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Original poster

Osprey london bag - what would you think? Silent judging.

227 replies

TunaTuna · 15/02/2022 10:46

Am looking at buying a couple of bags - small cross body and a larger hobo.

Very slow fashion here, when I do buy it will be with me till it falls apart. I'm not bothered about a label for a labels sake.
But I work in a very judgy industry where sometimes I'll be required to go to an actual meeting with strangers ( I love zoom) and I don't want them giving my choice of bag the side eye.
So stuff has to be under the radar but awesome or no obvious label or acceptable to those who judge.

I was attracted to Osprey london , well the sale, but then the sheer number of discount shops has made me question the brand.

Don't hold back bitches, what would you silently think, or could you even tell, if you spotted an Osprey bag at the meeting room.

OP posts:
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6
ImprobablePuffin · 15/02/2022 12:46

I can't really help but you've had some good replies.

I just feel a bit sad that you feel you can't just wear and buy whatever you like. Can't you just embrace the clothes and bags that you like and feel confident wearing/using and fuck everyone else?

thisplaceisweird · 15/02/2022 12:47

If you already wear Cos then why not a nice simple leather bag from Cos or Arket? No need for any name or badge

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 15/02/2022 12:49

What do they deem as an acceptable brand? Intrigued.

Slinkymalinky03 · 15/02/2022 12:51

@Pbbananabagel

If I were you? I’d treat myself to a mulberry. Timeless, hard wearing and will always look the part. It’s an investment but worth it
Please avoid Mulberry - it's an awful brand and far from stylish.
starshipsahead · 15/02/2022 12:51

I wouldn't go for Mulberry- it was a high quality brand a couple of decades back, but the quality has taken a dive. Its reputation is a bit too flashy and tacky now. I would go for a lower priced but high quality brand- and buy second hand to get better value and of course more ethical that way!

user1471433754 · 15/02/2022 12:53

Fossil? A lot of their bags are crossbody and in a nice soft leather. Understated too🙂

RestingPandaFace · 15/02/2022 12:56

I aim for under stated eccentric, no labels, rarely patterned. Not try hard although they'll never appreciate the hours that go into this nonchalance.

Definitely look at Elvis and Kresse as a PP suggested, although I also think there’s a lot to be said not giving a shit. I have several v expensive bags but have a Radley laptop bag as it’s super light and small and I don’t care if it gets wrecked.

nicesausages · 15/02/2022 13:00

I judge people who buy stupidly expensive handbags, because about 50% of the cost of it is likely the marketing and PR cost (so you're paying for thin air, unless you care about that stuff). I would think you'd made a wise choice with a quality bag at £1-200.

SuperSange · 15/02/2022 13:02

My fave is an ancient Oushka bag, or Coach.

Saurus72 · 15/02/2022 13:02

If you wear Cos, I would agree with a PP on seeing what they and Arket have - it’s a bulletproof option imho. Understated but definitely a nod to you knowing what’s what.

This looks decent www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/bags-accessories/product.small-crossbody-bag-black.1082656001.html

Lots of really lovely options at Cos too www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/bags.html

itwasntaparty · 15/02/2022 13:02

I've got a leather backpack from fossil, and a wheeled Samsonite thing for my laptop and all the other shit I need. I couldn't give a flying fuck what people think about my bags!!

I would notice if someone wakes in with a lovely mulberry or Hermes bag but I'd be more thinking - where's all your shit you need?

Chloemol · 15/02/2022 13:03

I don’t care what make peoples things are. And I don’t care about others opinions.

I buy what I like

PearPickingPorky · 15/02/2022 13:08

Russell & Bromley?

Knomo?

microbius · 15/02/2022 13:14

I am going to recommend you a black minimalist Margaret Howell bag.
Another alternative is Kate Sheridan

IDidntFloatUpTheLaganInABubble · 15/02/2022 13:15

I ordered this in the sale, never purchased a bag from from them before, I do have a lovely purse from them though

www.ospreylondon.com/the-stella-leather-hobo-black

The bag that came did not look like this, it was a grainy bulky square monstrosity.

DD took one look and said "you've been catfish by Osprey"

It went straight back and I would not buy another bag from them.

Original poster
TunaTuna · 15/02/2022 13:16

Thank you! Am now being stalked by Elvis & Krasse around the internet Smile

I don't think TV has got worse over 20 years but it certainly hasn't got better, it's a pretty toxic environment, way behind other industries. I'm insulated from the worst of it but appearance is a factor no matter how much you kid yourself. Despite being 'creative' they are very quick to write off those that don't fit the team.

