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

[TunaTuna]

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.

Is anyone else reading this thread with a mixture of curiosity, admiration and despair?

I want to be stylish. I think I can afford to be stylish. But I’m too mean and lazy to put in the research.

I wouldn't 'spot' an osprey bag (or most other labels that aren't ott gross like Louis Vuitton or Gucci). Do people really take note of other peoples bags?

I've got one, as it happens, because it was exactly the size (small but just big enough for what I want to carry), number of pockets and colour (black). I've had it years, and yes, it came from TK maxx because you have to walk through it from the car park into the shopping centre and I spotted it having failed to find what I wanted elsewhere. I've had it for years, very robust. So if I did happen to notice someone with a similar one I might think 'good choice'.

People who want to judge me for my choice of bag, can fuck right off to the far side of fuck.

I feel sorry for you OP, and hope you find a great bag that you love AND ticks the box.

Just chucking in Owen Barry, whose bags are made in Somerset. I've got a crossbody Zander with an asymmetric top - had it for about 10 years, treat it badly and it still looks just the same.
owenbarry.com

It's difficult for women, isn't it. Even when we don't care; not caring becomes the statement. There is just no escape, you can't refuse to take part as refusing to take part is a fashion statement in itself.

So far, the only way to be "outside" I found is to go minimalist, plain, clean lines, black, no logo. In itself very difficult to find!

Sorry to jump on the back of this as I haven't read all the replies -but Osprey do make stuff specifically for the outlet market ( like TK Maxx). You can 100% tell by the lining.

So whilst each individual bag might be nice ( I'm not judging, because I sincerely don't give a shiny shit) people who do know and are judgy will assume it's an outlet/knockoff.

I think Osprey is viewed as an Aspinal wannabe, and Aspinal is bought by people who buy a ' classic' bag every ten years.

OP the Irish brand Newbridge makes nice handbags, label but not label.

Or go ironic with an actual Tesco bag?!
Maybe not

I would assume you had bought it in TKMaxx but wouldn't judge (I love a bit of TKMaxx )

Last time I went in & Other Stories they had loads of gorgeous leather cross body bags, I could have bought about 5!

Sorry to jump on the back of this as I haven't read all the replies -but Osprey do make stuff specifically for the outlet market ( like TK Maxx). You can 100% tell by the lining.

Can you? Well, in that case I'm glad I got mine there as I like its lining.

I wouldn't say Mulberry are 'hard wearing'. My last one looked utterly knackered after 5 years of abuse. I have just replaced it, but expect the new one to last only as long.

I used to have an Osprey bag, it was great. I didn't know there was such snobbery about them.

My favourite cross body is my Gucci Soho. Don't know if that's too much with the logo though.

Ally Capellino has been mentioned here a bag from there fell apart within a year, and they refused to contemplate a return/exchange. It was just rubbish and will never buy from there again. An Anya Hindmarch bag was terrible too. I only buy vintage bags (Coach Penny or Convertible Clutch for instance) now as the quality of leather from 20 or years or so ago is so much better (and they genuinely don't seem to date)

Bags date an outfit and the year of purchase faster than any other item, so the savvy fashionista looking for a lasting useful item always chooses to select something the perfect/same shape that's just slightly not the same. Or more likely, follows the eye for what works regardless.

@ErrolTheDragon

Sorry to jump on the back of this as I haven't read all the replies -but Osprey do make stuff specifically for the outlet market ( like TK Maxx). You can 100% tell by the lining.

Can you? Well, in that case I'm glad I got mine there as I like its lining.

Sorry, I wasn't being snobby, just a point that's the TK Maxx/ outlet bags almost always have the slightly shiny lining fabric with "Osprey" printed on it.

Bags from the current collections seem to always have printed or plain cotton linings.

xing so enigmatic, I don't get what you mean. The fashionista chooses something like something in fashion but slightly different? I don't think you can exit fashion, even if one gets the ugliest thing it would be related to some current trend, so different to something in fashion will also somehow be in fashion in the current times, right?

I've just bought a Rowdy bag! Supposed to last for life, hopefully quite ethical, classic colours!

I had been searching for ages for the right bag! Might fit the bill!
https://www.rowdybags.co.uk/collections/leather-sling-bags

Microbius, it wasn't intended as enigmatic! So much "fashion" is buy this or that because it's this year's model (and it will flatter my P&L account if you do). Look back over history for a similar aesthetic instead.

Finding a vintage version from a period when the aesthetic was similar works as well.

How about a bag from Etsy? A friend has this one, which is gorgeous and difficult to place:
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/506494374/leather-shoulder-bag-handbag-leather-bag?click_key=3f9e6c804b9871f4a791f59a1e16dba1b2064ebd%3A506494374&click_sum=374c6844&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=large+leather+bag&ref=sr_gallery-1-26&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&cns=1

ah, I see, xing, thanks.

I’m not an osprey or radley fan and can’t afford high end designer
I have bags from coach, lulu Guinness, jaeger, vintage enny, modalu, Vivienne Westwood - some bought second hand or on sale or in outlet
Buy what you like and fits your lifestyle and then best you can afford

@JaceLancs

I’m not an osprey or radley fan and can’t afford high end designer I have bags from coach, lulu Guinness, jaeger, vintage enny, modalu, Vivienne Westwood - some bought second hand or on sale or in outlet Buy what you like and fits your lifestyle and then best you can afford

I saw Lulu Guinness had lots of bags substantially reduced, but I just checked and it looks like the sale is over.

I have a few Modalu bags and like them but I don't think they are made any more. They can be picked up very cheaply on Vinted though.

This thread is making me laugh.
I am a NED and on some Charity Boards

I trust that I have these roles due to my 30 plus years of professional experience and not because of the handbags that I sport.