‘Fancy’ every day bag

[ThatTealViewer]

I have a massive leather shoulder bag that I bought in some random market a decade ago. It’s on its last legs and I’d like an upgrade. I think I’m finally grown up enough to deserve a nice everyday bag. 🤣

• Needs to be massive
• Ideally leather
• Suitable for daily use
• Reasonably smart but still relaxed (I am aware this possibly doesn’t make sense, but it’s what I want 😊)
• I’m thinking about £2k?

Any suggestions, please?

https://www.pelletteriaartigiana.com/product-category/borse-da-lavoro-en/?lang=en
this beautiful workshop in Florence may be able to make you a bag .
this is their online shop .

I used to be a handbag buyer at Selfridges. Can confirm what a previous poster said about the quality from Loewe and Bottega Veneta - truly a level of craft that's worth paying for.

However, The Loewe Flamenco is mainly available in Nappa leather. It's soft and marks easily. If you're going to be carrying something large and rigid like a laptop inside, or if you overfill it, it will scratch whenever it rubs up against something else.

A grain leather would be a more durable choice for an everyday workhorse bag. Can recommend the Brooklyn tote by Coach (£495) - quality is equal to or better than designer bags at three times the price.

This would leave you with £1500 to go wild in the sales after Christmas, or to visit the Loewe and Bottega Veneta stores at Bicester Village.

For me, it would be the Khaite Amelia, Max Mara Marine or Ferragamo Hug. I wish it was me!

If it’s for work as well then Cuyana are great, cheaper though.

I would echo @Skule and say look at Coach. The quality is great and they look fantastic for years (I have a collection of vintage ones which just never age). They are very good bags for the money and stand up to a lot of punishment!

I have a black leather trapeze-shaped tote from Joseph. It is huge and easily fits a laptop, plus all my assorted work papers and junk. I got it pre-loved but in perfect condition. I like the double handles/shoulder straps.

This is the tan version;

https://www.joseph-fashion.com/en-gb/tote-bag-jf0049880190one.html

It is like a tardis.

That’s fab!

I love the Toteme belted suede tote in this colour int.toteme.com/products/belted-tote-tan

Yes, I rate Coach too although I don't own any.

I always mention this lady on this sort of thread but her bags are an amazing quality and if you go for the reversible it is both 2 bags in one and you can customise the colours. She does also do some custom orders so would be worth asking as at £500 ish she's well in your budget. She's also really lovely and helpful to deal with. https://www.anyasushko.com/

I love the Loewe Puzzle tote and Celine Cabas tote for large, but smart & casual.

https://www.loewe.com/eur/en/variation?pid=B933Q18X01-1100&dwvar_B933Q18X01-1100_Shared_size=null&country=GB&lang=en&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=LOEWEMODA_FLG_GBR_PERFORMANCEMAXALL_GEN_OTHER_ON-GOING_EC_PEMA_GPMA_CRD_MUL_EUR_NAPP&utm_id=21905387744&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADsErF3XOyRHb2e0-5Ewfl38l5-kD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-JTQ5PSkigMVXaVQBh2OcQ1iEAQYASABEgKXs_D_BwE

Congrats and happy shopping!

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

I have this and the crossgrain leather is gorgeous, fulfils my tardis requirements too!

I have this: https://www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/london-tote-in-soft-taupe-and-ivory-pebble which is the same one as @FearNotSheHathRisen just a different colour and I love it. It's roomy, I can take my lap top, kindle, charger, medications, various freshen up kit bits etc and it is really smart looking.
I went for the cream/tan combo in the summer as a neutral but actually it's great even at this time of year too.
The only 'downsides' for me are that it doesn't have a long strap or fitting attachment to add one so you can't wear it crossbody if you wanted to. It also doesn't zip close as it's just a flap over the middle which makes me slightly twitchy from a theft point of view.
I was always a Mulberry girl but I actually think Asprey are far better value overall.

How about a Longchamp? Way cheaper and just as good.

Metier Incognito

Not always. Quality of leather varies enormously. And hand stitching. It's like comparing an artisanal hand stitched quilt with one from a factory in China

Was going to say a mulberry or low key brand without huge logos! I used a mulberry bag nonstop for two years and wasn't careful, it got thrown around, put my packed lunch in it etc. I sprayed it with stain repellent inside and out, occasionally gave it a leather treatment and cleaned up inside with a Dettol wipe Leather was perfect. piping on handle and seams was in good condition and it was worth every penny.

I know it’s naff but I have used (abused) my LV Neverfull for 7.5 years, almost every single day, full of all kinds of crap, and it holds up so well. The other day I thought I had forgotten my 750ml water bottle at home but it was just at the bottom of the bag, that’s how capacious it is. It doesn’t have a zip or other top closure but it’s never been a bother (and actually prefer it) — have used it on public transportation in London nearly every day, countless flights (security checks, shoving under seats) and no issues ever.

I have not been super impressed with bottega Veneta I am afraid. The bags are beautiful but the zip on mine is so stiff it feels like a £20 market bag :(

If you are looking at something you can personalise, look at Scuola Di Cuoio in Florence. The website is not much to look at but the bags are extraordinary quality and completely non branded.

Another vote for Loewe! But Celine bags are where my heart is.

I found a Celine cabas in Bicester village down from £2k to £1200 a couple of months ago. It’s a shame it’s been discontinued though.

First Loewe bag is gorgeous. I have a few designer bags and would go for that now or a Loewe Puzzle or a Polene.

I once spent a few hunded dollars on a bag (when I lived in New Zealand), and I really felt incredibly guilty. But I used it for YEARS, and I did that whole 'cost per spend' thing where you wear or use something x amount of times to determine whether or not it was value for money. So much of what I buy turns out not to be, but with that bag, I worked out that from when I started using it to when I stopped, I ended up in positive equity! It was worth every cent, for the joy it gave me, and the use I got out of it until it finally fell apart. I would go with the idea of getting something bespoke. If you have the budget for it, to have exactly what you want, its hard to put a price on that, especially if you use it for years.💛

I am secretly yearning for the celine bag. Is $2000 more in New Zealand than where I live that in Paris.. I am going to fly to Paris and buy the bag. I daren’t tell my husband but my close friend knows …and of course all of mumsnet

I'd get one (or both) of these:

Essential L Tote bag Eggplant - Leather | Longchamp GB

Le Pliage Xtra M Tote bag Vervain - Leather | Longchamp GB

I did that some time ago, I sourced someone to remake the bag I loved but in better quality leather. Was a lot of hassle and the bag didn't turn out as well as I expected. It cost me £380 seven years ago.

https://been.london/products/calvert-xl-tote-cacao

discrete and chic - and good for the environment
i love the 2 strap lengths and the green version