Help a husband out

[catsinthebag]

Don't think about the 5, just think about the next 1.

I think you need to involve your wife in these decisions, she is obviously a very intelligent and professional woman and will appreciate the process, it will still be a gift

Take her shopping for an occasion (birthday, anniversary etc). If she likes her Chanel start there...

This is a great idea. As much as I love buying bags for myself, I love it even more when my DH goes shopping with me.

I also agree that the Prada totes are great for a working woman, and to also take her to Chanel. Chanel's Executive/Cerf tote is a beautiful work bag as well.

 

[Prettyvogue]

You mentioned she doesn't like to show off so perhaps an understated brand would work for her tastes. Take a look at the Givenchy Antigona, Celine Belt or Luggage series and Saint Laurent Sac du Jour.

 

[Duessa]

I agree that having someone hint is a great idea.



Some suggestions: Working women like Prada - particularly the Saffiano totes. The SDJ sac de jour is a great bag for work or play without a lot of obvious branding or doodads.



And, every woman who likes Chanel is usually pretty happy to have a second one. Does she like neutrals? Perhaps one in beige or taupe? If she needs a bigger bag you could get another black in jumbo. Or you could go for red which is very popular.



In any case, keep the receipt and encourage her to exchange / return it if she isn't happy with it.



And you get major kudos for spoiling your wife! [emoji1]

I second this advice esp on the Saint Laurent sac de jour - totally clean, defined, and classic, and a great businesslike choice for a working woman but versatile enough to be carried with a dressy outfit or a casual outfit as well.

 

[MISAOK]

I would recommend checking out the Top 5 bags or Top 5 brands threads for ideas. If you want classic style then the bags listed there has stood the test of time and are generally favored by many women. Kudos for being a thoughtful husband.

Thanks mtstmichel - I just took a look at the Top 5 bags thread and there are definitely some great choices there.

Some suggestions: Working women like Prada - particularly the Saffiano totes. The SDJ sac de jour is a great bag for work or play without a lot of obvious branding or doodads.

And, every woman who likes Chanel is usually pretty happy to have a second one. Does she like neutrals? Perhaps one in beige or taupe? If she needs a bigger bag you could get another black in jumbo. Or you could go for red which is very popular.

And you get major kudos for spoiling your wife! 😄

I really like the Sac Du Jour you mentioned. Very stealthy - it looks like any other bag but the quality really shines through. It's funny you mention the beige Chanel flap, it was a real struggle for me to choose between the black and the beige the last time...

I like spoiling her - she deserves it.

If your wife likes understated top quality bags, you should have a look at Delvaux. They have timeless styles and delicious leathers...

Great suggestion LadyDelvaux! I have never heard of this brand before, although that's not saying much. The bags on their website are beautiful and they have unique but conservative style which is perfect for her. She would also enjoy carrying something that almost nobody else is.

I would say it depends on your budget bracket, the climate you live in (i.e. leather-cracking sun, leather-rotting tropical humidity, leather-cracking freezing temps), also how much she carries around (iPad or Netbook or even Mac Air?

I can recommend the Mulberry Bayswater ... the Chloe Marcie medium ... Louis Vuitton, have a look at these models: Retiro NM, Estrela, Siena, Mazarine (this last one comes also in full leather, not just canvas), and especially the men´s line for businesslike offerings!

Good point - we live in the Toronto area so the climate is temperate most of the year but there are always a few weeks in the winter that are bitter cold. Are certain leathers better at withstanding cold? WRT budget - We've set a limit of a certain percentage of household income for new clothes/jewelry/accessories/etc. We both prefer quality over quantity so I can afford to get her one new luxury bag a year as long as that bag does not involve a rare leather or come from Hermes.

She wouldn't want to have to hold the bag with her hand the whole time, so the satchel version the Mulberry or the Chloe would be perfect. Thanks for this suggestion. Looking into the LV men's line is a great idea! Or perhaps a dangerous one as now I'm tempted to get a briefcase for myself even though I wouldn't usually be interested in such a thing...

I agree anyone who loves Chanel will want more. I have a fendi selleria which I'm a big fan of. The selleria is lovely and they make a couple of styles. LV or Faure le page canvas is great as a everyday bag. I use a totally mm for travel and when I need to carry a lot.

I like the Totally MM you mentioned. The ability to zip it closed makes it a good alternative to the Neverfull. But the exterior pockets don't look very useful. Am I wrong? Do you find them easy to use?

Don't think about the 5, just think about the next 1.

