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Original poster

Mulberry Alexa owners, your feedback please.

25 replies

Bellebelle · 12/05/2011 19:30

I'm about to buy a Mulberry Alexa in the new bright green colour but I'm a bit concerned about how it will wear.

My plan would be to use it almost every day (work, out and about with the kids, travelling) but I have a Bayswater I got a few years ago which hasn't worn well at all but it was very soft leather so probably should have been handled a bit better than I did.

If I'm spending that much on a bag (vouchers are paying for most of it but still) I expect to be able to wear it loads and for it to age well, can anyone let me know how they've got on with theirs?

OP posts:

TheBolter · 12/05/2011 19:36

My sister has an Alexa.

Mulberry bags are wear tested for a few weeks before use, but probably not for the amount of time you're thinking of using it for!

It's a beautiful bag and it goes with pretty much everything, however its only downside (IMO - I didn't say this to my sister!) was that it seemed a bit flimsy and not robust like the Roxanne. I have a couple of M bags in butter soft leather and they are lovely, but I wouldn't want to sling them down on the floor when in a hurry! My roxanne however will be an heirloom!

Original poster

Bellebelle · 12/05/2011 19:52

I know what you mean, for the money it does feel quite flimsy in comparison to my Bayswater. I've bought it and have 7 days to decide whether to keep. It's lovely but feel a bit sick about how much it cost. Now, the heirloom argument is a good one though, I have 2 DD's so the cost per wear argument could definitely come into play here...

OP posts:

K999 · 12/05/2011 19:58

I have 4 Mulberry Bags - Bayswater in brown, Ledbury in brown, Roxanne in lipstick and Maggie in patent purple.

Love them all and kinda like that they get a bit kicked in, well used look. The only one snag that I have found is with the Roxanne - it slides off my shoulders easily.

I too use the investment/heirloom argument when I spend that much on a bag. I have a couple of LV too and they wear well. But by far, my favourite bags are my Luella bags....but she went out of business...

Original poster

Bellebelle · 12/05/2011 20:06

Loved Luella too, don't have any bags but have a dress and top.

I'm also perfectly happy with the worn in look, prefer it to a box fresh look but the Bayswater I had started to peel and looks grotty. Sales girl in Mulberry said that they can send it away and give me a quote for repairs though.

OP posts:

Miaowww · 12/05/2011 20:07

I use mine every day for work and at weekends out with the kids. It has worn really well except for one thing - the inking (bit where they have smoothed over the joins between different pieces of leather) on the handle started to peel slightly. Apparently Mulberry will fix it if you ask but I haven't done anything about mine cos it hardly shows and I am not planning on selling it on. I also suspect I shouldn't have kept it in direct sunlight for hours on the beach the other day Apart from that it has taken loads of abuse and still looks great, I agree that it is one of those bags that actually looks better with a bit of use.
If you are still unsure I'd recommend looking on Purse Forum for more owners views:- forum.purseblog.com/mulberry/ (hope the link works, I've never done one before)

Miaowww · 12/05/2011 20:08

Trying again!

forum.purseblog.com/mulberry/

herethereandeverywhere · 12/05/2011 21:57

I have an Alexa and also a Kensington and a Knightsbridge. The Alexa is made of a different type of leather (I'm assuming the new bright green one will be too). It's soft buffalo leather not the thicker, saddle/bridle type leather that my other two bags are made from. That said it is wearing fine so far (had it since Xmas) and the surface hasn't scratched (unlike my Gucci calfskin bag which has my claw marks all over it ). I only use it occasionally though, whereas I've used my Knightbridge pretty much everyday. The label inside does warn that exposure to heavy rainfall might stain it.

HalfTermHero · 12/05/2011 22:11

I would say that Alexa holds up rather well provided that you do not carry too much. It is not a bag to stuff to the brim, iykwim. It is not as strong as say a roxanne, bayswater or mitzy. The lighter colours are often likely to suffer colour transfer (i.e. they can pick up dye from your dark clothes, especially denim). So if you want to use the bag everyday and have it stay looking clean then maybe consider black or chocolate alexa as they will most likely stay looking better for longer. Alexa is a great style though and deserves it's popularity.

Original poster

Bellebelle · 13/05/2011 07:39

Thanks for the feedback ladies, very helpful.

Have to admit though that I have woken up this morning with deep shopper's regret. I think I should have bought it in a more classic colour and it's a serious amount of money for a bag, it's the outsize one so almost 4 figures which is making me uneasy.

