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Original poster

Handbag “big” birthday present for my lovely mum

30 replies

PrincessTwilightStoleMyToddler · 04/10/2018 10:59

Lovely DM is going to be 60 soon and I want to get her a really nice handbag as a gift. She won’t buy expensive things herself but really likes nice things and would love something “designer” (or at least high end high street). She doesn’t like huge bags. A cross body bag, small tote or possibly a posh backpack would probably be her style.

Must be leather, must be lovely, would prefer a brighter colour rather than black or navy. Nice lining a real bonus. Budget about £350. I could try to stretch that a little for something absolutely perfect. I’d love it to be more (she’s worth it!) but can’t afford much more.

I could buy online but would prefer to see it in person really. I can easily get to the Mulberry factory store (though even at the factory store I guess it might be a bit out of my reach price wise?), an Osprey outlet (I could pick anything in the store within budget and have money over for accessories), a Radley outlet (ditto) and a Harvey Nics. If anyone has a clever idea for a particular brand I am sure I could do a day trip somewhere to have a look!

So... any ideas please you lovely people?

OP posts:
NicoAndTheNiners · 04/10/2018 11:10

Ted baker have some nice bags in. I just got a tan cross body one which I really like.

TheCakeDiet · 04/10/2018 11:11

Something from J.Crew - grown up/classy/understated and loads of tote/cross body options? (Plus not as £££ as some)

TwitterQueen1 · 04/10/2018 11:17

I love the look of these bearabeara.co.uk/

Especially the colourful backpacks

Original poster
PrincessTwilightStoleMyToddler · 04/10/2018 13:56

Thanks all! Some great ideas, lovely!

OP posts:
MsNobody · 04/10/2018 15:31

If you can, try Bicester. Good Radley store, Coach, Longchamp, Mulberry and more.

Dancergirl · 04/10/2018 15:49

Coach

Or, it may be a bit higher than your budge, but look at Strathberry.

What a lovely daughter you are Smile

LaGruffaloGrumble · 04/10/2018 15:52

Definitely Coach at Bicester.

LuxuryWoman2018 · 04/10/2018 16:03

Another vote for Coach. Lucky mum!

Original poster
PrincessTwilightStoleMyToddler · 04/10/2018 16:14

Ooh - Coach is looking both popular and do-able! Some lovely options there, thank you. Some of those Strathberry bags are gorgeous! Looks like I could do a nano tote but probably not much else - but certainly one to add to the mix!

Thank you all - really great to have some ideas I wouldn’t have thought of, and looks like a Bicester trip might be in order!

OP posts:
RiskIt4Biscuit · 04/10/2018 16:18

The Mulberry Outlet sale is currently on in the outlets with an additional 20% off (probably not on all items) until the 12th of October according to an email I got the other day.

I haven't been there for a while, but I would think there are some smaller bags that would be around £350 or below.

If you go to Bicester Village, I'd also suggest Coach (like previous posters), Longchamp (they do leather bags as well - I'm not entirely sure of the prices, but they do have brightly coloured bags), Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade and Tory Burch.
There's also Michael Kors and L.K Bennett.

Gonegrey31 · 04/10/2018 16:33

DeMellier have some lovely bags, small cross body ones.
What a lovely daughter you are.
I think the Michael Kors bags at Bicester are specially made for the outlet, seem to remember reading some article about them not being the same as high street versions.

Dancergirl · 04/10/2018 16:42

Agree about DeMellier, gorgeous bags. And if you can get to London they have a showroom near Victoria Station.

peonylover22 · 04/10/2018 18:52

A third vote for DeMellier, I have a navy mini Berlin and have just ordered a berry mini Venice. Lots of lovely colours and designs and if it’s good enough for Megan Markle...

Laska5772 · 04/10/2018 19:07

I'm 60 and I would be made up my DD (if I had one ) bought me a Fossil Bag.. this one is not bright, but lovely and classic

I recently bought myself this one, but its small , more of an evening/occasion bag

I also really like my Radley Grosvenor in Purple which was a present but sadly they dont seem to do it anymore).

Bananajam · 04/10/2018 19:15

I have a Fossil backpack similar to the Camilla backpack on the website and I love it. A perfect size for work and every day, it looks good and the leather is gorgeous and soft. I've had several Fossil bags and they are good value imo.