I think you need to involve your wife in these decisions, she is obviously a very intelligent and professional woman and will appreciate the process, it will still be a gift

Take her shopping for an occasion (birthday, anniversary etc). If she likes her Chanel start there...

This is a great idea! Date plus shopping trip will definitely go over well. I had no success the last time I tried to get her to choose something from a boutique - she usually says something like "nooo.... it's too expensive" while her eyes are magnetically drawn to an item. But if it was a bit of an event I think I'd have a greater chance of success. The last time I saw that look in her eyes she was gazing at a Chanel Boy so I agree the Chanel boutique would be a good place to start.

 

[Kendie26]

Thanks mtstmichel - I just took a look at the Top 5 bags thread and there are definitely some great choices there.



I really like the Sac Du Jour you mentioned. Very stealthy - it looks like any other bag but the quality really shines through. It's funny you mention the beige Chanel flap, it was a real struggle for me to choose between the black and the beige the last time...

I like spoiling her - she deserves it.



Great suggestion LadyDelvaux! I have never heard of this brand before, although that's not saying much. The bags on their website are beautiful and they have unique but conservative style which is perfect for her. She would also enjoy carrying something that almost nobody else is.



Good point - we live in the Toronto area so the climate is temperate most of the year but there are always a few weeks in the winter that are bitter cold. Are certain leathers better at withstanding cold? WRT budget - We've set a limit of a certain percentage of household income for new clothes/jewelry/accessories/etc. We both prefer quality over quantity so I can afford to get her one new luxury bag a year as long as that bag does not involve a rare leather or come from Hermes.

She wouldn't want to have to hold the bag with her hand the whole time, so the satchel version the Mulberry or the Chloe would be perfect. Thanks for this suggestion. Looking into the LV men's line is a great idea! Or perhaps a dangerous one as now I'm tempted to get a briefcase for myself even though I wouldn't usually be interested in such a thing...



I like the Totally MM you mentioned. The ability to zip it closed makes it a good alternative to the Neverfull. But the exterior pockets don't look very useful. Am I wrong? Do you find them easy to use?


This is a great idea! Date plus shopping trip will definitely go over well. I had no success the last time I tried to get her to choose something from a boutique - she usually says something like "nooo.... it's too expensive" while her eyes are magnetically drawn to an item. But if it was a bit of an event I think I'd have a greater chance of success. The last time I saw that look in her eyes she was gazing at a Chanel Boy so I agree the Chanel boutique would be a good place to start.

Wow you are so thoughtful to do this & get on here for suggestions!! I agree w/ all the great advice you've received. The way you described your wife sounds quite similar to me & I would totally recommend checking out Mulberry, the Bayswater bag in particular for a true classic & since she's a professional, she can carry this daily (or often). As far as Chanel, I also only have 1 Chanel Flap bag but I am totally drooling for a Boy bag, so since you saw her gazing at one that might be the ticket! Best of luck & let us know what you decide!!

 

[fashion16]

Another vote for Ysl sac de jour. I also would suggest Givenchy Antigona in shiny leather, Prada double cuir or fendi 2jours

 

[applecidered]

I vote for Prada, since it's a good professional setting bag, no monograms.

 

[serenityneow]

Do you know if she prefers structured or slouchy styles? Also, classic or edgy? I love and second the Celine mini Belt suggestion if she likes structured/classic, and would put the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour as a very distant second in that category. I'm not as familiar with Delvaux as some on here, but think the bags look incredible and might edge out the Celine mini Belt in the structured/classic category.

For structured/edgy, I'd go with the Loewe Puzzle or Givenchy Antigona.

If she prefers slouchy, I'd go with Bottega Veneta for a classic stylee. For slouchy/edgy, I'd go with a Balenciaga City.

IMHO, neither Chanel nor Prada are good options for someone who wants to be under the radar.

If you buy one of these options and she doesn't love it, I'd be happy to take it off your hands .

 

[Lollivierre]

I personally like the Artsy bag from Louis Vuitton as an everyday bag. Good luck!

 

[nashpoo]

I think the pebbled leather Antigona would be a good option. Or the saint laurent sac de jour. [emoji4] both beautiful choices

 

[ccbaggirl89]

i vote for no bag at all. it's you that loves bags, from what you've said about her, she doesn't. maybe she's a shoe or jewelry or makeup woman? why not ask her what she'd like instead of buying stuff she doesn't gravitate towards herself? if she doesn't buy handbags herself it may be because bags are not the 'treat' she wants?! just a thought

 

[Love Of My Life]

If your wife likes understated top quality bags, you should have a look at Delvaux. They have timeless styles and delicious leathers...

