Large leather bag that says quality

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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.

I’d go for a UK brand: Smython, Aspinall or Strathberry. https://www.strathberry.com/collections/bestsellers/products/the-strathberry-tote-black-tophandle

not brands that have lots of fakes around like Gucci and LV.

I also work for millionaires and have similar issues haha

And definitely no to Mulberry. everyone has one even my childminder. They feel dated to me.

https://www.smythson.com/uk/navy-east-west-tote-bag-with-zip-in-panama-1203372.html

Demellier have some nice leather bags, a bit more unusual than a Mulberry and good price. Not too ‘try hard’

https://www.matchesfashion.com/products/DeMellier-Tokyo-small-grained-leather-tote-bag-1556367?utmsource=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MF%20%7C%20GB%20%7C%20ENG%20%7C%20PMAX%20%7C%20Conversion%20%7C%20Female%20%7C%20ASP&utm_content=1556367000001&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADg3ZyZub9Xy6DKfoc0Hme5U_HEK3&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxOauBhCaARIsAEbUSQSSiGEaPuPeCksGpkjiiJ_odHdercnj9WnMRuSWk2m8KQcy5ujKFVkaAvF5EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

or there’s a camel YSL on sale here

https://www.handbagclinic.co.uk/product/saint-laurent-shopping-east-west-in-taupe-20280?&utm_campaign=647093196&utm_term=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=31310268514&utm_device=m&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5-uuBhDzARIsAAa21T_EVk9rLJEQaguDvj1NSstmFqK7zJoExOWeOOpNvsnVvEjdu9s1R8AaAl8NEALw_wcB

Sorry I missed you need brown! LK Bennett is mid range not super high end though.

https://www.lkbennett.com/product/BTLILLIANTUMBLEDLEATHERBrownTan~Lillian-Tan-Tumbled-Leather-Tote-Bag-Tan

That's lovely😍

I have no suggestions .just here to drool over lovely bags.

https://www.johnlewis.com/strathberry-mosaic-leather-shopper-bag/tan/p109708202

Also drooling over the bottega veneta!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186313612829?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=CX3S7YzwQ6q&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

@Sonora25 god forbid your childminder should have one!

Polene quality can be hit and miss, it’s worth picking one out in person if you’re going to go for Polene. The same for Demellier, I know there tends to be issues with the hardware. Strathberry seems to be the best option out of three I would say.

Sorry but they are everywhere. Not exactly exclusive and luxurious. Happy she has one, was slightly worried when my child was sick in her car but thankfully not on the bag 😂

@Sonora25 of course it’s down to choice but I disagree that ‘everyone has one’ even childminders!

When Kate Moss carried Mulberry bags they were very popular and seen everywhere. I don’t think the same is true now, which I like. I still get compliments when carrying it. They really do age very well.

I see you’ve suggested Strathberry Mosaic - I have the cross body one and agree that they are very nice indeed.

So many good suggestions! Thank you to everyone who has contributed. My contribution, fwiw, is that I have a vintage Bramble and Brown as my go-to bag for family life. The leather is lovely quality and it’s frequently complimented but it’s full of (clean) nappies and snack crumbs so not suitable for work.

I’ve also bought a tote from The Bridge. That’s one that was already on my radar so it was good to have it confirmed. Others I’m keeping an eye out for. I can afford two or three bags from EBay which will do as daily workhorses and I’ll chose one other as a really good bag for special occasions. I’ve learned so much - and discovered a new obsession 😂

@leonsilva there are several bags on here which are unsuitable for various reasons, but I’ll be polite about all the suggestions. Thank you for recommending Frank Clegg, the tote is exactly what I had in mind. Classic, no logo, beautiful leather and quietly expensive. I think it’s my choice for a ‘best’ bag.

That Bottega Venetia one upthread is a thing of beauty - if I wasn't saving money for a new kitchen, I'd buy that one in a heartbeat. My finger hovered over the Apple Pay button!

@UnashamedLabelHo you summed it up so perfectly 😂

I think this one has been mentioned already but I have this Anna Pugh Hally bag and I love it. I use it every day and very comfortable too.
https://annapugh.co.uk/products/hallyleather

@SloaneStreetVandal I’m freelance - I’d make a terrible employee 😉

@leonsilva I love FC bags but never tried one in real life? Are they heavy before you have stuff in them? I have a beautiful leather tote but I don't use it as it's heavy.

Now we want to know what you do 😜 Interior designer? Executive assistant?

I’m assuming private banking/wealth management…

Better guess than mine @Serenster but do you need to go to country houses for that?

If your clients are wealthy landowners I presume you go to them rather than they come to you…? (I have no idea, though 🤣)