Designer handbags vs high street

Have a " good " one from M & S which I got in the sale a few years ago, its black and a lovely soft leather. I like Fossil bags and purses too. Next do great across body one's . My current favourite is from White Stuff, again in the sale, and a good size. Funnily enough, I just said to my husband this morning , " Im 64 and have never owned a " designer" bag yet two daughters both have Mulberry's. Admtititly they were bought to mark special events, one was after the birth of a baby, and the other a significant birthday. However, I just couldnt justify paying that amount of money, plus Id be too worried about damaging it to get the use from it.

I've got 2 Radley bags, both presents, I love them both for special occasions but usually use across body bag big enough to hold small purse, phone and tissues

Who needs designer handbags? - I can't even tell if one is designer or net!

This is what the family are getting me for Christmas: www.zatchels.com/bags/collection-category/kaleidoscope-collection/kaleidoscope-leather-satchel.html/

Lovely!

...or even not!

I don't care if a bag is designer or not as long as it fits everything that I want to carry that day. I like Kipling, Michael Kors and Radley but must confess that I bought a Mulberry shortly before I retired because I knew it would 'see me out' and I use it occasionally to dress up an outfit for special occasions.

Kipling bags for me too, I find leather too heavy usually. I do like more upmarket clothing etc but bags have never been that important to me. Can't afford the clothing I like sadly but I can dream.

I have a bit of a thing for handbags the fact that they always fit is my motto....have been told I am very hard to buy for so this is another reason.....at present I have.....2 mulberrys...5coach...1 Biba...2 0rla kiely.......2 Tula...1 Michael kors....1 dolce and gabana.....1 dkny...they have all been presents. They are all carefully stored when not in use...have wallets and scarves to match......would dearly love a Hermes for my 60 th

I think some of the designer bags are awful. I do like the Radley ones, but still too expensive for me or to justify spending that sort of money on carrying my purse and inhaler! I have some beautiful bags, reasonable prices and leather, but not extortionate prices. People are going to food banks and live on the streets. No, it's not moral to spend such an amount on something when money could be better used but then I think that of all designer wear, not just bags, totally OTT.

I went window shopping along Bond Street yesterday evening and was surprised how sensible and practical the designer handbags looked, especially Prada and Louis Vuitton. They seem to be more than just fashion items,lots of black and red. (Christmas!) I love the way they have no prices on them!

I have a Radley Grosvenor which I use most days I can fit my ipad and all the things I need for work I have had it about 6/7 yrs and it always looks good as new,I also have a Chanel Bucket Bag which I bought in the late 60's it is my most favourite bag and is used often it always draws compliments I even had a lady offer to buy it once when I was out in Liverpool but I would never part with it I love it too much. I've treated my self this year to a Radley purse from their picture range of purses I have always wanted one and so bought it for my birthday present to myself.

I have bought myself a Radley tote bag for Christmas. It is bright red and was greatly reduced at John Lewis online so I haven't actually seen it, It will be a surprise on Christmas morning

I buy handbags on Ebay and find Tula bags - the cheaper branch of Radley - are good quality and well designed. There are also plenty of Radley bags on offer.

Has anybody noticed, Mrs Merkel and Mrs May don't carry handbags!

Unlike the Queen. I often wonder what on earth she carries around in that bag. Any suggestions?

I have one handbag for winter, I have now had it for over 15 years and it is neither Hugh Street or designer. It is a carpet bag, made from carpet and comes from a company called the The Carpet Bag Company. I bought it at a craft show.

Last year I sent it back to have a new zip and the strap re-attached and, with the handle showing little wear, fully expect it to last 15 years.

It is still regularly admired, most recently a fortnight ago.

The carpet bags look lovely on their website - but the prices!!!!!

But spread over, say, 30 years, they are actually cheaper than buying a chain store handbag every few years. I bought mine a long time ago and the price was obviously cheaper, but so far it has cost me around £2 a year to own and, hopefully I will own it long enough for it to fall to closer to £1 a year. That is my definition of a bargain. Per use I am probably already down to about a penny a time.

They no longer make the model I have.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Reported. 6 year old post,