My first grown up bag

[roary]

I am not a Bag Person, despite being a Clothes Person and an Accessories person.

I didn't carry a leather bag at all till a couple of years ago and now I carry this one, small and functional and with enough room for wallet/keys/phone and a couple of other bits.

However I find myself carrying another bag to work, either my very stylish backpack with reflective strip or an oil cloth bookbag. Usually doesn't have much in it - a very small and light netbook, maybe a book or two and some papers. But it has occurred to me I could consolidate into a larger Grown Up bag with some more style.

I was thinking something like this.

I like my current Radley bag as it is very well made and sturdy but I could of course go elsewhere! It's just that I am not a Bag Person and so don't really know where to go.

I could spend up to £250. It needs to be a shoulder or across body bag. I am open to colours, except probably not brown because I have no brown shoes/accessories otherwise.

Bag Gurus, what do I do?

How about an Orla Kiely one? The midi or maxi sling bags are great for across the body and the patterns are lush. Not her leather ones now as they are v expensive!!
how about this one?

Oooh, pretty - but think it fits in to the Non Grown Up category I am already in....maybe this is not such a problem?

I've got a couple of bags from here

If you like the grown-up-ness of Mulberry but not the price tag, there is a good seller on ebay called Mulberrymad

always worth checking the outnet

Thanks for the tips, LTEC, but I am also needing advice about which bag - am now overwhelmed by bag choices!! Any further suggestions!

sorry sorry

ok, I and a few others have the Phoenix - very roomy, a bit slouchy but not so much that it's sloppy, iyswim

the Mulberry Bayswater is generally considered to be la creme of grown up bags - lots of colours to choose from - I'm selling one, but in chocolate, so prob no good for you!

on that outnet page I linked to, I quite like the Paul & Joe ones but they're not that special

no offence to anyone who has one but I would rather chew my arm off than sling an Orla Kiely over it

LTEC - how much are you selling the Bayswater for - out of interest (deep panting........)

Something like this or this what you are after?

Or is that too casual/not grown-up enough?

Love this in the green

here

Hoorayhenrietta - I was going for £250-£300 ... why??

Have you considered Anya Hindmarch? There are some lovely things on sale like this, I love this one, orthis is a classic but I'm not sure about the striped stitching.

Mimi Berry is lovely, no 'sgusting branding either. Right price bracket.

Well...might be interested...what's condition like? Have you got a photo? Sorry - not hijacking thread....

HH - email me - [email protected]

DebiNew, good link, I am lurking, but have bookmarked that one for future reference.

Oooh, beautiful bags....I love the Anya Hindmarch ones but even at sale prices they are a bit too steep for my budget. I also really need to be able to fit some A4 sized papers and my laptop in there.

LTEC, I do like the Mulberry, and would go on Ebay to examine the prices, but can you carry it over your shoulder? And would it fit my small netbook?

Debi, those are lovely...

I knew the bag gurus on here would have ideas!

I do like www.radley.co.uk/Product/31912_Sherborne_Handbags_Handbags.aspx this one but it is sold out. And aren't most cool bag people nonplussed by Radley? Would probably remove the little doggie ;)

I've got one of the across body Radleys and am going to remove the doggy.

What's the nice bag company that starts with a T ladies-who-are-knowledgeable-about-bags?

Tabitha?

I don't rate them at all!! had a bad experience!!

Don't think so. It's a short name, but I keep thinking Tofu, but it's a bit more sophisticated than that.

tula?

Yeah. Just googled and they're same company as Radley!