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 :)

The £300-500 mark is a tricky one, it tends to be dominated by direct to consumer brands. The DTC brands started off offering good value for money but not so much anymore as quality has declined (somewhat of an inevitability when these brands scale up due to mass success). Would you consider secondhand? There's a lot of surplus for less sought after styles, just randomly picked out something like this, which represent much better value for money.

Editing to add: congrats on your certification 🎉

I like Esin Akan bags. They are good quality and in that price range.

@Rosiestraws

How about Coach?

www.coggles.com/p/bags/coach-tabby-chain-leather-clutch-bag/14512586/?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&shoppingpid=1243948&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADqtXEOoGL-4l8Fz4DNSedb3eBGUc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Kf7trOxigMVGTcGAB1F8AO4EAQYBSABEgI4fvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Go coach definitely. Really well made (non tacky) bags.

I like Kate Spade. Same company as Coach but have more interesting designs (albeit some very tacky!).

Strathberry seems to be in your price range.

I second the idea of second hand. Vestiaire has some beautiful bags in excellent condition which would be out of your price range otherwise

I’m looking for something very similar and have seen a few I like on both Coach and Osprey of Londons websites.

Slightly above budget, but I really like the Mulberry small Darley's:
https://www.mulberry.com/gb/shop/darley/small-darley-black-small-classic-grain

Are you near an outlet? Mulberry outlet stores are really good other wise could you hold of to for the Jan sales?

I recently got a strathberry mosaic. I love it.

See by Chloe

See if there’s anything on here you like the look of @Rosiestraws
NPN
I’ve bought a couple of bags from Shian, and all have been great quality & value

Have you checked out any bargains on Lyst

I echo what Botemp has suggested. However, if you prefer new, both A.P.C and Mansur Gavriel will have bags within your price range.

John Lewis always have Coach bags in their sale that starts on Boxing Day. I bought one in the sale three years ago. I use it every day. It still looks as good as new.

I've been looking too. Coach had really good reductions in the Black Friday sale so most likely will have decent prices in their Xmas sale.

Strathberry is meant to be really good, I've got a delivery coming today!

Coccinelle leather is gorgeous, Yuzefi is good too.

Longchamp leather bags are very good quality, I'm waiting on their sales.

Look at Aspinal of London, they've got some great offers at the moment which bring a lot of their bags into your price range. The quality of their bags is lovely too.

www.aspinaloflondon.com/leather-handbags/view-all-bags

Oh good call @SnowySnowson I always forget about aspinal but their bags are beautiful. Some great prices on there

I've got a couple of Kate Negus bags - hand made and only 5 of each style & colour so very exclusive. She personally picks the leather and they are hand cut and stitched.

Had mine for over 5 years and still look as good as new.

Coach are great mid range, last well and aren't tacky as a PP said.

I took all my Kate Spade bags to the charity shop after they starting paying Dylan Mulvaney to promote their brand. I'm not influenced by a man running round in a dress squealing at the pretty pink colours, thanks

https://uk.fleuron.paris/collections/sac-femme Not designer but these look nice

thank you so much for all the suggestions

apologies for not replying to you all personally, but easier to reply to a few points/suggestions.. I haven't really considered second hand as I was worried about fakes on ebay/vinted etc... I hadn't heard of those other websites that have been posted - are they legitimate/you recommend so you know you're getting a genuine article?

I'm not a fan of Coach, Kate Spade or Aspinal - can't put my finger on why exactly, I think it's probably the people I've seen wearing them in my social circles perhaps!

I really like the Mulberry one but I'd struggle to justify the extra...but I'll definitely look at outlets too - I hadn't thought of that idea so thanks again for that. Maybe I need to make a trip to an outlet rather than relying on looking online..

Not a specific model but a brand - check out Furla, they will also have a sale soon.
I have 6 in collection and my daily work satchel is over 8 years old and is immaculate.

I have a couple of bags demo Nappa Dori and the quality is great https://www.nappadori.co.uk/collections/women

Definitely Vestiaire collective, I'd get a Celine cross body bag