Handbag help...which one is the nicest?

[Flighttattendant]

I'm having some trouble deciding on a 'proper bag', after years of searching for something that will be reliable, easy to use, go with everything and last a really long time.

I've seen a few in TKMaxx which are quite nice but am not sure which to go for, if any...so tell me what you think.

we have A in either pink or blue

which is leather, big enough, looks pragmatic and has a long strap, but might be a bit twee?

Then we have B, which I don't think is actually leather but is very pretty. Also big enough and has good strap.

Scuttling along behind these is C which is utterly gorgeous but doesn't have the hands-free option I so desire (long strap) but then, maybe it's worth the sacrifice?

And lastly, we have the ditch-them-all option, instead going for this little number which I am led to believe will be somehow superior, due to costing a terrifying amount of dosh.

I'm suspicious of these 'premium' bags...I mean, I like a bag to be well made and high quality obviously, and to age well, but seriously how can they be worth such a lot?

I'd be glad of any input from the bag aficionadas among us! Thankyou

I've seen there stuff Woop in a local shop and the leather is really hard, do you have one?

I looked at their bags too - but didn't buy one as they are made in the far east and imported - leather is not that nice - hard and thick!

oh that's a shame - some of them looked lovely.

I am growing increasingly fond of my Italian thing though. It is sitting around the house looking like it belongs here.

I know it's too much money but it will take me a few days to be able to return it dispassionately.!

Is the campomaggi one the 'Italian thing'. It seems a little butch to me? Is it nicer in RL?

that came out wrong....I mean does it make you go 'ahhhhh' when you look at it?

I know what you mean about butch! it looks a bit like a blokey bag on the website doesn't it.

IRL it's still made in a sort of unrefined manner, sort of tough and no nonsense and it isn't what you'd call refined like some of those linked earlier, all neat and perfect and shiny. But it has a je ne sais quoi about it, still, and is more ladylike than it looks on the internet.

The colour is almost a deep, deep blue rather than black which really helps. And when I see it I do go 'mmm! nice bag!'

I have been taking it around with me in the car and round the house and I don't really want to put it down. It has also met a pile of my clothes and seems to get on well with nearly everything.

It is like introducing a new pet. Nobody has growled at it yet.

Oh and it looks nice on which is always important!

The thing that annoys me about it is the twin front straps with magnetic poppers. They are quite hard to line up quickly, it takes a few seconds to make the effort to do them up.

It also smells of dye which hopefully will fade!

The pockets are huge and capacious and it will hold loads, but isn't enormous in a bad way. The strap is nice and thick, though the leather is so soft it actually stretches when you try and adjust the length

it is a bit like having the actual cow in your house. But quieter I suppose.

then you should keep it...I think you are falling in lurve....

It may just be a passing fling!

your smitten, I can tell, bag lust is a serious business...

I love the site wine posted, those bags are seriously yummy, am trying to work out if I need must have the bright red hobo one as I type.....

Italian leather is just so special and always feels like a treat bag to keep so I think your bag is here to stay Flight -- expensive or not! Treat yourself - bag lust is delicious!

the campomaggi bag is definitely the nicest. however, if you're still undecided, have you looked in oasis recently? i bought this at full price am livid to see how much it is now. the leather is lovely and soft, and you can fit a book in it. always my benchmark of a good sized bag.