Anyone who used to love Accessorize bags?

[Jennyz123]

Hello all,

I used to work in a Monsoon as a student and loved their clothes but particularly the Accessorize handbags. My particular favourites were the large slouchy shoulder bags with lots of detailed embroidery, sequins and beads etc. but without being too hippyish, for my tastes anyway! I was so devastated when they switched to making pretty much all of their bags in leather or fake leather and I haven't managed to find bags I really love since.

Just wondered if I am the only one - if not, can anyone offer sympathy or - even better - recommendations of where to get my new much needed bag??

I’m with you OP, they were such pretty bags. I never bought one, and feel like I’ve missed a trick.

Yes! Loved them so much, I still have two lurking in my wardrobe. I would love to know of others available now. You could try eBay though, in the meantime?

I always loved the Accessorize bags I had a gorgeous clutch with like pearls on it but it was really poor quality sadly first one dropped to bits they replaced it gave it up as a bad job on the second as I didn't live anywhere near the branch much more unique than they are today.

Thanks @BlueCookieMonster, they really were pretty weren't they! I'm sorry to have to tell you this but you really did miss out as much as you fear :(

And thanks @whatswithtodaytoday - you are so lucky to have two! Make the most of them! I have been using eBay to feed my habit but surely it's only a matter of time now before the ones that are left and in decent condition become crazy expensive. I've been hoping that by the time that happens I will have found the perfect alternative but I am starting to despair...

The most galling part is that I had so many (most of them snaffled for a few quid in the sale before they even hit the shop floor) that I GAVE AWAY with the tags still on and everything! Cursing myself now :(

WHY did they change them? If I want plain leather I can get that literally anywhere else - they were the only ones that made beautiful distinctive bags. It couldn't be any more of a first world problem but hey ho!

Do you have any photos of your favourite bags? I'd love to see them and it might help others search for similar alternatives.

That's interesting @S0CKS - I always lusted after the beautiful clutches but don't think I ever bought one, or if I did I didn't use it. I can't get on with clutches as I want my hands free!

That's such a kind offer @Pinkfreesias! There aren't that many pictures of my favourites available but hopefully these will give you a rough idea of the kind of thing I liked.

@Jennyz123
I always loved looking at the glitzy clutches the most.
In fact I have a rucksack from there perhaps 2009 ish vintage and its still in really good condition.

www.gorjuslondon.co.uk/bags
This site has some fabric bags.

Yes @S0CKS they were so beautiful - I always wished I was the elegant kind of person who could pull them off!

Oooh yes some of those are pretty close to what I'm after @mrssmiling - not as much embroidery/tassles/sequins etc. as the accessorize ones and I'm not sure what the quality would be like, but definitely worth a shot. I could always add tassels etc if push comes to shove! Thanks for the recommendation :)

Glad you like them. Those Accessorize bags were lovely. It might be worth browsing through Etsy listings - quite a few ‘boho’ bags.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/689935061/boho-bag-vintage-banjara-embroidery

Oh yes, they are lovely!!

Etsy was a first thought, for really individual bags which are handmade.

I look for bags, a whole lot, so I'll have a look and update the thread with a link if I find any. X

Similar on Etsy. Some of the sellers there take commissions so it might be worth having a chat, describing fabrics you like etc.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/567907120/hippie-hobo-bag-handmade-boho-shoulder?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_birthday_Bags+and+Purses&utm_custom1=k_Cj0KCQiA6t6ABhDMARIsAONIYyw-NYs2kayRxkTSY6o4rveE5sVNBHmr0kDRO_vePGfjNHdLPUeP3C8aAnKuEALw_wcB_k&utm_content=go_11297985049_112152969018_471256318680_pla-314261243987_m__567907120engb_127998313&utm_custom2=11297985049

I agree OP they were so nice! Used to love the hats too, I remember having a woolen rainbow beanie hat when I was about 14 and loved it.

No recommendations I'm afraid, but I've got one that I absolutely love, probably from about 15 years ago. It used to get so many compliments. The zip went on it a long, long time ago, some of the beads are gone and its a bit faded but I still use it as a crochet project bag so it travels with me a lot, I still love it.

I had quite a few and loved them at the time but they're all long gone now, mostly to charity shops and car boot sales. I moved towards a simpler handbag design, and switched my boho vibe to my earrings instead!

There seems to be a lack of colour and detail available on the high street generally at the moment (I know no one is shopping on the High Street but you know what I mean!). It's all black/ greige/ khaki sludge.
I used to love a bright colourful chunky necklace but haven't seen any decent ones for years now.

I had some lovely beaded clutch bags from Accessorize which were great for special occasions. I charity shopped them a few years ago and am now cursing myself because they haven't had anything as nice since. I feel your pain!

Yes agreed to those mentioning Etsy, think that might be my best bet. I find though that they all tend to be quite bright primary colours on a black background- which is a great look, but not one that would go with many of my clothes. I think what I really miss is the pastel colours or even a couple of bright colours but nothing too crazy, combined with all the embellishments. I think I might have to accept I'm clearly wildly out of touch with fashion and that my dream bags are no longer being made!

Yy to the person who suggested boho earrings instead - I love that look but have long ear lobes so, as my mother so charmingly puts it, dangly earrings would make me look like a cocker spaniel:( so I have never had my ears pierced!