Ok bags... peony my reject pile isn't quite that interesting. I thought this Chloe one could have been something for you but it's already been sold and was out of budget anyhow.
Others that are around/within your budget and size that I've come across:
A.P.C. has a couple, the Nelly, the Alicia, the June, and the Demi-Lune. Colours in varying shades from cognac-brown.
I've mentioned this brand before as doing a lot of dead ringers for more expensive brands. Never seen them in real life though.
Nico Gianni has a few options, think the Large Lovibia would be most in line sizewise.
That's all I could refind from a quick glance, I'm looking at a slightly higher budget and smaller size and I did purge a bunch of options in the process that I've lost memory of. I have to say cognac isn't that popular of a colour at the moment, I'm veering more towards brown myself as a result, thinking it will also carry into A/W.
Not within your budget, but very similar to the first picture you posted is the Mulberry Amberley. Perhaps something to seek out second hand? Or maybe Elle can tell us if it's in the NAP sale too?
Here's the link for the if all else fails stain removal for white silk, I mentioned previously.
Welcome, yawning, in your situation I would recommend staying true to yourself, as trying to out-Parisian a group of Parissiennes is probably doomed to failure. What industry (answer vaguely, if preferred) is your H in? Think that's where I'd focus on more as that varies wildly among the French and gives more of an indication what they will be wearing.
Do you have any pictures of them on you Rosie? They both look quite boxy, so it's probably my own body type aversion that doesn't have me warming more or less to either as they both would do me no favours and I hate stars.
Elle, sounds like you got some great pieces in London. There was a feature in Madame Figaro the other day on work dressing in hot(ter) weather. I really liked this dress from Ba&sh (pic 1). I have another dress from them that despite being quite low plunging in the chest is great for work and gets taken worn quite a bit, subsequently.
Funnily enough I was going to suggest looking at that Tom Ford tote too, for whatever reason the prices on their bags have been adjusted to more realistic levels as of recent so probably worth snapping up. I do not have pre-access to the NAP sale and am eyeing up a Victoria Beckham bag, when are the official dates?
Is black ok at weddings? I know white is generally a big no and red is controversial but I thought black during the day was also somewhat frowned upon? Full disclosure, weddings are a real rarity here so I hardly ever get to attend any.
I bought some things too, I was beyond delighted to pick up an H&M studio dress from S/S2017 on the UW app that I'd had an eBay search out on since last year. I'd tried it on and loved it but really needed a size smaller. It only ever came up at a ridiculous price so was pleased to bits to get a still new one for 32 euros (incl. shipping). Think I may have a picture of me trying it on somewhere on my phone too. Surprisingly it goes really well with my satin pointy slides/mules (whatever they're called, that I bought as indoor slippers) and my new hat from H&M. Another bargain at 5 euros, black straw with a flat top and black band (which is why I bought it, the round-topped ones don't look as great anymore for whatever reason, or I'm just in the mood for change, who knows).
Bought another hat at Zara, which briefly pissed me off for breaking my tepid boycott of them but it's a really nice hat and it matched the outfit I was wearing, always a danger. Needed a size smaller though, so ordered it online will be here in a few days. Will post pic from phone in a bit.