New handbag.... Mulberry or something else?

[GreenGarden22]

I've just received a bonus from work and am delighted! I've saved most of it, but now have enough to splash the cash on a fancy new handbag.

But what to buy?! Budget.... anything really, but I suppose comfortably up to £1,000 if it's truly wonderful.

I usually spend less than £100 on bags, most under £50 tbh.

Currently daily bag is an under the arm job, and carries small laptop, hairbrush, A4 notepad, keys, glasses, water bottle, kids snack etc. Zips up so quite big.

A big bag would get used daily for commuting to the office, always with a small laptop

A small bag would be mostly evenings and weekends, prefer cross body bags, holds keys, phone abs maybe a snack .

What's your coveted luxury handbag please? I don't know where to start!

The bag that gets used the most in my life is my Mulberry Anthony crossbody. I used it all the time. I wouldn't get a designer bag for work TBH, they get chucked around. For work, I'd go for a dark coloured Longchamps pilage.

My next most used bag is an LV never full, but I have just upgraded this for a more grown-up LV bag now I don't have to lug as much stuff around. For evenings I have an LV Pochette and I absolutely love it. It is my favourite bag.

I treated myself to a Coach bag with my bonus last year. This year will be going towards a bathroom...

I’m getting a Celine belt bag for my birthday next week. I can’t wait as I’ve put off getting it all of lockdown.

Treat yourself OP. I don't usually go for designer gear but I have a few bags I have got over 15 years and I love them. They also get used loads and loads.

What a lovely idea!

I would say think about what sort of bag you want, special occasion or every day.

I have a mulberry bayswater but don't use it that much because its not quite what I need work wise and is too worky for evening /weekend. I am planning to treat myself to a mulberry bays tote in Oak this summer as I think that will be more casual for my non-work days.

I also have a mulberry small Amberley that I use a lot on weekends, cross body and just right for every day.

Neverful is a good every day bag, but not sure if it would be smart enough for work for you.

I know they arent popular on here but I like Michael Kors bags and the jet set might be just right as a work bag for you.

Take a look at the beautiful pre-loved bags on NPN for inspiration and money saving!

www.npnbags.co.uk/naughtipidginsnestshop/

I second the mulberry Anthony- there is two different sizes if you want something bigger

I've just got a Mullbury Bayswater for work and I love it. I'm a community OT and have a pouch with my Allen keys, tape measure and spare screws to keep them damaging it. Give it a rub with leather balm once a month and I'm good to go!
Having sorted a large amount of stuff my late mum kept for best that she never used I'm a firm believer in enjoying nice things now.

Aspinal bags are also worth a look.

The Mulberry Bayswater is quite heavy empty. I used to work where they were very popular so the novelty wore off a bit but it was definitely THE bag. They are quality and look nice. The older version was nicer IMO.

Another note for the Mulberry Bayswater - I bought myself one a couple of months ago in the pale blue (I think it’s called slate). I love it!!!

I have a Bayswater backpack which I can sling over my shoulder or back. Not as heavy as a Bayswater. Very useful and versatile bag.

I’ve got a Bayswater, it’s lovely, but...
I find it a bit clunky and while I can pop it On my shoulder ordinarily, I can’t fit it over my chunky winter coat. Amd it’s quite heavy, as PP said

This is the one I'm debating treating myself to www.johnlewis.com/mulberry-bayswater-small-classic-grain-leather-tote-bag/oak/p4201152 but not sure if this is what you are looking for.

Love my mulberry. Still looks brand new after 6 years of daily use

Thanks everyone, keep the inspiration coming!

So here's what I've found so far... not keen on the Mulberry Antony as it looks a bit too bulky. Is the smaller version a decent ish size for phone & keys?

Liking the look of the belted Bayswater's.
The Bayswater tote actually looks perfect for daytime, definitely the right style for me and I'm loving the green. The classic Bayswater is also lovely.

The Lily (and the medium) looks perfect for an evening or daytime over the shoulder bag. Does anyone have one - are they ok for daytime or only evening?

I don't like the look of longchamp.

LV never full - great shape for daytime but I just can't get passed the LV logo - all I see are the fakes in the markets in Thailand , and the high street blatant copies. If you have a genuine LV do you love it?

Celine- beautiful bags but nothing jumping out at me. Also on the website there's nothing to compare size to so it's really hard to gauge if it's a small / medium / large bag. They need a few more human models.

@MargosKaftan

This is the one I'm debating treating myself to www.johnlewis.com/mulberry-bayswater-small-classic-grain-leather-tote-bag/oak/p4201152 but not sure if this is what you are looking for.

Yes love it!!

It's definitely the Mulberry's that are calling me... I currently have 7 in my virtual shopping bag! I will narrow it down to maybe one daytime one evening or casual daytime.

Aspinal. London tote.

Have a look. Beautiful bags and the larger size is perfect for work x

I’ve got a Bayswater and a lily, love them both! Lily I often wear as a cross body during the day & use it with the double strap for evening. You can definitely get away with it for evening & daytime x

It sounds like you have your heart set on Mulberry! My only worry is that the Bayswaters etc are too heavy, I'm done with lugging around heavily loaded bags on one shoulder.

I have an amazing work bag from Aspinal, it's the Marylebone. Also great for business travel if that ever resumes. Also have a Marc Jacobs tote I love

I also am slightly lusting after a lily, because it is one of the few bags that work as day cross body and evening. But I cant justify it this year when I have day cross body bags and nice evening ones.

Traditional bayswater bags are heavy so hold off for a couple of weeks until the shops reopen and you can go lift one.

I don't find newer Mulberry's as nice quality as older ones to be honest, I also find a lot of them lose their shape unless you have tonnes of stuff in them. For up to £1000 I would have a good look around (online), think what colour and size you want and have a look at other brands as well, or buy a second hand mulbs and save some.

If you have your heart set on a Mulberry (and if you do, don't spent £500 on something that you don't love but it almost as good and cheaper, but not what you really want), have a look at the Mulberry Outlet online for another 2 weeks and I believe you can email /call the Bicester village outlet and they will see if they have what you want in stock.

If you are holding off until the shops reopen, I would expect many will have sales / discounts as we reopen.

If you have a genuine LV do you love it?

I have 3. I think they are more popular overseas than here. I don't think British women like the logo. I bought mine when I lived abroad and am very comfortable with it. You can quite easily recognise a fake. TBH I don't really care what anyone thinks. I love them.

I've just got the Artsy which is gorgeous. It is also really nice in the Daimer Azur. Artsy