Large leather bag that says quality

[Cwtshcwtsh]

I work in an industry where I mix with millionaires on a daily basis. I’m not a millionaire. I need a large brown leather bag that screams classic class. It needs to look country rather than office. It will have to be preloved as I can’t afford new for the quality I need but it’s an investment so no budget limit for suggestions - I’ll make a budget decision when I know what I want.

Having the right clothes and accessories makes me blend in - I’m accepted much more easily. I’ve done my job with the ‘right’ clothing and without and it’s much easier with.

I have a gorgeous battered brown leather tote that gets lusted after all the time. It's actually Radley but if you remove the dog, no one knows as their designs are often very simple and classic.

Would this Wolf & Badger tote do?

@AmaryllisChorus that’s nice! Would be interested to see what it looks like IRL. Good tip re Radley.

Coach are good

The Handbag clinic has a few designer bags - there was a battered Mulberry holdall/grip with outside pockets for £365 that might be what you're after. Definitely not a city look!

As a disclaimer, I am not into posh bags and don't hang out with millionaires, so may be way off!

I just saw this on Instagram though and thought it was gorgeous!

https://annapugh.co.uk/products/hallyleather

A little bit worn in is the way forward. A lot of the people I work with are old money so new and shiny isn’t where it’s at.

I wondered about Mulberry. Are they still considers good/desirable?

https://hardlyeverwornit.com/products/celine-tan-medium-soft-16-bag

https://hardlyeverwornit.com/products/gucci-brown-grained-leather-bamboo-shoulder-bag

I don't know if you are near a big city, but there are shops that specialize in good used handbags. See if there is one near you. Of course they will mark things up, but they will weed out any fakes and usually only sell gently used items.

Is it a holdalll for a weekend or a day to day tote?

Just be careful @Cwtshcwtsh - I was utterly shocked that a well known and beloved by Mumsnetters premium bag reseller had the particular bag i was after for sale but I was actually able to buy it new in the official shop cheaper.
I waited almost 2 years though. I'd check the concession any time I was in the department store which would be every 6 months or so.

I’ve just found Furla - have bagged (ha!) a bargain on EBay with a suede and leather Furla tote for £35 and the money goes to Women’s Aid so it’s win win. At that price I’ll be looking for another so keep the suggestions coming!

Oooh that Gucci is interesting!

It’s day to day, for meetings, which are generally held in country houses, so I need to be able to drop my handbag nonchalantly alongside the dogs and silver!

@Chimchar I don’t hang out with millionaires, I work for them 😂

@Workingmytickettoparadise that’s a useful site, thanks.

Have you looked at the Mulberry website, pre-loved bag section? After a poster on a different thread mentioned this site a couple of weeks ago, I have spent more time on there than I have on MN 😀

Pre-Loved Bags | Preowned Bags | Mulberry

@misscockerspaniel @bleughgreen both of those are great suggestions, thank you. I love the Sezane canvas totes, they’re perfect for extra stuff that I sometimes have to carry.

I have bought bags from her before - they have a lovely Alexander McQueen bag at the moment!
https://thelittledressshoprichmond.com/collections/frontpage

Other than that if I were buying new I would go for Italian leather - Furla is good - but there are other not so well known that produce lovely bags in classy leather.

Tod's is good too! Tkmaxx is often worth a look as they do have some good high end bargains now and again - I bought a lovely Alexander McQueen handbag from them a few years ago

https://www.yumeibrand.com/collections/teresa-tote

i live in NZ and have several bags from this designer… some bought second hand ( trade me is NZ equivalent e bay) and some new.
The Theresa Tote in Spice is my current everyday bag… it’s voluminous and soft. I also have three different Brady Bags ( the one in coffee suede is a dream)
Deadly Ponies is another great NZ brand.
NZ pushes above its weight in terms design … much cheaper price point then European designs and much better quality.
The Theresa tote is about £600 new.

The Bridge - Italian brand, looks and feels like high quality saddlery leather. Old money but not "designer"