Status but every day handbag

[MademoisellePraline]

I've decided to treat myself, but I don't know where to start.

Firstly I don't know what else to call the kind of bag I'm after, hence "status" bag. I like Chanel, LV, which I know some fashionistas like to sneer at, so please, if that's you, respect that we all have different preferences.

I'm looking for a lovely every day bag, that I don't look stupid with on the school run etc. We live rurally, and didn't before, so all my Chanel and LV with chain straps etc would look majorly over done and I'd feel ridiculous wandering round town on casual shop with one. I do sometimes take my neverful but I'd like something much smaller. Slouchy and comfy as opposed to stiff leather.

What's a casual but still "status" bag that I could go for? I don't like massive gold logos etc like the GG Gucci bags, or the ones with big YSLs down the front. I would like it to be recognisable as branded, but from close up, not from across the street if you see what I mean.

Thank you.

Ceramiq often seems to do that on these threads. Comes on to tell posters that insiders, people in the know, only buy niche Japanese and European items unknown to us ordinary plebs. That we're fashion sheeple who waste our money on known designers and brands. But then never comes back to clue us ordinary mortals in on her superior sources.

Not all of us were so lucky to have such elegant grannies, I had to acquire my own. And of course, NEVER touched by anyone other than Hermès!

She wasn't wrong 😂

Yup.

What a Silly Billy.

I'll stick with my >£24k second hand Kelly I've just bought from John Lewis.

I have a £20 Burberry Bayswater I found at the charity shop!

I got my large Mulbery Baywater for £12, including lock and key! My daughter loves it.
Its a fine sturdy bag and she loves it for college as it holds her laptop and bits with ease. A bargin.

Not a chance I would dream of paying full price or anything near it.
I have picked up some stunningly beautiful leather bags for a tiny fraction of their market price.
I think I enjoy them more because of it.

Just take a good look when you are on holiday in Paris, Florence or Rome. You can't buy them on the internet!

I meant Mulberry, not Burberry, of course.

😂😂😂

I just looked at that. It’s got very visible scratches on the front. WTF!!!

Yeah, they don’t have the internet there.

This is true. I picked up some really lovely large, spacious, softest leather tote type bags for gifts, in small work shops not far from the Duomo last summer.

Multiple first babies arrived in the family and a gorgeous smart large leather bag full of baby bits, hand creams etc., really went down a bomb with my nieces and nieces in laws as gifts.
I got really great value in the bags...£35 and they hold so much. Lots of gorgeous colours too.

🙄
Small little shops in that location don't need internet sales.
I bought 6 bags in about 15 minutes and am still basking in my super grand aunt status as the best gift ever, by these new mums.
They just adored them.
Super smart, super useful.
The shop I bought from was so busy.
They had a clear workshop on view and the bags were priced to sell. Large soft totes.

I quite like this Philip Lim from TK Maxx - the straps are nice and wide for toting a lot around - tan version https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/accessories/handbags/tan-tote-style-shoulder-bag/p/11113356

dark brown version https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/womens-gold-label/gold-label-accessories/gold-label-handbags/dark-brown-shoulder-bag/p/11113352

And prada are always practical https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/accessories/handbags/burgundy+black-pre-loved-colour-block-leather-tote-bag/p/11202969

My go to tote is a Mulberry Dorset which does seem to age well but I don't need to carry too much with me anymore.

I'm glad that you got bags you like and got a good deal, there's nothing wrong with that at all. But there is literally no way that bags that are selling for £35 in a massive tourist location in Florence are hand crafted Italian leather.

I think that will be true for places in touristy/well-visited locations where the footfall is high. I would also suggest that going off the beaten track will often lead to even better-quality finds.

However, Covid changed things for many smaller businesses that previously didn't need to bother with a website/social media etc. Many didn't act quickly enough & have disappeared. The ones that cottoned on quickly to the necessity for change, & started to sell online as well, have survived - & even flourished & expanded.

Nice eye roll!

I hope that was not the reaction behind your back after the “generous” gifts.

I have no idea as to the authenticity of the bags etc., as I was in and out, but the bags are definitely authentic leather.
If it was for show and the leather is from somewhere else, I honestly don't know.

no there’s two versions - one with a braided handle which I prefer and which is not yet available.

It’s on my wish list and I’m going to see if it becomes available 🤞

The braided handle one is showing on the EIP preview page for me. I've just looked and it says that the preview drops 36 hours before the items go on the site, so I would think by tomorrow morning. It's still there with no low stock warning, so you should be fine!

I think it's pretty common that they're bringing in cheap hides from China, India and Pakistan. Honestly, that last time I was in Florence, I'd been asked to buy something specific as a gift for a family member and I couldn't find anything reasonably priced that wasn't that. But if they were making them on site, I think you're still a step ahead of most in quality, so you did probably get a pretty good deal on them!

These king of bags?
Verona Leather Tote Bag. Classic Tote Bag Available in Many Colors. Women's Leather Tote Bag, Perfect as a Gift. - Etsy UK

They are sold for 20-25Eur all around Garda and for a bit more in Milano. Bought exclusively by tourists. Look shabby after a couple of weeks of wearing and leather peels off in a month most.
I hope yours are different.

Got to love a vintage handbeaded evening bag though...

And the condition report from JL is

• Condition: This item is in very good pre-owned condition, showing no significant signs of wear

😯

I bought it !
But my bank cancelled the payment because they thought I must be insane.

I've found something very similar on Amazon for £23.63. It's PU leather, I assume that's Pigs Underbelly so it should be very soft.