Bag decison help!

[firebrand123]

If you had a John Lewis voucher to put towards a bag, which needs to carry laptop, water bottle and other bits and bobs for work, which of these would you go for??

https://www.johnlewis.com/strathberry-osette-leather-shopper-black/p111499180?deepLink=false

https://www.johnlewis.com/coach-willow-leather-tote-bag/p5235882

https://www.johnlewis.com/aspinal-of-london-regent-saffiano-leather-zip-top-tote-bag/p111461870

https://www.johnlewis.com/aspinal-of-london-large-london-pebble-leather-tote-bag/p5521967

https://www.johnlewis.com/flattered-lesley-leather-tote-bag-black/p112399875

https://www.johnlewis.com/aspinal-of-london-mens-commuter-backpack/p109585702

Strathberry or Coach one.

I prefer the Coach one as it's a more classic shape.

I’ve recently bought a couple of Strathberry bags and am so impressed with their quality, they remind me of Mulberry when I first started buying them.

None.

Could never justify spending that much on a bag.

All v nice, I’d say it is a hell of a lot of cash to spend on a work bag. Am I too stingy?🤔

@ZiggyZowie @Justmyramblings I'm not usually a fancy bag person, it's only that my last job gave me the voucher so I thought I'd treat myself for the new job 😊

If it helps, I have the Aspinal one as my work bag, but in a really beautiful crushed raspberry leather - it gets complements ALL the time! It's a great bag!

Oh and mine was a fraction of the cost, as I bought it pre-owned (though never used). I'd be tempted to buy gorgeous work clothes with the JL voucher, and then shop around on pre-loved sites for a great bag.

I used https://www.handbagclinic.co.uk/handbags

I also use a Mulberry Bayswater which is a classic, and I have a Louis Vuitton Neverfull which is so true to its name. I've used mine every single day for 5 years, in all kinds of places, and it looks immaculate still. I adore it.

Another vote for the Coach one. Plus a laptop bag. I put my work bits and bobs/paperwork etc in there with the laptop.

Longchamp do a leather bag for just under £500, I’d be tempted to go for that:-

www.johnlewis.com/longchamp-le-foulonne-leather-backpack/p5053033 www.johnlewis.com/longchamp-le-foulonne-leather-backpack/p5053033]]]]

Le Pliage are lovely but not to cart round laptop and papers/notebooks day in day out in my opinion.

💛

I have the coach willow, and while it’s lovely the straps are too thin for what you want it for I think. I find the straps dig in and are uncomfortable if I have too much in there.

If you're going to spend that much on a work bag, I'd get a black Mulberry bayswater, which is a bit more expensive but will have a resale value if your shoulder eventually gives up.

The Aspinal pebble one

Their Trustpilot reviews are pretty good. Average 4/5 stars. All brands have negative reviews. Aspinal have very few negative. Not sure why you would suggest we look there.

I have the Aspinal London tote and it's not great for travel as yo can't put it over your shoulder. I used it as a flight bag with my laptop in once and found it much too heavy because you have to hand hold it.

Aspinal are excellent quality in my opinion- I've got several of their bags and not had a single issue.

I have the same problem OP. Need to carry water, laptop, headphones, papers, two mob phones, lunch and fruit, umbrella…it adds up. I use a pale backpack in summer, it’s ugly but needs must! 9 months of year, after about six previous work bags I now use a leather flap tote bag (Ferragamo, bought third or fourth hand!). What makes this work is that it has a single shorter wide handle, so it sits on my shoulder and tucks under my arm, or slings onto back to make carrying its weight a lot easier. I have 20 min walk after train to office. It is seriously my holy grail workbag, if it breaks I will have it hand remade for me😃. That shorter single fat handle has been a game changer! I would look for a pre loved item and spend the John Lewis on something else (do they still sell vintage jewellery?)

Those narrow straps in most of those bags will be hellish for you, especially all on one shoulder. I’d get a back pack with nice padded straps.

Strathberry

Before you buy a tote, borrow one and see how difficult it is with a laptop.

I got a Samsonite backpack from JL (the style doesn't exit anymore) and it is a godsend for my back.

DD has to carry a laptop to 6th form and loves the fact that it fits in her backpack.

But - they can ruin a top, DD and I both have some tops you can see damage in the fabric when wearing the bag without a coat.

I agree with all the comments about straps. I used a big Mulberry tote during my college days. Within a couple of months, the straps were frayed and my shoulder had grooves.

So I bought the Strathberry and have been using it for a week. I love it so far! I don't notice the straps at all and it comfortably fits everything I need. Hopefully it will last well....