A question for madamemecholet and other handbag experts

[NewChoos]

How do you think the Peony and Moore Lucia measures up against Mulberry (the Roxanne in particular). I am still toying with getting the Roxanne I have seen for £525 but of course I could get another Lucia for less than half that.

Handbag musings......

[warmandwooly]

I don't know about the other brand. But if you are looking to spend less try thge Mulberry Outlets to see if you can get a roxy cheaper.

[madammecholet]

Hi newChoos..... I think Mulberry bags are gorgeous, and believe me I think they are beautifully made and a great great british brand, however, unless you are only going to buy 1 handbag every 10 years, I think they are overpriced.

I just don't think you have to pay £400+ for a decent quality bag, anything over about £250 and you are purely paying for the brand name stuck on the front. I love the new Gucci Jackie bag, but really... £700! NO!

Imo the Mulberry roxanne looks outdated for me, plus I've seen loads about. If your going mulberry I'd pick something more classic which you won't get bored of, like a bays, but then there are just SO many copies out there again it looks v samey samey for me.

I've been impressed with my P&M Lucia and am debating a new colour, as i have the camel for summer, however I am also waiting to see their new bags for autumn...i've also read alot on PurseForum about the Lucia before buying it and some on there are saying its how Mulberry bags used to be and the quality is just as good.

So, for my money, i'd prefer to get 2 more bags for the £525!

[madammecholet]

PS at 'handbag expert' !!! addict

[polyhymnia]

madame I'm with you. Regularly see loads of Mulberries in my local House of Fraser (and indeed as I walk down Bond St) and, though I love handbags in general, I can never get very excited about them and, in particular, see why I'd want to pay £400 and up for one. Just don't get it. Don't loathe them, though, as I do Radley.

Much prefer to pay less - £200 or so - and for this sure it's possible to get good quality that lasts and interesting style. Russell and Bromley are an old favourite. I also have a dark tan Comptoir des Cotonniers satchel style in similar price range and bought a big black Zadig and Voltaire with lots of zipped pockets for half price in sale at £150.

Next plannng to get a Lucia. P and M tell me the chocolate brown version will be available to order any day now.

[madammecholet]

polyhymnia don't start me on Radley! Applaud what they are doing, but DO NOT like the bags at all... Russell and Bromley prob started me on my addiction tbh many years ago, as they were just selling far better bags than the rest of the high street had to offer. Altho, these days with the internet my net has spread far and wide as there is far better choice online imo!! The Comtoir and Z&V bags sound lovely...I love a good bag find!

Like the sound of the choc brown lucia...will keep my eyes peeled..!

[whoneedssleepanyway]

I have just bought a Coach handbag and am really pleased with it, beautiful quality and leather and less than half the price of an equivalent Mulberry. I bought it in NYC though and am not sure if you can get them over here or if they are much more expensive over here.

The one I got was the Chelsea leather ashlyn hobo in walnut <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=coach+chelsea+leather+ashlyn+hobo+walnut&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1227&bih=702&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=SnK5I6VjOWpuWM:&imgrefurl=womens-fashion.gatag.net/en/2011/08/01/050000.html&docid=LQaMKwA2XQj9EM&w=410&h=410&ei=0JJwTqDoNoua-wa6weilCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=805&vpy=146&dur=36&hovh=224&hovw=224&tx=131&ty=164&page=1&tbnh=158&tbnw=158&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">picture here

My bag was $300 which is around £200 and I love it and haven't seen anyone else with the same bag unlike Mulberries. The Lucia was in the running but am v pleased with this (may still get a Lucia at a later date...need to save!).

site here

[NewChoos]

Excellent points :) I do like the Roxanne but see it as quite a casual bag which wouldn't look as well with work wear.

whoneedssleepanyway you have just reminded me I have a nice evening coach bag which I must dig out.

Thank you for opinions!