Bags!

[CJDoesTheJackal]

Hi all,

I posted a couple of months ago about my impending 50th (2 weeks today eek). DH wants me to have sth special. I've always hankered after a Bottega Veneta bag. But I'm not sure I can spend that sort of money on a bag. It's about 10x more than my most expensive bag!

I'm a very practical person, so pockets, size, ease of carrying, longevity, timelessness, wear and tear potential are valid considerations.

At the moment I've bookmarked these. Not sure about the colour of the BV. I do like metallic colours too, and also jewel and Autumn colours but I also want something that isn't particularly seasonal.

BV

YSL LouLou

YSL Niki

Mulberry Bayswater

Thanks for any words of wisdom. We are going to go to London to look at some on Sunday.

It's stressing me out because it's stressing DH out! That it's 2 weeks away and he's not got me anything yet! But he says he can't surprise me as a) I'm quite choosy and b) it's a huge purchase.

Anyone?

I’d discount both of the YSL bags straightaway, particularly the puffs one, because IMO they’re not classic styles..

Of the two that are left I’d go for the bottega Veneta simply because if someone was offering I wouldn’t say no!

What kind of bags do you use in your daily life, though? Because a tote doesn’t do the same job as a shoulder or crossbody and the bags you’ve shortlisted are quite different from each other. If you’re not careful you could spend a load of money on something you won’t ever really use.

Or maybe a better question is what job do you want the bag to do for you - are you going to use it for work, weekend days out or evenings out? Because a tote could work for the first two but not for an evening. Even the BV is too big to where I wouldn’t use it for a formal occasion or evening. But for a luxe day look it would be beautiful!

Thanks Nink. I defo want to be able to carry it over my shoulder with a long strap. I would use a tote but not as often and it would have to be low maintenance and a "chuck stuff in" type of thing. I don't want it to be too big/heavy. I've got this one from Hobbs in a mid cream and it's a really good size. I don't want an evening bag as I so rarely use them.

I don't carry much with me and am quite minimalist.

Perhaps a better question from me is "if you could spend up to £2k on a bag what would you buy?

But that depends is much on lifestyle, taste and individual preference, you’ll get a hundred different answers...

Ok, based on what you say I would discount the tote. If you’re minimalist and don’t carry a lot with you then a tote really doesn’t make sense. Unless you absolutely love the look.

I’d honestly go for the BV.

Second after that maybe the metallic YSL (not the puffy one - it’s too idiosyncratic and will date badly IMO. And it looks like something gangster WAGs would wear. I’m just concerned that the metallic thing will date it as well, but if you really love metallics then I guess you could still go for it.

My vote, of the 4 you’ve posted, is definitely the BV.

Oh and that taupe colour is a fabulous neutral and goes with loads of colours.

Thank you again Nink. I would use a Tote but not all the time. I'd use it for a day out in London or as carry on when flying for example.

I take your point re the YSL. I'm also not keen on the big logo front and centre.

I had a gorgeous deep bronze bag many years ago, but it was really heavy and in the end I sold it on eBay.

My concern with BV generally is that the weave might become loose/damaged in some way. I really want to NOT have to feel that I must save the bag for best. I want to be able to use it all the time. Also, it hasn't got metal feet (I'm sure there's an actual word for them) and I'd rather it did have.

I've looked at Mulberry and nothing grabs me but I think I need to go and see some as you can never tell what they'll actually look like.

I potentially love the colour of the BV. If it's true to the photo. I also just plain wish it was £1k and not over 2. I don't know if I can bring myself to spend that much.

Have a look at the mulberry amberley, it's practical and beautiful! Comes in a couple of sizes (I have the large one)

Thanks blue it's nice and comes in lovely colours. I just like a couple of separate compartments.

Perhaps you should take a day trip to Bicester Village and have a good look around. You can get some absolute bargains and you’d be able to see a range of bags from a range of brands. Anya Hindmarch, Mulberry, Coach (not my thing but a lot of people really like it), etc.

