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 shopped for a luxury accessory recently with for a friend’s birthday - offered champagne, invited a browse, advised on products - it was a lovely experience. Definitely go into a store.

botega or a pre loved Chanel, although for 2k that’s the price for a Chanel WOC these days. Maybe a pre loved Dior saddle, you can pick one up for around £1700 in very good condition. I think I’d get the nano speedy bandouliere if it were me, think it’s about £1400 now. I don’t really love monogram that much anymore, but if it were meant to be a forever, never go out of style bag it seems safe, and the vachetta aging over the years gives sentiment and character. If you want something more classy looking the ysl loulou or quilted puffer looks nice, or the le 5 a 7 supple bag! I wish I could afford that :)

I won a Mulberry Bayswater in a competition 10 years ago. It’s still in great condition and I’m now of the opinion that’s it’s good to invest in quality if you can afford it (I could never afford to pay £2K on a bag). What a lovely, thoughtful gift. My dream bag would be a Launer Traviata in pale blue patent leather. Have fun shopping!

I have the Loewe mini puzzle bag and two bottegas. I do like the puzzle bag but it is just a tiny bit too small which means I don’t use it much. On the other hand I use my two bottegas all the time - I just love them.

I’ve said this before in a previous thread but get a replica made. I have an authentic Loewe puzzle bag Edge and a mirror image replica Edge. And when I say mirror image, I mean it. Identical in every single way to the last stitch. Same Loewe authentic hardware. Same calfskin leather.

I paid 3k for the authentic and £200 quid for the mirror image. I will never buy authentic again.

but I digress. I understand you want the real deal so Loewe gets my vote

I'd get a Bayswater preloved so I'm no help. I love Kate Spade bags right now as there are so many styles and sizes but they are much cheaper. I'm trying to make ure I buy leather ( no good for Vegans) with bags I want to last as the PU ones do very quickly seem to peel)

I used to think like that until I reached my 50s - maybe an age thing? My handbags have been basic and inexpensive until now. But I was recently gifted a Coach bag (which is probably budget to some posters here!) and I was actually really pleased with it and it feels like it will last a long time. It was from my DD too, so there is sentimental value. You probably would save money overall by having only a limited number of but lifelong, classic bags. Not to mention a positive impact on the environment with less waste (I hope!)

I love my Loewe Flamenco. It’s versatile as can be clutch, cross body, handles ir shoulder and it’s just big enough for phone, Kindle, sunglasses etc.

I would buy a ticket on the Eurostar and go to Celine in Paris nd enjoy the whole experience.

You could get one specially made for yourself

https://www.tods.com/gb-en/Women/Bags/Shoulder-Bags-and-Cross-Body-Bags/c/122-Tods/

A Timelss would be in your budget.

What the actual fuck? How dare you . You know absolutely bloody nothing about my life and for the record, I personally have not spent anywhere near that much on a bag but I will bloody well defend op”s right to. do so.or anyone else. When my son died of an operation for a brain tumour I felt the lowest ever and nothing could ever replace him but I will feel no guilt whatsoever about taking joy in what I can. And I say the same to my daughters. There was no need to be so personal. Sorry to op I don’t mean to derail. I hope you find something really beautiful and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for it.

Yep - we all get that.

What were the circumstances surroundiig the gift?
Had you expressed a desire for such a gift?
Are you in a good financial situation otherwise?

It sounds strange gifting money with such a caveat.

Not judging, just curious.

Who made the copy for you?

If you read the update, this is obviously quite sentimental too. So no need to be on a high horse about it. 2k to you might not (well, def isn’t) be as much money to alot of people.

I’m so sorry about your son. Some people just get a kick out of being nasty for no reason. Imagine getting so angry that someone else like to buy bags. We should pity them really.

What about Aspinal, great UK brand, under rated in my opinion.

Fantastic quality, range of styles and price!

https://www.aspinaloflondon.com/sale?utm_content=brandsearch&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=329500236&gbraid=0AAAAAD-J4aSrrF48uaot_h3YZ6ESmiH5F&gclid=Cj0KCQjwss3DBhC3ARIsALdgYxNMRipx5i7Z3PCs0qIzcAlzDB9V1nZ16uwWkdPQsnaF6dqSp_X7pOAaAoaDEALw_wcB

I really like Louis Vuitton leather, they don't all have logos. Have a look before you decide x

I dunno, I’d probably prefer to buy a trumpet. Or a bench. IYKYK.

I have been gifted around the same amount with the caveat I'm to spend it on myself. It's still sat in the bank because I haven't found the ideal bag but that Tod's Timeless is gorgeous and tempting!

I agree. Beyond a few hundred pounds, most of the money is for the name and perceived exclusivity rather than better design and quality so there will be no objective difference between a £500 bag and a £2k one.

Plus there's the pressure to get the style, size and colour right that makes it a bit of an imposition rather than a lovely gift.

But I do like the suggestion of spending most of the money on a trip to Florence to see artisans at work and have a personalised bag made. Unless you're the type of person impressed by 'it's branded and expensive so it must be better' then that would be a nicer way to use the money and remember your relative.

I had the same amount of money and bought a vintage Chanel with the 24k gold plated hardware. It's exquisite 😊

There are bags that are primarily vehicles for displaying a logo, worn as a badge of status. By and large such bags are wildly overpriced and date quickly. And there are bags that fulfil a function and are beautiful. Which sort of bag are you after?

Lots of beautiful bags here: https://www.emarinella.eu/collections/bags-women

Loewe. I am not a huge fan of the puzzle bag however they had some in Harvey Nichols at the start of the year with cute little illustrations like a guinea pig that were sweet. I also think that at ten years old the bag is looking to become classic if not there already.