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Original poster

Stop me buying bloody bags

113 replies

TheDogIsInCharge · 03/10/2023 19:58

I LOVE A BAG.

I really do. I don't have expensive tastes, I just like having bags that "work" for when I need them.

BUT I have had a run of very unsatisfying bags. I generally like a cross body bag for everyday and a backpack for work. But with hybrid working I don't use the backpack as much. Just as well really, as my old backpack smelled of feet and the zip was wrecked so I a few months ago I bought a new, swishy nylon one in navy from TK Maxx. The straps are horrible thin nylon, uncomfortable and dig into my shoulders. My old one was perfect but is no longer available and I don't like the ones that everyone else seems to adore and that can be found on many a commuter. Anyway, for the few days I use it, I will cope with the shitty backpack.

It is the cross body bag that I'm... cross about. I don't like camera bags, I don't like those wide patterned nylon straps, I don't like the Uniqlo bum bag style, I don't like bags that are just a black hole of misery with no side pockets or just the one measly miserable tiny non zipped pocket that barely holds a card holder. I don't like very rigid bags - I have one of these and it's disappointing in its rigidity. I like a bag to have multiple, secure pockets, preferably on the outside AND inside. I like them to be London safe - so a secure fastening, preferably a zip over the main part and if there IS an outside compartment, to be on the inside of the bag, so not easy for someone to open and dip into. I also want them to be large enough to hold a large iphone, kindle, keys, various lip balms and tints, airpods, a rolled up bag for shopping, a lucky stone and possibly a small umbrella.

I have a bag that I got from a Leclerc in France that is pretty much perfect in that it is a soft, squishy, satchel type bag with a small rear zipped pocket , a fold over flap with a contact fastening, a zipped main section which has a capacious zipped inner pocket for cardholder, keys, lip balm etc AND - my holy grail, two inner pockets opposite the zipped one, one larger than the other, where I can put airpods and my phone. However this bag is white and just feels very wrong in the winter. I don't wear anything that works with it in the winter.

I recently bought a blue bag from Sainsbury's (online, so didn't get to feel it) that's quite nice but too bright blue for winter as, again, I don't wear that colour as soon as it gets chilly. I wear, greens, black, dark red. It also does't have many pockets.

So.. I need to find a lovely green bag that will be my bag of the winter... I think a nice bottle or sage or dirty green would work. Basically something that isn't a bright or apple green. Leather, pleather, suede... is preferable. Probably not fabric or very plastic. I have not found one anywhere that isn't ££££ as I'm not currently minted. Around £50 would be a dream. And this bag would then stop me buying all the various bags that have, frankly, let me down.

Please feel free to drop this meme in the replies, if I get any!

Stop me buying bloody bags
OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
Lamelie · 04/10/2023 06:45

Can you link to, or post a picture of the white one and we can see if we find that in a better colour?

LaurieFairyCake · 04/10/2023 07:03

Buy the same Leclerc bag in a nice navy/dark green/dark taupe?

I have 3 Chilvers satchel cross body bags - just different colours - snakeskin/camel with gold/burgundy - I literally wear them every day

TheClitterati · 04/10/2023 07:20

I just treated myself to a black version of this. Also available in dark green

foragedesign.com/collections/pocket-belts/products/vegan-leather-hip-bag-pewter-green-1

Stop me buying bloody bags
Stop me buying bloody bags
Roselilly36 · 04/10/2023 08:00

@Isometimeswonder has it right! Kipling bags are fab, lightweight, shower proof, great choice of style and colours. I only buy Kipling now. I am a huge fan of bags too OP, it’s a hard addiction to break! 😂

User174085934 · 04/10/2023 08:07

I use Kipling bags for travelling or day trips, many pockets light and showerproof. A normal handbag is ok if you are just popping out or for the evening but not much else. I did buy this WhiteStuff one recently when they had 20% off, it's nice and big for the winter so will fit in my gloves.

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/166/fern-leather-crossbody/DARK_NAVY

Fern Leather Crossbody in DARK NAVY

Shop the Fern Leather Crossbody in DARK NAVY. Like your best mate in crossbody form. You'll be taking this bag with you everywhere. It has plenty of pockets, a detachable coin purse and it's made of soft buttery leather. Unlike your best mate. Probably...

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/166/fern-leather-crossbody/DARK_NAVY

stringbean · 04/10/2023 08:20

This one?
Has flap, rear zip, inner zip and is reduced Smile

Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 08:46

BadlydoneHelen · 03/10/2023 23:15

that is a camera bag! With a nylon strap!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 08:48

ArielManto43 · 04/10/2023 00:01

Proenza Schouler PS1 satchel would tick a lot of your boxes, but even on Ebay its probably too pricey. Have a look at the Fossil Preston Flap crossbody. I've got a dark brown one of these and I do use it a lot - it's nice to carry and the pockets on it are all really useful . You could get one from Ebay for £50, I'm sure - I think I paid about £45 for mine.
Edited to add: Mine is the larger one. They come in two sizes, but I think the small one is a bit titchy, to be honest.

Edited

Ooh now the Fossil bags look possible. I'll investigate those today.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 08:51

IntheSnowySnowyMountains · 04/10/2023 00:10

I see Pom Pom has already been linked - but maybe the Mayfair Plus would suit you better, as it has an extra pocket and is (I believe) less structured than the City bag. Their new autumn colours (including green) are lovely. And they come with a thin leather strap as well as the thicker canvas ones.

