First and foremost, I love helping people figure out the best bag for them! After many years of not just talking about bags, but also seeing many of them in person and trying them out, I usually have a good idea of which way someone should go based on what they’re looking for. Not long ago, I received an email from a reader, who says ready to purchase her first premier designer bag. Today, I’m here to help
Hi everyone,
I’m a software engineer two years out of college and I finally feel comfortable enough to treat myself to a new designer bag! I have various Kate Spade, Rebecca Minkoff, and Tory Burch bags, but I have never spent over $400. I need a bag that will not appear super flashy while having a lot of function. The main use of this bag will probably be to carry basic necessities to work everyday (phone, wallet) and going out on the weekends. I am trying to choose between these bags:
2. Gucci Jackie Soft Shoulder Bag
If you have any tips, that would be great!
Thanks,
I
Congrats on being out of college and having a great job, though I’m sure you sometimes find yourself missing your college days (I still do)! I should probably send Vlad your way; he studied Computer Science and Electrical Engineering in college, and I bounced around until I wound up in Psychology but started PurseBlog.
Your first big-ticket bag purchase is a big step and really signals a new stage in your life, and I’m so happy you came to us for help. I love the bags you picked and how different each one is; it helps me to give you a rundown on each and share why each would work or not work for you. It’s wise to find a bag you can carry all week and transition it to the weekend, as well; that’s important when looking for your first designer bag.
I’ve seen each of these bags in person and own two of them, so I know I can help.
Mansur Gavriel Lady Mini Leather Tote
$750 via Net-A-Porter
I love this bag and I love that you picked it! Mansur Gavriel has had much success with its bucket bags and beyond, but I do think the bucket bag hit critical mass, so I like the idea of checking out other designs from the brand. I have the Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag too, and it’s really great. (I’ve been planning on doing an unboxing video with it, so watch out for that soon!) The style differs from most bags on the market, and I am always drawn to a bag that offers a top handle as well as an optional shoulder strap.
At first, I was going to tell you the mini size may be too small, but that all depends on what you typically carry and how tall you are. The dimensions of this bag are 8.5” H X 12” W X 4.5” D, but there is a ‘regular’ size that is a bit larger and doesn’t go as big as the Large size, so that could be worth the thought. I’m 5’11, so sometimes when I get a mini bag it looks microscopic, but if you aren’t quite so tall and don’t plan to put anything too big inside, it will definitely do the job. Also, Mansur Gavriel bags are notoriously light, which is a major perk, no matter the size.
You’re still young and this bag continues to garner attention its stylish design and minimal hardware. I think if you got this bag, you’d be really happy!
Gucci Jackie Soft Leather Shoulder Bag
$1,409 via Gucci
You picked three great bags, so your decision is going to be hard! This Gucci Jackie Soft Bag is a stunner, and I’m obsessed with it (and I have it in yellow). The leather is thick and soft, and the design feels timeless and sophisticated. I will say this bag is a bit slim inside, and I carry a long zip wallet that can fit, but once I get it in there, not much else will fit. That is the main thing to keep in mind with this bag: the interior space.
While the dimensions are 10.6″W x 7.8″H x 3.1″D, the interior is quite a bit more compact than your other choices. This is also where I wish I had a money tree, because I’d love for you to get this bag too, but out of your options and with what you’re looking for, it might not be as practical as the other two choices.
Givenchy Nightingale Small Satchel
$2,190 via Barneys
If you click through to look at this Givenchy Nightingale on the model on the Barneys website, don’t overthink how full the bag looks–that’s just stuffing. No one really fills a bag to the brim that way in real life, and one of the reasons this bag is so nice is because its leather is slouchy, but not too slouchy, when the bag is filled normally. The Nightingale has interior pockets even though the inside is compact, but it still has plenty of room for necessities, with dimensions of 9″ H x 11.25″ W x 5.00″ D.
The strap has a 15″ drop, which easily fits over your shoulder but has the possibility of crossbody wear, though on my body, it would be tight. I like this bag for its casual feel. The Nightingale easily found a place among the classics, but is a much younger take on an everyday bag, which is why this bag is a great fit for you.
Over all, I think you’re better off with either Option 1, the Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, or Option 3, the Givenchy Nightingale. If you went with the Lady Bag, you’d have enough money leftover to get another bag, save up, or even go on a little vacation! It comes down to your personal preference, and do share with us what you end up getting! Good luck and thanks for reading PurseBlog.
♥ Megs
Agree with the Mansur Gavriel bag! Love Ilyssa’s choices – they’re classics but not “critical mass” classics.
