I've had all kinds of bags over the years including carrier bags, those jelly bags as a kid, but my first high end bag was a Louis Vuitton backpack I got in Brown Thomas in Dublin. I liked it but most people assumed it was fake so I sold it on ebay when I stopped using it. Also had several Chloes, again which I sold apart from one, because they were too heavy by far, and although very well made, I could not in all honesty say they were any better quality than the Tignanello's I have now. The leather is thick and soft in both, but the great thing about Tig's is that not many people know what they are or where I got it, and I love that. I also have a mulberry which I like, but it really is nothing that special. I have a couple of Kiplings, which people do recognise, they are light, strong, very well made and are unbeaten when you want functionality and organisation. A bag does not have to be made of leather to be either nice or good quality. It is each to their own when it comes down to choice and taste. Whilst I personally agree with May that the price of the high end bags is not justified by quality (and having owned them and used them I speak from experience) Mulberry have bags made in the same factories in Turkey that make bags for high street stores. However I don't think it is simply the quality that you are paying for. There is a huge mark up for the name alone, and that is a real waste if money, IMHO a fool and his money are soon parted. But where I think the bags are worth paying a bit of a premium for is for an iconic design, a new style ir concept that inspires others to follow. That's why I got the Paddington, the Mulberry and that's why one day if I win millions on the lottery I want a Hermes....