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

[RedPandaFluff]

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!

Me too - on both counts.

Bottega doesn’t have a logo & the fakes are ususlly very obvious, the weave isn’t right.

Loewe does have a logo but it’s very subtle, if you know, you know.

I also have a Mulberry bag and they are indeed beautiful. A smaller crossbody would potentially be more affordable.

I would also look at individual crafted bags, I have a beautiful leather bag made by an artisanal leather worker in Greenwich, he makes everything by hand except the buckles which his friend makes and zips which he uses commercially made ones. There will be many people like him, and each one is unique and special. They cost around 1/4 of your budget though. I just love having something no one else has exactly

I was going to come on and suggest exactly the same bag - again, maybe in a different colour but that’s just personal preference

If you can get a Chanel at an airport or second hand, then a Chanel.

Without wanting to get too heavy (this is supposed to be a happy post, as someone said, part of the joy will be the search), this is likely to be the last gift this person will ever give to me due to life being very cruel sometimes, and handbags are a bit of a running joke between us.

Great suggestions to follow up on in relation to pre-loved bags, thank you. I’ll research these!

Ooooo I hadn’t thought of artisanal . . . and I definitely don’t want blaring logos (so had mentally crossed Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada etc. off the list of possibles)

Have a look at Delvaux. They have a shop on Bond Street.

What a lovely gift! Knowing what I know now about the preloved market, I would spend the money on 2 preloved bags - a Loewe and a Bottega

@RedPandaFluffi love handbags, so part of the joy would be the research , the longing after it, then remembering that you can actually have it! Ignore the handful of misery guts on here (jealousy gets you nowhere), enjoy looking and enjoy the memories that will come with using the bag. Keep us posted on what you buy xx

Me too. If I were restricted to only spending it on a bag then this in yellow. I could come to love that. I wouldn't spend £2,000 of my own money on it but as it's someone else's money- fine.

Get several luxury second hand for £2k. Then best of both worlds!

Delvaux does indeed have a lovely shop although it's their scarves rather than their bags which catch my eye. They only have one bag at that level. OP would have to top it up.

I would look at Celine, Loewe and Botega. All of my bags by these makers have stayed looking brilliant after many wears.

My Celine bags are my favourite and the logos are subtle.

Do visit the shops in person, I have been treated so nicely by the sales assistants over the years.

Second hand is always a way to go too and perhaps it could be a bag & purse combo you find.

Enjoy your present, it’s a lovely thing and something to bring you joy to look at and use.

Having just got back from Florence, would you consider using some of the money to go there and perhaps find one from one of the many talented leather makers there? Would be a nice experience to remember.

There’s even a leather school with a shop where you can watch the leather workers stitch the bags and many can be personalised/monogrammed. No logos, just a quality crafted item in classic styles.

I'd buy a Launer, the late Queen's handbag maker , they are just beautiful, classic and scream class and elegance. I hope you be able to buy one next year for similar reasons to you OP x

launer.com/p/3097-29/judi-buttermilk

To late to edit but wanted to add that I have the Loewe medium puzzle bag as my work bag; it is the best bag I have ever carried for work it’s so perfect and worth every penny - I’ve had it for ages and im not planning on changing it so per use it works out good value for money

Over budget though unless OP is going to top it up.

If it were allowed I think 2 from Longchamp would be my choice.

https://www.longchamp.com/gb/en/bags/xsa/bags-by-collection/xsa-col/?srule=price%202&cgid=XSA-COL&prefn1=LC_DisplayCountries&prefv1=GB|&positionBack=position-14

Right.

What about Alaia (Le Teckel?) or Balenciaga?

The link I posted would be one of my choices - it was just an example.
There are loads at Launer that are under budget , like this beauty
launer.com/p/3067-04/mimi-misty-grey

I think I’d go for a classic Mulberry . I have the Roxanne from years ago and it’s good as new .

Well I’m convinced that OP misheard and she was actually specifically instructed not to spend it on a fancy’ bag! 😁

Do you want a new 2k bag?
Does the person gifting the money really have a say on how it’s spent?