You have c£1000 to spend on a new handbag…

[DoThePropeller]

What are you buying?

So exciting you're considering a Puzzle bag OP! Lots of great options on here, hope you're enjoying choosing. If you can stretch to it I would get a Loewe puzzle bag (and I'll be very jealous!). Or get 2 £500 bags from Strathberry or DeMellier London.

‘If you don't understand designer handbags, how about you just scroll on by rather than trying to make the OP feel guilty for spending her own money on something she wants.’

Yes. The inverted snobbery is unreal on here.

Some of the comments on here r weird. Some of the worst I have seen on S&B even on other threads where the OP is considering spending more money. There weren't as many snide comments. Granted I haven't been on MN long. 1000 is quite a lot of money and will get you something decent from the contemporary brand market some mentioned here already. The higher end stuff will cost more unfortunately as you already know. come back to show those of us that are interested what you end up with. Enjoy shopping!

@DoThePropeller puzzle bags are meant to be bombproof, I've seen ones that are years old and still look amazing.

I haven't had my head turned by Loewe as yet but i think I'd love a puzzle bag in pale blue

@sammylady37

Christ the handbag threads never fail to bring out the virtue-signalling holier than thou types, do they?

Why would anyone who is not interested in handbags come onto a thread which is so clearly about high-end handbags to loftily declare how superior they are and to snidely imply the op must lack class, need therapy etc. It’s bizarre. Just scroll on by. Nobody gives a fuck if you think 10 quid spent on a handbag is 7quid too much.

100% this.

I love my high-end handbags. I only buy one about every 1 to 2 years, have 7 now, and use them every day. They’re all still in perfect condition. Personally, I prefer to spend more on a bag that will last for years (my oldest is 14 years old), than to constantly buy cheaper bags that fall apart and need to be replaced.

I feel like I need a Leowe Puzzle bag now. Why do I get involved with these threads?!!!

The Puzzle is one of the bags to have right now.

Sorry to hijack this thread but I would appreciate some help from you lovely people on here as you all seem to have excellent taste! My daughter has requested a handbag for her 21st - the list she gave me included a mini lady dior which is way out of my price range so I have narrowed it down to either the Coach Pillow Tabby in Ivory or the mini Stella Mccartney Falabella in butter cream. I can't get to a shop to feel them so relying on those in the know. Thanks xxx

Hi @bugsonmydesk. What a lucky girl your daughter is. What is your budget?

Out of the two you're considering I would imagine the Stella McCartney Falabella will be more 'young and trendy' over Coach bags. It's not leather though so just something to consider.

@ItsRainingTacos

Hi *@bugsonmydesk*. What a lucky girl your daughter is. What is your budget?

Out of the two you're considering I would imagine the Stella McCartney Falabella will be more 'young and trendy' over Coach bags. It's not leather though so just something to consider.

Hi Tacos - thanks for responding. My max budget is £1K - but maybe I could get some nice trainers or similar if I don't spend it all on a bag. We have been saving up for this for a while - she has always wanted a high end bag and as she has just been accepted onto her Masters course I think she deserves a treat!

@bugsonmydesk she totally deserves it! I was going to suggest something else entirely but wasn't sure of your budget.

The thing with Stella McCartney bags is they're expensive but not particularly sought after . Same with Jimmy Choo bags, Anya Hindmarch, Tory Burch, Victoria Beckham - their resell value is depressing (have a look on eBay). If it's a bag she's going to make use of everyday and run it in to the ground then fine as she'll get her moneys worth. If she ends up storing it and saving it for occasions she will find the style has dated and then it will just sit at the back of the wardrobe forever (the Falabella was launched in 2010).

Would she be open to a more premium brand classic bag from the pre loved market? (As in almost new condition - Vestiaire is a good place to start ). It would serve her well in the long run. You might even find the Dior bag she wants or the much sought after Loewe Puzzle bag 😉.

And she's likely to cherish the bag longer than a pair of expensive trainers 😅

@ItsRainingTacos I think she would definitely be up for a pre-loved bag - the Stella one came about because of the supposed eco credentials. The list she gave me included a dior saddle bag, balenciaga hourglass YSL Lou mini and Chloe daria. Not that she was asking for any of those bags - just to give me an idea of what she likes. I think she wants something small that she can use for years to come in a neutral cream/beige/grey - so open to any ideas.

@bugsonmydesk

The ysl Lou lou is a good classic shape/style and can go from day to evening easily so she'll get plenty of use from that style of bag. It doesn't even have to be that particular brand. Prada and Gucci do similar shape/styles also. Just a simple and elegant crossbody that will stand the test of time and they're semi structured so easy to fit more in when you need to.

I'd be a little cautious about the stiff/structured bags like the hourglass - they're of the time so they will date. Same with the underarm saddle bags as well as the Bottega Vaneta cassette bags - very on trend right now but will fizzle out eventually. I remember the Dior saddle bags first time round in the late 90s I think.

Ive not read the entire thread, but I would add a bit more and get a Loewe puzzle bag or a Bottega Venata.

I should have read the thread - I can see puzzle bags are already on your radar!

@bugsonmydesk Are you anywhere near Bicester? You could probably pick up a bargain there and especially if you're not wedded to black (seasonal colours are always discounted). They have Chloe/Balenciaga etc. I got a Chloe bag I wanted for £500 there a few years ago. It was at least 50% off.

Might be worth a try!

Mulberry a great choice,
If you can make it to Bicester village £1000 will buy you Gucci/Prada and many many more, lots of lovely choice!

Fab thread. I’ve a few bags I bought in Bicester - I’ve heard rumours that some are specifically made for that market but not sure how true that it.

Enjoy your bag op - nothing like a good bag to brighten my day.

@bugsonmydesk

Sorry to hijack this thread but I would appreciate some help from you lovely people on here as you all seem to have excellent taste! My daughter has requested a handbag for her 21st - the list she gave me included a mini lady dior which is way out of my price range so I have narrowed it down to either the Coach Pillow Tabby in Ivory or the mini Stella Mccartney Falabella in butter cream. I can't get to a shop to feel them so relying on those in the know. Thanks xxx

Maybe a Gucci disco? Pretty timeless and such a useful size and shape. Otherwise a tote for carrying all those MA books, YSL have some gorgeous ones.

@MissMarpleRocks I work for a luxury brand with a store in Bicester and we don't produce separate stock for outlet but I'm aware that other brands do this. I think it's less common for bags than for RTW but I would definitely double check the quality. The Chloe bag I bought there was definitely normal stock.

@slipperyeel Agree with a Gucci disco, I have one and it is so useful and easy to use plus within budget (although the price has massively increased since I got mine). It is less structured than some of the other bags on the list of suggestions though...

Thank you @JW13.

So what did everyone buy in the end??

What did you decide on in the end OP? I tried the Loewe Puzzle bag in small yesterday and loved it. I tried the colour Sand.

I didn’t buy anything but I dug out my “vintage” (so old the cotton thread is falling apart) The Bridge bag, did a few invisible repairs using the existing stitching holes and now it’s back in use!