Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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
nettie434 · 22/09/2023 07:46

I hope you both have a lovely day whoseafraidofnaomiwoolf.

GrinAndVomit · 22/09/2023 07:55

letthemalldoone · 21/09/2023 02:08

Crap!! My fashion design graduate loves Steve Madden! She has loved Michael Kors too but they are so ubiquitous and too many fakes!

Show quote history

My neighbour has just come back from her annual “girls” trip to Benidorm. They’re all in their sixties and every single one of them had a Steve Madden bag in the photos.
I do think it’s worth sharing with the OP that Steve Madden is moving towards this kind of market and that spending £100 on a bag for a twenty one year old might well be a waste of money.

NatashaDancing · 22/09/2023 08:53

GrinAndVomit · 22/09/2023 07:55

My neighbour has just come back from her annual “girls” trip to Benidorm. They’re all in their sixties and every single one of them had a Steve Madden bag in the photos.
I do think it’s worth sharing with the OP that Steve Madden is moving towards this kind of market and that spending £100 on a bag for a twenty one year old might well be a waste of money.

Show quote history

What point are you trying to make? Taking your post and letthemalldoone's post together the only objective point being made is these are brands bought by all age groups.

I don't have your amazing ability to see inside people's minds but perhaps the younger women think these are brands which appeal to older, more sophisticated and wealthier women and that"s the appeal for younger women. Or alternatively they're just brands which some women like and some women don't. Bags or clothes blazened with logos have never been my thing at any age.

NatashaDancing · 22/09/2023 09:14

Although you're right that spending £100 on a bag might be a waste of money, but that is true at any age, depending on the person.

GrinAndVomit · 22/09/2023 09:18

NatashaDancing · 22/09/2023 08:53

What point are you trying to make? Taking your post and letthemalldoone's post together the only objective point being made is these are brands bought by all age groups.

I don't have your amazing ability to see inside people's minds but perhaps the younger women think these are brands which appeal to older, more sophisticated and wealthier women and that"s the appeal for younger women. Or alternatively they're just brands which some women like and some women don't. Bags or clothes blazened with logos have never been my thing at any age.

Show quote history

Why are you getting so angry about a hypothetical bag being bought by someone you don’t know for someone you don’t know?

She’s asked for opinions. Someone suggested Steve Madden. It reminded me of my neighbour and all her grandma mates and I thought it would be helpful to point out that it seems popular within a demographic which a twenty one year old might not want to share fashion choices with.

Nothing more. Nothing less. Calm down.

GrinAndVomit · 22/09/2023 09:24

And I can assure you, that my neighbour and her friends would not describe themselves as wealthy nor their tastes and holiday to Benidorm as sophisticated

NatashaDancing · 22/09/2023 09:48

GrinAndVomit · 22/09/2023 09:24

And I can assure you, that my neighbour and her friends would not describe themselves as wealthy nor their tastes and holiday to Benidorm as sophisticated

Not relevant to the point I was making.

NatashaDancing · 22/09/2023 09:52

GrinAndVomit · 22/09/2023 09:18

Why are you getting so angry about a hypothetical bag being bought by someone you don’t know for someone you don’t know?

She’s asked for opinions. Someone suggested Steve Madden. It reminded me of my neighbour and all her grandma mates and I thought it would be helpful to point out that it seems popular within a demographic which a twenty one year old might not want to share fashion choices with.

Nothing more. Nothing less. Calm down.

Show quote history

Oh dear what an OTT reply.
You seem terribly worked up about my not treating your *authoritative" posts with the respect you think they deserve.

MariePaperRoses · 22/09/2023 09:55

Calm down ladies!

%3D%3D
GrinAndVomit · 22/09/2023 10:01

MariePaperRoses · 22/09/2023 09:55

Calm down ladies!

%3D%3D

I’m genuinely baffled by the anger. 😂😂😂

Hotsaucegal · 22/09/2023 10:18

Why don’t you just go for a mooch around the shops and see if she falls in love with anything? Some people are bothered about handbags and others not so much! She might also prefer a different item - so really good leather boots or a lovely winter coat? Some very good make up? Better to let it happen organically 😉

XiCi · 22/09/2023 10:51

The OP has already said that she knows this girl would definitely like a bag so no idea why all the posts about gift cards or boots or any other random objects.

I think the day you have planned is lovely OP, especially given the circumstances. I'd have been thrilled if my mil had done this for me for my 21st. She'll definitely find something she likes for the £100 mark. I hope you both have a lovely day

TizerorFizz · 22/09/2023 11:06

My DD liked Jeffrey Campbell boots at 16. Ten years on she doesn’t. It hard to have good taste at late teens or as a 21 years old. You live in the “now”. That’s why le Pliage overnight bag makes a bit more sense. It’s timeless and useful.

Vogue have a useful resume of bags for this winter. Obviously ignore some prices, but the styles are easy to follow as other brands copy! Some are even under £100.

