Handbag help needed!

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

I have a handbag I've used every day for 5 years for work. I bought it in Clarks and it's brilliant. However it has now come to the end of its life and I am struggling to find a replacement which I can afford.

Requirements -

• leather, preferably black
• straps which allow it to be worn over the shoulder even when wearing a winter coat
• big enough to take an A4 notebook but it doesn't need to take laptop
• at least one outside pocket for keys

- must zip up, not fasten with magnet or popper - budget around £100

The only ones I've found which fit the requirements are way out of my budget. I'm sure the wise ones of MN can help me find what I'm looking for

Hard on that budget. Try tk maxx.

I know. I paid £95 for my current one, so hoped I would be able to get something at around the £100 - £120 mark. I've looked in TKMaxx a few times but never found what I wanted.

Whenever I look at handbags in TK Maxx they feel really cheap, even the more expensive branded ones.
Am I right that lots of designers put out cheap versions of their products just for stores like Maxx? I can't believe that when people pay full price for them, the leather feels cheap and stiff, and the handles are just thin, floppy straps.

I have this one in Orange. It's fabulous.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07DGKLH74/ref=oxsccactimagee1?smid=A11EELLX5P17ZT&psc=1&th=1

You sound like me: wear a handbag to death, strictly a one handbag at a time kind of woman. Try Fatface handbags which I think are good value and last pretty well.

Mine's orange, I mean, but that links to the black version

Cole that looks like a fab bag but not right for my work. I'll definitely keep it in mind for leisure purposes!

Hairygodmother yes I definitely have a "only for work" bag, although I have got a LOT of non-work bags! I need something smartish and it definitely needs to have an outside zip pocket - I am forever in and out of my car and need to access the keys quickly rather than rooting through my whole bag every time.

I'm obviously a bit scruffy. Mine is my work bag

Do look for Florentine made bags on amazon or eBay, though, to get quality for a steal. Or do a weekend shopping raid to Florence itself

Cole

I'm aiming at something like this but a bit cheaper:
handbag

Yoshi have some lovely bags, great quality too.

www.yoshi.co.uk/collections/black-leather-bags-handbags

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-freya-leather-hobo-bag/black/p3899695

This is over your budget but if you can wait until the sales you should get it for not much over.

www.johnlewis.com/radley-wood-street-large-leather-tote-bag/black/p3961468

Tomtontom those Yoshi bags are great, I might go for one of those

I love the Radley bags. Two other people in my team have got gorgeous Radley bags and someone else has got an Osprey - I always feel like the poor relation beside them! Sadly I can't justify the cost on my salary....

One of my colleagues has this one and I lust after it!

Radley Bag

I recently bought this for my mum and she seems to love it..

uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_1.7/6900690300#

This looks similar:
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Treen-Dusk/p/261403790000

Thanks Go that's a lovely bag but I'm after a shoulder/hand bag rather than a backpack.

Your mum is very lucky!

hi spreading. I think that's probably the model that replaced mine, I did go and look at it in a shop. The problem is that the handles are too short to go over my shoulder and I don't really want to faff about with the additional shoulder strap.

I suspect I'm too fussy for my budget......

https://www.brandalley.co.uk/16173987.html

Might not quite fit A4 in though...

Ah sorry - I'd somehow skipped the part where you said your old handbag was from Clarks!

Not sure if the strap is long enough for you, and it’s not leather but a good quality ethical alternative so thought I’d suggest it:

labante.co.uk/products/windsor-black-shoulder-bag

Have you thought about a Longchamp Le Pliage ? Not leather but a good size for work . Big pocket at the top just inside for keys .

@EmmaGrundyForPM

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.nl%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F123706417497

Brockwell is on ebay around your price mark.

Ah sorry, missed that you didn’t want a backpack!

If you like radley, this one is on sale- a little more expensive than you wanted but not by that much

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/radley/liverpool-street-medium-multiway-bag-yk6623

And this is only a fiver above budget and radley

m.mybag.com/bags-clothing-women-accessories/radley-women-s-abbotsford-house-medium-multiway-grab-open-top-tote-bag-black/11767034.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000023179272%22&gclid=CjwKCAjw-OHkBRBkEiwAoOZqlyol2UrERzIPNl_Wr3GfMexOkEh52tEdwtS5CuI6M6JQsFiT8mdDuRoCfVUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Try Cancer Research's eBay store. A friend bought a lovely Tod's bag there recently for under £50.

www.modalu.com/pippa-moroccan-grabs.html

www.modalu.com/willow-large-grab-black-bag.html