Handbags for a 70yr old

[travelmadmum23]

Looking for recommendations on bags to suit a 70yr old lady? Everyday use.

Thank you 😊 I'll take a look at radley, this looks similar to what she goes for now but better quality.

Not seventy yet, but I do like bags with a solid base so they don't collapse in a heap when you put them down. Compartments are good and I must be able to get my iPad in as well as a paperback and purse.

If you'd like to buy me the Loewe, I'm happy to be your friend.

What's your budget? Polène worth considering.

OK @travelmadmum23 I'll bite. I'm nearly 65.

I much prefer the Loewe Puzzle.
I like Coach and Longchamps (not the canvas ones)
I am tempted to buy a classic canvas logo'd Gucci - I had one in my 20s and loved it.
I bought a cracking suede tan bag with a handle and a shoulder/crossbody strap from Clarke's last week for £79 .
I know Mulberry is very popular on here, but I think it's old hat.

If I spend £350 ish plus on a bag I want to chose my own.

She definately isn't a mulberry person as I have one myself and she wasnt too keen - arguably it was the style as opposed to the brand/quality. After the feedback on here, I'm leaning more towards sticking with her usual style bag but potentially making sure its got zipped compartments and a solid base with a good strap.

You might have to take her to a shop and let her choose. Every 70 y/o I know is quite fussy and a wee bit bloody minded, AKA they know what they like.

Tell her that she is quite grown up enough to be trusted with a posh bag and that you earn quite enough to buy it for her. If she does not like it, she won't use it and that would be a waste of money.

This sounds like the logical solution 😂

@travelmadmum23 @MrsPernicious as a woman who is only five years younger than your aunt, may I gently suggest that you don't lose sight of the fact that she is likely to have her own opinions, and be used to spending her own money.

I still work full-time, drink champagne, know the West End like the back of my hand, am still capable of driving to the South of France alone and was probably clubbing in London before you were born.

That's lovely, I'm very happy for you! Living your best life...

Unfortunately not all people can do those things irrespective of age. It's a gift, she isnt paying for it and she is in ill health recovering from Cancer, can't walk more than 10m and relies on her mobility scooter to have any form of life outside of her home.

The furthest she goes is the local tea room and this gets her down hence why a little pick me up with a lovely handbag is in order.

Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with people and why everybody gets so offended by nothing 🤣

Anyways - to those of you who have helped me, thank you!

I am 70, and still love the sort of bags I have always loved (colourful) - becoming 70 hasn't suddenly changed me ! I am not 'fussy or opinionated ' - why do people think we are all the same!

Everybody's already said what I would 😂 Weighing in because I'm 70 next month. I've noticed as the years passed that I check before buying:

• Is it thick leather? I expect anything I buy now to last until I pop off.
• Choice of strap length. I wear most bags underarm, but have increasing need for a cross-body option due to difficulty carrying lots of things, using a stick sometimes, and reduced flexibility.
• Weight. Bag must not be heavy in its own right.
• Bulk. I used to prefer a stable base with metal feet, but now find them cumbersome. My handbags have reinforced base panels but are soft.
• Outside zip pocket. Essential! Saves me doing the old-lady bag rummage for my purse, bus pass etc.
• Inner pockets for organisation. Pockets AND compartments: even better.
• I like them to be able to accommodate A4-sized contents because that means most things will fit.
• Bonus: metal loop just inside the bag for my keys. Again, rummage avoidance.

@travelmadmum23 she's physically ill and frail and you have referred to her as though she can't chose a handbag. That's the point I was trying to make - inside she's the woman she always was.

Perhaps she'd rather have a practical bag for £80 but be taken to a film or to listen to the gulls and breathe the sea.

As someone of a similar age I think this is lovely.

I think bags are too personal for others to buy you.

Not as far as I’m aware. I’m 66 in a few months. I dress, including bags and other accessories as I please. My age doesn’t come into it.

I can’t offer a suggestion @travelmadmum23 because I don’t really understand the question!

If she already has black and navy, I agree that you could stick with that colour.

Would she appreciate LOEWE as a brand? If it's a treat, is there a brand that she particularly likes and would cherish or really appreciate?

Crossbody may be a good idea if she's on a scooter and needs to be hands free.

Good luck! Sounds like a lovely gift to cheer someone up!

I do too and I’d much rather pick my own; for me the browsing and choosing would be very much part of the gift!

It sounds like the recipient has a particular style though, so I’d consider buying the same but more wow / branded, if you really want it to be a surprise.

So basically you want a bag for a 70 year old lady who uses a mobility scooter none of which you mentioned till about your 10 post or so making it impossible to know exactly what might be suitable

@travelmadmum23, the navy Loewe is GORGEOUS. You can buy it for me ;)

Quick update:

Iv bought a radley crossbody one in dark oak brown - I think she will love it 😊

Thanks for all the helpful comments, enjoy your Monday 💋

Gorgeous! I hope she really loves it!

I'll have a Loewe puzzle with the change 😉

Well, the Loewe bag is beautiful of course but sadly eye-wateringly expensive.
Have you looked at Honey and Toast?
This one is not unlike the Loewe but much cheaper, although still in the 'good bag' range. I like the fact that you can change the handle.
https://honeyandtoast.co.uk/products/libby-hobo-shoulder-bag-black?_pos=1&_sid=f569a1d20&_ss=r
(I am a similar age and have a H & T 'large' half moon bag in raspberry. It's actually not very large at all but it's bigger than their standard half moon bag.)

Sorry, I am very late to the party and have only just seen your update. Hope your Mum loved the Radley bag.

In my 70s and I use the Nordace Sienna Cross body bag. It comes in a wonderful range of colours and has lots of special pockets. For going out for the day I use an anti-theft rucksack (as found on you know which website). I also have leather crossbody bags in black, silver, gold and blue.
Age isn’t the issue - the person’s style is what matters.