Or, check out Aspinal. Doesn’t have the caché of the designer brands but is excellent quality and their designs are lovely. I really rate them.

YouTube reviews are great for getting a better idea of a bag - just seeing it in 3D as opposed to flat on screen can really help, plus you get other people’s opinions on design, wear and tear, etc.

Failing that, maybe put the money into a fund and just wait til the right thing comes along - no point buying it if it’s not quite right.

I really like the Mulberry Leighton. I’d get it either in clay (or a similar beige colour), yellow, or maybe rust. If I didn’t already have a Bayswater in oxblood that could be an option too. Or burgundy.

Thanks Nink. I have a Coach bag and I love it! But I only like this specific model. It's a mid grey and it goes with so many other colours and works whatever the season. It's my everyday bag.

DH thinks I should just go for a/the BV (the other option was a Baby Olimpia which I've seen "in the flesh" but I'd only go for the mid-grey and they don't seem to sell it online this season, although they may have it at LHR, which DH is conveniently passing through next week.

I like the Mulberry Leighton actually. I just can't tell how accessible the opening is. Looks a bit awkward from the photos.

Yes to YT. I watched one by The Anna Edit on how she chooses her investment bags.

I know it's all personal taste but there are so many more beautiful bags for that price point. If I was you when you go to London, see as many bags in the flesh and try them on and I bet you'll just fall for something you hadn't seen already or you maybe hadn't considered when seeing it online.

If you don't put the money into an account until you find something you want.

Well I'm very happy bunny. Went to Bicester today. Seriously underwhelmed by BV. But spent am age in Mulberry and came away with this Lily, and the scotch grain tote but in the brown not black. All for half the price of a BV. DH was very patient and very helpful.

Beautiful bags! 😍😍😍 Congratulations! I’ve got a lily and it’s such a practical, versatile bag. That greige is really a fab neutral - I’ve got an Anya Hindmarch in a similar colour and it goes with everything I wear.

How much did you spend in total? I could get to Bicester quite easily but have never been (mostly because I don’t trust myself not to go a bit mad...).

Oh duh you said it there... about £1000, then?

The tote was 460 and the Lily was 670. Both new from out back. Also I bought one of those nylon Prada make up type bags, small, bright red. For my lipstick, inhaler, phone charger and keys so that when I use the tote I can keep all those bits together.

My DH said the tote made him think of going off on an adventure and I absolutely loved that. Utlimately too the Lily fits in the tote if I'm going on a plane for example.

Thanks for you patience and advice Nink. I've been to Bicester a couple of times before. It was heaving today. People there with wheeled suitcases to carry their shopping around!

I love the Mulberry tote styles but I’ve always had another of their bags I’ve wanted more at the time of buying. I actually really love the one you bought. But alas I’ve got two others I’m after when the sales come around, so I expect the tote will be pushed back yet again...

It took me ages to decide between my one and the Bayswater on either Rosewater or dark brown. But I like the fact that I won't feel too precious with the Scotchgrain one. It feels more resilient and I love the look of it. Feel very happy to have discounted all the others and whilst it's a fair whack to spend the price of the BV would have made it hard to enjoy it.

Which 2 are you after?

I probably won’t buy any at all in the winter sale if I’m honest, because I’m trying to save for a LV. But if I were to buy one it would be either the Leighton or the small Millie.

Too many bags, too little money...

I think you chose brilliantly and you get two bags that will work for two very different needs.

Just wanted to say - I love a good handbag thread! Pleased you got the Lily and tote, op.

I like the BV but I too would worry that the weave wouldn’t age well. Also the YSL bags were not classics/classic colours and in my opinion wouldn’t look good in a few seasons.

I think you chose well!

Thanks guys. They had the Leighton at Bicester...

I’ve got about £30 in my handbag fund just now...