My vote as well in addition to Valextra.. both very classic, timeless
& understated bags with beautiful quality & workmanship

What a nice husband you are!!!

 

[skizowapa]

I advise you to take a look at the best 10 Brands bags to get ideas

 

[MISAOK]

First of all, thanks everybody for all your help. I really appreciate it. There have been many suggestions for the YSL Sac de Jour, the Prada, the Fendi 2 Jours, the Celine Belt, the Mulberry Bayswater, and the Givenchy Antigona. These definitely seem to be the most popular choices for everyday/work bags. I might just show her pictures of each of these bags and then after she's narrowed it down a bit, we could visit the boutiques of her top 3 choices.

Do you know if she prefers structured or slouchy styles? Also, classic or edgy? I love and second the Celine mini Belt suggestion if she likes structured/classic, and would put the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour as a very distant second in that category. I'm not as familiar with Delvaux as some on here, but think the bags look incredible and might edge out the Celine mini Belt in the structured/classic category.

For structured/edgy, I'd go with the Loewe Puzzle or Givenchy Antigona.

If she prefers slouchy, I'd go with Bottega Veneta for a classic stylee. For slouchy/edgy, I'd go with a Balenciaga City.

This is an interesting way to approach the question. I think that structured and classic would be the best bet. But I will do some snooping.

I personally like the Artsy bag from Louis Vuitton as an everyday bag. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestion - I get the impression that there are Neverfulls everywhere at her office so the Artsy is a nice alternative. She has said in the past that she doesn't like big logos so the monogram might not work but the checkered pattern is something she'd like.

i vote for no bag at all. it's you that loves bags, from what you've said about her, she doesn't. maybe she's a shoe or jewelry or makeup woman? why not ask her what she'd like instead of buying stuff she doesn't gravitate towards herself? if she doesn't buy handbags herself it may be because bags are not the 'treat' she wants?! just a thought

Ah yes, I can see how I may have misled you in my original post into thinking that she is not interested in having nice bags. But rest assured she is. She is just not in the habit of buying nice things for herself.

When she was younger she had very little financial security and that has made her very careful with money. When she was just fresh out of school and making 40K a year in a fairly expensive city, she still managed to save so much in her retirement fund that her financial adviser told her to ease up on the saving and start spending more of it.

She has since done well professionally and although she makes more than enough to indulge her interests a bit she never does. But I guarantee that if she won $15K and was told that she had to spend it all on herself that (after double-checking if she could invest it) a good chunk of that money would go to 1) a nice bag for work and 2) another nice bag for going out. I myself actually have no interest in bags apart from the fact that I know she likes them.

My vote as well in addition to Valextra.. both very classic, timeless
& understated bags with beautiful quality & workmanship

What a nice husband you are!!!

Ah another brand I have never heard of! I will look into this. From the website it looks like they have several shoulder bags that would be great for work.

I advise you to take a look at the best 10 Brands bags to get ideas

Thank-you, I will look into this.

 

[Rocket_girl]

+1 Make it a date. Have breakfast/brunch/lunch and then take her shopping. There are so many beautiful bags and everyone will have their own opinions about them but it's your wife opinion that should matter most! Have fun!

^^This. Make the experience something you share as well - an intimate tradition in your lifelong love together. Learning to be good to *herself* will come with learning how to do that *with* you - learning that it's ok to discover what bags she wants, to make a bad choice and learn from/laugh about it, and enjoy having/ using the ones she does love.

Risk of guessing and giving her surprises: she may then feel silenced: pressure to love the gift "because he chose it for me"... Guilt at not loving ii, not wanting to spoil your fun by letting on that she doesn't love it... and guilt rather than joy at now having this expensive bag she feels guilty or bad about.

All of us as bag lovers make our own mistake purchases- more than once (some older threads about worst bag purchases ever and what was I thinking include one award winning post about the testicle bag. She posted photos: she was right- it WAS the testicle bag). Many of these posts are hilarious; all are insightful- learning as we go.

I'd NEVER expect someone else to figure out or know what bag to buy for me (nor would I want them to try)~ but I would dearly love the intimacy of sharing the adventure with a partner in crime who delights in the search and discovery along with me, remembers and relishes the story of each bag when I wear it, and if said partner is paying the bill? You had me at '...it's my treat, love".

Kudos to you for a big heart. These could become much more than gifts: they could become part of your love story...