Savannah Black / 11 May 2025 / Categories: Product and Brands, Brands, Accessories

Furla Bags and Classic Italian accessories

For ladies who don’t like to flaunt what they like

There’s nothing more annoying for the onlooking people watching, blogger following style seeker, me, than seeing someone wearing something that instead of it being a wealth statement, heavily branded and immediately recognisable it’s fabulous and you have no idea who it’s by, welcome to Furla.

I only own two Furla bags so it’s not like I am a massive customer but I much prefer to carry something people have to ask me about if they like it, something not everyone has got, something that truly represents my taste and style. I don’t like a follow the pack purchase.

My first Furla bag I couldn’t really afford. I got swept up in the moment whilst on holiday in the US and had a mad moment at the Furla concession in Saks Fifth Avenue department store, at the time it was a brand I’d never heard of.

I was bowled over by an Ox blood leather shoulder bag, (this was 15 years ago long before Ox blood had a revival courtesy of the Kardashians) it was structured and so modern in design, a single flap for easy in and out, a longer thinner design, later popularised in over branded fashion by Fendi, it was large enough to get my stuff in but not so large it couldn’t move from day to evening.

The thing I loved the most about it, it was a mystery to who had made it yet with absolutely no doubt it was of the highest quality and craftsmanship, you could see it, for me the bag would spark curiosity, it was full of knowing and for me not known for my impulsive shopping decisions, I felt like I just had to have it and bought it on the spot.

I didn’t flinch at the price, if I remember it was about $300. Somehow anything purchased on holiday becomes just part of that whole expensive experience which never has to be justified. I even got the added joy of browsing through a glossy magazine later and spotting my gorgeous bag in a glossy ad campaign I now wish I’d kept. I have kept the bag of course and carry it all the time. It is still one of my favourites and apart from a couple of expensive gifts, the most expensive bag I’ve ever bought myself.

The opportunity came up to buy a second Furla bag in TK Maxx 10 years later when for a very short time in the Gold Label section they had on offer the classic Jelly bean, double handed plastic transparent candy bag for about £50. This was a bargain I couldn’t resist. Today they are selling for anything up to £200 in good condition and very collectible.

Furla made the iconic Candy bag in virtually every colour, now highly collectible so much so you can buy a fake on Chinese website DHgate for about £50.

If you love the simplicity of Italian design; the modernism of Prada, the cut of Armani, the fun of Gucci, Furla just might be the brand you seek, not so aspirational for the herd or as expensive, that will keep you ahead of the pack when it comes to style.