This is my first post on Style & Beauty, but I have lurked here now and then, lately especially on various handbag threads! Hoping to get some advice that will prevent me from spending more hours than I already have on this handbag decision (apologies in advance for the essay!):
I would like to buy a smallish crossbody that would work as an evening bag, as I don't own one (apart from various small velvet/glittery clutches and similar for weddings/black tie events that I almost never have reason to use nowadays). I would like it to be versatile in terms of colour and style to suit different seasons and both casual/slightly more formal use.
Wish list:
- budget perhaps around 3-400 euros but not fixed.
- crossbody with leather strap (not metal chain)
- hardware preferably in white metal rather than gold. If gold, preferably pale and not too much!
- size: ideally needs to fit cardholder, phone, keys and smallish hairbrush, possibly reading glasses (approaching 50 in a few years so tend to need them in restaurants!)
- it would be nice if it could also be used for the occasional hotel breakfast/day out sightseeing, so a style that could work as casual if needed
- not a deal breaker, but I prefer soft to stiff leather (I have a purse from Aspinal which is beautiful but too stiff for my taste)
- discreet branding
- colour: I am considering cognac/oak, black or dark green. Should ideally work all year round (winter wardrobe tends to be black/grey/olive/dark green; summer wardrobe tends to be white/olive/black/beige – but also patterned dresses).
Style-wise, I really like the Mulberry small Darley satchel and I am sure I would love the feel of it:
www.mulberry.com/gb/shop/mini-bags/small-darley-satchel-black-matte-croc
However, apart from the fact that it is more than I am hoping to spend, I will not buy Mulberry on principle as I have bad experience with their quality and customer service (I have a 7-year old Alexa that, while lovely, has required repair twice, in neither case covered by the guarantee).
I have my eyes especially on the Demellier mini Venice,
www.demellierlondon.com/the-mini-venice.html?color=146
... but am wondering
a) is it small enough to look good as an evening bag?
b) could the pine green work as a year round colour? I find that oak/cognac works year round for a day bag, but am not sure about how well it would suit evening wear. I love green and think it would be fun, but not sure about versatility? Perhaps safer to go for black?
(I have also considered the smaller version, nano Venice, but think that for the investment, it would be nice if the bag could also work size-wise for day use sometimes e.g. on holiday, as an alternative to the Alexa which is quite heavy to lug around.)
I have also considered these:
Ralph Lauren mini Lennox (but not sure if the buckle is too conspicuous …):
www.ralphlauren.eu/se/en/leather-mini-lennox-bag-465472.html?cgid=women-accessories-bags&dwvar465472_colorname=Black&webcat=women%2Faccessories%2FBags#prefn1=shopByStyle&prefv1=Lennox%20Collection&webcat=women%7Caccessories%7CBags&start=1&cgid=women-accessories-bags
Longchamps crossbody Foulonné, nice feel to it, but perhaps a bit boring…:
www.longchamp.com/gb/en/products/crossbody-bag-L1322021047.html
I have this Abro bag at home at the moment, and it sort of suits my basic requirements but I don’t love the feel of it, so will probably return it:
www.fashionette.se/abro-palmellato-crossbody-bag-black-nickel
I like the look of the Kate Spade Lula small saddle bag, but don’t like the fact that it is multi-coloured or the distinct buckle. I have also thought about the Coach Sadie crossbody (nice and soft!), but find the branding a bit too conspicuous… I love several Russell Bromley bags (e.g. their camera bags), but unfortunately they don’t ship outside the UK…
Any inspired suggestions of something that might be similar to the above/to the Mulberry Darley that I have missed...? And my main question: would you consider the Demellier mini Venice with the above wishlist, and which colour would you go for?