Handbag for a 21st birthday £100 budget?

[whoseafraidofnaomiwolf]

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?

If your budget was 2k, then Bicester would be great but you'll struggle with 100 as its more on the luxury side.

I agree with others that 'going out bag shopping' is a bit naf and uncomfortable unless going out shopping together is something you do often AND she's stated she wants a bag. Otherwise order a nice le pliage online and give it to her at the lunch.

Oh I'd feel so awkward with your plan, OP. The first part sounds lovely but would you consider getting her a department store voucher instead of having her pick out a bag she would like? Most people would feel too shy to point out something which is going to cost someone else and it could be embarrassing if she chooses something out of your budget, which is very likely given the stores you have in mind.

It’s a lovely gesture but I’m in the “I’d be mortified in this situation” camp.
If you’re worried about her frittering away the money, give her a gift card.
Or pick one of the suggested bags and put the receipt in so she can exchange.

I really hate it when my MIL attempts to do things like this. We’re just not close enough to have the level of honesty that this situation requires.

I personally think on the updates a Longchamp or DKNY would be best but could you show her eg &other stories, Arket, Ted Baker etc and just ask what she prefers?

She might even want to wait until Christmas until she gets money from relatives etc and then get a nice bag then.

Gift card is a good idea. Can you get gift cards for the outlets or do you have to buy for eg one outlet shop?

If you don’t want to give her the money- get her this.

https://www.longchamp.com/gb/en/products/tote-bag-m-L2605919001.html?at_medium=Sponsored%20links&at_campaign=PERFMAX&at_season=SHOPPING&at_campaign_group=Google-Adwords&at_variant=MULTIPLEDEVICES&at_sl_term=na&gclid=CjwKCAjwjaWoBhAmEiwAXz8DBf3_WWeWjC7mPMb-BNPzg-ymJnocvcopuBNH01FPyjHzlpkAijiZahoCJB8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

or a similar le pliage in navy or black.

It’s a classic for the price point, great quality and a lovely gift.

Your budget isn’t big enough for an already potentially awkward shopping trip! I would have hated this as a 21 year old. You have so much potential for her to pick something she doesn’t like because it’s cheap and she doesn’t want to be grabby, or for you to be put in the position of saying ‘no!’ awkwardly if she picks something pricey.

A Longchamp Le Pliage, it's a classic. I got mine back in 2017 and it's still going strong with regular use.

I agree it could be a bit cringe - how about you take her out for the nice lunch, give her the money and send her shopping with your son?

Could they get the train down to ashford McArthur Glen?

I think you're original plan was lovely OP. A gift card would be shit compared to the day you had planned. Let her choose. If you bought me that Longchamp I'd just throw it in the back of my wardrobe or put it on vinted. Bag choice is so personal

It's a lovely idea for a day but honestly, a really nice bag that she will be able to keep is going to be hard to come by for that budget in the stores that you're talking about. It won't be much of a choice for her, it'll be "oh here's one out of the 1000 bags we can see that is actually in budget so you're going to have to take that"
Perhaps maybe move away from a bag idea - just a shopping trip where she can choose what she wants is better.

But if the girlfriend isn't used to spending a lot, then £100 will seem great. If you think she'd enjoy the day, then it's a great idea, but just say you'd like to treat her to something for around £100 and would she like to have a look in the shops? She might choose something other than a bag, of course.

I would have loved something like this for my 21st. My auntie gave me 50p and some Tupperware.

I think this is a lovely idea. I personally would like the shopping trip over a voucher or money, especially as you get on well. Coal Drop Yard at King's Cross might be better than Liberty or Selfridges which are so geared up to incredibly expensive designer bags.

@ilovemydogmore I particularly mentioned the cheaper brands at BV. They definitely are under £100. There are other cheaper brands too. You don’t need £2000 either as a regular shopper there. Have you actually been? It is not all high end and lots of choice for under £2000!

It's a very kind thought but I'm in the cringe camp I'm afraid, I think she'll feel under pressure to choose and then if she finds she doesn't like it so much afterwards (too heavy when in use, slips off shoulder, inside pockets not big enough or whatever) she'll feel guilty and obliged to use it in case you wonder why she isn't. At that age I just wanted embroidered slouchy bags from Monsoon or wherever, and changed them all the time, are you sure she'd use a more classic handbag? I also was very fond of my first boyfriend's mum but there is no way I'd have gone out shopping with her, or anyone other than friends my own age, choosing a bag is something you'd normally do by yourself in your own time.

Sorry but bags are really personal, and she may be happier with a voucher or the cash. I bought my daughters and niece Longchamp pillage travel bags, long leather handles, let them pick the colours because they like mine.

Could your DS take her shopping, let her choose a bag and you give it to her over lunch?

There are some ok suggestions and others that , well really, are awful. But, pretty much everyone of any age likes Le Pliage. The younger women in my office, including the graduate trainees (ages 23/24/25/26) all seem to own one.

I wasnt remotely into handbags at 21. Would she prefer the money towards a mini weekend break? I would just give her the money to spend as she wishes. Dies it matter if she fritters it away. Her choice.

Carvela handbags are great and long lasting.

A twenty something I know bought this for herself recently, Doc Martens, £79

https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/kiev-smooth-leather-leather-vertical-crossbody-bag-black/p/AD055001?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1cfRxZ-3gQMV2JJoCR2kwAN_EAQYAiABEgIaJPD_BwE

An Aspinal phone bag is just over budget but a lovely gift.
I have the Ella in black, it’s truly lovely

Do 21 year olds covet Aspinal? Not sure.

At 21, my DD had spent a semester at a uni in Switzerland. The students there had Celine bags. Here it was Mulberry at the time. It was the start of her wanting decent bags! All those teenage bags went to the charity shop. Remember Paul’s Boutique? Cambridge satchel? It goes through phases but Le Pliage Travel Bag is the one that’s kept!

A weekender bag might be a good option.
I think they’re less personal than a handbag because they’re not used every day.

https://www.oliverbonas.com/accessories/hattie-leopard-spot-strap-green-rectangular-weekend-bag-337027?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping%20UK&utm_term=1528862&gclid=CjwKCAjwjaWoBhAmEiwAXz8DBTk6bppOe1OTvyn5eMICwK9T9n9dtHtY3YAhuDWfThwPYu-aBVgcvhoCc_YQAvD_BwE#selection.color=16

You sound wonderful.

Although it’s online, try The Outnet, there can be some great bargains. You can usually find 15 or 20 % off too.

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/maje/mini-bags/mini-shoulder-bags/glossed-croc-effect-leather-shoulder-bag/1647597306896840

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/see-by-chloe/mini-bags/mini-shoulder-bags/leather-shoulder-bag/1647597278482871

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/redv/shoulder-bags/cross-body/leather-shoulder-bag/1647597309354918

i hope you both have a lovely time.