My first premier designer bag was a Balenciaga Classic City in black, and I love it!
A lot of people start with a BBag City and I don’t disagree with that – one of the best collection starter bags out there!
Same here my very first big purchase handbag would be my Bal Classic City & even up to now i still love it.
About the topic… If I to pick from the 3 bags I’ll choose the Givenchy Nightigale. My nightigale is one of my most used bag in my collection
These are all very good points. I have the Jackie Soft shoulder bag and it’s true that as far as space goes, it could be limited depending on how much stuff you like to carry. For me, it has become my most used everyday bag but I don’t tend to carry anything other than wallet, phone, and keys. Good luck 🙂 Whichever you pick will be great!
How about a bag by Everlane?
https://www.everlane.com/collections/petra
I was kind of in this person’s shoes. I chose as my first premier designer bag a PS1 Proenza Schouler and I love it. It has lots of pockets for organization and is roomy enough for my ipad. I bought the large. I’m a very business casual type of person and I love how versatile my PS1 is. I’m sure all three above would be nice as well. I haven’t really looked but I credit Purseblog for the research and inspiration!
Love the large PS1! I love how spacious it is but it’s still not overly large to start being hard to find things, truly a great bag!
I’m the lucky person who owns both option 1 and 3, use them both quite frequently. My biggest gripe about the MG Lady Bag is that when I carry a lot of things, the flap does not close properly. The bag looks like its perpetually open and I have to actually hold the strings (when they’re looped into their closures) to keep it together. No complaints on the Nightingale. I second someone’s recommendation of the PS1. PS1 is my perfect bag as I’m always able to carry everything while still being able to find everything.
Ah yes, I haven’t carried my Lady Bag enough to notice that. The PS1 is a favorite of mine too and holds so much, looks cool, and goes from work to weekends easily!
Sounds like a good reason not to own the MG bag!
Nightingale.
I have that Soft Jackie and I think you can easily dress it down – the leather is softer which makes it a bit more casual.
Valentino rockstud shopper , fendi selleria tote, Giorgio Armani charniere or Giorgio Armani le SAC 11, balenciaga papier, Gucci GG marmont shoulder bag …look also at Trussardi , Victoria Beckham and Ferragamo’s pieces
tory burch york.
MG is a contemporary brand. Of the two premier designer options, the Givenchy is the better one, just from a durability standpoint. I’ll also suggest the Balenciaga city, an LV alma in epileather, YSL chain tote or the Celine tie bag. You can enjoy them now and also use them as you get older.
The City is always a great starter bag, for sure!
Was recently in Ilyssa’s shoes, when I splurged on my first premiere handbag…. a grey Fendi Petit 2Jours. Of Ilyssa’s three options, I would suggest the Givenchy Nightingale. It is spacious, durable, and classic. That Gucci shoulder bag is beautiful, too. I agree with the sentiment that Mansur Gavriel is a contemporary brand, and an overrated one at that.
MG is def more contemporary, but it does give her room to buy another bag if she chooses!
Love that Fendi bag, are you loving it?
I adore my Fendi…. looks great with everything, and it is super functional.
This is great! You should do more of these help pieces. My personal fave is the Nightingale. Though my first work designer bag was the PS1. Loved it!
For sure! If people have questions I’d love to help out 🙂
Hi Megs. Love this site. I was wondering what about ferragamo? Is that brand not great for bags? It doesn’t seem to be one of the essential brands but I love their bags. They’re functional and smart and not too loudly designer. Do ferragamos count as premier designer bags?
This is a great piece… would love to see more of them on the Blog. You gave her great advice. For what it’s worth, my first designer bag, after I joined tPF and got hooked, was a preloved (NWOT) Balenciaga Town. I’ve never looked back!
I have and love the Gucci Jackie Soft Bag. If I had to pick just one bag from my collection
(I’d die, lol) but I might just pick this one. It is the easiest bag to carry, so comfortable and practical plus the leather is simply dinvine!
I really can’t recommend this bag enough.
Every time I carry my lady bag I get a compliment. Every time. That being said, I find myself avoiding carrying it lately because closing it is such a pain. If you don’t thread the two leather strips through the leather tab each time you open it, it hangs open..
That may be something to consider when making a decision
I looooooove the Givenchy. It’s the one that made me go “oooh!” when I looked at all 3 of these pictures. Very cool. Very distinctive. Looks like the kind of bag I’d carry absolutely forever. Good luck with your decision!
The new version of the Nightingale is much more practical than the old version, yet it seems to keep the soft slouchiness. Been on the fence for a while, but it has grown on me. Definitely a classic.