Which high end work bag?

[labradorsandgin]

Hi! Now am returning to the office I would love to treat myself to my first more luxury work bag, having previously only ever bought Monsoon ones etc.

I'm not likely to switch it up much so want something that works with most outfits and that's quite quite classic. Budget of up to maybe £700 or so, but very happy to spend less!

Have always liked the mulberry Alexa and Bayswater- the Alexa was on sale in the colour I wanted on JL and with a voucher I have it took it within budget- but I didn't bite the bullet as not sure if it's practical enough, and also if mulberry is just a bit show offy somehow?

Have also seen the Emily bag by Cambridge satchel company and the loxley and Windsor bags by fairfax and favor, but none seem perfect somehow!

Any other suggestions?

I agree about Mulberry. I have a beautiful one that’s about 12 years old and cost about £300. The quality now doesn’t seem the same and the prices are ridiculous. I’d much rather spend my money on Aspinall - lovely bags and much more reasonable.

I’ve been tempted to get a Knomo but for some reason I think the straps on the backpacks are too narrow and not supportive enough. I have to wear my backpack to the tube so walking quite a lot and it needs to be supportive. Interested to hear from anyone who walks far with their Knomo backpack.

@Ozanj - I've just ordered a Samsonite backpack. Now tell me please what to take as a small bag? I do like bf labels

MY labels, not bf labels

Thanks all! Think I'll plump for an aspinal. Still think mulberry is too flashy.

Any suggestions on which aspinal work bag to go for? I like the London tote but unsure on colour..

I have the mini London tote in evergreen. It's absolutely gorgeous!

I love the pink lining.

I think some of these are exquisite and beautiful. Scroll down a bit. I know they are under 'shoppers' but sizing good for many laptops.

The problem is I like too many

www.campomaggi.com/cm_gb/woman/bags/shoppers.html

How about Radley. Lovely quality not super expensive.

I'd go with Coach too, I'm retired now but had two in different colours which lasted very well. The leather was very thick but supple and aged beautifully, unlike more fashionable brands where the leather is thinner and not strong. The fastenings were great quality too.
I bought them in the sales in London department stores.

I recommend the Coach Park Metro tote bags. Beautifully made, not "dated" or seen everywhere, they are large enough for a laptop and come in a range of colours. They cost much less than £700 and you can even get brand new ones on eBay for around £250.

Another Coach fan here. And another with a wheeled rucksack for laptop and other gubbins and a nice handbook for personal bits.

Thanks so much all. I went for this, and I'm so excited to receive it! Thanks for all the recommendations- now looking for a lovely silk scarf to tie around its handle

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/london-tote-in-smooth-tan?currency=GBP

[quote labradorsandgin]Thanks so much all. I went for this, and I'm so excited to receive it! Thanks for all the recommendations- now looking for a lovely silk scarf to tie around its handle

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/london-tote-in-smooth-tan?currency=GBP[/quote]
That's lovely OP. I've got a black Aspinal bag (can't remember the style) and the leather is gorgeous and much better quality than some other brands of a similar cost.

I love the Aspinal London tote and have been pondering about getting it. My bag situation is pretty dire. But I wear black shoes and currently have a black winter coat and really don't want a black bag... I like the brown tan mentioned above but the old adage of no brown and black in the same outfit puts me off.
Lovely bag though!

Cherry or burgundy @Pigtailsandall

I considered this too @Pigtailsandall but I see a few people wearing brown and black nowadays, so I think it's fine personally.

Emma Hill on Instagram has lots of examples wearing black and brown and looking great

If you can stretch the budget to the LV neverful it takes up to 20kg. I put my laptop and the rest of my life in mine and it’s perfect!

Another vote for Kate Spade! I’ve just bought this one (off a website called Brand Alley at £100, should have been £225) that can fit a laptop and purse etc. I’ve bought a laptop sleeve to keep my laptop protected and got a stylish work bag rather than my old laptop case.

www.katespade.co.uk/en-gb/handbags/all-day-large-tote/PXR00297.html?dwcolor=BLACK#start=1&page=1

Thank you ladies for this thread! It prompted me to treat myself to a new bag and thanks to your recommendations I found myself what it looks like a perfect bag (shoulder bag, with external zip pocket for an Oyster card and with zipped compartments!) which doesn't happen often!!! Going to check it out this weekend!

@marynaj share details of your new find!

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/small-mount-street-laptop-bag-in-navy-pebble?gclid=CjwKCAjwybyJBhBwEiwAvz4G76UI50oZkFaxVDkXl5ZtB06EqwbyoxQ0bhXzCZmaFREr7BnHxmTBKhoCDf0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ah so pleased you went for an Aspinal too! I can't wait for mine to arrive- so so so glad I plumped for it over a mulberry. And saved a couple of hundred pounds in doing so too.

@NeedWineNow - I really like this Coach bag:
uk.coach.com/coach-lori-shoulder-bag/C5265.html?dwvar_color=B4NP6#start=14

I came across it while browsing others' recommendations and going to check it out this weekend if in reality it looks as good as on the website! I'm very particular when buying bags

My aspinal arrived and it's stunning. Has really brightened my week to be honest. Thank you so much everyone for all your wonderful suggestions- so many great bags to choose from!