where to/ how often do you use your "designer" handbags?

[redmarkone]

i've got a birthday coming up soon and have also been saving up for a really nice handbag (to me anyway) that costs around the £500 mark for a small subtle cross body bag. its not flashy or with huge brand name all over it!

im now thinking to myself, would i look like stupid when at aldi, at the play parks, on the school run or at soft play etc with a handbag that cost me just under half of what i earn in a month.

i know most people wont notice and people wont care etc but i dont know, are they a bit show off-ish or aspiring? i dont have the luxury lifestyle to go with the designer bag!!

i know this is a non-issue but just wondering where you use your luxury handbags: school run, to work, days out with the kids etc?

thanks

Hi there. I am like you, do not have the flashy wardrobe or lifestyle to go with fancy bags, but my DH treated me to a Mulberry Anthony for my 40th, the large oak one, which is very obviously a designer bag but is actually very quiet about it. I have used it practically every day and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Yes, it's not pristine or particularly smart now, and is battered to buggery, but I love that I can stick it on and even though I'm just popping to Aldi in my jeans, know that I look like, yes, I do have a little luxury on me IYKWIM? We all work hard, and if you can treat yourself now and then, you should. Let us know what you go with!

I wouldn't worry about it. I'm planning on a practical cross body everyday bag next year that's rather expensive and the whole point is that I use it everywhere so it justifies it's existence.

That said, I look so shabby in Aldi that I doubt people will look twice at me, no matter what bag I have.

I use my LV Delightful every day.

It's getting a bit battered round the edges now, but I love it, it makes me smile every time I pick it up.

I'm absolutely sure that some people will assume it's fake when I do the supermarket run in my should only to be worn in the house joggers, but I don't care.

If you've saved the money, buy it, use it, and love it. I have a Mulberry bag that I've had for years, and I use it at every possible opportunity. I love it more now than I did when I bought it. Stuff what anyone else thinks.

I love when I see someone out at the park/shop/school gate dressed in scruffs but with a nice bag or accessory. I like that they have enough self-worth to have bought something that brings them joy! Every time it makes me want to befriend them. My kind of people!

I take mine everywhere. I have so many handbags, some designer and some not, and it's the most expensive one that's my go-to. It's just so much nicer to carry and the pockets are much easier to keep all my bits and pieces in. It's starting to get a bit past its best now though, and DH isn't too happy at my suggestion of two to replace it, one for everyday use and one for going out.

Wear it everywhere!!!
It's absolutely no use sat at home
In your wardrobe.
Enjoy it and love it 😊

I have 2 and alternate between the 2 everyday! One is going strong and looks brand new after 5 years. You definitely get what you pay for.

Is this a fake Mulberry site?

MyBrilliant yes, absolutely fake.

I totally agree with pp who have said use it every day and live it! Especially if you have been saving up for it. It's absolutely no use sitting at home gathering dust.
I have told this story before but when I was a student nurse I worked on a Cancer ward for a while and one of the patients who was in her fifties and had terminal breast cancer once sait to me "Don't save your best perfume for special occasions. I always used to and I regret it now because I won't get the chance to wear it again". It really struck a chord with me and I have never forgot it. Now I try and live by it every day

Thought so... those prices were nice, though!

thanks for replies, encouraging. feeling more "go for it" now.

i am thinking of this uk.longchamp.com/handbags/le-pliage-heritage/crossbody-bag-s-1511813?sku=1125

or this:
www.houseoffraser.co.uk/bags-and-luggage/mulberry-small-darley-satchel-bag/d752916.pd

i tend to put keys/bank cards/phone in small bags and use a canvas bag for kids hoodies, wipes etc

Both are lovely and you should use it every day.

I carry a Mulberry Amberley every-single-day. The only time I don't use it is if I need a particular bag for a particular reason (e.g. a carry-all for carrying-all), or when I'm doing outreach work with disadvantaged people (because that would feel insensitive).

It cost £1000, I want to get as much use out of it as physically possible. I bloody love that bag.

As everyone has said- buy one you love and use it every day! I’ve got various handbags from mulberryberry and longchamp and they’re in constant rotation. Some I’ve had over 10 years and I still love them.

cool! i like the amberley styles too.

I would say go for it. Couple of things if you don't mind are - do you want the best bag for your money or do you want the experience of going in store and making the purchase as well? Also, do you need to have it on your birthday? Or do you not mind waiting for a good deal?

If you want the best bag and don't mind waiting - I would recommend checking sample sale websites online. I would also recommend waiting for 10% off weekends at some of the larger multi brand stores. You can get the same bag (especially Mulberry for nearly half the price).

There are a couple of continental websites with sales on at the moment so have a look on there too.

If you want the bag on your birthday and don't want to wait and want the experience, look for discount weekends at the multi brand stores (Harrods has one in February and another one in April). Longchamp and Mulberry are almost always discounted.

Check Bicester village if you are in proximity too.

Sorry for the long answer - but treat yourself! You have worked hard and you deserve it :)

Also, pm me if you need any further discount info. I love bags and am happy to help

I use my designer bags daily, I like to get my money's worth and don't believe in saving anything for best!

I use mine all the time - literally. I buy expensive bags because I value quality and timeless style. The bags I choose are expensive partly because they are so well made and are built to last decades. I even used Hermes bags as my to-the-park bags and my diaper bags. They have been trampled on, vomited on, slobbered on, and tugged countless time. They are still in amazing shape and very much still used.

heyceline, thanks for your tips and everyone else too!

There is no desperate rush to get it on actual birthday, it can be before of after.

Can i ask, with very popular companies like mulberry, do the classic colours like oak, ever go into the sale?

Also, wont be able to go in person to shops, its quality and enjoyment that im looking for from my purchase. was thinking about authorised stockists like selfridges or house of fraser - do they ever have sales?

Yes, all the colours do go on sale. Harrods will have a 10% off weekend coming up soon (there's definitely one in April). Both bags will have 10% off the price then. Selfridges does a 20% off in November and the bags will be on sale then as well. There's a few websites like Monnier Freres which have sales currently going on - so have a peek. Check our Secret Sales, Brand Alley and Cocosa (3 of the larger sample sale websites in the UK). I would also call the Mulberry and Longchamp outlets in Bicester as ask if they have the bags in stock (deliveries are usually Wednesday or Thursday). They will place the order for you on the phone.

Feel free to pm or post any more questions :)

I use mine all the time; work, shopping, going out, holidays etc. I love a nice bag...

I use my Mulberry Alexa every day.

Thanks for this thread
I’ve just bought a mulberry and was stressing about using it

Op there are some longchamps in brand alley now with a fair discount