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!

I’ve got 10% off in Bottega at Harrods before.

Enjoy the process! Go to a department store for research only and browse what’s on offer. Which styles speak to you. Which feel good on your shoulder? Also look online but I’d recommend only buying a bag you’ve touched inside and out. This handbag would ideally last a lifetime, so it should suit you and offer intuitive storage and be the kind of accessory you’re comfortable using. Personally I like Fendi, Mulberry and Celine and the OPs have made good suggestions regarding brands too. Most of all, enjoy this.

I really couldn't bring myself to spend 2k on a handbag. If someone said to me "Here is 2k, but you can only spend it on a handbag" I would have to say no thanks. I might put it in a handbag fund to keep me in handbags the rest of my life but 2k on a handbag is beyond ridiculous.

That's just me though. Maybe I think it's ridiculous because there are so many other more useful ways to spend 2k. I suppose if you're minted it's a drop in the ocean.

Perhaps there are things that you spend money on that others would consider to be "beyond ridiculous", @vyvyanne ?

Yes, but this is a handbag thread in S&B, not a knit your own lentil Jersey thread in chat.

What a waste of two grand.

I was mentally playing the bingo card. Congratulations- you're quick off the mark

It's what at least 90% of us are thinking. Somebody's going to post it.

90% of who?
How do you know what people are thinking?

It isn't what people who like handbags think. TBF I tend to limit myself to £450/500 but I don't resent others spending more.

Yes, but this is a handbag thread in S&B, not a knit your own lentil Jersey thread in chat

OK. You can only be stylish and beautiful if you have loads of spare cash.
Gottit.

It isn't what people who like handbags think. TBF I tend to limit myself to £450/500 but I don't resent others spending more

There are loads of people who like handbags who couldn't spaff up £500.
It's not really a thread for people who like handbags. It's for people who can afford expensive handbags. Fine. I'm in the wrong place.

I’ve enjoyed seeing the suggestions (not enjoyed the scolders and hair shirt wearers) and frivolous as it is I love that a relative insisted that much be spent on something personal like a handbag. I hope the OP loves it every time she uses it

Toodlepip then!

It was clear from the thread title what this was about.

if you aren’t interested in spending £2k on a handbag why bother opening the thread in the first place? OP was asking for suggestions, not judgement and thus isn’t AIBU.

Nothing better than a good spaff from a healthy bank account 😀

It’s incredibly rare but I got 30% off a Bottega bag in a relocation sale.

The Loewe rep in Selfridges told me they had a secret sale on (no sale stickers out but chat to a rep & they will let you know).

So irritating that come onto the style and beauty boards and make posts like this. OP hasn't asked whether to spend the money on a bag, but has asked for recommendations. Honestly really weird why people feel they need to post crap like this.

Fancy a spaff on this, mentioned on another thread.

https://www.soeur.uk/products/sac-uma-mini-chocolat-sem1607umamini25smar05?variant=54816617070966&gad

OP i echo others- if you can go in person to view some bags, not only will you be able to confirm which one you really love, but you'll have the memory of the experience as well. I only have one designer bag, but when I actually went to view some in real life I changed my mind about what I thought i wanted.

I buy so much second hand but I’ve always bought new designer bags (mainly because of concerns of authenticity, but also cleaned clothes are like new, the bags never the same). Ive not shopped around for a while in very mumsy mode now, but that puzzle bag is very cool.

Not at all. Not 90%. Most of us have two brain cells to understand that life is more varied than our own. I would never spend this amount on a bag (can't afford to). It doesn't stop me enjoying the thread quietly and learning about luxury bags and appreciating them like an art object.

Most important - this thread (as many other luxury bags related threads) is NOT about "should I spend xxx on a bag" but about which bag to get for this budget.
Why, just why people struggle with comprehension that much???

OP, I'm not an expert so my opinion is irrelevant, let me just whisper it here - given circumstances of this gift you probably want this bag to last you a very long time, possibly lifetime. You might want to consider something timeless. Loewe puzzle suggested here multiple times is absolutely stunning, quality is amazing, but it's very IN now, I can see a lot of them around in London at least. There is a risk it might become very "yesterday" in a few years time, like what's happened to Gucci Soho disco.

Enjoy your shopping!

The thought of spending £2000 on a luxury item made out of a baby animal would not leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling, and I'm not even vegan, it just doesn't sit right.

Definitely agree with you OP that a preloved item would be good, from a depreciation perspective and also that it has already been manufactured and in use, so you're not exacerbating all this consumerism.

I’ve been enjoying vicariously looking at lovely handbags.

My personal favourite is still the Puzzle bag, but I’m also really liking Givenchy Voyou

https://www.givenchy.com/gb/en/medium-voyou-bag-in-shiny-leather/BB5131B2AE-601.html

The Bvlgari Serpenti Forever

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/bvlgari-serpenti-forever-east-west-leather-shoulder-bag_R03969976/#colour=Blue

and ALAIA Le Click

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/alaia-le-click-square-small-leather-shoulder-bag_R04476410/#colour=Brun%20Fonce

I have the Loewe flamenco. And it’s like butter as they kill the calf at a few days old so the skin is like butter. My mum informed me of this and moo’s every time she sees the bag

f you aren’t interested in spending £2k on a handbag why bother opening the thread in the first place? OP was asking for suggestions, not judgement and thus isn’t AIBU

Yep. OK. I just opened it randomly out of interest. And it comes as a surprise that anyone would spend 2k on a handbag. I suppose I didn't realise that there was a part of MN I couldn't comment on. And that there are actually people who could drop 2k on a handbag without a second thought. I've learnt something and I accept that there are folks who have the financial wherewithal to do this.

The irony is that I actually do love handbags. Expensive handbags.
I have around 30 handbags and am made fun of by my friends and family for spending so much on them. But mine are only Radley and Osprey and only from Outlets where they are considerably reduced.

The most I ever spent was £300 on a pink Osprey bag that was marked down from £500. And I wouldn't have bought that even, if my husband hadn't been there and urged me on because it was my birthday (and he probably thought that it would solve the problem of not knowing what to get me)

I understand the relevance of having a really nice expensive bag. I love having a nice expensive bag. But I suppose that when you're going into the 1000s it's a step too far for me. My problem.

I recently went into a big store in London and saw a small black bag with a label I cannot remember. But it was £2800. It was indistinguishable and not obviously better made than any other high end manufacturer. Certainly not more useful or decorative than one I bought recently on Vinted for £30.

I've had a small purple Radley bag for the past 20 years, which was quite expensive at the time. It's soldiering through and looks as good as the day I bought it. If money is no object, then go for it. But I still cannot understand why anyone would spend upwards of 2k on a bag that will go mostly unnoticed.

So irritating that come onto the style and beauty boards and make posts like this. OP hasn't asked whether to spend the money on a bag, but has asked for recommendations. Honestly really weird why people feel they need to post crap like this

Every thread needs a reality check