First Designer Bag... Know what I'm looking for, but not which specific bag

[judixm]

I'd like to invest in my first designer bag for my 33 birthday. There are a few bags I like (mentioned below), but I worry that I don't know enough bags overall and might be picking from a very small pool... I'm hoping someone can help me discover other bags I might like that I don't know even exist (yet! )

Here's what I'm looking for, more or less:
- a bag that I can wear cross-body as that's how I mostly wear my bags
- minimal branding (not a fan of big logos); but I do like the idea of "if you know, you know" sort of bag that you can recognise even without a visible logo (like the dior diorama, or the loewe puzzle bag etc)
- easy access - I don't like finicky openings; the loewe puzzle bag opening isn't exactly finicky, but I don't like that when I unzipped it in store and tried to put my hand inside, the zipper scratched my hand because the opening is so narrow due to how the zipper is done; that said I do normally like a zip or flap closure
- not heavy
- comfortable strap to wear for hours (would you say that by default means no chain strap?)
- style wise I'd like something classic with an edge. For example I loooove the look of the chanel boy bag because it has something grungy/edgy/rough about it (but way out of my budget ). My "I feel myself" outfit is black ankle boots, leather leggings and a crisp white shirt.
- something within the ±£1.5k range; open to buying pre-loved!
- needs to fit my kindle paperwhite + daily essentials (i.e. small but not micro)
- ideally it's a bag that works as a daytime and going out bag. But more important that it works as an every day/daytime bag than going out as I go "out out" very rarely

Recommendations? Thanks for your help

 

[Etriers]

I'd like to invest in my first designer bag for my 33 birthday. There are a few bags I like (mentioned below), but I worry that I don't know enough bags overall and might be picking from a very small pool... I'm hoping someone can help me discover other bags I might like that I don't know even exist (yet! )

Here's what I'm looking for, more or less:
- a bag that I can wear cross-body as that's how I mostly wear my bags
- minimal branding (not a fan of big logos); but I do like the idea of "if you know, you know" sort of bag that you can recognise even without a visible logo (like the dior diorama, or the loewe puzzle bag etc)
- easy access - I don't like finicky openings; the loewe puzzle bag opening isn't exactly finicky, but I don't like that when I unzipped it in store and tried to put my hand inside, the zipper scratched my hand because the opening is so narrow due to how the zipper is done; that said I do normally like a zip or flap closure
- not heavy
- comfortable strap to wear for hours (would you say that by default means no chain strap?)
- style wise I'd like something classic with an edge. For example I loooove the look of the chanel boy bag because it has something grungy/edgy/rough about it (but way out of my budget ). My "I feel myself" outfit is black ankle boots, leather leggings and a crisp white shirt.
- something within the ±£1.5k range; open to buying pre-loved!
- needs to fit my kindle paperwhite + daily essentials (i.e. small but not micro)
- ideally it's a bag that works as a daytime and going out bag. But more important that it works as an every day/daytime bag than going out as I go "out out" very rarely

Recommendations? Thanks for your help

It would be a bit of a stretch but if you could go a bit higher in price, the Valextra Series S Crossbody ticks all of your boxes. Clean lines, elegant, not trendy but feels current, comfortable strap, lightweight, great leather and workmanship. Exterior pocket, leather interior. Well-known company but under-the-radar. No visible logos. Comes in small, medium and large and a variety of colors. Dress up or down. Hand carry option.

 

[eunaddict]

Couple of options would be Fendi By the Way, Chloe Faye, Celine Luggage Nano or Belt or Cube, Delvaux Tempete (which might potentially be a tad bit more expensive than your price range but probably is the most "classically edgy" bag on the list).

As a brand, Polene has many shoulder/crossbody bags that I've been looking at too.

They're all relatively understated with minimal branding, other than the luggage - most are not "trendy/in" bags, edginess level varies but they're all considered quite classic to me, comfortable crossbodied, light weight - depends on what light is to you but they're all reasonably light to me, and great leather.

HTH

 

[judixm]

It would be a bit of a stretch but if you could go a bit higher in price, the Valextra Series S Crossbody ticks all of your boxes. Clean lines, elegant, not trendy but feels current, comfortable strap, lightweight, great leather and workmanship. Exterior pocket, leather interior. Well-known company but under-the-radar. No visible logos. Comes in small, medium and large and a variety of colors. Dress up or down. Hand carry option.

Thanks for the suggestion! I've never heard of this brand Probably goes to show how little I know about bags and that I'm in the right place to learn more It looks like a very grown up bag, I'm not sure if I'm quite there yet?

 

[doni]

You have clear ideas! In that price range I would say:

Saint Laurent bags. They do have a logo, but if you go for example with the Niki style, the logo is covered in the same leather as the bag, so it fades in. It is an edgy bag too, if with a chain strap which you may or may not find confortable (the chains do have a leather strap for the shoulder area).



Loewe Lazo in the small size. This will fit what you need and it is (almost) all leather so very versatile (no gold/silver hardware to care about). It has minimal branding but is definitely recognizable by those “in the know”. I think this is very reasonably priced and a great first designer bag. But very different from the Chanel boy vibe.





The Bottega Veneta cassette is just about within you price range (the matte would be below, but I think the shiny cushiony version is so much better). This is definitely a trendy and edgy bag with no branding whatsoever. I am not sure whether it fits a Kindle...



This current bags, of course if you are prepared to go vintage there is a lot to choose from...

