hi everyone!
I'm a long time lurker of the forums but am now looking for advice.
(TLTR: which elegant black leather work-appropriate and 13" laptop-sized handbag designs can stand the test of time and held up at least five years? Because that's what I wanna buy!)
I've been on the market for a new work bag (ho hum), a discreet, black, big enough for a 13" laptop with zippered top, so I can keep my belongings safe. Not gigantic or heavy. I like structured satchel bags that stand up on their own, have a shoulder strap for hands free use. I dislike boring shopping-like tote bags, want some kind of minimalist style and a bag that can last a seriously long time. Something light so it isn't so heavy when I stuff it. A classic which isn't matronly. I carry my lunch separately so this is really just for work items and I don't want to carry a separate briefcase.
I don't baby my purses but I don't beat them either. My MO is to use a work bag Monday through Friday at the office (conservative and I'm the only female executive) and on weekends take out my more casual or pretty bags. I'm not a super high end bag user and a logo-y bag like Chanel wouldn't be well seen in my firm. I'd like to spend $1500 or less.
Reason being is that all these contemporary bags I've bought in recent past have broken, fallen apart and generally didn't hold up longer than two years. It's frustrating and I'm done wasting my money every 2-3 years on things that fall apart. Maybe I'm crazy but I think a $400 leather bag should last longer. So now I'm wondering if high end is the way to go.
Culprits:
- MK jet set tote in saffiano leather - fell apart in two years. Pockets came apart within a year, the straps tore and it didn't keep its structure within six months and everything would just fly out if it tipped over. No fun when traveling on a plane and you're awkwardly searching for your lipstick and wallet under someone else's seat.
- Auxiliary Bega bag (brilliant but now the strap broke and aritizia has no help on this issue). Finding a replacement strap that fits has proven challenging. It's too bad because they've discontinued this model and it's just gorgeous albeit too small for a laptop.
- Badgley mischka- I forget the name of the model but it was made of good, thick pebbled leather like Alexander wang uses. It was heavy, and got too slouchy. It was great for schlepping stuff like lunch and shoes but not refined enough. I gave it to my 20-year old niece.
My favourite bag style is the fendi peekaboo or YSL zippered Cabas. I tried a Mansur Gavriel lady bag and while I adored it, wasn't big enough for a laptop. I may just buy it in a mini size for weekend use instead.
Please help, bag experts!
I'm a long time lurker of the forums but am now looking for advice.
(TLTR: which elegant black leather work-appropriate and 13" laptop-sized handbag designs can stand the test of time and held up at least five years? Because that's what I wanna buy!)
I've been on the market for a new work bag (ho hum), a discreet, black, big enough for a 13" laptop with zippered top, so I can keep my belongings safe. Not gigantic or heavy. I like structured satchel bags that stand up on their own, have a shoulder strap for hands free use. I dislike boring shopping-like tote bags, want some kind of minimalist style and a bag that can last a seriously long time. Something light so it isn't so heavy when I stuff it. A classic which isn't matronly. I carry my lunch separately so this is really just for work items and I don't want to carry a separate briefcase.
I don't baby my purses but I don't beat them either. My MO is to use a work bag Monday through Friday at the office (conservative and I'm the only female executive) and on weekends take out my more casual or pretty bags. I'm not a super high end bag user and a logo-y bag like Chanel wouldn't be well seen in my firm. I'd like to spend $1500 or less.
Reason being is that all these contemporary bags I've bought in recent past have broken, fallen apart and generally didn't hold up longer than two years. It's frustrating and I'm done wasting my money every 2-3 years on things that fall apart. Maybe I'm crazy but I think a $400 leather bag should last longer. So now I'm wondering if high end is the way to go.
Culprits:
- MK jet set tote in saffiano leather - fell apart in two years. Pockets came apart within a year, the straps tore and it didn't keep its structure within six months and everything would just fly out if it tipped over. No fun when traveling on a plane and you're awkwardly searching for your lipstick and wallet under someone else's seat.
- Auxiliary Bega bag (brilliant but now the strap broke and aritizia has no help on this issue). Finding a replacement strap that fits has proven challenging. It's too bad because they've discontinued this model and it's just gorgeous albeit too small for a laptop.
- Badgley mischka- I forget the name of the model but it was made of good, thick pebbled leather like Alexander wang uses. It was heavy, and got too slouchy. It was great for schlepping stuff like lunch and shoes but not refined enough. I gave it to my 20-year old niece.
My favourite bag style is the fendi peekaboo or YSL zippered Cabas. I tried a Mansur Gavriel lady bag and while I adored it, wasn't big enough for a laptop. I may just buy it in a mini size for weekend use instead.
Please help, bag experts!