Large luxury handbag big enough for sticker books?

[OneRealWriter]

I am finally at the stage where I can buy a very nice handbag again ( a bag where you don’t need to worry about leaking felt tips and lugging multiple water bottles etc). However, it does need to be able to fit things like a4 note pads and the odd sticker book for trips to London with children. I have a few nice bags that are too small for the above so just never get used as a result. I figure I can sell some of those pre children bags on Vestaire and buy one really nice useable mum bag which still looks lovely. Ideally it should not weigh a ton and hurt my shoulder! I have a bedraggled old Micheal kors bag which I end up using all the time (and is frankly a tad gross now) so that sort of size. Any recommendations for something nice but useable for mums?

Try smythsons...
i have a few and Leather quality and strap strength are excellent.

https://www.smythson.com/uk/bags/all-bags?prefn1=productType&prefv1=Tote%20Bags&start=0&sz=36

The classic workhorse is of course LV NF in MM or GM... both are super light... not sure I fancy their current prices though...
Although I do have an epi leather one thats gorgeous....

Thank you will look into these! I have spent the last 9 years being an awful frump so ready to embrace having a nice bag again. I think I have got rather lost being a mum this last decade and keen to feel a bit more me again in my 40s (I used to love a beautiful bag). I also have various pre children designer bags (in materials like suede or just impractically small for my current lifestyle. My Chloe Paddington days died a long time ago 😂). I’m hopeful if I sell these on it should give me a decent budget for one rather nice, but hopefully useable bag. If it stretches or scratches as soon as you look at it, it just won’t work. It needs to fit a water bottle , notebook (for work) and a4 sticker book, a snack and usual makeup/ keys clutter.

I like a comfortable shoulder strap for it to sit securely under my arm when wearing a coat. Nothing worse than a strap that’s too short hoiking up into your armpit!

As pp said, LV Neverfull, also Saint Laurent East West Tote. Celine has a lovely new canvas bag out… https://www.celine.com/en-gb/celine-shop-women/handbags/triomphe-canvas/soft-shopper-bag-in-triomphe-canvas-and-calfskin-123912GXC.04LU.html

What’s your budget and style?

I like the LV neverfull but would want in a plain colour vs the classic check (so subtle vs obvious branding) and do worry about lack of zipper compartments. Tried the mulberry Bayswater but found it v heavy. Budget round 2kish. I realise I’m v lucky but it’s something that will bring me great pleasure and is a long overdue treat. Obviously I don’t have to max my budget either if there is something nice for less! I love the bottega bags but worry they would just stretch out and would need to buy those 2nd hand to get within budget.

I alternate between a black, beige and dark green coat so ideally something that would go with all 3 (is this possible? 😂). Ideas welcome.

I like that celine bag! Thank you! It’s also a much less known brand which is a plus.

I was going to suggest the Smithson East West tote as carried by the Princess of Wales. I saw that & thought it was a lovely bag, very roomy

Smythson sorry

@OneRealWriter The Saint Laurent East West Tote has very subtle branding - https://www.ysl.com/en-gb/pr/shopping-saint-laurent-in-leather-600281CSV0J1000.html. I used mine a lot for work (now a sahm) but was surprised that it didn’t stretch (being leather) as I used to put some very heavy things in it!

I have a couple of Toteme bags - not this one - but it’s high on my wish list: int.toteme.com/products/embroidered-leather-lounge-tote-black

Bonus points for zipper compartments - ideally several.

A large LV Speedy? Big enough for whatever you need to carry, and it’s a classic.