Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Handbag for a 21st birthday £100 budget?

154 replies

whoseafraidofnaomiwolf · 18/09/2023 23:30

My son's utterly lovely girlfriend is going to be 21 at the end of the month. I'd love to take her out for a posh(ish) lunch and then handbag shopping. I know my budget isn't the biggest (it's a tough year), but any suggestions/ recommendations for a good bag that will stand the test of time and make her feel special when she uses it?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Greenshake · 19/09/2023 00:26

The Kurt Geiger one is lovely. I think you are making a really nice gesture OP 🙂

Fosterliz · 19/09/2023 04:54

I managed to buy a beautiful, navy leather, Radley handbag for just under £100. Look around the sales.

gigipom · 19/09/2023 05:05

depending on her style, somewhere like Zara or Mango will have leather bags that are quite good quality and under 100. They will be on trend. I would have loved it if someone bought me a bag from Zara when I was 21 (I still have a few of my faves from years ago!)

I also heard Longchamp is making a comeback (although it never really went out). Pretty sure they are under 100.

wfcats · 19/09/2023 05:26

This is such a lovely idea, you're very kind. Do you definetely want a bag? If you'd consider a smaller item like a purse or cardholder you'd maybe get a more premium brand and access to more 'luxury' shopping experience. I know that's what I'd have preferred at that age but it depends what she's like of course.

itsgoingtobeabumpyride · 19/09/2023 07:02

Do you have a McArthur Glen outlet type place near you?
That's where I get my bags from.
Ted Baker do some lovely bags (obvs reduced price at the outlet), some are more than £100 but if you went for a "going out" bag, clutch or crossbody, you'd get one for under £100.
Also I have some Carvela bags from the outlet, definitely under £100.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/09/2023 07:05

Longchamp if she’d like it- it will serve her for years.

WonderingWanda · 19/09/2023 07:10

The Oliver Bonas bags are lovely and reasonably priced.

Aria20 · 19/09/2023 07:24

Yes to the pp who said McArthurGlen outlet - they have Ted Baker, Radley, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Carvella and several other places you will find a nice bag for £100

s14a · 19/09/2023 07:42

I was also going to mention Mcarthur Glen.

I got a beautiful Paul Costelleo bag from there for an absolute steal!

TizerorFizz · 19/09/2023 08:07

@whoseafraidofnaomiwolf When my DDs were at uni they both had large Longchamp Le Pliage bags for a weekend away. They have short handles and fold up for storage when not in use. Leather Longchamp is way above £100. My DDs still use theirs 10 years on.

Handbags are personal. At 21 mine would never ever have wanted Radley. Associated with much older people. Zara is spot on. Be careful about logo bags or obvious makers if the DD doesn’t like the brand! It won’t get used. I would try and get some idea of her taste and brands she likes.

Your other option might be a purse. Your money would buy something really good.

CharSiu · 19/09/2023 08:14

I have bought DS GF a bag for Christmas it was £45 reduced from just over £100 in TK Maxx. I know it’s hit and miss but this is a definite hit. They had a Ted Baker bag reduced from £200 to £85 but I didn’t want to spend that much plus I got her a brand she likes.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 19/09/2023 08:15

I’d ask her or your DS what she’d like because I agree. Taste in bags is very personal. At 21 I wasn’t into designer bags at all yet fast forward to 26 etc and I liked certain designers (Prada, Miu Miu, Mulberry etc)

GrinAndVomit · 19/09/2023 09:42

TK MAXX
Have some Moschino bags for that price point.

https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/accessories/handbags/handbag-designer-brands/black-buckle-logo-tote-bag/p/11018051

ilovemydogmore · 19/09/2023 10:56

Another vote for Longchamp Le Pliage

Original poster
whoseafraidofnaomiwolf · 19/09/2023 11:04

Good morning! Thank you for coming back to me IVFbabymomma1 and everyone else who has offered such useful suggestions.

To answer your first question: She seems to like reds/ browns and her chosen gemstone/ jewellery colours are silver/ sapphire.

We are London based so no Macarthur Glen for us sadly - they sound great😫

I was thinking to take up up to the west end to cruise the big department stores (Libbies, HOF, JL's etc.etc) so she can chose for herself rather than me buying her something and presenting it if you see what I mean. But I'm a bit out of the bag shopping loop so was looking for pointers as to where to start. Your suggestions are so helpful for that - Thank you.

IVFBAby' you should consider a carreer as a personal bag shopper! 😆

She's a quiet, reasonably studious girl so I think something classic. I hadn't even thought about Longchamp so we'll definitely look at those, but I also loved that small DKNY. Well look at Zara too - I wouldn't have thought of that.

Thank you all again. I'm off to disappear down the bag rabbit hole you've shown me....

OP posts:
GoShorty · 19/09/2023 11:07

I’d have a look at &OtherStories and Cos - really lovely bags and well made for the price point. Whistles have some nice leather ones too. Or Coach Outlet, Polene or DeMellier if you can stretch a little 😊

jay55 · 19/09/2023 11:31

There are Dune, Guess, Ted baker and Calvin Klein outlets in the o2 outlet which sometimes have good deals on bags.

TizerorFizz · 19/09/2023 11:39

I’d also second Cos, &OtherStories and Arket. Or H&M by another name.

As you are in London, don’t go to the West End: get on the train at Marylebone and go to Bicester Village. Much more fun. You might not get huge choice for £100 but they do have Longchamp and DKNY. Have a look at their web site. It’s a good day out.

toomanyleggings · 19/09/2023 12:34

I actually wouldn’t do this. The lunch maybe, the bag shopping no. I’d find it a bit embarrassing choosing. Why don’t you just just take her for lunch and give her the money in a card. You could suggest going to have a look around the shops afterwards maybe

MariePaperRoses · 19/09/2023 12:38

It might be a bit cringe being trotted around to choose something.

The lunch idea is nice and then a mooch around the shops and see what she looks at and then secretly buy something you saw her looking at.

Original poster
whoseafraidofnaomiwolf · 19/09/2023 12:39

Hmmm Bicester... I don't think it's is an option for us sadly - it's 2 1/2 hours away. We're the wrong side of London. Too much travelling for too little choice in this instance, but great for a Christmas meet up with my best mate who lives in inconvenient (for me) Worcester (so inconsiderate of her😂😂😂).

OP posts:
Original poster
whoseafraidofnaomiwolf · 19/09/2023 12:43

I don't want to give the money. I know what will happen - it will just get frittered away. I would like to buy her just a really nice bag, that she likes, feels good wearing and will keep for a while.

But I hear what you say about the pressure to chose. Maybe we'll just mooch the stores for ideas and if there's nothing that she immediately loves/wants she can hold on until she finds something that she does, but the shops will hopefully give her ideas of what that might be.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread