Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

Original poster

Mulberry Alexa - What size/colour?

19 replies

preghead · 21/09/2010 20:06

If someone kindly offered to buy you a Mulberry bag and you had been coveting an Alexa for awhile - which colour and size would you go for?

I liked the blue and yellow in the summer - you can still get them but too summery?

I like the plum and grape for winter but too wintery? Would date?

Black or oak - boring?

I like the normal size one aestheticaly but too small for a woman with 3 kids? Would the new hobo one or clutch one update it a bit?

I am not entirely convinced about spending this much on a bag so if my DP did I would want to get maximum use out of it and for as long as possible - which colour / style is least likely to date?

I am horribly indecisive at the best of times also pg so need some advice - what would you get and why in an ideal world if money no object?

or shall I just tell him to get me a replica one from Beubags? Are they very good? Would they pass the test of someone that had a genuine Alexa?

OP posts:

HotchpotchHoney · 21/09/2010 20:14

i have the oversized oak, normal sized ink, and a new hobo in the black soft buffalo. my go to one is the oak oversized as as a mum of 4 children i need the extra room. its also the most neutral of colours.
the problem with going for the colours such as the blue or the purple are that they date a lot sooner, than the classic colours.
my oak bayswater is still a classic but my lovely metallic purple one is already dated.
from a distance and for someone whos not a compulsive mulberry buyer then you could easily get away with a beubag or vogueking one, but if you really really want a mulberry then the real thing has to be the one you buy. mind you i did sell my beubag alexa on ebay and got back more than i paid, even listing it as alexa leather bag and no mnetion of mulberry.

Original poster

preghead · 21/09/2010 20:19

Thanks that's great to hear your viewpoint - that is what is worrying me - I had a purple Prada bag once and I seem to remember only really feeling it was particularly wearable for quite a short time.

Aesthetically I really like the oak one - it looks the most satchely to me and I like that style - I just worry it is boring? Is the ink one the blue one I take it? Wondering if that is a good compromise? Am definitely glad I didn't get the yellow one in the summer anyway as I think it would be weird to wear it now.

Keep the ideas/opinions coming please!

OP posts:

HotchpotchHoney · 21/09/2010 20:32

yes the ink is the blue, its is a gorgeous colour. if you wear denim a lot then i think it would work well in your wardrobe.

Original poster

preghead · 22/09/2010 17:37

anybody else got one?

OP posts:

carciofi · 22/09/2010 19:25

What a nice present! I don't have an Alexa but have the smaller Mulberry Bayswater in oak, it goes with everything and is a classic. I would go for black or oak, I personally would tire of the brighter colour.

purplepeony · 22/09/2010 20:03

sorry to be a party pooper but although I like the styles of some Mulberry I think they have snob value and are not worth £500. I see people with them and think "status symbol." Most of their bags weigh a ton before you get anything in.

I think I'd rather spend £200 or less on a bag- and there are some nice ones around- and use the rest for a city break somewhere really nice.

Mirrorball · 22/09/2010 20:44

I would say go for classic brown or oak. I am returning a Joel for an Antony tomorrow - chocolate brown. I would say ink/yellow would be very difficult to wear and I would expect maximum usage for such an investment.

PP - I get your point, I'm sure an overly expensive label bag is probably quite stupid, but I have loved mulberry since I was about 19 after seeing them being made, and the craftmanship and quality is second to none, so although it's taken me almost another 19 years to actually own one I have honestly hankered after a classic 'forever' bag since then. I'm going for a messenger style because they're smaller, less shouty, I actually see the functionality and I dress casual mostly. (and although still ridiculously expensive I live near an outlet thank god).

Original poster

preghead · 22/09/2010 20:48

I'm 8 and a half months pregnant and have SPD - I really don't want a city break

OP posts:

Hairytoes · 23/09/2010 10:47

Have you seen them and tried them IRL?

The reason I ask is because I craved one when they came out, and hubby surprised me for my birthday. I am ashamed to admit that it took me 4 weeks to use it, and I was in 2 minds about exchanging it for a different style.