My first TV job was on location near the Mulberry factory! I probably couldn't bring myself to buy their stuff now. 20 years ago it was on the cusp of exploding, still have a pair of gloves, certainly have buyers regret that I didn't snap up a sample suitcase for £40. Used to pick up mislabelled alcopops from the Babycham factory just opposite.

I carefully consider the purchase and then day to day just wear it. I'm on my second coin purse in 25 years, I tracked down the same one twice!

OP posts:
XingMing · 15/02/2022 13:19

I think you need to box a bit clever... I used to work in a similar industry, and it's a bit of a pain. I think your best bet is to go loud and obviously short-term "but I loved it" or consider mid-level status bags from overseas that the judgey gang will find hard to identify. I've just bought a bag (midi Alexa) from a Danish company (Naledi Copenhagen) which can be converted to a cross body, in their sale. It's ultra-plain so while the brand is there, you have to look for it.

badkitty · 15/02/2022 13:20

I have an Osprey bag for work and thought it was veyy posh and smart. Now I gather that it is apparently cheap and nasty... I had no idea. I only bought it because a friend who I thought was stylish said she loved hers. It was £165 which is a huge amount to spend on a bag to me!

Time40 · 15/02/2022 13:20

How about Taurus leather, OP? They're very good quality, and a lot of their bags don't have a logo (and they are an English company, based in Wakefield, which I like). They've got some brightly coloured cross-body bags at the moment, which would fit with your understated eccentric look.

Original poster
TunaTuna · 15/02/2022 13:21

@IDidntFloatUpTheLaganInABubble - catfished by a handbag !!! Good to hear, that was in the basket!

I've now got a million windows open... Looking at all your suggestions, thank you, much more inspiring that HofF and John Lewis in real life yesterday.

OP posts:
Original poster
TunaTuna · 15/02/2022 13:24

#badkitty and everyone else who's now feeling a bit sad. Please don't. I'm asking for suggestions because of a really specific set of circumstances and because most people in most industries don't think like this. I certainly don't which is why I'm hear asking.
Please go back to enjoying your lovely bag and be grateful you don't work in TV!

OP posts:
Time40 · 15/02/2022 13:25

... and on the question of what I would think if I saw an Osprey - I'd think, "Oooh, nice" ... but I would also think that you probably got it in TX Maxx - which from my point of view would mean that you were a sensible shopper with an eye for a bargain; but it sounds as though that's not the work image you're trying to project.

Slinkymalinky03 · 15/02/2022 13:29

[quote Saurus72]If you wear Cos, I would agree with a PP on seeing what they and Arket have - it’s a bulletproof option imho. Understated but definitely a nod to you knowing what’s what.

This looks decent www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/bags-accessories/product.small-crossbody-bag-black.1082656001.html

Lots of really lovely options at Cos too www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/bags.html[/quote]
Cos and Arket are two very dull high street brands.

I agree with the PP that said sourcing from little known non-UK brands is the way to go.

pickingdaisies · 15/02/2022 13:30

I've had a lovely osprey bag from an outlet - the osprey bags that make their way to tkmaxx tend not to be so nice as their mainstream stuff I don't think. But it does affect how people view the brand. I don't give a monkeys luckily. But my bags have to be practical, and I won't pay designer prices. I had a look at the arket and cos cross body bags linked above, and the first thing I thought was, they don't close properly. Wrong size, not practical. I think the best creditability I've ever had was from Lakeland - great leather, just kept looking better and better.

weaselwords · 15/02/2022 13:30

[quote TunaTuna]@scootalooser I go to meetings at TV Production companies where the receptionist looks like a model. I work in a specialist role, only a few if us and I'm good but I don't look like what they are expecting - male, mid thirties, public school.

I can look different to them but I never look like the middle aged mum that I am. So I wear Cos rather than Fatface to the meetings so I don't distract from the work.

I've got a bloody brilliant laptop bag, a name but not a name.
looking for a cross body, relatively small, secure pocket for Oyster card.[/quote]
Are you Mary Beard? I really hope you are. I’d like to think I could chat to Mary Beard about handbags…

Anyway, I was having a similar conundrum about hobo bags, although I don’t move in as groovy circles. My sister had a very nice Hobbs bag. What is the thought on Hobbs? I too want good quality, a little bit unusual and not mainstream.