Hulanicki handbags - anyone bought one?

Jalima: ...I thought blatant advertising was banned on GN

Whatever the original intent it's given rise to a discussion pro/anti bags as "investment pieces"! It would be interesting to know if those who are firmly on one side or the other of the argument take the same view of other luxury versions of necessities, like clothes: do you always buy cheap, or think it's worth paying more for something which you really like?

As I've put myself on record as a bag lady ;-) can I say that I actually liked the look of the Hulanicki bags but neither were the style of bag that I'd buy.

That tote bag is horrible!

Well against my better nature I clocked the Peonyandmoore link (why, it smacked of advertising) and think the bronze tote is ghastly. There are so many nice tote/bucket/backpack/satchel styles out there as well as what you might call regular handbags, cross body bags and shoulder bags, I cannot imagine who would want this one.

Yes, Alea, I thought blatant advertising was banned on GN

And the bronze straps and bits look distinctly tacky to me.
Whatever pleases you, I suppose.

hey must have all belonged to 'a dead person tell her that presumably they were still alive when they were using them

which is why I like to invest in a proper leather bag every now and then.!
Mine are proper leather bags as well, but I never pay more than about £75
It is just hype and consumerism as far as I am concerned.

I am not that daft.

Never heard of these before but very taken with the tote & another on the website - the Lauren. Everyone has their own idea of how to spend their money - I always fancied a Mulberry Bayswater bag & picked one up in their outlet shop for around £400 about 5 years ago. I felt really guilty spending so much but I can honestly say it's been worth every penny as I use it nearly every day & it still looks great. I've seen lots if nice bags in TK Maxx, my daughter has a super Osprey one & I noticed a lovely Paul Costelloe one in there yesterday. Now I'm retired, even the Mulberry outlet prices - much higher than 5 years ago - would be far too much for me these days!

Radley bought out Tula in the '90s, but Tula continues to make the bags under their own name. I love Radley, but can't afford them now. Debenhams 'The Collection' handbags are a good substitute, they do very pretty applique bags, and I have had no end of compliments on mine!

Not averse to eBay second hand either!

henbane said I think handbags are like shoes - either they enthuse you & are something worth treating yourself to, or you can't see the point & just buy something practical that will do the job.

I think you are very wise henbane!

Afraid I'm a bit smitten by both! I've only paid full price for a handbag about 3 times in my life. A special Christmas present for my Mum the first year I was working, and one for both my daughters' weddings. For more "normal" use I trawl the end of season sales, and now probably have enough handbags to see me out! But I'm sure I could be tempted by a good deal! But the most expensive bag I bought was about £125 - daughter's wedding - a Radley bag - which is rather less than the cost of the Hulanicki bag quoted in OP.

I too like Tula bags, but it's been a while since I bought one. I found that I just wrecked them really quickly as I cart so much stuff around! Though I do still have a small across body one still, it''s only big enough for purse, small wallet, small comb and a lippie really, so it hardly ever gets used!

Used to loath shoes - have short fat feet, and it used to be so difficult to find anything to fit. Over the years my shoe size has gone up - used to be size 4, but now size 6. I can't walk in heels any more (can barely walk at all actually) but have one very nice pair of black lace ups with a tiny heel for posh. Have discovered some different places to buy flat shoes from that ain't cheap if you buy full price, but just wait for the sales! I've had random men compliment me in museum shops (and me in wheelchair!) on some shoes from H by Hudson. That I got for £20 a few years ago in a sale.

Trouble is I do like to have handbags that match or tone with my shoes... So new shoes sometimes means new handbag - any excuse LOL!

I often buy bags from charity shops and have had some really good leather ones. My DD thinks it's a horrible thing to do, she reckons they must have all belonged to 'a dead person' but that doesn't bother me, so long as they are clean and not tatty.

Like the above posters, I love Tula handbags and have used them for years.

I love the soft leather that improves with age, the sizes and styles they do, and all the little interior pockets which are so useful.

The company is still running, and checking their pages have some very good discounted prices.

www.tula.co.uk/handbags/?a=b&gclid=CMLLuYarmMsCFYYIwwodrHQHVQ

Not sure whether I would spend almost £300 on a handbag, but do love soft leathery ones.

