Been gifted £200 to spend on myself - would a Longchamp bag be a good choice?

[HT2222]

I like the Le Piliage Original Large Shoulder Bag in fawn but
it is £120, a bit different from the usual £10 Primark bag I have used for years 😁- I keep talking myself out of it, then thinking it would be great for a carry-on airplane bag too

Any views appreciated!

I'm not a huge fan of the Longchamp bags tbh. I'd much prefer something like this.

Yes, they are lovely and very practical too and I'm sure you could find one (more leather perhsps?) nearer your £200 gift limit if you wanted...

I have one of those Aspinal totes but I don't find it as useful as a Longchamps LePliage, it's basically just a solid one-section shopper, a large opening and a separate but attached small purse.
LePliage is lighter, and, of course, foldable. As per the name.

Personally I wouldn't spend that much on a recycled man-made material bag. Way overpriced.

I would get leather. But maybe you're vegan or whatever and that material suits your lifestyle.

But yes, absolutely treat yourself to an expensive bag.

A good quality one will last years. I've got leather ones over a decade old.

I find the Le Pliage perfect for everyday and in particular work or any day where I have multiple things to carry. I keep a little zipped fabric bag in it for small items eg earphones and pen but otherwise it gets a lot of use. I have a couple . They are not 'going out ' bags as such but they are incredibly practical.

I use a bag divider in my bigger bucket totes - like this.

I've got a few of the Loqi museum folding bags which are great, tiny fold so that they fit in any handbag.

Very useful. Classic and doesn't dare. Very good for travel. But I wouldn't get a light colour as you be cleaning it the whole time

I really don't get the Longchamp love - they look like nylon. Would anyone spend that much on a bag that looked that way without the label? Or even be attracted to a bag that looked like that without the label?

I don't see the point of bags like the Aspinal tote. It will be heavy and completely insecure. I don't like the obvious branding.

Le Pliage are really handy. They're very lightweight to start with so you can carry tons of stuff; because they're nylon you don't need to worry about looking after them. The branding is discreet.

I found a use for all those Clinique and Clarins make up bags you get as free gifts- keys in one, phone in another, cards in another.

They seem to be very popular with year 8 girls at my school which would put me off!

I love mine in blue and black but DD has it in pink and it has marked quite badly so I think fawn might do the same

I wouldn’t. They don’t hold any value - I just got one from a vide grenier for 10 euros. Why don’t you buy one on vinted and spend the rest on a leather bag?

No handbag which cost £200 holds value although Vinted has them at £40 - £55.

Great for travel, but the corners will go if you constantly use it, especially if you put laptops, large notebooks etc in it (stuff with hard edges). I'm on #2. They clean up well with fairy liquid

I keep mine for trips abroad, it's fab.

I’ve got the navy one (with a felt insert like PP to hold its shape and help me find all the shit I chuck in it). It’s an everyday bag and doesn’t feel special at all when I use it. I didn’t buy it for that vibe; I wanted a practical work and flight bag. I had vouchers so I only paid £60 in real money.

They are everywhere too. Three of us had them in one meeting last week?

If I wanted to get the feeling of treating myself to something luxury, I’d look elsewhere.

They always remind me of the shopping bags my granparents carried in the 80s and not in a good way! With £200 I would treat myself the something from Honey&Toast

If you've always wanted one get one.

Such great replies - thank you all! It is my DC that suggested I treat myself, really to make sure the money doesnt get swallowed up in household stuff I think. I hadnt heard of them until they said about them (I am not on trend at all!)

I have two, the small size in brown and a medium one in a creamy colour. I like them, they're good, classic, casual bags and you can fit a lot in, even in the small size. The cream one gets dirty easily, especially in the winter when mud flicks up as I'm walking, so mine is currently hibernating in the wardrobe until the weather is better. They are easy to clean though. I also like that you can fold them up when not in use so they don't take up a lot of space!

If you have been used to a Primark bag for about £10, (not criticising, I have a similarly priced one myself), I am assuming your clothes are pretty basic too. I know mine are. So, would you feel comfortable with a very expensive bag when you haven’t got the clothes to go with it?
That said, my daughter always asks herself one question when she is deciding whether or not to buy something. That question is ‘does it spark joy?’ It works for her so if the bag is going to spark joy in you, whether or not you have the clothes to match, then go for it. Do what makes you happy! You don’t need to justify it, ‘great for a carry-on airplane bag too’. Just buy it!

I was given that exact bag and colour. It's so practical it's ridiculous,no wonder they're so popular.

I have just looked at these bags online. Gorgeous, but so big! I am only 5’ and I think one of these bags would look ridiculous on me! So I hope you are taller, op?

I’ve just looked up too, I think it looks perfect! Something a bit more special than primark, a lovely design and robust looking fabric. Practical too :)

id prob go navy or green!

I have them in all sizes - small, large (in various colours) and an overnight bag. I love them and my large ones get most use. I've had them for years. My large one has been used shopping, for work, gym, hand luggage on the plane, beach bag and they still look great. I often take them on holiday or away for a weekend because they can fold up in my case so easy to transport. My only complaint is losing smaller items in the bag but there are some great ideas on this thread for that.