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Original poster

Handbag help for dd 21

78 replies

SouthWestmom · 02/09/2019 20:06

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

OP posts:
stayingaliveisawayoflife · 03/09/2019 20:55

Cambridge satchel is great and has a wide range now. I have a satchel, a mini satchel both in oxblood from them.

Original poster
SouthWestmom · 03/09/2019 21:07

Thank you there are some really helpful suggestions here for names I've never heard of. I will maybe send her an email with links to all the names incl Russell and Bromley as it sounds like her style.

I know she doesn't like big logo type prints or anything 'quirky' - she hates my irregular Choice shoes for example.

I'm so grateful for the ideas and definitely the shape clarification and names.

OP posts:
nzeire · 04/09/2019 04:48

Let her choose!!!!

catwithflowers · 04/09/2019 05:35

The small Florence bag seems to be several hundred pounds cheaper at House of Fraser 🙂

Fridaysgirl · 04/09/2019 06:28

Second Strathberry. Plus prices now rising with each royal endorsement.

Original poster
SouthWestmom · 04/09/2019 07:03

'Let her choose!'

That would be easier but a) she wants a surprise and b) she doesn't know where to look!

Someone suggested a shortlist so I think that's a winner.

Never heard of Strathberry so this thread is so useful to give her ideas.

OP posts:
Aderyn19 · 04/09/2019 07:11

Also, does she wear mostly gold or silver coloured jewellery, because you might want to get the hardware on the bag to match.
It's a bugbear of mine that most of the bags I love come with gold hardware when I mostly wear silver - I'd love it if bags (at this price point, at least) came with a choice.

Original poster
SouthWestmom · 04/09/2019 11:21

Silver. My mum has the same issue as she never wears yellow gold.

OP posts:
slipperyeel · 04/09/2019 11:51

I don’t think mulberry is mumsy, classic style and brand which won’t ever date. I reckon a 21 year old would be thrilled with the mulberry bags linked above, they’re gorgeous and timeless.
I don’t think Kate spade or R&B have the same cachet.

If you don’t want a “brand”, I have a beautiful handmade bag from the very small brand “hands of tym” which is gorgeous, it’s the bag I use most (and I have a lot of bags!)

Ninkaninus · 04/09/2019 11:58

You don’t have to worry about that these days though, unless it’s something that actually bothers you - mixing jewellery metals is a big trend right now and I expect it will become the new classic (because it’s so much more convenient and easy).

If she doesn’t know where to look then that seems to indicate that she’s not stuck on a certain brand. In that case I would maybe look at deciding on a type of bag first. What style is she actually looking for? That will dictate which brands to look at, as different brands have certain styles that they do best. Otherwise she could honestly be looking forever. Once she knows the style she wants and her top three brands, then you can pick one so it’s still a surprise for her.

Ninkaninus · 04/09/2019 12:03

Again, my instinct is that Aspinal or Mulberry would be the best bet (although for Mulberry you might have to wait for the sales. I wouldn’t buy high street (R&B et al) for a big birthday and that amount of money - if it’s a one time thing I would want it to be a brand with some prestige. I don’t feel that Kate Spade fits that criteria - to me they have a very ‘entry level designer’ feel and brand. That’s not meant to be derogatory, but it’s just the way it is for me. Aspinal isn’t quite designer but it’s very good quality, great on design and has quite a bit of cache at the moment as far as I can tell.

Original poster
SouthWestmom · 04/09/2019 12:09

Thank you. She has pointed out the style of bag she likes - usually cute, boxy, etc. I'm going to show her some of these (not Loewe sadly - unaffordable!) and let her pick the type of brand she likes. Usually it's River Island or boohoo or pretty little thing or ASOS for clothing.

OP posts:
Original poster
SouthWestmom · 04/09/2019 12:11

Some of the Mulberry bags are gorgeous but I've discovered the name for the leather she doesn't like is 'natural grain leather' when looking at their website.

OP posts:
Ninkaninus · 04/09/2019 12:18

Look carefully at Aspinal - I think there will be something there that’s exactly right for her, and if it’s between Aspinal and Kate Spade my opinion is that Aspinal wins by a mile for design and quality.

Mulberry does smooth leather too, so it’s still a very good option.

What style is it that she wants? Has she said whether she wants black/nude/whatever?

Gruntvsgunt · 04/09/2019 12:20

Try Coach. X

Ninkaninus · 04/09/2019 12:25

Could you add a link or picture of a bag she likes?

nooddsocksforme · 04/09/2019 17:56

www.mulberry.com/gb/shop/family/the-classics/lily-black-silver-toned-glossy-goat-leather
The lily is over budget but a classic bag with silver hardware. You can get them at the outlets for less, although you have to be careful that the outlet ones still have leather through the chain.
Or the darley but she may not like the croc leather
www.mulberry.com/gb/shop/women/bags/shoulder-bags/small-darley-satchel-black-matte-croc

Fresta · 04/09/2019 18:30

What colour?
Maybe we could make some suggestions?

Fresta · 04/09/2019 18:36

this?
this?

Original poster
SouthWestmom · 04/09/2019 20:01

That white one is very like the sort of thing she looks at.

I'm thinking maybe I need to take her to Bicester...

Hard to find a photo of things she likes - plain, pretty, no mad patterns, no glitter, not slouchy at all.

OP posts:
Ninkaninus · 04/09/2019 20:22

Bicester might be problematic if she doesn’t know what she wants, though - It’s very easy to buy because you’ve found what you perceive as a bargain rather than getting what you were actually looking for. I think she might end up bamboozled if she goes without having much of a clue what she wants. Or she could find a perfect treasure of a bag, I suppose! But yeah, think of Bicester as a very expensive charity shop - you have to be disciplined and methodical and careful, otherwise you can end up with a very expensive ‘bargain” that ends up not being quite right, which will be a big disappointment when you’re spending that much.

So it looks like it’s a small top handle/crossbody she wants? Is it going to be for daily use or for evenings/special occasions?

FWIW the Mayfair (the White one on the link just above) is a great little bag, very classic and timeless. It’s on my list to buy. If that’s what she wants then tbh I’d just go ahead and buy that one, as I don’t think you’re automatically going to find better at Bicester.

smallgreyelephant · 04/09/2019 20:24

sophiehulme.com/product/black-square-albion/
how about Sophie Hulme?

nzeire · 04/09/2019 20:29

Sorry, hadn’t read all the responses! Short list is awesome idea!

Children who want surprises are annoying :)!!!!!

Ninkaninus · 04/09/2019 20:33

Mind you, just be aware that a chain strap is not particularly comfortable to carry around all day long. If it’s for daily use I’d say a leather strap is way more comfortable. However the chain is detachable so you could maybe buy a leather strap separately.