How long would you expect a 50 quid bag to last?

[LolaJ87]

Just the title really!

Since having my little boy, I only work part time and don't spend a lot of money buying new things, but when I returned to work last August I treated myself to a new small handbag from River Island.

It's not used every day, but on average 3 or 4 days of the week (for work and maybe the odd child-free outing).

Am I being unreasonable to be disappointed that it's falling apart after less than 8 months? The silver coloured finishes have started to tarnish and the stitching has started coming away on the handle and strap, which are splitting along the edges as a result. I'm gutted that it'll only be fit for the bin soon.

Has anyone else had an experience like this?

Probably about that long.

£50 is a tricky price point. It's not expensive enough for quality stitching and materials but expensive enough for you expect a bit more.

While if you had paid £10 it would feel that every week it was still going was brilliant.

Everything is falling apart these days due to clothing manufacturers skimping on quality as all the costs are more expensive due to COL

material is thinner, and bobbles a lot more than in the past

Items I bought 10 years ago look better than things bought in the last year!

That sounds about standard to me. £50 doesn't get you much these days which is so depressing because you used to be able to get something of good quality for that a few years ago.

What's it made of ?

If it's made of anything but leather it will never last

Depends on the manufacturer.

I have a back pack from Osprey, the daylite, it cost £20 and it'll likely last years...

I have an Eastpak that cost £25 that will probably last a long long time too.

I wouldn't trust a River Island bag to last long. I wouldn't trust a Primark bag to last long either.

Stick to bags from makers of bags.

Backpacks are different

My Herschel backpack is amazing and used everyday and still going strong

Not a stitch out of place, zip lovely and sturdy, very strong canvas material it's lasted 8 years

I've had my black soft leather M&S handbag for 20 years and it's still going strong. I love it.

DD used to use it for college for a while but now has a Le Pliage bag because of all the heavy folders, laptop etc she needs to carry

I don't use bags anymore (other than a small crossbody on occasion), but before all my bags were in the £25-£40 range. They last a year or two then get a bit worn at the corners, still very usable and really I change because I'm bored of them. So yea I'd definitely expect a £50 bag to last at least a year if not more.

Yeah I think sadly a lot of you are right. I've had bags that cost a tenner last longer in the past but quality of things has gone down as prices have gone up.

It's not genuine leather (and I don't think you get genuine leather at that price point now) but the material itself is fine, its the finishes and stitching that's the problem.

It's just a shame because I can't buy something even more expensive to replace it with in the hopes it might last longer.

Try some second hand shops for vintage leather bags

You could probably get vintage leather for that money.

Anything from the 90s or earlier will be better made.

I live in Ireland where it's harder to get nice vintage/second hand stuff but I'll have a look. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Still a bit depressed that what used to be a treat (spending €60 on a bag instead of €20) will now only get you something poor quality!

It's my birthday in July so if I don't find something in the meantime I might ask my husband for a Dr Martens bag, I like their style and I've heard good things.

You can in TKMaxx or sales!

Yes I was going to say TK Maxx. Some fabulous leather bags at a great price

It could be the particular style. I find second hand and some lesser known brands do better. I thinks some bags are fashion over function.

I do think using a bag every day for work can be an issue that's a lot of wear and tear on a bag. I tend to alternate between a few with a handbag insert I picked up in Primark years ago.

I have ended up using a backpack now due to laptop with a cross body for a few bits and bobs.

I think that might be part of why I expected this bag to last longer, I have one from TK Maxx that I used for years and is STILL in better condition than this one (but is too big for work) and one I bought in a discount store in NY EIGHT years ago for $40 that I replaced with this one.

Just to clarify it's alongside my laptop bag so it's only used for purse, keys, painkillers, lipstick, tissues etc. It's a small bag so it isn't getting loaded down with work stuff.

Agree. I've got bags from 20 years ago bought for 50 pounds that are still pristine, although i do use them sparingly. This is why I buy almost everything second hand. Better quality, and cheaper so if it falls apart no big deal. It's a shame though as I thought river island bags as being quite decent quality

I don't think a fashion brand for £50 is ever going to have much quality to it.

I have a leather handbag and a small leather backpack from Pure Luxuries, that would be about the same price (in the frequent sales) and have lasted for more than 5 years so far, bag used daily for work, backpack every weekend https://www.pureluxuries.com/collections/womens-bags

3 to 4 days is quite heavy usage for a £50 bag

It's disappointing, but I'm not surprised that it didn't last longer. £50 doesn't go far these days unfortunately.

I've got bags from 20 years ago bought for 50 pounds that are still pristine

£50 20 years ago was probably the equivalent of spending around £100 today.

I had a radley bag that was £100 in the sale and the handles only lasted a year.

River Island is fast fashion, they don’t make their products to last. Most of their customers would buy the bag, use it for a season or whatever, dump it and move on to the next in thing.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/ST226645/C25743#C25743

I Bought this from Next about 2 years ago and it's lasted so so well @LolaJ87