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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To alter a mulberry handbag

15 replies

Sophiesmith · 29/04/2013 12:40

My dh bought me a mulberry handbag for my birthday at the weekend. A shock. Tbh I am not that much of a handbag person and there are a million other things we could have spent the money but it was v nice of him and it is a nice bag.

BUT I like to wear bags across the body and the strap is too short. Is it reasonable to have the strap made larger- I was thinking I could take it to a shoe repair place and just get a 3" piece of leather added to the middle of the long strap.

I can't take the bag back - dh would be v offended.

OP posts:

rubyslippers · 29/04/2013 12:42

do not get it altered at a shoe repair place

take it back to Mulberry and swap it - you sound totally reasonable in your post so just say the same to DH

it's not a big deal - surely he would be offended if you kept something you didn't like

uggmum · 29/04/2013 12:46

I prefer across the body bags too. I have 3 Mulberry bags, all are across the body. I would not get it altered. It will affect the value of the bag and your guarantee.

Take it back and swop it for a bag you really like.

SkinnybitchWannabe · 29/04/2013 12:50

Im sooo jealous! Id love one..My street is called Mulberry Close so I told my dh I really should have one
He hasn't got the hint or money yet.

Original poster

Sophiesmith · 29/04/2013 12:54

This one has a shoulder strap and long strap you can add but as I am tall it is just not long enough would be ok if I was 'normal' height! I think is called essie or effie.

OP posts:

ExcuseTypos · 29/04/2013 12:55

DH did the same, bought me a Mullberry that I didn't think suited me. I'm only 5'2" and I felt the bag looked huge when I was carrying it. I just asked him if I minded if I swoped it.

He really didn't mind and he came with me. I've had it for 5 years now and I use it all the time. I wouldn't have used the other one half as much.

ExcuseTypos · 29/04/2013 12:56

Phone up Mulberry and ask them if they do longer straps? They are usually really helpful.

Original poster

Sophiesmith · 29/04/2013 12:57

Will try that, never even thought of that - ill let u know how I get on

OP posts:

whitewineforme · 29/04/2013 13:04

TBH I would exchange the bag for a different style. My job is partly to do with bag manfacturing, and I think from looking at a picture of your bag then you would need to send it to a bag factory to do the kind of alteration you've suggested. It wouldn't be possible to add in a piece of leather, you would need a whole new strap. Hope you can get a solution and a bag you love, your DH sounds lovely!

Original poster

Sophiesmith · 29/04/2013 13:10

Tried mulberry _ no joy, straps not done in other lengths and they don't do alterations.

I can't take it back, I be used it - took it out with me on sat night. Plus he is not really into surprises so I can't not like about the only surprise gift he has ever got me. Usually he gets me for every occasion either a bunch of flowers to Molton brown bubble bath. but as I have 3 bottle of the same stuff by the bath bought for Christmas, anniversary and Mother's Day he must have thought he would try something different.

And I do really like it it is just the strap.

OP posts:

ExcuseTypos · 29/04/2013 13:18

Oh that's a shame. I understand why you dont want to swop it.

I think if you really want to get it altered, I would hunt down someone who works with leather and get them to make you a new strap, maybe using the Mulberry gold clips. However would they be able to get an exact colour match?

Mrstyphoo · 29/04/2013 13:41

I don't think there is any harm in having a new strap made if the bag has a strap that clicks on. You can always click the old original strap back on at a later date.

I Used to wear my bags across My body when I needed hands for children, pushchairs etc. now I have spare bands, i have different types of bag.

ElephantsTeaParty · 29/04/2013 13:48

Could you not just get a longer, non-Mulberry, strap and use that instead, possibly in a different colour if you can't get one that matches?

Mrstyphoo · 29/04/2013 13:53

I actually have spare hands not bands!!!!

The Effie bag could easily have a replacement strap made, that wouldn't harm the actual bag. I love that bag!!!!!

Purpleknickers · 29/04/2013 13:54

I did this, I have a Mulberry (jody i think) that had short handles and a long strap but not long enough to go across the body. Mine was also a gift and I never used just because it was impractical.

I took it into the local show repairer and he extended the strap for me using a leather belt that he had up for sale and stitching the clasp onto it. I now use the bag all the time. Unless you are a Mulberry expert you would never know tbh.

I realise Mulberry fanatics will probably think I'm mad but it now means I use the bag all the time.

propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS · 29/04/2013 14:28

Yeah, both straps clip off that bag so just unclip them an buy a random longer strap to use with it. Don't try to alter the originals as that will just bastardise the bag.

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