Yes, if I really wanted it and could afford it why not? I have a few Mulberry handbags which I bought when I could afford them, I can't afford another now that I'm not earning anything like as much. I feel they are almost an investment and could still sell them on eBay for several hundred pounds if I ever wanted to which I know I won't ever do. I was working in London at the time, hated the commute and used to buy them to cheer myself up!

Only if I were a millionaire. It's a bag, something to carry all your junk in, that's all.

I think handbags are like shoes - either they enthuse you & are something worth treating yourself to, or you can't see the point & just buy something practical that will do the job.

I've always loved bags (all types, not just handbags) and spent my school days drawing them and thinking about what features the perfect bag would have. I use a standard backpack as a day to day bag now - water resistant and perfect for carrying shopping and everything else hands free while wielding a walking stick and a bus pass - but I have a shelf full of "good" bags for formal occasions or an evening out, and spend longer choosing an appropriate one than I do on choosing the outfit!

However I never really "got" shoes, hated having to wear high heels in the days when that was the only acceptable option for the office and gladly adopted trainers & walking sandals as day to day wear when I retired. When I see young women tottering around in sky high heels which have cost a fortune I just think, why?

What is the point of a designer expensive bag? I just don't get the need. Far rather spend my money on something necessary.

I got a Dune leather bag from TK Max early last year for £40. Large enough to take everything up to an A4 book and I use it everyday.

I really ❤️ the Tote ....

I love Nica bags; good quality non leather bags at a reasonable price and with nice linings (often buy things just because I love the linings!). Also Mat and Nat bags but they are expensive. Will not buy leather at any price, hate the smell and the fact it's come from a dead animal - yuk.

I get Kipling bags. I like the range. They come in various shades. Have excellent zips and pockets. Have a hand bag I use in the UK and a round the waist bag with 4 sections that I use when abroad and a beech bag etc.

I did enjoy using leather bags when younger but the Kipling are lighter and will pack flat in one's hand luggage if one is limited to one piece of luggage when on a budget flight.

No!

My latest handbag was a birthday present from a friend, from TKMax. The previous 1 was from Marks and Spencer. I like them both, I chose them. I don't need an expensive bag, just ones I choose myself.

I will spend quite a lot on a bag, but they have to be (to my mind) worth it.
I have a collection of 'The Bridge' bags, which I suppose are very expensive, but they never really date, and if in good condition hold their price, there are a lot of 'Bridge' collectors out there.
At the moment I have a longing for a Mulberry 'Bayswater' in Aqua Green, but it's £995, so I think it's unlikely I'll be getting one! I did see it in a Mulberry outlet shop for £750, but still think it's an obscene amount for a handbag, so it's probably just a pipe dream!

No I wouldn't pay so much for a bag I have several reasonable priced handbags .my friend has bought expensive bags one zip got stuck another strap broke mine
When finished with are still intact and go to charity shop ??

I love bags and when I set off on the early retirement journey a couple of years ago my corporate (NHS) leaving gift was high street shopping vouchers which I spent almost all on a bag ... not a posh bag, but a lovely soft leather shoulder bag big enough for purse, kindle, umbrella etc. One I can use all the time, which was my criteria! At £140 it's not something I would ever have bought with my own hard earned cash.
I did have a wee Radley bag (leaving gift from a long term job) but found it was too small to be of use, so it's now been passed on to my daughter.
Latest bag (birthday present from the lovely husband) is a Harris Tweed one.

I spotted a Burberry bag in a charity shop for £5 recently. For some reason I didn't snap it up. Went back the next day and it was gone. I once bought a Radley bag from a charity shop but found the strap was twisted and it was obviously a second. I gave it back to the shop as I couldn't use it. My point is, you can find great bags for very little money and it's fun too.

Sorry typing on phone and still sleepy

I had no idea the Kiplng key rings were sellable! I like the bags but the monkey is hideous so I remove it
I am a one bag at a time person ,apart from evening/events and holidays (Kipling nylon backpack) and always Radley usually half price st Bicester village,usually a burthday oresentvas even £150 for abiag ischoing it for mev They will take 2-3 years of almostvdaily use so on a cist per wear they are good
I too think the hulancki bag is hideous Sorry.And I dont like designer names blazoned on things.The Radley dog can be removed though I think its cute