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!

@ThatchedCottageOwner I inherited a LV bag, which I used and cared for, for many years. I recently sold it for a very handsome sum.
Many of these bags not only hold their value, but actually increase in value, and are often investment pieces. As well as being practical items and bringing joy to the owner.
However, as you indicated, personal preference.

The one that doesn't cost 2 grand!

Only if you can't appreciate the quality and craftsmanship that goes into making these bags.

I love celine bags..

Maybe the op isn’t interested in whether or not it appreciates in value. Did you read her posts and see specifically why she is purchasing a bag with this money?

How patronising.

There is no discernible differences between a bag costing £300 and one costing £3K. Not to most ordinary people.

I'd like to think £2K could be spent on a life-affirming experience to create memories.

Does anyone really stare at their handbag and wax lyrical over the quality and craftmanship?

Or is it about status and knowing you're carrying your stuff around in a ££££ bag?

I’d buy jewellery over a bag

Good for you, but that’s not what op wants to do and not what she posted about.

But her reasons - ie it's a gift and a memory of her relative- would apply to gold as well!

You're spot on .
Well done.

Are we allowed to have opinions here or not?

Well, no. Because she specifically said that handbags are a bit of a running joke between them and the relative specifically instructed her to buy a bag with the money.

Of course you’re ‘allowed’ have an opinion. They are, after all, like arseholes, everyone’s got one. But some of them are utterly irrelevant on threads, which leads me to wonder why people bother posting them on such threads.

Lanvin do some beautiful bags. The quality is amazing.

gb.lanvin.com/collections/women-bags

I absolutely do over my 1960 Kelly, yes.

It’s nearly 30 years older than me and is 1) a work of exquisite craftsmanship, 2) has a great story and 3) is an aesthetically pleasing relic from a by-gone era.

I also am smug because I bought it for a song (relative to today’s secondary market prices) at a specialist auction 15 years ago before the nuts behaviour around them now. I also hold several degrees, so won’t fit into any preconceived bimbo category.

That’s not true. Look up the prices for secondary market Birkina or mini Kellys - sites like Sellier or LoveLuxury. That’s not what they cost in-store… it’s multiples the price. People literally flip them in 24 hours.

Likewise for Chanel - the classic flaps I bought less than 5 years ago for 5.5k each…they don’t retail for that any more! I could hawk them tomorrow and make 50%. Show me any ISA or stock or commodity that gives you that return.

However, OP I doubt would sell this bag.

OP, are you looking for something that’s a classic and will be a great piece forever or just something you like? A Longchamp or a non-bag designer (eg a Lanvin) won’t be good value for money. Likewise, a Lady Dior is a banger from a non-bag designer (but you’d need to top up) HOWEVER JW Anderson’s first season for them is about to be released, so if you bought a cheaper book tote, this could grow to have a lore about it. Similarly, at Celine, walk in now and you’d only get the classic bag with the Triomphe logo…however, if you went back a few years to the Phoebe Philo era, you’d get that same bag with the less flashy clasp - so, two birds one stone: nothing too loud AND fashion kudos for Philo. I got my PP version new in 2022 for maybe 3.5k?

Yes! I’ve preordered the first drop of JW Andrew’s

Can you ask a local designer to make you one? Not a mega big designer though it it’s be too dear.

Perhaps a local one who does leather work - maybe someone linked to the person giving you the money, like from her hometown or something?

And that would let you get something like an interior with her initials in it or something very personal like a photo of you both made into a lining or a secret photo pocket or something?

Ive no idea how much these things cost but a designer who could incorporate all the pockets and hardware etc you want into a lovely design to make it incredibly personal.

OP - just in case you are not aware Jonathan Anderson is the designer who "invented" the puzzle bag. He has just left Loewe for Dior and a lot of us are eagerly awaiting his first collections.

I have numerous designer bags and the best quality ones I have are

Marc Jacobs. I've 2 I got in 2014 and they still look perfect.

LV Neverfull. 2019 and still looks new.

Chloe bags I've one from 2022 and it looks brand new !

Enjoy shopping what a treat!!

And it’s all a bit ground-breaking (Andrea) because he holds all the top roles at Dior, which nobody else has ever done ie Head of Menswear, Women’s, Couture….

He has his own label, which is very playful and fun and not at all stuffy

I love his last collection for Loewe. I saw the draped skirt and leather jacket in person and oh my, they are beautiful. (Need to buy a lottery ticket).

I love that in his first menswear collection for Dior he used the New Look as inspiration.

I really like the minimalist Jil Sander ones, like the bucket bag. Lovely clean shape. Would leave you with some change also.

I think I’d try and get an every day bag that gave comfort, like something form coach in the sale for 2-300 and spend the rest on a fancy something that brought joy on special occasions.
Like https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/prod_R03946527

This lady makes bespoke bags as well as her more reasonably priced off the peg designs. I have one of her totes and it is beautiful - the leather is supple and the craftsmanship is good. https://www.anyasushko.com/pages/bespoke-1

I really like Launer, they have some great new colourways.

https://launer.com/c/handbags

Some great links here, thanks! Love the Lanvin and the Launer.