If you were going to get one designer handbag to last for life, which one would it be?

[Linguaphile]

Just that, really! I’m looking for a classic bag and would like something I could keep in the rotation and still look chic using in 15-20 years. Obviously the Chanel 2.55 and the classic Birkin come to mind (though the latter is definitely out of my budget), but what others are there to consider? Bonus points for versatility. Mulberry Bayswater perhaps?

@Ohsugarhoneyicetea
When my DD was at university in Switzerland, Celine bags were the book bag of choice for the better off university students. Here it was Mulberry bags “borrowed” from mum. Not me though!

I looked everywhere to find something classic, large enough, zip-top, good leather and ended up with a Coach bag similar to Throughabushbackwards but more of a tote style. I could have spent more for one of those collectors brands but nothing was right - and I'm so happy with my choice. The leather is wearing beautifully.

For an everyday bag, it would have to be a Prada galleria. For night, a classic white Chanel.

Thanks singing, I'm really happy with it. I'd have loved a Mulberry but can't quite justify the cost. One day!

I looked at the prada galleria but the handles just arent right. The short handles are too short by themselves and the double strap looks cluttered.

Mulberry bags are too heavy.

MN doesn’t know any other make of bag!!!!

Oak Mulberry Bayswater is classic and would be my choice , if I didn’t already have one!

To mark a particular point in my life when I'm basically starting again (age 45, divorcing, cutting toxic parents out of life, total change of career) I recently bought a Chanel 2.55 (not the Classic that a lot of people confuse it with - that one has the interlocked double C, mine is the one that is pretty much unbranded and can be worn crossbody, it's the one that Coco Chanel designed for herself in 1955.) It cost £6050 and I'm still not over the shock but I really see it as a talisman for the future - it will last a lifetime (I'll look after it and it won't be used everyday) but when I'm 85 and look like Rosemary Harris in The Camomile Lawn (some chance!) it will bear the marks of my life from the moment I made the major necessary changes and started afresh to whenever I shuffle off this mortal coil...

Enjoy your shopping OP

It would be Chanel for me, or potentially Prada. I’ve had a couple of Prada bags for almost 15 years and the still look great and I don’t think have dated at all.

[quote ZaraW]I'm waiting for this to come back in stock, will have to order from Japan. The quality is amazing. Wish I'd bought one when I was in Tokyo a couple of years ago.

postalco.com/en/collections/%E3%83%90%E3%83%83%E3%82%B0/products/mail_bag_small[/quote]
I just love the photos of the woman making a drink, wearing the bag, drinking the drink, wearing the bag.
Stood in the kitchen in her coat and hat, wearing the bag.

I just love the photos of the woman making a drink, wearing the bag, drinking the drink, wearing the bag.
Stood in the kitchen in her coat and hat, wearing the bag.

Same here, love the quirky description of the bag and the models are real people.

I would buy British and copy the Queen
shop.launer.com/c/handbags
Some lovely colours there

Prada Galleria is lovely - but I can see what a PP is saying re the handles.

I've always liked Chloe bags. I think if I was actively looking for one to last and money was no object, I'd choose the Marcie.

I have a DKNY bag that I love, which surprised me! It's the perfect size/shape. It's the Bryant. It's on a huge sale at the moment in Rose and I am actually seriously tempted but two identical bags in different colours seems ridiculous!

mscynical those bags look gorgeous!

Hermes Constance, Valextra Small Swing or Brera, Goyard Saint Louis or Plumet Pouch,Chanel.

@Triffid1 I’ve had two Chloe bags, I’ve returned them both as faulty. On one the straps came apart (less than 2 months old) and on the Marcie the stitching started coming undone within 4 days. With the first bag the retailer sent it to Paris and it took them 9 weeks to agree it was faulty. I only got a credit note. Second bag I bought in Harrods and they were very good and gave me a refund without any problem.

So very disappointing.

Chloe are a bit mass produced. Not like Chanel or Hermes.

Over the years I have accumulated various designer bags but the one that although doesn't get used as often as eg my Bayswater is a very understated black Prada bag. The softest leather, long enough handles to go over my shoulder. It's simple and timeless, if I could only keep one bag it would be that one.

I love mulberry Bayswater, mine has been going for about 15 years and I still love it. All my friends IRL use mulberry still so it isn’t “just” on MN

I’d love a classic Chanel too

Yes. But Mulberry is what people bought 15 years ago. They don’t appreciate in value and they are not Hermes or Chanel etc. IRL I don’t know anyone who hasn’t moved on. They are also substantially reduced at Bicester Village. You won’t get a Chanel, LV, Dior Lady or Hermes reduced.

I bought a loewe for my 50th and I love it. Not a fan of chanel flaps. They're ok, and I know they appreciate in value! but they don't set me alight. I'd like one of those Dior bags that Diana used to love.
I also love bottega veneta bags, they are gorgeous.

If I could walk in to Brown thomas tomorrow and take any bag, I might take a Bottega Veneta, maybe their v handle grab bag.
If I had to pay for the bag (myself) maybe Chloe Daryl Tote!

I have a Chanel jumbo lab skin w silver hardware abs to be honest don't wear it that much as it's a bit in your face. I prefer to be more discreet nowadays with undercover brands and wear my quilted Bottega much more.

Appreciate Bottega is 'now' but gets so many compliments and most people at least in my circles don't even know what it is which I like.

If I could only pick one of my bags though it would probably be either my Chanel Boy or Bottega cassette

Also, I could do with a backpack and I would love this one. Ien.louisvuitton.com/eng-nl/products/montsouris-backpack-nvprod2350004v#M45410 mountsouris back pack 'd never buy this though, but I do really like it, if designer bags were an every day kind of purchase, I'd buy it after 2 glasses of wine, for work.

Not a fan of the ubiquitous never full which put me off LV to begin with but they have so many other bags! I like the black v tote mm