Talk to me about handbags!

A question about : Talk to me about handbags!

OK. I am someone who doesn't bother about fashion, or labels, or anything like that as a general rule. I usually buy a handbag and use it till it wears out. I usually buy in TK Maxx as they always have a huge selection so I can find something I like. My usual budget would be no more than Ј30 and I like to buy leather - although I know my budget makes this difficult.

I have a little money saved. I want a new handbag and a good quality one. It needs to be larger than average as I have three children and a professional job so quite a lot goes in it. I quite like Radley bags and their sale brings some of their items down to a price I can stomach - around Ј150.

I guess what I am asking is whether or not it is worth the investment? Can I expect a more expensive, named bag to last longer than a cheaper one? I know I should be able to expect that, but is that the reality? Will I get what I pay for with Radley or can anyone recommend brands that are tried and tested and offer lifelong usage for Ј150? Am I unrealistic?

thank you!

Best answers:

• Furla have a sale on at the moment. They have lots of really nice, good quality bags for less than Ј150. I bought the Cindy hobo a few weeks ago.
  If you only use one hand bag then get a tan coloured one. It goes with black, brown, blue and most other colours.
  I have good quality bags that are a decade old. They last much longer in my experience.
• Try an outlet... Got a gorgeous radley in there, in a sale with 30% off...... I went to gun wharf quays in Portsmouth....
• Do TK Maxx not have any Radleys? I'm sure I've seen them in our store...
• Don't know about Radley's,but you should buy a bag because a)you love it and b)because it meets your needs.
  Remember you'll "wear it" every day.
  I usually spent Ј100 + on a bag ( DP brought me an expensive ish one a couple of years ago) and anything else feels a bit cheap.
  I love TK max - and recently purchased a tan leather work bag from there for Ј40 (should have been Ј85) and had loads of compliments on it.
  A good leather bag should last years and will improve with age - so I'd personally buy something that is "classic" rather than "on trend".
• Get yourself a satchel.I recently bought myself a Bohemia one and it's a great all rounder.
• I bought a tan leather bag from Debenhams (Jasper Conran.) It was Ј99, but after some discount codes and sale discount, i managed to get it down to Ј60ish.
  Such a beautiful bag. Very spacious, well made and looks somewhat like the Mulberry Bayswater.
• I love my Radley bags and find them good quality. I know some people have suggested tan, but it's important that you get a bag you like. I hate tan and never worry about whether my handbag matches my outfit.
• My mum has a rather lovely Radley bag I have my eyes on... however, she doesn't use it because it's too heavy before she's put anything in it!
  Before you buy, 'try it on'! Don't just look at it, pick it up and buy it.
  I second buying a tan bag as they really do go with everything.
• Wow I am stunned at the prices, do bags really cost that much, I have a nice black leather shoulder bag that I bought at a carboot 50p five years ago, a tan and cream leather one bought for a 1.00 and a lovely white leather Laura Ashley, with matching purse for 2.00. I am thinking these will see me out.
• i treated myself to a mulberry 7 yrs ago and its still like new! recently i purchased an orla kiely half price.....Ј60 online . first new non baby bag in 7 yrs! i dont buy many but the ones i have are good and well looked after they will hopefully last 10yrs+.
• So jealous flyingmama! i'm now 2 glasses of rouge vino down and forcing myself not to start on line bag shopping! I'd quite like a Pippa Modalu- but not sure if thats just me buying into the Middleton hype!
• OP - I second the tan bag recommendations, they do go with everything. Try to go for a classic if you're spending that much.
  My tip would be to buy second-hand if you can find a reputable preloved designer shop nearby. You will get a lot more for your money. I live near such a shop, and they have designer bags for about a quarter of their original price - and in amazing condition. They have Mulberry, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Furla, Chanel, Orla Kiely, Anya Hindmarch... and even the odd Hermes!
  Quote:
• thank you everyone. I am still looking....found one I really, really like for an awful lot of money and am wondering if I really need the dishwasher I've been saving for!!!!!!!! I will have a good rummage in TK Maxx before I do anything, however, as I hadn't realised the quality of some of their stock. I'll let you know what I buy in the end!
• You had me at "talk to me about handbags"! I love handbags, they're my weakness, I must have at least 80, all different shapes, sizes, colours! It may seem a lot, but this is over many years of 'collecting' them, and a lot of them are off EBay or from Charity Shops, so I've only paid a few pounds for them.
  A lot of my more expensive ones have been presents. My Aunty usually gets me a Debenhams voucher for my Birthday and Christmas, so this allows me to indulge in my love of Jasper Conran bags, I just love his bags, unique, look good, and really well made too.
  I also love Kipling bags as well, but they're probably abit too casual looking for what your after perhaps? Although they do do big roomy ones too.
  My Mam loves Radley. It started after her friend got her a Radley buss pass holder and then it went from there with me buying her purses, bags and stuff, I have to say, they are (although expensive), really good quality, and IMO a good investment. They're not my cup of tea, but I can see the appeal. I do like the foldaway shoppers though. I used to buy them when they were on sale, or Debenhams had discounts on or something.
• I second visiting a Radley (Tula) outlet. I was hankering after a Radley Soho bag a few years ago, but at Ј375 I wasn't going to pay that. On the off chance we popped in the Tula shop at Ashford Retail Park, and there was THE BAG! Reduced to Ј110! It's hardly been off my shoulder since. It still looks as good as new and the leather is oh so buttery.
  I've several Radleys, Soho is my fave, with my red messenger bag being second. I don't care if they don't match what I'm wearing!
• It's definitely worth the investment
  I always go for tan leather, I love it and it always wears well.
  I like the satchels, you can choose how your own bits on them if you go the satchel company.
  Oushka is a nice handbag site too.
• The bridge handbags will last you forever. Russell and Bromley bags are lovely too x
• I got my 'work' handbag from Watt brothers a couple of years ago - Ј40 and its red leather. Its still looking good.
  However, I would love a Mulberry, working on my hubby I bought my mum a Mandarina Duck red leather briefcase 10 years ago and its still stunning - I do think you often get what you pay for.