 

[judixm]

Couple of options would be Fendi By the Way, Chloe Faye, Celine Luggage Nano or Belt or Cube, Delvaux Tempete (which might potentially be a tad bit more expensive than your price range but probably is the most "classically edgy" bag on the list).

As a brand, Polene has many shoulder/crossbody bags that I've been looking at too.

They're all relatively understated with minimal branding, other than the luggage - most are not "trendy/in" bags, edginess level varies but they're all considered quite classic to me, comfortable crossbodied, light weight - depends on what light is to you but they're all reasonably light to me, and great leather.

HTH

Ooooh, very nice suggestions!! Thank you!!
The Fendi By The Way is lovely - but I don't see many images of people wearing it cross-body (at least the medium size), I wonder if it's because of a wide base? The mini one looks very nice cross-body, but might be a bit too small for daytime use? What do you think?
Celine Luggage ones I like a lot, great shout! Actually way back when I was very close to getting the 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli bag which is sort of a dupe I guess?

I'm also quite drawn to the Mulberry + Acne Studios collab that just came out, especially they musubi bayswater bag, but the black one is only available in micro size which might be a bit too small for every day use (even though I do like my bags small...)

 

[eunaddict]

Ooooh, very nice suggestions!! Thank you!!
The Fendi By The Way is lovely - but I don't see many images of people wearing it cross-body (at least the medium size), I wonder if it's because of a wide base? The mini one looks very nice cross-body, but might be a bit too small for daytime use? What do you think?
Celine Luggage ones I like a lot, great shout! Actually way back when I was very close to getting the 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli bag which is sort of a dupe I guess?

I'm also quite drawn to the Mulberry + Acne Studios collab that just came out, especially they musubi bayswater bag, but the black one is only available in micro size which might be a bit too small for every day use (even though I do like my bags small...)

I think the Fendi BTW can be crossbody-carried. But also, if you live near the stores, go in and test the bags out, everyone's built a bit differently so straps, strap length, base of bags etc. all feel a bit different for each of us.

Oh the Pashli also fits all your criteria! It completely slipped my mind.

 

[Diamondbirdie]

My first “designer” bag was the Gucci Soho Disco- it probably fits all of your requirements although may be a bit small. It’s available in 3 colours at the moment.

 

[judixm]

You have clear ideas! In that price range I would say:

Saint Laurent bags. They do have a logo, but if you go for example with the Niki style, the logo is covered in the same leather as the bag, so it fades in. It is an edgy bag too, if with a chain strap which you may or may not find confortable (the chains do have a leather strap for the shoulder area).

View attachment 4587340

Loewe Lazo in the small size. This will fit what you need and it is (almost) all leather so very versatile (no gold/silver hardware to care about). It has minimal branding but is definitely recognizable by those “in the know”. I think this is very reasonably priced and a great first designer bag. But very different from the Chanel boy vibe.

View attachment 4587338
View attachment 4587339


The Bottega Veneta cassette is just about within you price range (the matte would be below, but I think the shiny cushiony version is so much better). This is definitely a trendy and edgy bag with no branding whatsoever. I am not sure whether it fits a Kindle...

View attachment 4587337
View attachment 4587342
This current bags, of course if you are prepared to go vintage there is a lot to choose from...

Thank you!! Oh YSL is an interesting shout! I do like the look of their bags, but the YSL logo is a bit much for me. But your suggestion inspired me to check what else they have, and this one I quite like:
https://www.ysl.com/gb/shop-product/women/handbags-monogramme-satchel-margaux-satchel-in-crocodile-embossed-shiny-leather_cod45466355tm.html
I like this also in smooth leather but don't want to have to worry about scratches...

From the loewe range I really do love the puzzle bag most... but that restrictive zipper just kills me!

I also quite like the look of a mini givenchy antigona but looking at photos of people wearing it crossbody, I think it looks a bit odd because of the wide base.

 

[MinaAnais]

How about the Longchamp Mademoiselle? It's a spacious bag for a kindle but would also work well in the evening.... I think it is available in 2 different sizes and 3 colours.

https://en.longchamp.com/en/mademoiselle-longchamp

 

[DoggieBags]

Maybe the Delvaux Givry which has an adjustable strap and can be a shoulder bag or crossbody or the Moynat Gabby? Both are very well priced in pre-loved market if that is an option for you.

 

[Etriers]

Thanks for the suggestion! I've never heard of this brand Probably goes to show how little I know about bags and that I'm in the right place to learn more It looks like a very grown up bag, I'm not sure if I'm quite there yet?

I hear you, but look at it this way; you’re paying a grown-up price for a bag so you may want to consider bags that will have some staying power. Get something that you love, for sure, but don’t buy a bag that is so trendy that you’ll be tired of it or it will be hopelessly out of style in a year or two. Another Valextra bag you might like is the Twist, which may feel younger? I believe Malia ***** has that bag. I think there is a photograph somewhere on the forum. Happy hunting!

 

[elzi]

For edgy crossbody bags - Givenchy small Pandora, Balenciaga City S.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Maybe the Rick Owens Larry Everyday Bag? It might be a little small, but it's definitely an "if you know you know" bag. Much cheaper bought in Europe.

 

[Annawakes]

Please please consider the Givenchy small Pandora in black. Goatskin is more durable but the washed sheepskin is so cool, and grungy. Very very cool bag overall. It ticks all of your boxes, and you can wear it by the handle for going out. Other times just Crossbody is fine with the long strap.