Mine is black,(normal sized), and doesn't go so much with my summer clothes. I would probably go for an oak if I was going to be able to use it all the time. The strap is very long so I felt a bit swamped by it (5ft4), but found a useful clip online on how to shorten it, so now wear it doubled over which is perfect. My last gripe is that it isn't as sturdy as for instance the Roxanne, so tends to look a bit baggy and slouchy. It needs to be kept full to look good IMO.

Original poster

preghead · 23/09/2010 12:22

Have looked at in a shop but haven't tried. Initially I thought the oversized due to the amount of crap I carry around but I am also thinking would be too big as I am also your height. I don't think I would have any trouble keeping it padded out as, despite best intentions, every bag I have ever carried has been full or too full!

I think I am leaning towards Oak now if I do get one - would you still get one now and would you get oak?

hmmm i am indecisive at the best of times and want to make sure I get maximum use out of it, for that price.

OP posts:

Hairytoes · 23/09/2010 16:58

Mulberry are naughty for bringing out so many choices!

Personally speaking I think the oak is going to go with virtually anything. I have the Roxanne in oak, and it gets better with age too. If I was being completely honest then I probably wouldn't have dropped so many hints about the Alexa to DH, and might have gone for a Bayswater instead. You MUST go into a shop and try - put stuff in one too, that might help you make your mind up. I just picked mine up to have a look at it again and it certainly has a saggy, lumpy bottom.

If you are near an outlet store they can be a good place to pick up a bargain, especially if you like the colours. Not sure you would get an Alexa though. Probably not a good idea in your current condition either!

This forum might be able to help you make your mind up. Lots of info and opinions on there.

Hairytoes · 23/09/2010 17:07

Just found these pics on there, some show what I am trying to say about the saggyness.

Original poster

preghead · 23/09/2010 17:13

Thanks HT that is really helpful to see some photos! I see what you mean about the slouchiness but I am not massively structured so I think that would be ok. If we just rock up at a Mulberry shop in London at the weekend will they have some to try? Or is a dept store better? Can we just buy one on the day do you think or is there still a waiting list? I saw some in duty free recently and had a look but they only had the 2 new purple ones.

OP posts:

Hairytoes · 23/09/2010 17:59

I'd ring around and check beforehand.
Happy hunting!

CHOOGIRL · 23/09/2010 20:13

I have the oversize Alexa in Oak which I love and is definitely not boring. I use it pretty much everyday and get lots of compliments. I think it is pretty much sold out everywhere.

traceybath · 23/09/2010 20:25

Just to agree with everyone else regarding colours - for longevity I'd go for oak, dark brown or black depending on what colours you wear a lot of.

I've got a mulberry phoebe in oak and a east west bayswater in dark brown and love them. Never get bored of them and they stand the test of time well.

I have 3 dc's and get away with the east/west day to day so would have thought the standard alexa would be fine.

The best thing about oak is that it works in winter and summer.

They are beautifully made - enjoy

Oh and if you give the outlet in Shepton Mallett a ring they're very helpful and will tell you if they ever get in what you're after and you can pay over the phone if you're not nearby.

Original poster

preghead · 03/10/2010 16:58

Hi all, well got a normal size Alexa in Oak today - they had both sizes, coloured and brown and black in the shop so I was able to try them all. The Oversized was definitely too big for me as someone said and the black and Oak did look more daytime than evening/winter which is what I wanted. Was tempted by Black but looked a bit more "worky" and as am going to be on maternity leave for most of the next year I went for the Oak - hope I made the right choice!

Couple more questions - how do you wear it with the strapped doubled over as someone mentioned for shorties. And waht proof of purchace authenticity should I have - I'm sure with Mulberry you used to get a card but all I have is the receipt from House of Fraser and the leather care card?

Thanks all - still can't believe I have been bought one - am insisting it is a joint Xmas present as well to make myself feel a bit less decadent ...

OP posts:

Hairytoes · 04/10/2010 12:31

Ohhhhhh congratulations .
Here's the link on how to shorten the strap.
I can't remember what came with mine - the protective bag obviously, isn't the proof of authenticity the serial number on the round metal tag inside?
Don't forget to spray it with Collonil, you don't want it ruined!

Original poster

preghead · 05/10/2010 09:41

oh yes of course that's a good idea. Yes I have sprayed it with the Collinoll and havent even used it yet as it has been pouring with rain here all week and I dont want to get it wet

OP posts:

Flip