Recommend me a designer handbag

[Wardrobemalfunction22]

I've unexpectedly come into some money and want to buy my first ever proper designer handbag. Budget up to £2,000.

Ideally tan or beige, something which I can use summer and winter for going out to dinner, drinks, smart family lunches. Shoulder bag or clutch.

I'm probably going to be using it for the next 10 years so need something timeless. I've been looking at YSL envelope bags but they're not really grabbing me.

Would love to hear your recommendations

If you don’t want big logos then there’s no real need to spend that much because you can get amazing quality from some of the contemporary designers at a quarter of the price (Strathberry, Coach, Aspinal, Polene, DeMellier).

For stuff in the sub-2K bracket there’s YSL (loads of designs - the logo is big but you can get it in matt black which is more subtle) or Prada.

The really big ticket items are all above 2K…

Personally, I think the £1-2K bracket isn’t good value for money. I love the contemporary designers, and will stick to those until I can properly afford an Hermes one day.

This is such helpful advice, thank you! I'm so clueless and this is really giving me lots to think about.

I could potentially spend a little more if it was a kind of classic investment last forever type piece that I would wear and love for 20 years, equally I'm happy to spend less! I really like Strathberry and would never have thought of them. I'm also now looking at Loewe bags, I like the puzzle but think I need to see it in real life to decide.

How exciting OP!

I would agree with a lot of the brands mentioned above. Personally I still love Mulberry even though their prices have gone through the roof recently. I only buy in their sales, their bags are lovely quality and design.

For up to £500 ish Strathberry and deMellier London are both fantastic brands.

My dream bag would be a Loewe puzzle bag which is around your budget.

Hope you have fun choosing!

Please let us know what you pick OP!

I love Celine! Understated and definitely don't see many people with them. It depends what kind of bag you want - tote, shoulder bag, cross body etc.

I'm enjoying choosing at the moment. I really like the YSL Lou and Strathberry East West and will be visiting Edinburgh soon so hoping to go to their boutique

Does anyone have the Desert or Cappucino colours from Strathberry? What's the difference?

Ooh Celine now added to my list. I think cross body or shoulder bag. Definitely not a tote and I'm not really sure about slouchy styles, I'm not that cool!!

Check out the Celine luggage (they have different sizes - I think it's one of their most popular designs), the box bag is nice too.

If I wanted something tan, that wasn't going to date, I'd be going straight to Bottega Veneta.

Loewe if I wanted something more 'fashion' than pure 'luxe'

In addition to my earlier post, I also have a few Jaeger and Aspinal bags which cost significantly less but the quality is superb.
I'd like a navy evening bag and plan to get one from Aspinal.

I've got the Latte/Sand combination.

Definitely worth a trip to their store if you can get to Edinburgh as then you'll be able to get a proper idea of sizes. I actually got the E/W baguette as a wedding/evening bag and it's perfectly sized for that but too small as an everyday bag.

Another vote for the mini Alexa, very soft leather & can fit plenty in. Works day or evening. Love mine

Oh my goodness its so hard to choose. These suggestions are all brilliant. I'm thinking that one bag isn't going to do it all for me and that getting two for somewhere between £500 - £1000 each would allow me much more versatility across seasons and events.

So maybe a smaller evening/clutch in off-white and a larger cross body in tan for daytime. I suspect I'd use the tan one more often but I feel that tan doesn't quite work for some evening events.

How about a Loewe Mini puzzle bag in tan and a Ysl Envelope Clutch in a lighter colour. I own the Loewe Mini Puzzle bag in Stone and have found myself reaching for it a lot . The YSL envelope Clutch in dark beige is now on my wish list for Summer dressy events and holidays.

from an investment point of view YSL and Louis Vuitton will hold their value more than say Gucci and even celine. Bottega is stunning but they are having a renaissance at the moment so if you’re looking for real classics then stick to none trend pieces for example the Loewe Puzzle just screams trend as does the Bottega cassette which I have but will be moving it on soon.

could you stretch to a preloved Chanel? preloved is the way forward with Chanel as pre 2019 is the best quality and you can pick some beautiful pieces from Sellier.

if not do not buy a Gucci Disco or anything from mulberry. Stick with YSL or try celine. The celine triomphe shoulder bag is beautiful and one I reach for a lot at the moment.

I would get a Loewe puzzle bag or Bottega Veneta. They are my two favourite.

I have several Aspinal bags and purses and they're lovely! They go for between £300 to £1,200 roughly and are very well made I find.

@Ivgotasecretcanyoukeepit agree re preloved chanel. I have a tan chanel I'm watching and plan to purchase!

Celine are my favorites. I have the classic, belt bag and triomphe.

But my most used bag is my Loewe puzzle. It’s so practical.

I an lusting over the ysl Manhattan.

Mulberry is a good bet imo. They do lots of the classic styles in Oak a lovely tan colour. Also visit their sales online or their factory shops in York, Somerset, or mcarthur glen outlets for best value for money.

I love mulberry but they don't hold their value and some of the new styles are a bit odd.
LV hold their value better I think

Chloe bags are lovely too

I’d go for Loewe or Chloe. Forget Mulberry, v dated now. Aspinall make beautiful bags, understated style that whispers rather than shouts.

I have the Jackie 1961 in white and I adore it. I wouldn't normally get Gucci but this one is very subtle. I love the history of the bag too, it's a classic. I have "small" size and it can be worn cross body, or handheld. Great for summer, and I have a feeling it's going to be good for winter too. It's white leather but doesn't look too summery.

Chloe is well known to have a poor resale value along with Valentino.

Mulberry prices are way too high and quality has deteriorated over the years.

I have a bag from Postal Co amazing quality and reasonable price. The only downside is it's from Japan so duties and taxes are high.