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.

What about this?
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1072383262/xl-extra-large-leather-turtle-tortoise?click_key=eac3a73c0c446e182b30987e55b39563d932fa4d%3A1072383262&click_sum=ddec9d18&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=tortoise+bag&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&sts=1&local_signal_search=1

😂

I saw @UnashamedLabelHo mentioned Tusting your description made me think of either the Twyford tote or Savannah, not sure if you'd be able to find a pre loved one

https://www.tusting.co.uk/product/savannah/

Has potential. I’d probably find the house dachshund curled up in it when I left.

@Fannyfiggs your look is the ultimate in country chic! I find that generally, the richer my clients are, the more straw and holes they have in their clothes 😉

Good point @borntobequiet

OP, I've really enjoyed reading this thread. You've taken all suggestions with such grace and charm. Don't worry too much about the bag, you already ooze class.

I try really hard to like Le Pliage but it would need to be leather. Dumping it on the floor is an exaggeration, but it needs to be a workhorse not a precious object.

Fair enough. the longchamp is sturdy but no one would describe it as a thing of beauty! I just know that I would cry if I bought something beautiful and it got slobbered on or chewed by a dog.

I'm enjoying this thread too, thanks OP. All you knowledgeable bag people, why is it so difficult to find silver coloured hardwear on quality bags? My colours are grey/black/navy/cobalt blue so brass hardwear just doesn't work.

I agree it is hard but they are out there - I currently have a navy leather back pack from Valentina which has all silverware - they have a few (example below) and as always with Italian leather it is just so sumptuous to touch - every time I pick it up I just sigh 😂

What about BRICS I've had mine for 20 years now and it still looks lovely.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166556266608?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=QqvdprlRSbC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=esWQoebNTcm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Unfortunately I am not rich but pleased that I look it 😂

Oh, I'd love a stroke-able bag. I'll have a look, thanks!

That’s something I can only dream of. I’d be a disaster with a white bag. But completely agree about stroking a good bag.

I have always wanted the Bill Amberg rocket bag, but no longer need one. I don't even use the BA briefcase anymore, but I take it out to admire every so often!

I don’t know how to ask this without it coming out wrong: but those of you who go have these lovely bags, or even a few of them, don’t you ever feel like you have wasted an awful lot of money on ‘just a bag.’

I’m actually asking because I have a big birthday coming up and have never owned anything like this and I’m tempted, but I just don’t know if I’ll feel horribly guilty.
Do you go off them after a couple of years? Do you use them a lot?

I’m tempted by a Mulberry bag or one the Tusting ones.
But maybe the answer is that if I need to ask I probably am not the sort of person to get one!

@Jennywren2000 It's not a waste if you can afford it without sacrificing something that's more important to you, would actually use it a lot and if it makes you happy.

If it would just induce feelings of guilt then I wouldn't buy a very expensive bag because you wouldn't be getting joy from it.

Maybe look at the sales for the particular brand you like and break yourself in gently

@Jennywren2000 - I think the answer is what makes you smile when you see it? Are there things in your wardrobe that make you smile every time you take them out? If so then the chances are a great bag will do the same. If it does it several times a month for the next 25 years then the chances are it is worth the cost. If however you don't have that reaction to clothes/accessories maybe not.

Also if you didn't buy the handbag what would you spend the money on? Is that something you feel is more "worthy" but would enjoy less - if so get the bag, if not then get that instead. I was brought up by rather austere parents who would have been horrified at the cost of lots of things in my wardrobe on the grounds that the money could be better donated to feed the starving children in Africa who were trotted out at every possible moment from perceived bad behaviour (I was ungrateful for what I had), not finishing a meal that DM had "slaved over the oven" for (some people don't have enough to eat so I'm ungrateful) etc etc. It's taken me years to get over the guilt of spending on things I want but I've now accepted that I'd rather have 3 nice bags than 10 cheap ones that don't last, don't make me smile etc. Also in retirement my parents spend thousands on travel - I'd rather have a bag......

@Jennywren2000 bags like shoes you tend to get better quality longer lasting the more you pay for them BUT also like shoes there is diminishing return.

I completely agree with pp who suggested that you could afford it IF you can afford it without meaning you have to do without something more important.

I've known people drop a couple of hundred pounds on a night out. I'd suggest you'd get more pleasure for longer from a bag that makes you feel good.

@londonmummy1966 I think it’s that- the voice of the austere parents in the back of my mind feeling appalled at the idea of spending money on something so frivolous! Probably need to get over that!

@Jennywren2000 that’s one of the joys of buying vintage or preloved. I couldn’t treat mine like a workshorse if I’d paid a fortune for it. Perhaps buy something you like second-hand, see how it makes you feel, then buy something new and special when you know it will be worth the investment? I’m coming to the conclusion that I’ll have three or four preloved bags and one bought new which I’ll treat like gold dust 😂

@Jennywren2000 i know what you mean about hearing your mum's voice in your head. My mum was extremely frugal but thought that investing in a decent handbag was one of the places your money was well spent she'd pay £30 - £40 back when houses cost 25k so scaling up spending low 3 figures isn't as extravagent as it may at first seem.

This one from John Lewis for example £129 would (for me) fall into the category of a perfectly reasonable investment in a quality product that will look good for years. (like decent shoes) https://www.johnlewis.com/hush-marcia-leather-banana-bag-chocolate/p111021041

Pre - loved Russell and Bromlet. Any interest in this one OP

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126353194717?itmmeta=01HQRNQRHF32H72ZC2460M6W27&hash=item1d6b3cbedd:g:9S0AAOSwAL1l32nL

It…er… it’s on it’s way to my wardrobe right now 😂👌 I’d better hide it from DH, he rolled his eyes when he saw the three new bags that have already arrived.