I have £2k for a beautiful bag - which one, though?

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I am fortunate enough to have been given £2k by a very dear relative and instructed to treat myself to a new handbag.

This will be a treasured item (because of the person I will always associate with it) and a massive, unprecedented splurge.

So . . . what do I get? I want beautiful quality rather than the usual brand names . . . and not a work bag, as I work from home. A small crossbody, probably. Any suggestions? Thank you!

No one is forcing you to come on a post about handbags which has been specifically posted in style and beauty. Especially when it is clear from the op what an emotional and sentimental purchase it will be. Don’t you dare accuse people on here of being snobs when in actual fact you’re displaying huge amounts of reverse snobbery. Every bit as bad by the way. The only ignorance one is you. This was not a thread in AIBU to buy an. expensive bag. No one has to justify their purchase to you.

@MyHeartyCoralSnail and, having no interest in luxury handbags or understanding of why anyone would want to buy one, you opened and commented on this thread because?

I am completely amazed at what some
people are prepared to spend on weddings, wedding dresses etc all for a single day. I never comment on those threads. I certainly don’t go on them telling the posters to save their money for a house deposit instead and have a registry office wedding and reception in McDonalds. Why is it though that on handbag threads (something, once purchased, that gets used again and again and again) people feel they need to come on to the thread and say the equivalent?

This thread is not for you. Op wasn’t asking if it was reasonable or not. Your sainthood is in the post by the way 🙄.

This is a thread about expensive designer bags. If you're not interested in them, why post here?

I don't own an expensive bag, nor am I ever likely to, but I've really enjoyed this thread.

As has repeatedly been made clear there's a sentimental and emotional reason for the OP's quest which a few posters choose to ignore.

I hope a few sour notes won't spoil it for the OP and those of us who are following with interest.

A lovely gesture OP.

Over the years as my children were growing up I had a few 'special' bags gifted to me by my DH. I still have them although they lie in a cupboard in their respective covers. I could never see myself carrying them during the school run or out shopping 😂 Theyve had a few airings on special occasions though 😊

I would say, use them every day! They won't be spoiled and you'll have the pleasure of using them, even on the school run!
Go for it 👍

Absolutely, use them.

I’m all for recycling and pre-loved. And admittedly I have never owned or plan to buy a designer bag, but when I’ve accompanied friends who do buy them, it is a really nice experience going into the store and having the lovely service and maybe a glass of champagne, depending where you are!

The virtue signalling in this thread from people who just 'dont understand' is so excruciatingly embarrassing. And this is coming from a woman who's never spent more than £80 on a bag.

OP whatever you choose I hope you have a lot of fun choosing and definitely enjoy the experience!

What an utter waste of money

Well aren’t you just wonderful. I mean, truly, your martyrdom knows no bounds. We should all look up to you there at those dizzying lofty heights and aim to be more like you, less materialistic, full of faux-naïveté about others choices, such a hero. Then we’d all be much better people and really happy. Obviously.

But then, if you were such a perfect specimen, you wouldn’t come on to a thread that clearly isn’t aimed at you and post in a disparaging fashion on it, would you? I mean, that’s a pretty dickish thing to do. So if you were so superior and above all material pursuits, surely your life would be full of joy and you wouldn’t need to act the dick.

I’m sure you spend money on some things other people think would be a waste.

If you think it’s a waste of money, don’t buy an expensive bag 🤷‍♀️

Can you give us sn itemised list of your spending on everything that wasn’t an essential bill or purchase over the last year, and then we’ll come along and offer our opinions on how worthy or not each item was and whether or not we think it was worth the money? I know you didn’t ask us to do that, but we’ll do it for you, happy to return the favour seeing as you dropped in here to offer your unasked for opinion. I can only assume you feel unasked for opinions are good things and things you want to know. Thanks.

I have this LV bag, also got it in the black, both over 8 years old, used virtually every day and I can’t fault it, just the perfect size and construct for an every day bag. Purse fits in, zip up back section for easy access phone, can fit tissues, ear pods, hair clip, bit of make up and a handbag size hair brush. I’d buy it again tomorrow if I had to, £2020 now, I paid about £1600. Still looks like new.
https://uk.louisvuitton.com/eng-gb/products/pochette-metis-nvprod1770372v/M44875

It’s a souvenir of the person gifting the money. Like a birthday party, or a funeral, or an engagement ring - an expense that cements a friendship, or affection, or love. I think those three are wastes of money, and that your comment is a curious waste of everybody’s time, but there you go.

Nope- I have many designer bags not because I’m obsessed but because my dh buys them.. thing is you can’t wear them out they literally last forever, so if you get a classic one it really is an investment.

Definitely this! Use good protection products regularly and it will be just fine. I never put my bags on the floor, but I do use them every day.

And also, if you want to spend £2k on a bag then just do it. It doesn't matter what other people think.

They also make good investments if you need to raise some money by selling them on. I've got a 30 year old Burberry bag still in good nick.

You really think the dying shouldn’t use their money to treat their loved ones?

I'm just wondering why a perfectly innocent thread like this asking for opinions about which bag to buy has people coming on trying to start a fight. But that's mumsnet for you.

Please remember that customs duty and import VAT are two separate things, though.

If you buy a handbag in Europe that is made in the EU, then it is correct that there will be no customs duty to pay.

But if it cost you over £390, then import VAT will still be due. I think most EU countries will let you reclaim the VAT that you paid when you bought the item, so depending on the price and the VAT rate there might still be a saving, but it might not be as much as you think.

And it is of course up to you whether you declare it or not - I’m not naive enough to think that everyone will declare everything that they should…

If you take the tag off your the new bag you bought abroad and carry it back to the UK, nobody is going to come after you for import tax. Go to Milan for a weekend and get that dream Bottega / Ferregamo / Fendi bag there, what you save will probably pay for the weekend. Happy shopping!

Oh, it's so tiresome, isn't it? It didn't used to happen much on style and beauty, but unfortunately no thread is free from this now.