Will sit and stare at it for a bit longer and then probably take it back...or maybe not...

OP posts:

chipstick10 · 13/05/2011 08:27

Also the green i am assuming is a seasonal colour and so how long can you wear it iykwim. Have you considered going for a classic colour. Havent seen the green irl mite it suffer colour transfer!!!!! I have the alexa in oak. Yes it is softer than the Bays, but then as much as i adore my bays, it is quite heavy to lug around. People have also expressed that the Alexa wont be a classic like the Bays or Roxy. I think it will be.

TheBolter · 13/05/2011 20:02

Alexa is an iconic bag, so good investment IMO. However I would buy it in oak as the colour goes with everything and it'll never go out of fashion.

My favourite Mulberry bag is my Roxanne Satchel. It's the one I get the most use out of the six I have. Practical, hardwearing, stylish and easy to carry.

HazeltheMcWitch · 13/05/2011 20:05

I'm a bit disappointed with how much (how little) my alexa holds. The way it is constructed makes it feel as though the weight is bring distributed across too few a point, if that makes sense. It just does not feel like it will be as long lasting as a Bayswater.

HalfTermHero · 13/05/2011 21:13

I don't carry much in my alexas either. But I do think they will last pretty well if you accept that they are 'fashion' rather than workhorse bags iykwim. Alexa is already a classic mulberry. The style served to rocket the company's share price.

Bayswater is Mulberry at it's most sturdy, imho.

Original poster

Bellebelle · 13/05/2011 21:56

Hmm, I think a return is becoming more likely by the minute. The reports of it not holding much concern me. I reckon that Mulberry will always have something I really like each season and there's no point in buying something I'm not 100% sure of.

Before I saw the Alexa in the green I had decided that I wasn't that keen on the style and was swaying towards a Bayswater satchel which is basically a Bayswater with a detachable strap stuck on it. It was the colour which did it for me, it's a super WOW green colour, I've just looked on the Mulberry site and it's called Bright Cabbage!

I take the point about buying in a classic colour but I've got a Bayswater from about 4/5 years ago in a deep pink colour and still use it all the time. I tend to wear quite classic clothes, neutral colours, clean lines, think Jil Sander/Cos type style so a bag with a quirky colour works for me.

I actually really liked the Edie in the deep indigo colour but Harvey Nichols didn't get it in and that's where I had my vouchers for.

OP posts:

ChippingIn · 13/05/2011 22:00

I think if you spend that much on a bag you're absolutely fucking nuts you need to love it and not be umming and ahhhing about it. Clearly it's not right so send it back and go to TK Max think again.

Original poster

Bellebelle · 13/05/2011 22:40

Chippingin It is a silly amount of money for a bag but last time I checked Harvey Nichols don't really sell anything practical which would have been a better purchase. As a shop it is the ultimate shrine to all things material and overpriced but I like it.

I am however a dedicated TK Maxx shoe purchaser.

OP posts:

ChippingIn · 13/05/2011 22:49

chipstick10 · 13/05/2011 22:57

I love the Edie. The black is beautiful. I am still debating.

HalfTermHero · 13/05/2011 23:06

The Edie will be sturdier and work harder than Alexa. I still love alexa though, Edie just does not excite me in the same way. Have you considered the East West Mitzy? That one will work hard and should be robust too.

chipstick10 · 13/05/2011 23:13

I have had the east west mitzy and sold her on. She is very wide and as much as i love the handle, the strap is very short and non adjustable. So it sits very high on the waist if you try to wear it messenger style. The mitzy i also purchaed but returned, its just too big for me, i found it uncomfortable. I so wanted to like it but for the money i just didnt.

K999 · 13/05/2011 23:14

I returned the mitzy too....

HalfTermHero · 13/05/2011 23:31

I sold my Mitzy on too....there is a theme emerging. But, they are very hardwearing. You could throw one across a room with no ill outcome

K999 · 13/05/2011 23:44

Unless you're using it to transport a very small dog...

clairefromparis · 26/01/2012 22:16

Hello BelleBelle!! (what a nice nickname)
If in any case you change of mind about your green cabbage Alexa handbag, i am more than willing to buy it from you!! I am indeed desperate to find one :(
If so please let me know...
xoxo
Claire

monkeysmama · 27/01/2012 09:12

I have the gold champagne Alexa and apart from some scratches on the gold plate around the twist lock it's as good as when I got it. I love it. It is a bit of a pain to get in to when you're on the move. I tend to leave one of the magnetic clasps open so I can get my hand in instead of undoing it all.

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