap. Zip on it's own is not secure enough for me

I travel on the Tube. Magnetic closures are not sufficient. Too easy for pickpockets.

Yes!

I don't use the tube much these days but bag on car seat/floor of car + braking hard = bag contents everywhere.

Agree! I’ve sent about three gorgeous bags back to boden for this very reason.

Hell yeah !

Yes, yes, yes.

Only ever bought a handbag with a zip. If that means I have to go and spend £50 I wouldn't usually spend then so be it.
But then, the last handbag I bought was 3 years ago. I haven't seen many around without a zip. Am I shopping in the wrong places?

Agreed.

Now how do we get the Daily Fail to pick this up so designers see it? Um....teachers are terrible, ban all cars, MILS are all evil....

100% yes. What is the point of a bag gaping around one tiny magnet. Useless.

And put the zip the right way round for a change!!!

I also want a pocket on the outside of the bag, but on the side close to my body for my phone to slide in so I can feel it vibrating, and for my keys too so I’m not fumbling inside my bag in the dark, with who knows what predator is looking on toothily in the car park.

Also, I want versatile straps, and that they are wide (maybe even padded) and have suede on the shoulder side, so they don’t slip off. I hate being garotted by skinny straps, or having to keep putting the bag up on my shoulder as the undersides of the straps are polished like a mirror.

Yes please!!

Absolutely yes.
And Ginny you should go into handbag design!

@GinnyWreckin all those reasons were why I bought my latest bag from Earth squared. Zip plus flap, and a pocket (zipped too) on my body side for my phone. Single strap, adjustable so it can go on shoulder or across the body and to top it off it's soooo pretty! Screw MK and all the rest of the designers, I love my little tartan treasure.

I'm sick of losing the contents of my bag every time it simply tips on its side.

Thanks PrancingQueen, it’s rare I buy a handbag, but when I see what I like I go for it. I used to try on a lot of bags before I found the size and shape which suits me.... bit like hairstyles.

IMVHO the expensive “hard” leather bags from Prada etc are awful. They just stick out and bump people.
Sometimes Clark’s come up with the business for a fraction of the price of what’s termed a “good” bag.

This little black over the shoulder bag from Clark’s is only 36£ and is real leather. It has zips, adjustable straps and an outside pocket, though it’s zipped too.

TK Maxx is also worth a browse, as you can try them all on without a snooty cah following you about calling you Madam!

Agree bags with zips are needed. I do think thats part of the reason why the Longchamps le pilage is so popular is because it has zip and a flap.

Yes! Drives me up the bloody wall that so many bags have poppers

YES!

I went shopping for a new bag a weekend or two ago. Found a couple I liked but neither had zips so I didn’t get them. In fact, I couldn't find any with zips that weren’t tiny or huge.

I prefer the magnetic closure as it means I can fit a laptop into my tote. Hate top zips as they always tend to break!

While we’re at it, manufacturers, I would be happy to buy online, saving you costs, but until you show a photo of the bag that you want to sell me on a dummy or you pay a model to wear it so I can see its proportions when worn, i’m not buying.

If you offer bags for sale online with just a vague description like ‘crossbody’ or the dimensions of the bag only, it’s impossible for customers to know how big they are or how long the strap is, which sometimes we need to know.