What do you really think of DKNY and Mk bags?

[Questions124]

im in my late 30’s. Do they look tacky and cheap or okay? I don’t want to look like a teenager (I wish!) what do you think?

I stupidly posted in AIBU where people are telling me not to care! Would you buy one if not why?

I’d spend the £300 on hair and make up refresh, eyebrows etc

will make you feel better than a bag!

With your budget, I’d be tempted to go for a lower end of luxury brand, but second hand. You can get decent bags from Vestiere Collective.

If you love MK or DKNY go for it. But don’t spend your money on something ‘designer’ just for the sake of it. Been there, done that, and regretted it.

Personally, I’d go for a nice leather bag, save my money and spend it when I felt I’d found my style.

if you'd like a bag for every occasion for £300 you could consider a pom pom london leather cross-body £90 and a the bridge leather tote £195

I'd never heard of MK until recently - I've recently relocated to the USA, where they are in every department store.

However, I did buy a quilted dkny bag from Singapore several years back now. I'm embarrassed how much money I paid for it! It was an impulse purchase. But, I love it. It's well made. It's subtle. The only label is on the buckle. It has lasted well, still looks good after all this time. But I look after it. To me, it was a good investment.

Probably the only "good" designer bag I'll invest in. I've had guess bags & recently bought a cheap Calvin Klein "every day" handbag, but not well made like the dkny

Tacky, chavvy, cheap and common. Same re: every other brand with their logo heavily plastered everywhere

Polene is a beautiful bag range in your price point OP.

Also worth checking out Fossil in that price range. Their leather quality is top notch, actually much better than a lot of "designer brands" and they have some very classic styles that stay looking premium.

Some of these comments are insane. Buy whatever bag you like. I have 2 Michael Kors bags that I bought when they were all the rage. One is an excellent leather (I spent my teenage and uni years working in a bag and shoe shop so I'm partial to good leather) 1 mimics the Marc Jacobs style. They're still in really good shape going on 10 years. I do think DKNY's quality is lower. I liked the Coach bag but I think it won't age well. I also have a very old Coach bag with the just the name and not the symbol and hardly wear it wear it. I love bags and own a couple of the LV Monogram, a. Versace one with a massive gold Medusa head. All this to say everyone here will probably consider these really tacky but I think your overall outfit plays a large part. Get what you want, you're wearing the bag, it's not wearing you.

I've got several MK bags from before they became so common and they're really good quality. I haven't used any of them for age because I know how they are judged. I would never ever buy a fake! Also have a couple of DKNY bags from years ago and did dig one out recently because it matched an outfit! I have three lovely Texier bags from 30+ years ago and keep meaning to use them again. I also have various 'unbranded' bags including a purple one in lovely Italian leather with chain straps which are no doubt probably out of date already!!

I love my Marc Jacobs bag I got in an outlet in NY, as well as my Tory Burch I got on the same visit. I have used my Tory Burch purse that I bought on that trip for coming up on 6 years, I love it that much!! I got a coveted Chloe bag for my 'big' birthday last year and I also have a lovely Chloe purse.

I've also got several Coach bags that I bring out to use from time to time, and their quality is excellent!

I say if you love it, use it!!

DeMellier is really up and coming and quite stylish. Some are close to your budget. The quality is very good.

https://demellierlondon.com/collections/all-bags

I used to own MK bags and one thing that really impressed me is how well they lasted considering I battered them when I was much younger and quite careless. What impressed me the most was the gold hardware didn’t discolour. DKNY the hardware discoloured quickly for me.

I have a few DKNY bags from years ago before you could easily get them from TK Maxx. They are absolute work horses, really well made, I went for ones without obvious logos. I tried one from TK Maxx as it was about a 10th of the price, it fell apart within 3 months. I probably wouldn't buy one now as seems the quality has gone down and i dont like the new designs, would try Coach instead, but I won't stop using the ones I have.

@Lifeetc thanks for that link - they look like just what I've been looking for.

I love MK , I know it does look flashy sometimes and the quality dropped since I got a nice functional workbag from them 15 years ago(that one is still going strong despite being used and abused). I do buy them from time to time on sale now, the onky brand where colour and bling on bags make me happy 😊

I love Prada Bags! If you have a Prada tote I’d use that 💯

looking forward to you showing us what it’s like x

I've got an Elvis & Kresse tote bag - distinctive but not in-your-face, made from recycled firehoses, fits everything, incredibly hard wearing (because... firehoses), UK company, donates a percentage of profits to charity. Will definitely buy another if this one needs replacing but I've had it ages and it still looks as good as ever.

I like the coach bag you puy up op. I also recommend fossil. I have a few and the quality is good, leather is lovely.

I don't like obvious branding on any bag at any price range so have always steered clear. However I have several MK bags where the branding is so small - just the name - and styles are very classic. They are well made, well lined with additions like a key chain. They compare very favourably with other more expensive bags that I have.

Also looking forward to seeing the Prada bag!

I have a couple of MK bags and a DK bag.
The leather is lovely in them.
I also have a Kurt Geiger bag with lovely leather - it's quite old now.

@Lifeetc , those Paula Kirkwood bags are gorgeous. Thanks for the link

There a few (very) nice understated DKNY bags, usually found in HOF or JL, but anything with logos all over is just an eyesore.

MK Bags are not a good look either.

You have linked a Michael Kors collection bag.

When people talk about Michael Kors being a bit crap they mean Michael by Michael Kors or Kors or MK. It's all sub £500.

Michael Kors Collection is very nice. It is more in the £1000-£2000 price point

If you spend on the Fossil website at the moment it's £60 off when you spend £200 or more, plus a 15% discount code for your first shop.

I had a mk bag ten years ago. Used it every day for years. It still looks brand new!! I bashed it around a lot too! I got another one recently hut you probably wouldn't know what brand it was. It's lovely.