Why every woman needs a bag as grown-up as the Queen's
When I was five or so, a rhyme was passed around my playground, “Miss Lucy had a baby…” It was the lady with the alligator purse who really stuck in my mind, equal parts severe and elegant.
A quarter of a century later, and my idea of a properly grown-up, ladylike handbag is the same: a squared frame, clasp close, top handle. In recent years, this classic shape – the sort of handbag the Queen often carries (Her Majesty’s are by Launer London) – has been outshone and outsold by trendier offerings: Mansur Gavriel’s bucket bag, Off-White’s belt bag, Cult Gaia’s wooden half-moon and Staud’s clear tote. All of which, with the exception perhaps of the bucket, dated quickly.
Personally, if I’m investing in a handbag, then I want to be able to wear it for years to come. In the past that’s meant cross-body bags, partly because they are versatile and can be worn for work or weekend and partly (OK, mostly) because they are the entry-price-point styles (around the ￡600 mark) at most designer houses – the only bags I can afford from aspirational brands like Gucci and Celine, where more elaborate offerings can run into the thousands.
But the hands-free crossbody is a casual choice. This winter, I have a yen for something a bit more grown up that will work for smart dinners or work functions and fit an umbrella inside: 2018’s answer to the alligator purse.
My budget, even for a wear-forever bag, hasn’t increased, which rules out the above brands, but I’ve found some good, more affordable options. New York label Trademark, founded by Pookie and Louisa Burch (stepdaughters of Tory) shuttered its ready-to-wear business to focus on accessories, like the beautiful Harriet bag, which also comes in forest green and grey.
Trademark chocolate croc-effect leather Harriet, ￡385, Net-a-Porter; clay leather Seaton, ￡895, Mulberry
Russell & Bromley’s slouchy Elodie is a slightly more casual option, if the primness of the shape puts you off, and Dune’s mock-croc Dlady looks much more expensive than it is (and is a good option if you prefer not to wear leather). Speaking of expensive: Mulberry’s Seaton is slightly, tauntingly out of my reach, but would be my pick for deeper pockets as it really won’t date, especially in this beautiful dark taupe shade, and I know from experience that Mulberry bags wear incredibly well – even at the cheapest end of the spectrum.
Green croc-effect faux-leather Dlady, ￡60, Dune; tan leather Elodie, ￡275, Russell & Bromley
The latest iterations aren’t real crocodile skin, gladly – though on December 12, Christie’s is offering a one-of-a-kind Hermès Crocodile Birkin for auction, estimated at ￡100,000-￡150,000. I can just picture the buyer now.