Help me pick a Mid range designer bag - £300-500 as a reward to myself

[Rosiestraws]

I've recently completed a professional qualification that I've been working on for years and has resulted in a substantial payrise.

I'd like to reward myself with a mid range designer bag. The last time I bought something like this was a good 10 years or so ago and they were in the range of £200-£300 for like a Marc Jacobs Boho bag or a Vivienne Westwood bag (these are the ones I liked/had back then- https://importfurnituredepot.co.uk/zcua.php?ToEA=GHow53951978&cid=24&m=1&g=2 and https://www.coggles.com/p/womens-bags/vivienne-westwood-women-s-divina-tote-bag-black/11141692/

I still like those styles but the newer bags similar to that seems to be much more expensive so I will have to increase my budget, I think.

Can anyone recommend similar bags/nice quality designer ones and where to get a good price for ones.

I'm looking for EITHER:

Across body bag/long shoulder bag
large handbag size - so big enough for mobile, keys, make up and other bits and pieces a bit like this but obviously this is way out of budget https://www.ysl.com/en-gb/pr/toy-puffer-in-lambskin-813085672.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=SA360&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GB%7CEN%7CPMX%7CAll%7CMulti%7CU%7CBestseller&utm_id=21549814762&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwYPc0K6xigMV0YZoCR0ipRmxEAQYCCABEgJsNPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

OR one I can use for work

So large A4 size (can fit small laptop)
black/tan/nude/grey
miminal design/rather plain

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help :)

I love Strathberry bags. A Scottish company ((although made in Spain). I follow someone who takes bags apart to look at the quality of the manufacturing of the bags and he said Strathberry were as well made with good quality leather as bags triple their price

Or

Go onto the Mulberry website, they have a pre loved section which might put some in your price range

https://www.mulberry.com/gb/shop/women/pre-loved-womens?gadsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAgoq7BhBxEiwAVcW0LPLKw1WTC49BTE-x--ron7gTH2o2YrhGUx6hG1g19K2zo9p6uHS6bBoCvcEQAvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I amazed that this is considered a mid range bag for so many

@Rosiestraws the mulberry sale is online

I love Strathberry, brilliant quality for the price and lovely styles. You’ll definitely find something at the price point in their sale too

Actually this price point isn't mid range for designer these days.
The prices have quadrupled in the last few years to crazy levels.

But at the end of the day it's just a bag what a waste of money yet you're saying some spend the same as many people's holiday budget or a few months of food shops. Do they moan about childcare prices at the same time?

People have different budgets. Not everyone is struggling with childcare costs or putting food on the table. Even people with limited budgets might want to save for a quality bag that will last many years.

The OP has not mentioned childcare costs, I'm struggling to see the relevance.

There’s always at least one such post on every handbag thread. It’s tiresome. The op didn’t ask your opinion on the ‘worthiness’ of her plan, the thread title was perfectly clear, so why not just scroll on by instead of coming on to display your perceived moral superiority?

Do you go on wedding dress threads, where people are discussing spending many thousands on a dress that literally will be worn once, to opine like this?

https://www.toryburch.com/en-gb/handbags/tote-bags/perry-triple-compartment-tote-bag/81932.html?color=001

The Tory Burch "Perry". Comes in various colours. Great size and mine is still like new even after four years' worth of use five days a week.

No, "they" (I) do not actually as I've suffered from many years of infertility so not a concern unfortunately.

I resisted reacting to your original comment as it was clearly to bait people!

Why is a holiday of (on a budget of £300-500) a few nights away any more worthy of spending money on than a bag which will last at least a few years?! 🙄 Different priorities. This is Style and Beauty, not AIBU...

True...I wasn't sure how to phrase it really 😂 Hence adding a price range..

I would wait for the sales and go Anya Hindmarch. Chunky discounts that'll bring a normally £750 bag into reach. Sign up for their email.