Find me a fabulous bag (please!)

[GoShorty]

I’m in the mood for a new fabulous bag, but I am fussy and can’t find what I want. Budget is not at Chanel levels but happy to pay for something really special. My criteria:

• probably black, but a nice soft kind of black rather than shiny/patent/likely to scratch. Open to a lighter more summery colour though
• everyday rather than just evening (I have a couple of beautiful bags for evening already)
• not too obvious a logo. I do like the Gucci Marmont style but the GGs are too much for my taste (and lifestyle if I’m honest!)
• small-ish - I’m really short and don’t want a big bag
• adjustable or short-ish strap that I can wear cross body. I tried on the Gucci Marmont camera bag and liked the style but the strap was just too long (and the GGs too obvious, as above!)

Any ideas? I’m in no rush so happy to just get some inspiration from you knowledgable people! Thank you 😊

You say not to Chanel levels but even in the lower designer world there's big differences -- what's your budget?

The gucci 1961 Michelle
Jackie O had several. One would do me!

It's still called the jackie but it was redesigned by Alessandro Michele, that's where I got "michelle" from!! 😳

Have you looked at Smythson's camera bags? Comes in other colours too.

Although Alessandro Michele altered it, it still goes by the name "jackie." idle breakout

Yes that’s true! Probably anywhere between £100-£2000 I reckon. Quality is really important to me, rather than price as such. I have a couple of Polene bags which I love but am not keen on the other styles and don’t want to get the same bag in a different colour if that makes sense!

I’ll have a look at the Jackie and the Smythson - both look promising, thank you! Any other suggestions (and brands I hadn’t considered) very much appreciated.

Oh these are very lovely. I like the smaller version. But perhaps a bit TOO plain? Sorry, I think I have something in my head but can’t describe it 🙈. I want something simple and elegant, that will work for everyday and be comfortable to wear, with some interesting feature or lovely leather but no flashy logo. Not sure it exists!

That one is beautiful! I’m so fussy though, I think I’d prefer a cross body rather than shoulder strap (have very narrow shoulders and bags like that tend to slip off and annoy me 🤣)

A Celine trio might be just the ticket, that is if they still make them. Again, like the Smythson, very simple but a great everyday bag.

Should you want a little texture, Bottega Veneta mini Loop Intrecciato cross-body bag might be good. They come in a variety of colours.

Loewe puzzle bag...? They have them in black although mine is in tan as unique style stands out more I think

Puzzle Mini Leather Shoulder Bag in Black - Loewe | Mytheresa

Strathberry? I have one of theirs and the quality is unreal.

www.strathberry.com/products/crescent-shoulder-black

This one would fit your brief.

Was coming to suggest strathberry! The quality is lovely for the bags and it's very quiet luxury - no huge logos or similar. The east west bags are really nice too.

Many colours, understated, can be worn as a crossbody...

www.loewe.com/eur/en/women/bags/flamenco/flamenco-clutch-in-nappa-calfskin/A411FC1X62-3606.html

Aspinal of London Hobo Bag

I love this bag. I have the large version and often wish I had bought the mini instead.

Another vote for Strathberry. Amazing quality and such beautiful bags

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/dries-van-noten/shoulder-bags/shoulder-bags/leather-shoulder-bag/1647597310815157

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/brunello-cucinelli/shoulder-bags/cross-body/bead-embellished-leather-shoulder-bag/1647597295316345

@GoShorty what about Cartier? This would be around your max budget (maybe Inc a duty free discount 😉) but the quality is impeccable and matches your logo/non-logo requirement. I have a Panthere (from previous season). Worth a look.

The aspinal lottie bag?

https://www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/small-lottie-bag-in-black-quilted-kaviar

Oh some beautiful bags! Love the Strathberry ones- I’ve had them on my radar for a while but perhaps a bit too formal for me? I need a softer kind of bag that’ll go with everyday outfits rather than work outfits. The Aspinal ones are gorgeous too - I do like the black caviar one so that’s on my list. I also quite like the Ella but it might be a bit bulky for me. The mini Loewe puzzle is one of the top contenders too. The Cartier bags - OMG beautiful! - but again perhaps a bit too rigid for me. Also really love the Bottega Veneta but have a slight concern re: the leather as I saw one in the outlet (in a vile colour 🤣) where all the edges of the leather had started to curl - not sure if that’s why it was in the outlet or if that’s a common experience…

I have this in lavender, and I love it but find it a bit fiddly to get things in and out of, in case that's important to you. Photo attached so you can see the zipper

Oh that is a gorgeous bag and I absolutely love the colour - lavender is one of my favourites. I do see what you mean about the zip though - could get annoying if trying to get keys out while juggling multiple sports bags etc. I’ll have to go and try it in person to see. It’s very lovely though and definitely high on my list. Although I think really I want the style of the small Gucci Marmont but without the massive logo - but equally I don’t want a copy 🤣. Not fussy at all!

Oh another question re: the puzzle. I’m left handed - is it designed to be carried on the right side? I know it probably doesn’t really matter but I see it’s not straight along the top and it would bug me if I had to wear it the ‘wrong’ way round! I always wear my cross body bags so they hang on my left side…

I wear it with the zipper side turned away from me, it works equally well on either side.

A mulberry mini Bayswater? Or lily?