Hotsaucegal · 22/09/2023 13:57

XiCi · 22/09/2023 10:51

The OP has already said that she knows this girl would definitely like a bag so no idea why all the posts about gift cards or boots or any other random objects.

I think the day you have planned is lovely OP, especially given the circumstances. I'd have been thrilled if my mil had done this for me for my 21st. She'll definitely find something she likes for the £100 mark. I hope you both have a lovely day

I guess my point is not too be to prescriptive or rigid. Yes she might have mentioned that she wants a bag but you might not be able to find one that she likes or in the acceptable budget range on the day. No point pressuring her into a longchamps bag if it’s not her style simply because she initially stated she’d quite like a bag? I’m sure I’ve gone out shopping for a specific item and returned with something else that I loved more on the day.

TizerorFizz · 22/09/2023 14:02

Not suggesting pressurizing. Quite often for a 21st you want something that lasts though. Obviously the DD might not. So have a chat about tastes. At that age DD1 liked Celine and DD2 liked Gucci. Both still do! They buy their own.

Original poster
whoseafraidofnaomiwolf · 01/11/2023 21:25

Hi everyone, just popping by to update.

I talked with DS Girlfriend (DSGF) about my idea and how she might feel about it. I made it clear that my aim was to treat her to something special and that she could chose exactly what that 'treat' looked like. She was very keen on the 'good bag' idea and so ....

... I have just got back from an utterly lovely afternoon 'up town' with her. We went to Oxford St John Lewis, cruised the handbags and she immediately fell for Longchamp tote (as some of you suggested). We went for lunch while she thought about it, and then checked in on Sefridges to see more bags and make sure, before returning to JL's to purchase the Longchamp.

We followed this up with a lovely stroll down Regent St, taking a pass through Liberty (she's never been inside) and then up Piccadilly to end our trip with an afternoon tea in Fortnum and Mason. It was fab, she is an absolute smasher and I'm so pleased that we have had that time together and she's got a lovely new bag (and a full tummy!) to take home.

Thank you all for your very sensible advice and suggestion. I read them all, and even the ones who were more skeptical about my plan were helpful, as it made me see that it might not be for everyone, and I approached her with my suggestion with a more open mind and attitude consequently - I was quite prepared for her to pull a face and say 'no thanks'. In fact she was very keen and we've had a lovely, lovely time 😊

She's just great, a wonderful young woman who deserves all the good things life can give her. Thank you all for giving me the courage to go ahead😍

OP posts:
nettie434 · 01/11/2023 21:45

What a lovely update. It sounds as if it went even better than you hoped.

supernoodletrain · 01/11/2023 22:09

This thread has sent me down a total Le Pliage Longchamp rabbit hole and I think I may have discovered my Christmas gift to myself!

XiCi · 01/11/2023 23:02

Such a lovely update. Glad you both enjoyed your day.

Goldbar31 · 02/11/2023 07:39

That’s lovely. Such a kind thing to do.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/11/2023 08:21

This is such a lovely update. Glad it all went so nicely.

PARunnerGirl · 02/11/2023 08:30

Sounds like a lovely day! I was hoping she went for Longchamp! She will have it forever. My partner’s 15yo daughter is always eyeing up my Longchamps and says some of her friends have one (😵‍💫) . I think they are having a wee resurgence.

Foodiefan · 02/11/2023 08:58

I’m suspicious that that was the whole purpose of this thread, quite clever marketing and quite subtle if it was, but the longchamp was just mentioned too frequently for me, not something I see being used regularly by that age group.

Original poster
whoseafraidofnaomiwolf · 03/11/2023 18:37

Foodiefan · 02/11/2023 08:58

I’m suspicious that that was the whole purpose of this thread, quite clever marketing and quite subtle if it was, but the longchamp was just mentioned too frequently for me, not something I see being used regularly by that age group.

😆😆😆

That hadn't occurred to me at all, but I can understand why you might feel skeptical.

Long time poster here - all the usuals (penis beaker, snapped and farted etc.etc), not advertising for anyone. Wish I was, could do with a pre-Christmas bonus. Just discussing life-stuff as it arises and seeking (and getting) help and advice so giving thanks for that. Apologies for over-mention of the item we ended up buying. It hadn't occurred to me it could be seen as advertising/ promotion.

Some healthy skepticism is an excellent life approach and I applaud you, but can only do my best to reassure you that it honestly isn't needed on this thread 😊

... but then, I would say that wouldn't I?! 😂

OP posts:
potatoheads · 04/11/2023 16:07

Foodiefan · 02/11/2023 08:58

I’m suspicious that that was the whole purpose of this thread, quite clever marketing and quite subtle if it was, but the longchamp was just mentioned too frequently for me, not something I see being used regularly by that age group.

My 16 year old dd and her friends use the longchamp le pliage for school