ideas for "timeless" mugs

[iontheprize]

We use our mugs a lot. We work from home, and drink several cups of coffee and tea between us. The problem is we buy sets of mugs and over the years one or two break, so then we get more so we can have a complete set, meaning we have 3 or so from the previous set that thus far we've just carried on using. But we need to rationalise the amount of room our mugs are taking so I'd like to clear the slate and start afresh.

What I'd really like is to find a mug that fits my criteria and that also is part of a collection that means we can get a replacement if one breaks (as opposed to buying a whole new set.)

I really like a non-frilly, classic 'tin can' shape mug with full, slightly upturned handle - the actual penguin book mugs are pretty perfect shape wise for me: https://shop.penguin.co.uk/collections/mugs (the knock offs less so, but they aren't bad)

• They must be microwavable
• Preferable they come in different colours or patterns so we can remember whose coffee is whose
• Points if they are sturdy and hold heat - my favourites have been bone china but I'm open.

But the real kicker I'm coming up against is finding ones that are part of an ongoing line, so that I can buy replacements. Here's what I've found, and why they aren't quite right for me...

• The penguin ones - though, while I'm a reader I don't know that I love enough of those books to make that a statement
• The pantone colour ones - again, I like colours but... (can you tell I've overthought this a but??) also a bit pricey
• Le Creuset - but the handles look a but fiddly to me
• Sophie Conran Portmeiron and Emma bridgewater -- I really like these but I'd prefer something with more of a tin can shape / less cottage core

What else? Something must fit the bill and I'm just overlooking it. Doesn't need to be fancy (the ones above are all pricier than I what I've spent previously, but if I only need to replace one every year rather than the lot, it will be worth it.

Any ideas?

Another vote for Cornishware- I’ve gradually replaced all my flatware with bundles from their seconds sales and the quality is excellent.

They do their mugs in plenty of sizes and colours, but the shared shapes and stripes means they feel cohesive.

Emma Bridgewater?

I try to buy Irish or British when I can, but the previous suggestions of Le Creuset are spot on too.

I have been obsessive about both tea and mugs since I was twelve. It’s always Cornishware or Emma Bridgewater for me. If you think the latter might be too twee, you can ask her original pottery cafe in Fulham in London to fire you one of her blanks which means you get the same lovely timeless shape but in a plain and elegant creamware colour. They do them in multiple sizes including full pints.

If you’re feeling fancy, Nigel Slater inspired me to look up John Julian and their mugs are very elegant but also about £60.

All my crockery is white.

That way breakages are easy to replace.

John Lewis any day mugs are a very good size and reasonably priced.

Sophie Allport in a mix of designs here - all the same shape, fine bone china that is lovely to drink from but robust.

LOVE THESE!

Thank you.

I love mugs!! I’ve got some lovely ones coming for my birthday from Oliver Bonas. I also have three Mason Cash ones (stripe grey, mint & coral) which are amazing (very tactile). I bought mine individually from a small independent shop in town at £3.50 each but you can also buy them individually or in packs of 4 (one colour) from Amazon.

We have Denby Halo mugs and the tea goes cold in them within minutes. We bought them from TK Maxx. I like the Emma Bridgewater ones in the link but they are a bit girlie.

I love the le Creuset mugs, available in a wide range of colours, have also found them in TKMaxx. And I have a few of the Cornishware striped mugs, I like the 12oz size. I gave D1 a couple to take to university and they were nicked 😱 Their seconds sale is good.

Wrendale do some nice mugs. "Cute' designs. Nice to hold & drink out of. Example attached.

Oh those rainbow Le creuset look beautiful….

I adore my le cruest ones. Mine are bigger though and have a bigger handle. I have the multicoloured set but ive just seen the gorgeous pastel ones

Scrabble Tile Letters A - Z Ceramic Gift Mug | All Letters In Stock – Joyce & Joan (joyceandjoan.co.uk)

I also have Denby ones. All were £1 from charity shops.

SAME! Best tea Is in the orange. Worst tea in the red

Op mine are more like this, bigger handle

We have had our Denby mugs since we got married 17 years ago and I honestly think they are the perfect mug. They are also indestructible. They are from the azure range but we have plain ones and different patterned ones.

I have six Le Creuset mugs and the blue/teal one is my favourite my coffee doesn't taste the same out of the orange mug.

We all hate the yellow! I don't know what but my dinner looks far less appealing when plated on the yellow plate. It's my least favourite cup too.

I love the new deep teal. I wish they'd bring out a magenta / bright pink.

Buy 3 sets and save 2? Then you can replace repeatedly for a few years!

But I live different cups for different things! I don’t mind odd cups and have visitor cups and coffee cups, tea cups and hot chocolate cups. Why stick with one?

Came here to say this as well. Perfect mugs, many colours available. If you Google them you can often find them on sale somewhere

I started with buying the rainbow box and have gone on to add 4/5 more in different colours. Look out for them being on offer, they are a reasonable price then. A good, solid no fuss mug.

Yes @YouBelongWithMe the deep teal is gorgeous! I have the regular teal one but might have to take a trip to my local Le Creuset outlet to see if they have the dark one to add to my collection. It can replace the orange

I really like the orange! And I far prefer the new 'bamboo' to the old 'rosemary'. Marine I can live without.

I may or may not have designed my new kitchen around the open shelves that will proudly display my rainbow Le Creuset

Having read most of the thread I’m glad to see no one has recommended Emma bridgewater. I used to love her mugs, had about 25-30 at one point. At least 10 or more have had the handles break off. Nothing spectacular happened to them like being dropped etc, simply fell off.

I know friends have said the same about her mugs, there’s definitely a fault to them because I’ve never had this with any other mugs.. I know buy le creuset and so far so good.

Mine are a mix of Sophie Allport and Emma Bridgewater. I love my Emma Bridgewater, haven’t had a problem with the handles falling off, but DH prefers the Sophie Allport ones.

@Badburyrings , OP mentioned them. The ones I see in TKMaxx don't look nice IMO.