Handbag help for dd 21

[SouthWestmom]

Hi all

So I'm more All Saints, Zara, undercut and glitter in no particular order. This does not help when looking for stuff for dd who is more preppy, pretty, Clueless, Legally Blonde, KMiddleton etc

She would like a bag for her birthday. I will spend up to £600. Not Michael Kors, not Westwood, she likes boxy, cute, classy things

Any suggestions? She likes smooth leather not the crinkly stuff

YY to giving her a shortlist. It's too much money to risk getting it wrong.

Mulberry is the ultimate handbag for me id love one.
Do you have a outlet stores near you at all?

My dd has that Mulberry rucksack thing. Can’t remember what it’s called. She loves it and uses it every day.

I like Russell & Bromley and - judging by other shoppers - they definitely aren’t just for middle aged and older women.

I’d also like to put in a word for Sage Brown. They only have two London shops but you can buy from the website:

www.sagebrown.co.uk/womens-collection/handbags/all

They are fantastic value and quality. I think that passers by assume it’s a man’s shop but I think some of their bags fit in with your DD’s taste. I know that lots of people want stuff from a brand but their shops are in Mayfair and the Royal Exchange by the Bank of England so it is amazing what good value they are.

No outlet stores near us (don't think Radley would cut it for her).
I think she wants an expensive nice keepsake that she uses for her 21st - I know it's not thousands but it is a lot for us. I don't want to be frivolous but I can see that at 21 it's a nice present.

She sounds a bit like my dd- style icon Audrey Hepburn- and she loves her Mulberry. I wish I could remember what the particular bag is called..I’ll go and look it up

I like Russell and Bromley a lot, great bags, good quality and I have had quite a few of their bags. Just really not sure it would be on a wish list for a 21st birthday for that kind of spend.

Bags are very individual, and so are brands. At that price there will likely be a perceived prestige factor as well, which will be different depending on style, age, social circle and so on.

I think the linked Mulberry bags are worth a look but as a brand it isn’t where 20 somethings look first. They think their mums have them! As indeed they do!

As others have said, check brands with DD. Some are more prestigious and will have a second hand value in years to come. Brands with a wide international appeal tend to have this status. There are lots of small boxy bags at the moment. Just make sure she can get her phone in it!

The Mulberry Darley is very popular with under 25s

Cambridge satchel Company is lovely quality and a pop of colour

Strathberry are up and coming and very popular. Duchess of Sussex has carried one before

My friends daughter ( who is 23) loves Kate Spade so everyone’s different. Really hate the use of the word mumsy tho.

Aspinal

I’d agree with Kate Spade or Coach based on what you’ve said. My 24 year old likes Longchamp but they might be a bit slouchy for your dd.

I know it's not thousands but it is a lot for us. I don't want to be frivolous but I can see that at 21 it's a nice present.

As its a special spend and not one you repeat regularly I would suggest make a short list and let her make the final choice. Its a lot of money to spend for it to be 'not quite' what she has in mind. Maybe take her to a department store if accessible to try some out as part of the birthday?

I really don’t think Coach would be on a young woman’s radar as a go-to brand. But I’m biased as well because I just don’t get on with the brand, which I realise isn’t all that relevant here.

Longchamp do lots of styles, not just the Le Pliage, so that could be a place to look, but again it just depends on your daughter’s tastes and/or brand awareness.

Helpful hint: if she wants a bag that will look pristine for longer then Saffiano leather is a really good option - very durable and doesn’t mark or scoff easily (but not everyone likes it).

Coach

Go on selfridges website go to bags bestsellers you will get loads come up if you can take a trip to Bicester village lots of designer outlets there it's very good I have got some bags and shoes at fantastic prices

Strathberry

Selfridges website is a good idea. i think Bicester is 3 hours away maybe so not easy.

Will google the letter (saffiano?)

I'm not sure she knows where to start looking beyond the obvious high street so this thread is really helpful.

She loved the first Kate Spade someone linked but said it was a 'side bag'?

I’m guessing she meant it’s a crossbody bag which leads me to presume she probably wants a tote or grab bag (the type you carry like over the shoulder or on the crook of your arm, like a typical ‘work bag’. Kate Spade has a huge range, but it’s really not got the prestige of designer brands.

Definitely worth a look at Aspinal as well. A cut above for quality and design, considering the price you pay.

Saffiano leather is textured so she may not like it (just saw she likes smooth leather). Worth bearing in mind that smooth leather shows marks, scratches and scuffs much more easily.

I really recommend YouTube reviews, you can look up brands or specific bags, and they will help your daughter to refine what she’s looking for.

Not sure it fits her style, but Loewe is very in at the minute.

Or Jacquemus

Loewe are quite expensive though.

She probably wants a new bag but you can get lots of second hand bags on Facebook selling pages . She could get a much more expensive bag - and some are hardly used. If she knew what brands she liked might be worth a look

Tk maxx have some massively reduced coach and marni on their website!