Handbags: which are worth spending more money on?

[Cobblersandhogwash]

I was looking at Mulberry bags. They seem nice. But they don't feel 'worth' £1k+ to me. Perhaps it's my inexpert eye.

I would really like to have a black handbag that is stylish and superb quality. Budget is up to Mulberry level.

Can anyone recommend such a brand, please?

I love Coach. You can get a great quality bag for half the price. I also love Mulberry but go to their factory shop in York.

www.mimiberry.co.uk/

I second Coach. I also love Mulberry, but the older ones. All of mine are secondhand from Facebook selling groups I wouldn't pay the prices they charge for new.

Village England used to sell nice bags but their website looks to be hacked at the moment.

Coach is naff. Mulberry’s classic styles are worth the money, what about looking on a reputable reseller site and you may be able to make your budget stretch to something more high end.

Mansur Gavriel are absolutely gorgeous, classic looking, super high quality and considerably less expensive than Mulberry. I’m not personally a fan of Coach, not a criticism of the quality but I don’t find the styles particularly classic (just my opinion). I really rate Saint Laurent at the moment, if you avoid the styles with the chunky gold/silver “YSL” hardware they have some really classic options, including some totes less than £1k.

Just realises I managed to use the word classic 3 times

I bought a couple of Mulberry ones years ago when they were expensive but not ridiculous prices. They were really good quality, but I certainly shy away at today's prices.

I think a hundred pound is about the limit of what I would think was worth it. Over that I really don't think you get a better bag, just one that costs more.

Coach is definitely not naff. I prefer Coach bags to Mulberry.

Bottega veneta bags are gorgeous.

Not sure if they've changed much their bags now that phoebe is gone but Celine bags were beautiful too. The phantom Cabas and sangle are my favourites .

Russell & Bromley offer the best leather quality on the high street, although some of their bags are better than others. LK Bennett also good. Anya Hindmarch and Smythson, after a rocky period, have really upped their game. Pickett is the leading independent bespoke brand. After that, other than rare leathers, you are paying a premium for branding and marketing and - to some extent - the re-sale value.

The key signifier of quality-are the repairs resulting from wear and tear complimentary and carried out in their own factory?

I work in marketing for a luxury brand and I’m not immune to some peer pressure marketing myself, even whilst I know it’s largely utter nonsense. I’d love a mimosa yellow Louis Vuitton Epi Neverfull.

I'd sooner have a Coach, or even a quieter Radley or Modalu than Mulberry any day. Apart from there being so much fake Mulberry around, (you sit on the tube and every peroxided, micro bladed Charlotte Tilbury shiny gold faced 20 year old has a Mulberry, and they are so fake) they just seem to scream ostentatious money but no real class.

Radley do some good bags especially in sale

Probably Coach. I don't have one but people say the quality is good.

At around the 1k mark, if you want something that'll hold its value, you're talking about a Louis Vuitton Speedy. There is a huge resale market and they can be authenticated. Its also classic style that hasn't changed in 80 years. They're also surprisingly bulletproof.

I have one and knowing I can pass it down to my daughter is nice. You don't get that with many bags, really.

I love Coach bags too. Mybag.com often have 20% off current styles.

I’d have one made.

Pick the shape you like, customise the interior with useful pockets, linings etc.

One day...

I love Chole bags. Hankering after the Faye Day bag

I love my coach bag but unfortunately the stitching on the strap is coming loose so it's beginning to look Tate

Another vote for Bottega Veneta. You may have to go slightly over 1K though. But they are beautiful and beautifully made. And they get better with age.

Bottega Veneta make beautiful bags but they may well be over your budget. I would look at Loewe and J.W Anderson.

I love mulberry handbags and have many in the older more classic designs but I wouldn’t buy them at the prices they are charging now. If you do still love the designs though it may be worth looking at resale sites as you can get almost brand news ones much cheaper.

If I had your budget I’d buy one from Margaret Howell or two bags from Ally Capellino (wistful) ... I used to think I’d like a Mulberry but I think they have lost their cachet and are overpriced. I get a slight naff vibe from Coach no matter how good they are in reality. In your position I would look at Smythson, I think.

As you've probably realised, Mulberry's bags aren't worth their price tags.

Not a fan of Coach as I don't think they're as well produced as they used to be. I don't think they're value for money either. I also consider them to be on a par with Michael Kors, another brand I'd stay well away from.

My tip is to stick to smaller brands as their pricing and quality is good. Also, they're less obvious than most of the better known brands.

For better quality I'd suggest Mansur Gavriel or Smythson as both use beautiful leather and the finish is excellent. Their bags are also very timeless. Another newer brand I really love is Wandler. Again, beautiful leather, simple shapes and beautifully finished. Net and Matches stock them and both will have exclusive styles.

It's also worth looking online at designer consignment sites. However this only really works if you use the reputable ones and know the bag you're buying. Another tip would be to stick to 'professional' sellers as that way you'll be entitled to a refund should you not like your purchase.

Mulberry bags are usually gorgeous but I don't know how they justify the price. Coach are better value but a lot of the styles are really tacky and over-embellished and the colour combinations on some are horrible- someone did tell me that the designer from Mulberry now works for coach so maybe they'll go back to more classic styles soon.

I think Chloe, Givenchy, Prada have some beautiful designs which are classy.

Michael Kors bags or DKNY are good quality- I have a Michael Kors bag which is lovely leather, although do do have to be careful which you choose to avoid looking 'cheap and common'.

I think one of the big premium brands will always look fake if you don't look polished enough when you carry it...because of this they all look a bit tacky. I don't know about best value for money - premium bags are all mostly about branding and styling but I'd definitely be looking for a smaller, quieter brand.