To buy a Mulberry bag?

[catlover1987]

So I was recently promoted at work and got a pretty decent (5k) rise. The backdated pay for 2 months plus my Christmas bonus means I will be able to afford my much coveted mulberry bag.

I'm not normally in to labels and don't own anything designer but I love these beautiful bags and have wanted one my whole adult life. BUT I just don't know if I can part with the best part of £1000. Would you? (We have some savings already, no debt and my DH is fine with it.)

Do it!

I have 4 Mulberrys and I love each and every one.

Which bag is it, out of interest? As if it's an older style you might well be able to pick it up at an outlet quite a bit cheaper. The Boxing Day sale is strongly rumoured to have the Cara for about 40% off as it's being discontinued so might be worth holding on if it's a Cara you're after?

If you want it to be a "use every day for every occasion" type of bag then do give some thought to the leather you chose (as said above)... small classic grain is very hard wearing and can cope well as an every day bag. NVT is beautiful (and smells amazing!) and does wear very well but it scratches and marks easily. The scratches do mostly buff out and many people prefer the look of NVT once it's a bit more worn but it's worth taking into account. Pebbled leather is also pretty tough. Silky calf is not!

Sorry, just saw your further comment that it's a Bayswater you're after. Is there a particular colour you want? As they do get a LOT of Bays at the outlets so you could definitely save yourself a few £££ which might make it a little easier to bear

I say go for it! I have owned a lot (too many!) of Mulberries (I'm a bag addict!) but have gradually sold a lot of them, as I disliked having too much things, and realised I'd got a bit obsessed.

A few things I'd do (though feel free to ignore me!);

I'd maybe go onto the Mulberry facebook groups - they have a lot of fellow bag addicts and can give some great advice.

I love the Bayswater, such a great bag! But it is quite heavy, so I'd maybe try and go into a store and properly try it first. I personally find the Glossy Goat leather to be lighter, and is more scratch proof than NVT leather.

There's some great reputable bag resellers - Naughtipidgens nest and Labels Most Wanted are great and you will save some money.

Or if you ring up one of the outlets they can post out to you, so you can make a good saving!

And make sure you get some leather products to waterproof it after you've bought it - though I end up buying most bags in black as I live in the rainy North :D

Hope you love your new bag!

Do it! It's money you've not needed if it's backdated - plus you've earned it!
I really would love a mulberry bag!
Please post a picture when you've bought it..

If it's something you've wanted for a while, and not a purchase on a whim, buy it!! Treat yourself.

Well done

There are factory stores in England or The Netherlands or Ireland.... I would be tempted to use to money I would save buying a factory outlet bag, on a wee dirty holiday with DH flying to said store! Make a weekend of it!

I got a Bayswater as a graduation present. I have used it every day since and still love it.

Op! Looks as though John Lewis are price matching the 20% off at Selfridges deal-I think the Bayswater may be included at JL?! Worth a check!

I just don't get bags, or designer labels. It's a bag.

I don't get shoes, clothes or jewellery either. I have some special jewellery of course, but it's sentimental because of the loved ones who gave it to me.

I know from the thread that I must be out of step, but I just don't understand these obsessions. Ah well. I'm not a proper person any way.

Im disappointed with my mulberry. I paid £800 from mulberry themselves on a daria hobo.

I find it uncomfortable on the shoulder and its quite heavy even why empty. It has a plaited strapped which i think makes it heavy. It falls off my shoulder when i have a coat on and when i dont have a coat on the strap is uncomfortable.

I have got a cross over bag for £60 and find it much more comfortable and sadly the mulberry has become redundant which is a shame as its had hardly any use.

Do it. I have one and I love it.

They are pretty heavy bobbie my bays is heavier than expected. There's a really good Facebook group for buying / selling if you're thinking of parting with it?

Obviously you need to buy an expensive bag but I really wouldn't go for a Mulberry unless you want to be totally ripped off.

Well done and it's great to treat yourself. I would recommend going to a Mulberry outlet before shelling out full price as you can often get current or last season bags at much reduced prices. They have outlets in Bicester and York I believe and also one in Kilver Court in Somerset, near to the original Mulberry factory.

Weird you find your Daria heavy, I use mine everyday and love it.
Horses for courses I guess.

Go for it! you've earned it. Had my Bayswater of DH and kids for Christmas last year. Carry my laptop and literally kitchen sink in it. Super strong and goes with anything.

I'm another person who doesn't 'get' the handbag obsession, but if you want one, you've got the money and you won't regret spending so much on one thing, why not? I could never spend so much on myself (even if I was a millionaire) unless it was something I really needed but if it fits that criteria for you, then you have your answer.

Sorry to hijack the thread but I've spoken to Heathrow Shopping Services and apparently the airport Mulberry store does not stock the bag I want, and they do not order in stock to be collected (I have read online that they did this).

What's my next best option? I'd really hoped for the duty free discount and I don't live anywhere near an outlet

Ambushed which bag is it? Both John Lewis and Selfridges are likely to have 20% off tomorrow (although I think last year was in store only for JL). As long as the bag isn't a sub, all four of the outlets will post out to you if you are in the UK. Also, as mentioned above, try nauti pigeons nest for pre-loved bags or one of one main Mulberry buy and sell sites on facebook.

It's the New Bayswater in oak. I just prefer the shape of it to the classic one and if I'm going to spend that money, I'd rather go for the one I want than saving a little to get the classic at Heathrow.

JL are doing 20% today but not on the New model.

Also, I don't have the cash just now, we're travelling to NYC in June and I'd planned to save extra to get it then as we have a layover (I live in Glasgow).

You never know, by June they may stock it. If you use facebook it might be worth keeping an eye on the Mulberry selling pages as very new styles sometimes come up.

I bought a new Bayswater this summer and use it almost every single day. Nothing like it for perking me up, even on dreary mornings on my way into school. I love it.

As Tattie says the Mulberry page on Facebook is brilliant for selling them when you're ready, too, and will authenticate anything on ebay/online.

Another party pooper here I'm afraid.

Bags are ££££ to deter the 'masses' from buying them. So they feel exclusive. It's got little to do with quality above a certain level of workmanship.

Sorry but they are a status symbol of sorts and for that reason I'd never buy one even though the cost is not an issue.

I like nice stuff but the most expensive bag I've ever bought was just under £200 and I feel that was too much even though financially it's totally do-able.

I am just cynical about the cost of designer type bags and feel they are a rip off. I get more pleasure out of German designed white goods like my Miele washer that's been brilliant for years and years rather than a handbag!