Laska5772 · 04/10/2018 19:17

I see you want to spend more. but I am sure your mum wouldn't really want t you too.

this Kate Spade is nice

and this Michael Kors

But If i was your Mum id still prefer the Fossil one.. Maybe with some Jo Malone perfume? (I really like the English Oak and Redcurrant right now)

MadeinBelfast · 04/10/2018 19:20

I think the Fossil bags are great and you could get a matching wallet and still be below budget!

beanaseireann · 04/10/2018 19:54

Would you go for a Chanel wallet instead ?

XingMing · 04/10/2018 20:32

It's a lovely idea to present her with a beautiful bag, but if it was my daughter (I'm the same age as your DM), I'd rather we went shopping together to choose my new bag/present. A card with a voucher (from you, not a particular shop) saying your present is a bag of your choice on a day out would be a massive treat. Whereas a lovely bag that was your choice might not be exactly what she would choose herself, and I would feel duty bound to use it for years to prove it was right. It is difficult (and gets ever harder) to buy gifts as people grow older. Things I never considered important at 35 seem much more critical now I'm 62! Weight, fit, style and colour can individually make something perfect or not. Personally, I'd prefer to shop with you for it! And the shopping together would be the biggest element of the treat.

PrivateParkin · 04/10/2018 20:38

Sounds like a lovely idea OP. I got a Coach Hobo bag for my 40th and it's fab - really great quality, not too flashy. They have some lovely bright colours. It might be a bit bigger than you're looking for though, but I like it as you can wear it cross body or shoulder strap.

Piffpaffpoff · 04/10/2018 20:53

This is the bag I use the most out of my (extensive!) collection. I have this one in brown with a red suede lining which they no longer have, but I love this green one with bright blue lining.

Dunmore Scotland leather saddlebag

Laska5772 · 04/10/2018 20:55

I agree with Xing. She might like a lovely pair of boots instead or a coat or a nice piece of jewellery .. Why not book a John Lewis stylist appointment , and take her out for lunch at JL and a shopping trip ..(with the proviso that if she didn't find anything on the day , you'd buy her a voucher and she could go back on her own another time? so no pressure) I'd just love that - spending time with my (fantasy) DD shopping would be the best part of any present ..especially if you were to also buy something else for yourself on the day

( I have a DS - he wouldn't think to do that,sadly although he is v thoughtful)

Original poster
PrincessTwilightStoleMyToddler · 04/10/2018 22:26

So pleased I started this thread - you’re all lovely and so helpful!

Hmmm can completely see the point about her choosing it. I think you are right. My concern was that if we do that she will say she loves x bag/item when actually she’d really love y but is worried it’s too dear. (She really does struggle to spend money on nice things for herself - but is so generous, especially for things for my children. Even though I have saved/budgeted for this and really want to get her something nice I can see her feeling misplaced guilt). But a day together would be so, so nice, and a treat for me too. And you’re all right that she might well love something I wouldn’t think to look at, or not love something I pick, or fancy some nice boots (I have a pair from LK Bennett that she’s borrowed a few times and seems keen on, for example). I’d be absolutely delighted to buy boots or a coat or jewellery if she’d prefer that to a bag.

Thank you all again for the links to the fantastic bags - and for the wider (and very sensible) advice, which I am very much taking on board!

OP posts:
PrivateParkin · 04/10/2018 22:42

The shopping trip is a lovely idea but that's just what I could imagine my mum doing too OP - not choosing anything too expensive!

There are pros and cons aren't there - if you buy it for her and give it to her as a gift, it's a fait accompli and even if she protests about the cost etc it would be too late because you'd already have bought it! But then she can't choose what she wants. Hmm.

Could you do a "window shopping" trip with her and then if she mentions anything she likes, secretly get it and give it to her for her birthday? Or what about getting her a voucher and then going with her on a shopping trip so she can spend it? But then she'd be restricted to one shop.

Argh sorry OP I don't think I'm helping at all here!

verite · 05/10/2018 06:43

I bought my mum a mulberry for her birthday once. She is also someone who would have loved an expensive bag but would never have spent it on herself. If we had shopped for it together she would have seen the prices, felt guilty and would not have wanted to chose one. So it was better to present it as a fait accompli.