Handbag identity crisis

[Toffeeeappple]

I'm emerging from 6 years of carrying essentially a nappy changing bag and want to resume a handbag but I've got no idea what!

I'm 38 and generally found in wide jeans and Adidas Samba's for a bit of style info, never leggings. I wear T-shirts, sweatshirts, maybe a Borg fleece or a smarter jacket. I work in a casual office and also still a Mummy to small children.

What handbag is 'me' ??

Would really appreciate some suggestions.

Preferably leather and under £150.

You sound like a cross body camera bag owner to me

Would a cross body bag fit your style? It’s my go to because it leave both hands free and spreads the weight when you’re carrying it so it doesn’t make one side achey!

I have multiple crossbody bags my favourite is the mulberry Anthony it’s the perfect size, wears well and can handle being thrown about a bit. Plus it holds a lot.
my other choice is a medium sized tote bag but I usually find I fill it with unnecessary nonsense!

If your budget can stretch a bit further, the Clementine bag by The Horse is utterly gorgeous and great quality. It’s bigger than a camera bag but not huge.

I bought this last week and am super pleased with it. Not sure if it fits your style but I’m also often found in wide leg jeans and adidas trainers! Bag comes in black or dark brown and fits essentials - phone, keys, wallet, a few other odds and ends - without feeling bulky.
https://www.whistles.com/product/small-sia-curved-crossbody-bag-40933.html

Something from here might suit you. I have a waxed canvas one, it's very well made, comfortable to wear and find things in, and is waterproof. www.holmgoods.com/handmade-waxed-canvas-bags-holm-leather-goods-devon

A little over budget but gorgeous and made to order in the leather that you choose. Any of these: https://pkirkwood.com/

Yes! This is the perfect bag

I think you might need a couple of different ones, as if you’re out with kids you’ll probably still need something quite roomy - for that, I’d recommend getting something casual from Uniqlo.

For a leather handbag, Coach do lovely camera -esque bags, if you could find one in the sale.

Oliver Bonas do nice, casual bags which might suit your style, but I don’t know if they’re leather.

I have a small cross body bag for when I need to carry little but I like a backpack - smart one for work and also a normal backpack when out with the son.

Cross body so hands free for holding hands, shopping, phone etc.
Have more than one so you can one to take those sized down days when you just needs cards, keys, phone, lippy and bigger for when you need your charger, power bank, body spray, hand cream, make-up, cereal bar etc. Have pockets so you can find stuff and it doesnt just sink to the bottom with some half melted lockets, several receipts and a rogue sanitary towel. You can buy handbag organisers so you can move everything to another bag easily. Go to charity shops or car boot sales you can find bargains.
Buy sew on patches and customise bags. My current fave is multi pocketed and I sewed on a medusa's head to add interest. Bags are a good way to add interest and colour and you can have a lot of fun or change to suit mood or activity

You sound a bit like me - when I'm not sporting the nappy bag, I like either a cute backpack (agree with previous posters that Oliver Bonas usually do some lovely ones), or a basic sling bag. Something with lots of pockets is good, saves you losing the essentials in the bottom of the bag when it's full of kid stuff! The Healthy Back Bags are good for that, but not quite as aesthetic - but they do lots of colours and prints.

I have emerged from a few years of satchel wearing and returned to a small back pack. My friend had a Cambridge satchel that I really liked so she bought me one and each time she replaced hers she gave me the old one so I now have three, I am the kind of person who carries around a lot of crap. The usual stuff like my purse and phone but I also carry, sunglasses in summer, gloves in winter, my kindle (before I got my kindle I would always have a book on me), painkillers, (got in the habit of this when I started experiencing the pain that accompanies my disability) a pen and any random paper or form i might need. I used to carry a notebook/diary, make up and lunch to work as well, all of that fit my satchel. My doctor mentioned that the weight of my satchel may be contributing to the pain in my back and aggravating my scoliosis by having all that weight on one side of my body, she recommended a back pack and not to carry too much. I treated myself a Loungefly Disney back pack on Vinted. I had seen them around and fancied one but they are quite expensive full price. I love it. I use it every time I go out. It doesn't put any unnecessary strain on my wasted muscles and I don't carry to much cos it is small. I still use the satchels occasionally but only if I need to as part of an outfit.

Look at Ellie Beaumount camera bag, good size, gorgeous leather, you can change the straps. £90 and you can dress the up but also work with jeans and jumpers. Honestly love mine. I have this with a multi coloured strap. https://www.eliebeaumont.com/products/crossbody-tassel-silver

A hobo might suit as well. Just that little bit bigger for wipes, snacks etc.

I got this for Christmas and it is a really handy size, if you go on Vinted they pop up fairly often. Lots of colours, long enough to wear cross body.

https://www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/we-the-free-baby-emerson-tote-bag/?color=048&countryCode=GB&g_acctid=479-824-1383&g_adgroupid=&g_adid=&g_adtype=none&g_campaign=FP_UK_PMAX-Collection-I_Smart-Shopping-PLAS_NA&g_campaignid=20084777451&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&gad_campaignid=20084794545&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmlMfn2mByaya-W04f6ZTRKyaBFa&gclid=Cj0KCQiA18DMBhDeARIsABtYwT1Cui6bg-_vzjNUK8U0jEr97Ino111JbDimO3IPMgfCXn9KPmSbTJoaApgXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&inventoryCountry=GB

I also have this in a bright blue and yellow with a glittery rainbow strap (not as garish as it sounds), again lots of colours and quite a few on Vinted. They are no longer trendy with the insta set, but actually handy size. But no good if you need to carry snacks and wipes.
https://www.marcjacobs.com/us-en/the-snapshot/M0012007.html?dwvar_M0012007_color=136&dwvar_M0012007_size=1SZ&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21806635152&gbraid=0AAAAADtqL8cHB5aGxWkOKiqeLR9a_mlf2&gclid=Cj0KCQiA18DMBhDeARIsABtYwT3K7CANy2VlDBi_lx0k1jRiVQLJLevxU6XPqy464EqQd2mXUN90ccAaAlStEALw_wcB

Thanks everyone, this had been really helpful, lots of great suggestions to look through!

I do love the look of this! @KimTheresPeopleThatAreDying

I love mine @Toffeeeappple!

Smallish Cross body and back pack as you will still need to carry spare change of clothes, snacks, water bottles etc!