Nice handbag preferably cross body

[Beewea]

I have no idea about style! I saw a Lovely one from Michael Kors but was told by my very stylish younger sister it’s very outdated so I’m put off.

My budget is £500. I’ve never splashed this much on a bag but have been gifted this for a milestone birthday. Could someone please help me pick a nice bag please? I would like a named designer one but also will consider a nice non branded one. I’m in my early 40’s.

I just bought this one from Mulberry: HERE.
I have the classic oak color, but I also like the midnight blue. It's a lovely, practical bag but a bit above budget.
My most warn cross body is a Loewe puzzle bag, but they are a bit more.

Coach is 'en vogue' at the moment, they have some lovely cross body bags that are well under budget, you could get two : https://uk.coach.com/products/tabby-chain-crossbody-bag-19/CBF14-B4%2FHA.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqNEZRhmqol8hxi7f9Lr7y-_95sutTO0huSweZPfDtpn70z7_tKj4E

Oooh that's gorgeous, I love the 'pink scrumpy' version :)

demellierlondon.com/products/the-siena-saddle-tan-small-grain?variant=54910099718521&currency=GBP&utm_content=brandedsearch&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK_PMax_Brand&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=19740820510&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19740919562&gbraid=0AAAAADdBSAdz4sumgt5b5ydd4r4AkyvLH&gclid=CjwKCAjwkaXUBhASEiwAZI3ds1OlF5GnLK-Ct4-2NVedU5eRt1BzJSU-15SRMdz6WJXii14KhmvDbxoCnokQAvD_BwE

I really rate aspinal of London , I have this one, it is surprisingly roomy and I use it all the time,as you can see it also comes in leather

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/hudson-large-crossbody-pouch-in-butterscotch-suede

What sort of colours and styles do you like?

I love my aspinal of London Ella bag, I have it in multiple colours.
Mulberry and coach are also good brands.
Another one I like is Strathberry.

Places like Cheshire oaks and Bicester village have designer bags such as mulberry where you can send a WhatsApp and they'll do a virtual tour to show what's in stock.

What was the one you liked but your sister didn’t?

I have the mulberry Anthony. I’ve had it for almost 14 years and it’s been used almost daily in that time. It still looks great. It fits loads of stuff in it, comes in loads of colours and goes with most outfits. I love it and have been looking at getting it in a different colour just for a change.
it does come in slightly over your budget but given how well mine has lasted I’d highly recommend

I have the mulberry in the link.
You cannot close it though - which is a pain when travelling.

You cant go wrong with a River Island bag,for daily use.And then spend rest on a nice spa day or weekend or something? I bought a Michael Cors bag ,at Bloomindales when in New York once,only cost $170!

I have quite a few cross body bags but one of my favourites is my Anna Pugh one. I haven’t seen anyone else with the same one, unlike other bags. Happy shopping. x

If you’re prepared to wait for the Sales, Anya Hindmarsh do very good Sales. I love their bags. And they have lots of really nice Crossbody bags.

Thank you so much everyone for the suggestions! I really like the coach bag. Is cross body out of date now? I wanted Michael kors cross body (I don’t remember which one now) but was told is was out of date. Is dkny out of date too?

I have a coach tote I’ve never used still in the packaging and box. Is that out of style? The logo looks different to the ones I see now. Mine just says coach. I’ll see if I can find a picture online as I’m not home right now to take a picture of the actual bag

Fashion is fickle. Get the bag you like, if it’s practical and will do what you want it to do. Ignore your sister.

Coach is actually becoming pretty trendy again!

Chloe Marcie. You could pick a used one up within budget.

Michael Kors are not well made. Coach are. And a much more classy and Heritage brand - if that matters to you.

Everyone's got a Tabby though. They're so common.

I agree about Aspinal - they have lots of crossbody bags and you can usually get a discount.

This! Get the one you actually liked not what you're told you should get for fashion.

Deadly Ponies is a New Zealand brand. The quality is outstanding. Here is a larger cross body one: https://deadlyponies.com/products/mr-leopard-black

or smaller ones:

https://deadlyponies.com/products/mr-siamese-black?_pos=1&_fid=a6215ef01&_ss=c

and this jade colour is stunning: https://deadlyponies.com/products/mr-d-rex-jade-burnish?_pos=3&_sid=17c9f3d30&_ss=r

https://deadlyponies.com/products/mr-sling-micro-jade-burnish?_pos=1&_sid=17c9f3d30&_ss=r

loads more on their website.

OP,
Peter Jones and John Lewis have a good selection of lovely bags,
Coach, Marc Jacobs, Osprey, Longchamp, the ubiquitous Michael Kors
I predict that you will not come home with just the one perfect bag !

I checked out JL just now - they are selling ‘preloved’ bags, including
Chanel no less!
Now going back looking for a Mulberry or Staithberry bargain
No, there wasn’t a Birkin

For more modest expenditure, some of the most attractive good quality
leather bags, have been from White Stuff, well finished, soft colours,
regularly admired.

With £500 I’d go for a Coach tabby, they do a few different styles, slouchy ones, different sizes etc. Mulberry will be out of budget I think unless you can get to the outlet store at York. I bought a micro Bayswater from there for £495 and full price it should have been £995.

If you're buying Michael Kors you can get them on vinted for £50. I bought a couple for work because they are the right size/have useful compartments for all my school bits and I don't care if it gets knocked about. I wouldn't pay more than vinted prices for one though because they just aren't worth it - I've already had to get the strap replaced on one because it started to crack.
The best quality bags I have are Coach ones - proper workhorses.