I'm so glad I read this thread for the benefit of SofaQueen's sale wisdom!

I have just bought this one www.amazon.co.uk/Betty-Jackson-Black-Taupe-Origano-patent-across/dp/B002S409MU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s= clothing&qid=1257625485&sr=8-3
it was only £15 but I can fit heaps of kids stuff in, it look well made, wipes clean, leaves my hands free and goes with nearly everthing except evening wear. I love it

Thanks, SofaQueen, Etoupe, I shall file that away for future reference

Hermes does not have an outlet, and the kelly and birkin never go on sale. Hermes does have 2 sales per year (best one is in Paris) where silks, shawls, small leather goods, shoes, household goods, and ready to wear are available. I've never been because 1) need to queue 4 hours before opening and 2) it is a madhouse. The London sales are not worth going to.

I would spend 200 max, on a nice leather bag that I´d hope would last me about 3 yrs at least.

Thanks SofaQueen

Hopefully will visit Paris in the next couple of months so will pop in.

Do you know if there is a Hermes outlet in Paris - similar to the Prada one in Milan?

For over £2,000 I'd want more than "understated" frankly....!!

Prefer this

CHOOGIRL, normally any of the London stores will never have Kelly bags or Birkins in store (but it doesn't hurt to ask). Hermes UK works on a wait-list basis for these 2 bags. The wait list opens up two days a year (in September and February) and is on a first-come-first-serve basis. The date is secret, and will only be announced the morning of. After this point the wait is 12-18 months on average for delivery of the bag.

An easier method is to go to Paris where you will find Kelly's on the shelf, particularly at the flagship store on rue du Faubourg St. Honore.

Sofaqueen - do you know where I can get a Kelly without having to wait? The Hermes store I usually visit in London never has any bags in?

<<Choo revises her xmas present list>>

That is a fantastic bag, MarshaBrady - very roomy and practical, and orange is their signature colour. Check out the Bolide and the Paris-Bombay also. Hermes a whole book of leathers and colours which their bags come in, some very structured and some (like the one on the link) soft and smooshy.