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.

This is a little outdated because if you look at Charles's dc they have all the markers of wealth. I always thought the aristocracy “hid” their wealth in the past because it was often obtained by nefarious means so not appropriate to rub it in the peasants faces!

I've had several Mulberry bags and never found any of them particularly heavy 😕 Most of them have been fiddly and annoying to use though, the alexa in particular. The zipped bayswaters are the only ones I find easy to use, my current bag is a small zipped bayswater that I had to buy a separate bloody strap for because the one it comes with is too short for cross body. I still love Mulberry though, in spite of it all 🤷‍♀️😂

@MademoisellePraline the gucci beatrix is a lovely, slouchy bag. Prada allusion (in suede) or miu miu rendez-vous.

Anya Hindmarch maxi zip bag or satchel. I use mine every day, love it and always get compliments.

@MademoisellePraline i am a fellow bag lover (with a few birkins, etc so I know my bags). What I like about ‘status’ bags is not the status but that feeling of buttery leather and the quality that lasts forever.
im saying that because I also went for demellier about 3 years ago- I bough 2 bags including the large New York (mock croc). I hated them both because in comparison the leather felt like plastic. The NY one because of the shape felt very clanky even when half empty. I carried it a few times to see if it’d grow on me but it didn’t and at the end I sold it. The second one I ended up donating. I really really wanted to like the brand but honestly didn’t feel like a quality one to me.
Polene’s leather was also excellent (I bought mine before LV bought them and I’ve heard quality has gone down) but can’t recommend an every day bag that fits a lot. I have the Cyme but the straps are very thin and when I put say laptop etc I feel like it will break.
ETA my current everyday one is Evelyne 23 but my kid is older and I don’t have to carry much. There is Evelyne 29 which I didn’t think looks nice on me but depends on your height etc and may work for you.

That's what stood out to me, and when the previous poster questioned why the brand mattered so much I think that was what they meant. I don't think they were questioning why someone would want an expensive/designer bag.

It came across as the OP saying, it's a nice bag, but other people won't know it's an expensive brand, because she didn't know it, although people who know bags would, so I thought she wanted a very famous brand that even people not into designer labels would know. I get the idea that the OP wouldn't want a beautiful bag by the Row, for instance, because not everyone would know it had cost so much. Having said all that, she has now seen how nice Demellier bags are, so maybe not.

Thank you so much for the info.

Did you have any Demellier in suede?

I really like the Cyme, although I will cram it full, so do see your concern about the straps.

The Evelyne is not my style as I don't like logos that large, but lovely bag 🙏

@certainlycertain I found it on Etsy, I was directed there by chat gpt! Samorga do one but I’ve added a screenshot of the Etsy one I’ve ordered, as you can customise it . I think the horizontal tote is newer, so there are possibly fewer options than for the vertical one .

If someone is very recognise-able they might not think there’s any point in trying to hide it. But I think “old money” types come from a network already so they don’t go around displaying wealth for those reasons. They might buy something expensive because they like it or because their stylist recommended it etc, but not to “show status”.

No I live in a very rainy/ humid place so suede doesn’t work for me. I got mock croc from them and normal leather.

i’ve been searching for the perfect tote since Celine discontinued their phantom cabas tote which was the best ever slouchy, soft, under the radar tote I’ve ever owned.

I’m currently trialing the Gucci softbit maxi - I don’t think it’s available online at the moment but if there’s one available globally they’ll send to your local store/concession.

@AllFloatOn I used to work on Bond st & plenty of old money flash the cash. No idea why new money is looked down on by some, insecurity perhaps.

I am neither, so I have no skin in the game. Just saying what I have observed.

I really like the Manu Atelier bags. I have two Cambon 35 (one in leather, one in suede). It’s not necessarily recognisable but neither is DeMellier (in my opinion).

I did order a DeMellier Hudson but I didn’t love the leather so I sent it back and got the Cambon 35 instead.

I also have higher end bags like Chanel, LV and Saint Laurent. My mainstay is the Toteme T-Lock but I don’t think that fits your criteria.

The original Roxanne which is my favourite design is over a kilo empty and it’s strictly hand/arm held, the side flaps are not weight-bearing. The Antique Glace one is the heaviest.

I don’t really care, it’s free workout. I’m not into logo flashing but very much in Witness the Fitness camp 😅💪

https://www.asprey.com/collections/handbags?page=1

@MademoisellePraline you may find something here. I am merely comfortably off and Coach, Strathberry, Aspinall, Longchamp are my limit. I liked Mulberry in the 80s.

How about the Coach Lana or Chelsea? I've been eyeing up the Tabby 26

A Balenciaga City. I’ve had three, sold two and just got one left that was my mum’s. It’s a small one in denim and brown leather. I mean I got mine 20 odd years ago but I’m guessing they still slouch like a slouch should slouch.

I like the Longchamp one too (I dislike the Celine ones, but that's a matter of personal taste).

At first I read your comment on the Longchamp one as meaning that you would prefer it in a bigger size - but no, you want a similar discreetly designer bag but from a bigger, starrier name?

So you do want people to know that you've spent £1800 on a handbag? But only some people?!!

Personally, I wouldn't be hugely concerned about what brand is currently "in" or "out" - fashion is fickle. I'd choose a bag that served my purpose, was great quality - & that I really loved. Like @CortieTat , I'm averse to any obvious branding.

The issue with a more obviously branded bag is that the rest of you, your outfit, shoes, make up and hair needs to look the part too. Otherwise, it looks like you're carrying a fake, it's so incongruous.

Of course, other people's opinions may not matter to you at all (and nor should they). But as we are discussing 'status', I suspect they might.

The joy of a bag with little to no obvious branding is that you can just grab it to nip out for milk while you're still in your gardening clothes and it won't look out of place.

The Y tote is beautiful. A subtly clever design.

I don't carry a bag for school run and most mums at school don't either. Just keys and phone in my pocket. A status bag is an interesting concept. As is what people think are wealth signifiers. Its so strange what people may be thinking. I just think I like the bag but according to this thread others are sizing me up wondering what I earn or am worth and if I would fit in with the crowd.

Nor do I. Or the need to collect the latest models. But then I think it's more akin to having a love of cars & watches (I don't lust after those, either!).

There was a thread a while ago on S&B, asking people what luxury item they'd buy if money were no object. I thought "Oooh, this should be interesting!!" - but so many people listed the same things over & over? Birkin bags, Cartier tank watches, diamond tennis bracelets ...*

Ok, so I realise that these are commonly viewed as signifiers of wealth & good taste - but I couldn't help being really disappointed by the homogeneity of it all!!

(*Just looked back at that thread & my favourite response was:

A plunge pool.
A London taxi.
A fully fruit bearing kiwi fruit vine.
Watermelon every day.
An art studio.

And a couple of people mentioned some wonderful 60s/70s fine jewellery designers, so I went down a very lovely & fascinating rabbit hole after that!)

LV hobo bag

Or else they'd just think that they're not really a bag person.

Is the backpack thing over? I thought post covid everyone swapped designer bags for expensive techy backpacks.