I've had a look and it is a bit too camera bag in style. They are so ubiquitous that their popularity had made me silently rage against them, however silly that may make me.

OP posts:
TheOGCCL · 04/10/2023 08:52

I got this Next one (in tan). It’s squishy not rigid and I don’t like camera straps either.

Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 08:53

Monkeymonkeymoo · 04/10/2023 03:53

https://www.fossil.com/en-gb/products/kiera-small-crossbody/SHB3105376.html

It’s out of budget but sounds very similar to what you’re looking for. It might be worth waiting for the Black Friday sales if you like it.

Also, Oliver Bonas leather/faux leather straps are terrible so you’re not missing out (I had a lovely bag and the strap separated and then snapped after a couple of months).

I'm loving the fossil bags - I would never have thought to look there. A few of their styles are very much an option

OP posts:
Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 09:01

Imevery · 04/10/2023 01:16

I’m a big fan of Wanderers Travel bags - lots of styles and colours and lovely soft real leather. Might be a little above your budget but they have frequent sales.

I love them.

Absolutely love them. Their squishy gorgeousness is the dog's bollocks. I think it may have been a Wanderers bag that set me off on this hunt for the holy grail of bags. I might have to keep an eye on sales and just go for it. Also Christmas IS coming up, although I can just imagine my husband's face when I present him with a link for another bag...

This one is so, so gorgeous. The colours are great too. Want them all, for every possibility of outfit.
https://wandererstravelco.uk/collections/all/products/the-santorini-cross-body-bag?variant=39780541628491

Oh god, this is the prefect bag for me and I have probably known it all along. Is the quality really good? Will it last?

The Santorini Crossbody

The breathtaking beauty of Santorini and its deep indigo sea, the whitewashed houses clinging to multicoloured cliffs, the rich culture and history...and the delicious food! Whether climbing the stairs to the gorgeous hilltop village of Oia or t...

https://wandererstravelco.uk/collections/all/products/the-santorini-cross-body-bag?variant=39780541628491

OP posts:
Rollinghill · 04/10/2023 09:03

I had an amazing one from a National Trust shop once, cross body, think it ticks all the boxes for you.

Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 09:06

LaurieFairyCake · 04/10/2023 07:03

Buy the same Leclerc bag in a nice navy/dark green/dark taupe?

I have 3 Chilvers satchel cross body bags - just different colours - snakeskin/camel with gold/burgundy - I literally wear them every day

That wasn't an option. It's a French supermarket and they had white or a weird salmon pink. I only went in to buy copious amounts of wine. Funnily enough, the white bag is a smaller version of a large yellow bag I bought in there a few years ago, when I was also buying wine. The yellow bag has lots of pockets, is very useful and does get trotted out for work as it fits my laptop, kindle, coffee cup etc without being too stuffed. It can also be worn cross body to distribute the weight and is in very many ways superior to the shitty backpack.

I love a french supermarket.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 09:07

Cailleach1 · 04/10/2023 06:37

No.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 09:09

TheClitterati · 04/10/2023 07:20

I just treated myself to a black version of this. Also available in dark green

foragedesign.com/collections/pocket-belts/products/vegan-leather-hip-bag-pewter-green-1

I applaud your optimism, but that is about as far from a squishy cross body bag as I could get. Lots of pockets though, I will give you that.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 09:11

fernsandlilies · 04/10/2023 07:22

Ooh that Hiley one is not bad. Not bad at all, and good on the wallet too.

One to ponder

OP posts:
Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 09:14

Rollinghill · 04/10/2023 09:08

it is absolutely not glam enough. Also, dare I say it, a tad whimsical and summery.

The holy grail of bags needs to have an understated charm, a slouchy glamour, a thinly veiled "je ne sais quoi" of cool too.

OP posts:
Rocknrollstar · 04/10/2023 09:14

I love bags. I rarely buy shoes but I could buy a new bag every week if I had the money. At the moment I am pining over a Noordace rucksack. The girl next to me on the plane had one. Before I saw it I thought I had the perfect travel rucksack. I’ve just bought a Mia Tui bag that can be worn as a cross body bag or as a rucksack. I’m hoping that will work for everyday/ weekends away.

Cobwobs · 04/10/2023 09:15

I read the title as 'Stop me buying body bags'
Was expecting something far more sinister

Original poster
TheDogIsInCharge · 04/10/2023 09:30

Rocknrollstar · 04/10/2023 09:14

I love bags. I rarely buy shoes but I could buy a new bag every week if I had the money. At the moment I am pining over a Noordace rucksack. The girl next to me on the plane had one. Before I saw it I thought I had the perfect travel rucksack. I’ve just bought a Mia Tui bag that can be worn as a cross body bag or as a rucksack. I’m hoping that will work for everyday/ weekends away.

I have to step away from back pack viewing as I'm so annoyed with the shitty new one and its crappy, painful nylon straps. My old one was a fake leather one from Amazon that everybody commented on, in a good way - it was capacious, looked very smart and way more expensive than it was, had lots of pockets, a laptop section, comfy straps and didn't feel like you were carrying tons of stuff. I had it for six years but spillages of tea from unreliable flasks had made it smell of feet and the zip was knackered. I'd have bought the exact same one again if it was available. I did spend some time looking and then the shitty one lured me with it's Shoreditch cool vibe. I call it the Shoreditch Twat (remember that?).

OP posts: