Seriously, how hard can it be?

To find the perfect black bag. 

You would be forgiven for thinking I've completely lost my marbles as I clearly do have black bags.  I will admit I have more than one black bag.  But suddenly they're not quite right.  

Ok so that's a blatant fib.  I have all of a sudden a hankering for a new black bag.  I was looking at nude.  I was looking at burgundy.  As I already had black bags so couldn't justify another. 

However then I got to thinking.  What do I use all the time?  What do I wear all the time, especially coming into Autumn and Winter.  Yup, that will be black.   I've got the very well used Chloe in whiskey (that's a tan to you and me) and the divine red Gucci Soho Disco.  So for coloured bags, I have it covered. 

Before someone mentions it, yes this year I did buy the APC half moon bag which I love.  But if anyone else has it (and would like to back me up), it's the tiniest bag on the planet.  It's the opposite of the tardis.  I also have the fringed Jerome Dreyfuss which again I love but it randomly seems to work so much better as a Summer bag.   

And my beloved Village England Haworth which I therefore use all the time.  So clearly I have no official need of a new bag, but the amount I use a black bag.. and now I'm bored of the justification and am just going to blame all those other people who have asked me for a black bag blog.  This is for you.  It *may* help Christmas research.

Or let's just call it bag porn... I started this blog sat watching my boys play football so with one eye on the action, I'm easily able to drum up some bag beauties.  Price wise, there are some ridiculously expensive ones here, as well as some more affordable ones.  And some in the middle (which don't seem quite as expensive if you put them next to an eye watering, sell a kidney priced one.  Everyone does this, right?)

Two of these have been the recommendation of the lovely lady in Libertys earlier on today and who am I to argue with an expert?

Purely in the interests of research and bag porn, may I present... 

The daddy of bags.

The Medium PS1 in black leather from Proenza Schouler £1250.  The complete classic.  It comes in many different guises but to me, I would always plump for the original and what I consider to be the best.  None of the others I saw today came even close.  This is the one that will last the test of time and one that you will have forever.



Then there is good old Gucci.  With a nod to the old school.  The bamboo handles have been around forever - another classic that you can use on any occasion.  Except that these seem to be not available anymore.  WHAT???  I have searched and searched but nope, these are yesterday's hero.  Which is plain wrong diddly in my (clearly wrong) opinion.

In that case, I would go for the Givenchy Nightingale in black £1290.  Super classic.  Although I think I want gold hardware not silver.....



Or the Givenchy Pandora in washed black.  Nope, now I am sure, I would want it with gold hardware.  And not silver.  When you're paying this much, every detail counts.  Plus it's very similar to my beloved Haworth, which means that at the moment, the PS1 is winning. 

Givenchy Pandora medium £1,155


So moving onto some other options. Not as slouchy as the ones above but very usable in classic styles and perfect for that Christmas list.

DVF Love Power bucket bag from Matches £227



LOVE this one.   Not remotely slouchy but just sublime all the same (not like me to go off piste is it?!).


DKNY Crosby Ego black leather bag £265




And then another version of the larger classic - the PS1.  For me, this has to be in the black like it's bigger brother (or should it be sister.. it should be sister, shouldn't it?  It should be mine, that's what it should be).  And maybe this is a better size than the medium?  Although on second thoughts, it's actually about the size of an iphone.  That's probably too small...

PS1 Mini leather cross-body bag from Proenza Schouler £625



This is the sort of leather I'm after, above and below.  A slouchy, lived in, looks like butter leather.  Which normally is expensive.  

And this bag is still expensive but it's not on the same level as some.  Beautiful quality bags.  Plus if you sign up to Zalando, you can always get a discount.

Liebeskind Kumamoto bag from Zalando £204.99



But my best buy has to be the Suede shopper with clutch from H&M.  Gucci inspired with the bamboo handles (see above) but for a fraction of the cost. 

Suede shopper with clutch £79.99


So I am bagged out.  I won't lie - I have looked at about 20 sites and found really not that much.  This is it folks.  The current bag trend is structured.  But I'm not really a structured girl.   Therefore this is all you get today.  I will be seeing black bags in my sleep.... And top of the pops at the moment is definitely the PS1.  What if it sells out.....??

Today, it was the turn of the good old Jerome Dreyfuss.  Always useful and perfect for a rock chick French day.  The only reason I say this is because I had my new Zadig & Voltaire sequin blazer on ergo I am vaguely French.  Ok someone call the men in white coats... 



Grey tee - Zoe Karssen
Phoebe jeans - MiH
Sequin blazer - Zadig & Voltaire
Gold Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose
Fringed Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss

Great day in London today with the best friend - a day off from work just shopping.  Although of course inspiration everywhere and I shall be back tomorrow with what I've decided none of us can have enough of.  Ok - one of the things I don't think we can have enough of... in fact, I may start with my Must Have Winter List which means I can include everything I think we can indulge in this A/W.  Good idea? 

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CONVERSATION

36 comentarios:

  1. I always gravitate towards a black bag too but no matter how many I have they are never quite right - a bit too big, a bit too small, too structured, not structured enough, the shoulder strap is too short etc..I am basically the goldilocks of black bags. I am happy to know that I am not alone in my search.
    I love the Liebeskind but is the shoulder strap long enough to wear it as a shoulder bag? Hmmmmm...
    Kath xx

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    1. Oh my lord, no I am super pleased that I'm not alone. There is the danger that you write a blog and everyone thinks - uh oh, this time she's lost it. And I'm pretty sure there are many people who every day think that, but for me - it's something that i've never *quite* mastered. Red - nailed with the Gucci bag, my tan Chloe is more useful than I ever suspected an almost orange bag could be but black.. I LOVE my Gucci tote but that's just too big for every day. Yup, veritable Goldilocks of bags.

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  2. oooh I must share with you that I found a Balenciaga classic first bag for £20 last week in my local charity shop, can recommend it! check out my instagram page for picture #chantelleigh30

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    1. Oh I've just looked at it - Holy hell, that is THE THE bargain of the century. Super impressed!

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    2. Thank you!!! I'm super pleased!

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  3. This is so uncanny, I was just looking at leather totes last night and wondering whether I should go with a black or clay color. Like you, I also feel I have too many black bags and yet that is the color I use most. Btw, the PS1 is a great bag and super versatile (I have it in a midnight color). Weirdly the bag I crave is your Gucci black tote (I think you've had it for a long time?). I'm looking for a (much) lower budget everyday tote and am considering the Cuyana zippered tote in either black or clay.
    https://www.cuyana.com/classic-leather-tote.html#deep-clay



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    1. I love the subtlety of the PS1 and since i've bought a pair of boots which aren't exactly subtle, so a non bling bag is an essential! That tote is lovely. My black Gucci one isn't that old actually, but omg it's so so so super useful! Comes into its own for travelling.

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  4. This is a very timely post for me. I spent all day Saturday looking for a cross body black bag with out success. I did end up buying a cute leopard print camera bag in Accessorize. Really good size, cheap and available in other colours. I still need a nice leather black one though. I'd really like your Village England one but they've been out of stock for weeks now. I really like the DKNY one you've listed. I'll be checking it out. Thanks!

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    1. Isn't the little DKNY one super cute? I've seen the camera bags in Accessorize - they've got a great selection at the moment, all very JCrew! But I LOVE their changeable straps - they are indeed gorgeous. And again you've reminded me that I should possibly do a camera bag blog - thanks for the push!

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  5. Yes they're clearly "inspired" by the J.Crew ones. Now that I'm used to a cross body bag I find it a nuisance to not have my hands free. A bag you hold in your hand feels like too much hard work! So yes, please do a camera bag blog.

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    1. It's so true isn't it?! I'll put it in the pipeline x

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  6. you can never have enough black bags end of! I have the Givenchy nightingale but in blue and it is super heavy and an absolute pain to carry Im looking for another decent shoulder bag I have a Prada with metal studs but need something a bit more structured. I work in the city so carry a big ish bag every day
    Fairy

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    1. That's like my Alexander Wang Diego. it's so so heavy if I put anything in it and wear it cross body, it's too painful!

      Yes, for city work you definitely need a more structured bag. Which is why if I use one I feel like i'm going to work in the city!

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  7. Interesting re the APC Moon bag. I was working up to ordering it, as it doesn't look that bad a size from model pics. So, what can you fit in then - mobile, keys...is it one of those very structured bags where the inside is much smaller than the exterior. You may help me out of spending nearly £300 which wouldn't be a bad thing!!

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    1. There should be some ? marks in there, I was asking not demanding!

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    2. Ha ha! Well, it depends how much you carry around of course. I have my phone, a small purse, very small accessories pouch (lippie, keys) and sunnies and that's it. It's also quite hard to get things in and out of if that makes sense?? BUT it's super stylish.. (not entirely helping am I?!)

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    3. Hmm, thanks, what you carry would be about the same as me. Is the Gucci Disco bigger/easier to pack? Please and thank you (as I forgot that last time too!)

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    4. The Soho Disco is like the Tardis. It's the best size bag EVER

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  8. I had this need over the summer and I got the Marc by Marc jacobs Natasha q cross body in black and it is seriously the best bag I've ever bought! I have a black mulberry Bayswater but it's too heavy!!
    PS Kat- you know there's a mulberry sample sale this week....

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    1. Oh that Marc by Marc J bag is lovely - thanks for the tip.

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    2. That's a fab bag - buy it quick if you can find it as they're not making any more!! Marc by Marc jacobs is no longer - it's now just Marc Jacobs. Although they do have a saddle bag which is lovely but not slouchy...

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    3. Oh and Mulberry Sample Sale...??!!!!

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  9. but also lusting after the tri colour disco bag have you seen it?
    Fairy

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    1. YES but it doesn't have the tassel..... which I think sort of makes it.

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  10. Yes the mulberry sample sale! I was going to go but I have no need and no money... let me know if you want my invite!

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    1. Thank you - it's ridiculously tempting but I have so much to do this week and i am going to Bicester next week....!!

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  11. Have a look at Hill & Friends. I have their Happy Satchel as my everyday bag and love it. Big enough for all my stuff and has a detachable cross-country strap. Comes in black and a few other colours. Love, love, love them. Will be getting a smaller weekend bag from them too at some point!

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    1. I LOVE the hill & Friends ones but I'm looking for something a but slouchier... although I have to say, their new camera bags which are coming out next season look beyond lush....

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  12. Oh, bag porn... I love slouchy bags too. The structured ones do make you think you are going to work.

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    1. It's a hangover from my corporate work days for sure!

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  13. Just a thourght, a brand you may not be aware of: Decadent, loads of lovely bag porn here:
    http://decadentcopenhagen.com
    My only trouble is deciding on which I like the best!
    Danish Pastry

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    1. I may be some time... I'm going in...!

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  14. Well I have the PS1 with fringe and I adore it but my absolute favorite is the the Pandora - I have gold hardware and it's lovely and subtle - not too brash. Next for me is a Nightingale in brown! Waiting for a London shopping trip as they are far cheaper over there!

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    1. I don't think they make them with the gold hardware anymore... and I think the PS1 is probably more classic, so I reckon I'm going to opt for that. Have wanted one FOREVER and unlike other brands, they really haven't put their prices up. I don't think they're that different from years ago!

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  15. I think I found the one...but will have to wait till Xmas to justify price with husband :/ "MULBERRY
    Bayswater small grained leather tote" I'm IN LOVE xx

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    1. That's such a classic shape. You will have that forever!

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