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Original poster

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

77 replies

Cluelessandbagless · 16/12/2025 20:45

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.

Help me find a handbag: black, medium, everyday use, up to £1000
OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
cockandbullstories · 17/12/2025 11:31

Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 07:27

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,

The glossy goat? 😂😂 what an apt typo!

lilylooleelala · 17/12/2025 11:32

Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 07:27

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 have the medium lily in the colour Clay and it’s a wonderful bag. It can go from day to night. It is heavy though, but personally that doesn’t bother me. If the leather is grainy then I really believe glossy will be fine :) They are quite durable leathers regardless of finish.

sammylady37 · 17/12/2025 12:41

Purplecatshopaholic · 17/12/2025 11:02

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

I came on to suggest this, fabulous bag.

EarthAndInstinct · 17/12/2025 12:51

I very rarely use a bag but I have the Mulberry small Darley satchel, the medium Lily and the Amberley satchel. All really great sizes.

I also have the Bayswater tote, but that’s a good bit bigger.

All of these are £1000ish or less.

MissFritton65 · 17/12/2025 14:01

@KimTheresPeopleThatAreDying you're right it's Australia despite the website being called The Horse USA!! More importantly did you pay import/customs charges?

Goldwren1923 · 17/12/2025 15:25

Polene

Original poster
Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:11

BobbyGentry · 17/12/2025 05:27

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.

That is lovely, I think would need to buy used but that’s not an issue for me. I think it’s too small thought.

OP posts:
Ddakji · 17/12/2025 16:14

The Strathberry one is lovely.

Original poster
Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:16

loveawineloveacrisp · 17/12/2025 08:02

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.

Thanks. I actually have an amberly in another colour but I don’t use it much as I find it such a pain to open and root about in. I ended up using my cheap zipped bag instead. Hmm maybe I need to think about that? I think it’s just about the right size though

OP posts:
Original poster
Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:17

Mercurial123 · 17/12/2025 08:18

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

That’s lovely I agree

OP posts:
Original poster
Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:19

evilharpy · 17/12/2025 09:12

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"?

This is the hobo bag I like from them, it’s so hard not seeing in person though.

Help me find a handbag: black, medium, everyday use, up to £1000
OP posts:
Original poster
Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:24

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 17/12/2025 09:33

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.

That’s lovely bag and so practical but it’s just not me. I get what you mean about the lily being dressy and now I wonder if am being silly and need to choose something more everyday. Will I feel like a fool picking up at brownies with my evening bag and gym clothes??

OP posts:
Original poster
Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:25

cockandbullstories · 17/12/2025 11:31

The glossy goat? 😂😂 what an apt typo!

Show quote history

It’s not a typo! Poor wee goat!

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 17/12/2025 16:26

evilharpy · 17/12/2025 09:12

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"?

I came to suggest this bag.

I’m really not a bag person, but DS1 has bought DDIL a tan one and an Oxblood one of these. They are absolutely beautiful and you can tell they’re really good quality just by looking at them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:32

Thank you all for replies! Lots to think about.

OP posts:
sammylady37 · 17/12/2025 16:51

Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:19

This is the hobo bag I like from them, it’s so hard not seeing in person though.

Show quote history

I have a hobo. It’s lovely BUT it’s very open. I wouldn’t use it on a train/tube or in a crowded area as someone could very easily steal from it. There is a little pouch inside it but my phone and card holder don’t fit in it.

bluegreygreen · 17/12/2025 17:13

If you didn't want to go right to the top of your budget I like Coach bags - the leather is great quality, better than many other high end brands.

Of their current black bags I would probably go for the Hampton, but the Juliet or Lola might suit better for what you need (there are 2 sizes of Juliet). The page usually shows what it will hold.

https://uk.coach.com/shop/women/bags/view-all?colorVal=Black&page=4

Londonmummy66 · 17/12/2025 17:28

I like Strathberry - I think the quality is as good as the next price point up. John Lewis stock some so you could go and have a look.

PourquoiPas · 17/12/2025 17:59

evilharpy · 17/12/2025 09:12

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"?

Came here to suggest the same bag! Timeless, elegant, fits a decent amount of stuff in and is way cheaper than Mulberry while being better quality IMO

citychick · 17/12/2025 18:03

Have a look at Stow London bags.

KimTheresPeopleThatAreDying · 17/12/2025 18:36

MissFritton65 · 17/12/2025 14:01

@KimTheresPeopleThatAreDying you're right it's Australia despite the website being called The Horse USA!! More importantly did you pay import/customs charges?

Nope - none of that!

It’s a “quiet luxury” bag @Cluelessandbaglessif that matters to you. Very low key, no big logos or flashy hardware. Fits a decent amount easily (phone, wallet, lots of keys, glasses case, small makeup bag, random envelopes) without being huge.

cockandbullstories · 17/12/2025 20:48

Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:25

It’s not a typo! Poor wee goat!

Show quote history

😳😳😳

Roosch · 17/12/2025 21:02

Cluelessandbagless · 17/12/2025 16:32

Thank you all for replies! Lots to think about.

What about the Mulberry Bayswater?
I have the micro and it actually fits loads. The mini would be probably a great size for you.