Long lost mumsnetter returns to fold for vital style advice.....

[puff]

I need a really smart work handbag - big enough to carry a small laptop and then the usual gubbins one has in a handbag. I can spend up to £400. It needs to be sleek, brown or some other dark colour but not black. Don't want it to look like a briefcase. I like the Hermes Kelly bag but not the price tag!

Any good handbag websites out there?

Mulberry?

erm you're not a bit fussy?

Impressive budget, I'm afraid I know nothing about stuff that costs more than about 50 quid

Willing to have a nose about on your behalf tho

What sort of stuff do Radley do - if it's not all petite dinky purse things that might be an idea... off to fantasise look

Radley

Yes - had a look at what they had on offer this season; lots of gorgeous bags but not quite right for this.

Good suggestion though, thanks

Debenhams have a Radley sale on.

Can you link to the Hermes Kelly bag?

I like Radley bags (without the dog!). It is a lot of money - been saving to treat myself and hoping I'll find something classic that will last forever.

Similar to the Kelly but a lot less expensive. A little more than you want to spend but you'll have it for years and the resale value on Mulberry bags is pretty good if you get tired of it.

John Lewis version

do you like this sort of thing?
possibly on the 'classic' line, depends if it's big enough to get the good ol' laptop in though.

that really is lovely amandoh

I know Gigglewitch.

I've put the purple patent one on my Christmas want list. I saw a woman with one recently. She was wearing black but the bag brightened up her whole look.

Can't get my link to pic of Hermes Kelly to work.

LOVE the Mulberry bag in different colourways (didn't see it when had nose pressed against window of their Regent Street shop!). Tis quite a bit more than the budget. Hmmmm decisions decisions.

How would you feel about a second hand Mulberry Puff?

Second hand would be ok - as long as it's real deal. Will have a browse through the listings.

Thanks for ideas so far .

Not sure how near you are to Bicester but they have opened a Mulberry store there (in the discount shopping place) I bought one last week this one for £135

Get a netbook instead of a laptop and widen your choice

mulberry outlet?

are you near Somerset?

The Ebury would be perfect but is too expensive

Longchamps? The Roseau seems well price but I can't linkl to the Longchamps site

agree a day out to Street or Bicester would be money well spent

Coach. Even with duty fees, well worth it.

gap

violet may

That website is wonderful nailpolish. I particularly like this laptop bag. It isn't exactly a classic though, so probably not for the op.

I have a Goyard Jersey bag look at ladies' articles in all black leather (not the logo toile) and it fits a laptop and A4 files but also looks feminine and like a handbag. Brilliant

... but is black

bran
i like the white daffodil