Designer handbags vs high street

I bought a 'Bridge' shoulder bag with my first pay packet in 1975, and have used the brand ever since.
They're expensive, but last forever, in fact I still have the original one, and apart from being a bit scuffed on the corners, it's still in great condition.
The only problem is the colour range is so limited, brown, with the occasional item available in black! If I want something in a different colour, it's probably going to be a Radley, but never Mulberry as I don't like their designs much.
I've still got the Bridge purse/wallet which my parents bought me for my 21st birthday, and it's still perfect.
In fact Bridge bags, purses, etc get better with age, they soften up beautifully and if kept in good condition never lose their value as so many people are willing to pay a premium for a vintage one.

I do have some designer bags. I buy a new one every couple of years. They last for ever and I always feel smart with them.

I recently bought a ' handbag organizer' via Amazon, really so useful if you do change from one bag to another. I don't have any designer bags! One of the advantages of old age you may have accumulated several bags over the years, what goes around comes around!

I have radley bags. I buy them before buying any other make. I can spot a radley bag on most people.

I think it's obscene to spend thousands on handbags (some do) when there are people visiting food banks etc Buy a good leather one for £20-50 and give the thousands to charity. It's just vanity.

mary I have never heard of Orla Kiely shoes and having googled them, well hmm, but I noticed some lines are sold out and now selling on e-bay so kudos to you for being a trendsetter

Thankyou for all the happy birthdays. Had a quiet day on my own but managed to get my files read for Monday and finished the R front of the rainbow cardigan for dgd1. Just the L front and sleeves to do.
Will I get it finished for New Year I wonder?

It's not designer bags it's Orla Kiely shoes I love them. I bought my first pair a couple of years ago. I can't get enough of them. I know they look ridiculously unwearable but they are so comfortable they feel like flat shoes.I have got the gold and blue Abigail but I missed out on the black ones and I am very very very very upset about that. She is finished with Clark's this year TG this will save me a fortune. So if DIL can afford it good for her. If I can wear ridiculous looking shoes we should all have something lovely if we can afford it and it makes us happy for me it's Orla I have just seen someone has an Orla shopping bag so I am off to check the prices and make myself broke again.

I am the bag-queen of here! I always go to TKMaxx for bags. Huge selection, my current favourites are from Paul Costello, all leather, great colours and fantastic style - oh, and much cheaper than the retail price!

I tend to use the same bag (at the mo, brown, leather with 4 pockets plus the main bit) until it falls to pieces. I really can't be bothered to take all the stuff out and re arrange it in another bag; I get used to where everything is. However, I do have a cupboard full of bags which get occasional use, depending on the occasion. I buy most of them at TKMAXX, where I also get suitcases... Not fussed about labels

another Kipling fan here, I also own a Dune bag which I bought for 2 weddings. although it's roughly the same size as my kiplings it hods hardly anything

Sorry I missed your birthday Galen hoping you enjoyed your special day,I don't do as many posts with the problem from the broken shoulder joint but do keep up with the conversations.

Happy birthday for yesterday Galen. My DD1 is 43 today. Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Have I got that right?

I have a 'Bridge' handbag. Brown leather. Used it continuously for last six and a half years and I still love its simple design. Hope it will last a lot more years.

for Galen . I hope you have had a lovely day (if it is today), or will have ,(if it is tomorrow).

Thank You!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Galen!

Oh and I have a Carvela tan satchel style bag as well Lots of pockets for stuff!

I've got several vintage Prada and Gucci bags that I bought on ebay. I've got a big leather bag I bought for half price in M&S that I use if I'm carrying baby stuff around. My current favourite is a fake leather saddle bag I bought in Sainsbury's for £7.

hi NanSue yes it was exactly the same tan bag as the ebay pic, I should have bought it and sold it on ebay too - I know that's what a lot of people do! ( Actually couldn't be bothered.)

I didn't know if Viyella was good as regards bags. Just could feel it was good leather.

To answer the OP.... I think that you do need to spend more to get quality, just like anything else, but, over a certain price, you are simply paying for the name.

My best bag ever came from a Charity shop, cost me £3.00 and I dread to think what I'd have paid for it new! Have had it for years and its leather and still as good as new.

I did have a nice Radley bag, soft as butter leather, but DD2 borrowed it a while ago and haven't seen it since! I do have a lot of bags, mainly suede in different colours, and nice roomy ones.

My small Radley cost £50 and I've used it most days for 5 years. It still looks as good as new. I don't think you can better that!

I buy cheap carpet bags for my cleaner when I visit Kushadasi. Her old ladies ( at 71 today I'm a youngster) love the bright colours. They cast about €40 for two with a bit of bargaining

I have a small Radley, a lovely Biba clutch bought for my DD1's wedding, and a small Lulu Guinness evening bag (or perhaps not - I bought it secondhand from ebay ). DH bought me a big, beautiful Ciccia shoulder bag when his company dealt with theirs, but the lining ripped in no time so it's no use now.

My best buy was a plain black M & S leather shoulder bag that I've had for 13 years - it's the right size, the right shape, and still looks good after years of almost daily use. Our local cobbler repaired some stitching on the straps for a couple of quid last year, and I expect it to be my go-to bag for many years to come.