Help me find a handbag: black, medium, everyday use, up to £1000

[Cluelessandbagless]

I am clueless and bagless. I have been using a rotten old lululemon bought for a day at a theme park for 2 years as no idea what to spend my money on. Needs not to be tiny, probably black. I looked at a medium lily from mulberry but I’m not entirely sure about the slightly glossy leather. Help me before I end up clutching a Sainsbury’s carrier bag.

I like the Gucci Azalea Calfskin Horsebit 1955 Shoulder Bag Black. Not particularly a Gucci fan but this bag is a classic and looks nice over a coat. It fits a passport, comb, lipstick, phone etc. Does for most occasions.

I wouldn't say a Mulberry Lily is an everyday bag to be honest, it's too dressy. What do you need it for - work? Does it need to fit a laptop? Give us more of a clue regarding size.

When I saw your description I immediately thought medium Lily - it has come dressiness but I use it as an everyday bag and it really works.

I also just got myself a Clementine from The Horse which I love - less dressy, flat base so sits nicely wherever you chuck it, fits a lot but not too big.

Try Aspinal of London. Lots of lovely bags there x

Love the Clementine.

It doesn’t need a laptop. But the small Lily size is too small. Just keys, wallet, AirPods, brush, pens etc, but also the random bits of paper, things that need posted, small bottle of water. I was using the lulemon medium festival and was a great size. But i obvs want a proper leather bag.

I try to walk to work so need a large rucksack for that (laptop, uniform, lunch). So this if for non work. I have a little tiny bag for going out but it’s so small I need to decant my wallet, no brush or makeup. Then I end up with stuff all over the house. So when I say everyday I mean all the time. No moving things about between bags when I am going out.

I think a Lily in grain leather wouldn’t be too dressy as then it’s just a black bag with a chain really? But not sure re the glossy goat. Preloved would be fine but can’t find an excellent used one.

Thanks for your help by the way,

I looked at their totes but too big, the saddle bag is nice but not a colour that I like

Up to you OP, the lily is lovely - I have a small red one. I just always think the chain is a bit dressy.

The Amberley is nice as well? Larger size.

Guibert is excellent quality and reasonably priced, I bought mine from their shop in Paris but they also do mail order. Or APC do a good selection of handbags.

https://guibert.fr/en/allure-bag/731-allure-bag-taurillon-pessoa-black-2020000709596.html

Have you looked at Strathberry?

https://www.strathberry.com/products/mosaic-bag-black

Also should we not have had at least one post by this stage along the lines of "I would never spend that much on a bag, a tenner in Primark is fine and spent the rest on experiences blah blah"?

@evilharpy it'll come..

How about the Mulberry Darley
https://www.mulberry.com/ie/shop/darley/small-darley-satchel-black-small-classic-grain

Darley is way too small. I had one and sold it. Can barely fit anything in it.

Sounds like your budget might be higher than this but I like Jigsaw bags. I have this one in black which is a perfect size for every day (fits all the essentials and a paperback) and also I think smart and small enough for evening. I can’t see it in black now but they will bring it back:

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/bags-clutches/products/ava-pebble-leather-crossbody-red

MyTheresa has a sale on - some nice options and good discounts:
https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/demellier-miami-large-leather-tote-bag-black-p00912787
https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/victoria-beckham-mini-leather-shoulder-bag-black-p00970331

I second Strathberry and also Cuyana. The quality is fantastic.

I have a lily but it’s quite a “smart” bag for everyday use and has no protection underneath it for when it needs to go on the floor. What about the Anthony? I have one of those too and that’s my go to daily bag. Smart but not too smart.

Probably just over budget but how about a Chloe Marcie saddle bag?

https://www.chloe.com/en-gb/p/bags/shoulder-bag/CHC22AS680I31001.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=SA360&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=A-CHLHQ-UK-EN-PLA_BR_CHLOE_BEST-PROL-FY25-MTP-ALWAYS_ON-PLA-AUC-PU-LXA-GG-BR-RICEV5H1YMF&utm_id=21344811733&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21344811733&gbraid=0AAAAACn68djdcHvDB3iAvvIZ6hpHafkAI&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxonKBhC1ARIsAIHq_lvPpCUlNsIZ0OjbPF9J_CBajddTT8XgZWnQZbyGJFjM53Rgo54r63saAtsHEALw_wcB

Thanks @KimTheresPeopleThatAreDying that's just cost me £200 but looks a great everyday bag! 🤣

Sorry! 😊 it is a great bag though!

PS don’t worry if it takes a few weeks to come, I think they’re shipped from Australia

I have a DeMellier New York. Great bag - I have the large one but there are smaller sizes too.

demellierlondon.com/products/the-new-york-black-small-grain

@KimTheresPeopleThatAreDying I thought it was the States but happy to wait either way! My husband is getting increasingly "tetchy" about the number of parcels currently arriving!

That Chloe is gorgeous. Tempted.

@Cluelessandbagless Have a look on here for great pre-loved bags.
https://www.npnbags.co.uk/
I’ve bought a few!
She hasn’t currently got any Lilys, but they do pop up fairly often. If you follow her on insta, you’ll get notified when new bags come in.