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Mulberry Lovers

39 replies

Mosschops30 · 28/10/2013 21:55

Which would you go for in oak

Classic bayswater?
Mini bayswater?
Alexa?

I dont usually carry a large bag, normally a small messenger (dont like mulberry messengers though)
But if im ever gonna get one, should i go for the bigger option

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 28/10/2013 21:57

What about the Effie slouch version?

About the right size, not too big?

Mosschops30 · 28/10/2013 22:00

Nope i want one of these three Smile

OP posts:
Allthingsprettyreturns · 29/10/2013 07:15

One of the Bays as I think the Alexa will look fated in the future imo

ophiotaurus · 29/10/2013 07:38

If you prefer smaller bags I would go for the mini bays. Can you get to a mulberry shop/stockist to see them irl?

SELondonSwede · 29/10/2013 08:18

Classic Bayswater

PicnicPie · 29/10/2013 08:22

Definitely the classic. I don't see the point of the mini. The classic is classic for a reason - its timeless. It will go with you through age, I.e. look good now and as you get older, I think. And therefore a worthy investment IMO.

Mosschops30 · 29/10/2013 08:35

Yes I've seen them all in RL

That's what I think about the classic, it is so classic! However I would never fill it and it would probably be 1/3 full.
The mini is more suited to me in size

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 29/10/2013 08:43

I have the east/west Bayswater which I think is discontinued. But I would say it has not worn well and I know friends have found the same with the classic Bayswater.

Vibbe · 29/10/2013 08:45

Classic Bayswater. Although it can be annoying that it's a shoulder bag and not a cross-body bag like the other two you've mentioned.

I find that Alexa is too slouchy when worn and not full. It looks like someone sat on it - it's not a great look. Some leathers are worse than others though.
I don't like the handles on the small Bays.

Having quite a few Mulberry bags, I would actually suggest that you find another brand - the quality is absolutely awful.

Mosschops30 · 29/10/2013 09:22

Oh no don't say that Hmm it's my dream bag

OP posts:
OnePlanetOneFuture · 29/10/2013 09:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mosschops30 · 29/10/2013 09:33

Some of them are still 895

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 29/10/2013 09:34

I do think the quality has gone downhill sadly. The brand is just out to exploit the Chinese market and pricing has gone silly.

mignonnette · 29/10/2013 09:35

My Alexa gets a bit saggy now and the calf hair has worn away in patches. It is also not suitable for heavy objects nor larger diaries/anything A4 sized.

Mulberry are not worth the money - I have three and yes it took me that many times to learn Hmm.

madammecholet · 29/10/2013 11:48

The vlassic bays is SOOOOOOOOOOOO heavy.. so mosschos it'd be a 1/3rd full and weigh a tonne? The Alexa has had its day.. so prob the mini bays if it HAS to be Mulberry. (Coach/Chloe/Prada/Balenciaga all far better imo)

Vibbe · 29/10/2013 11:59

My mum had Mulberry bags when I grew up, and they lasted really well despite us kids being quite hard on those bags.

I bought a Bayswater 10 years ago in Darwin leather. It was very nice. It did rip after a couple of months, couldn't be repaired and was replaced. The replacement bag is still great, although very stained as that's the way it is with that leather, especially in the oak colour. It has - like a couple of purses - lost screws, which have been replaced.

I have a couple of other bags - a pink champagne alexa which I haven't used much, and is now being repaired. The wire in the piping is coming out - the leather is worn through.
I have a tote bag (similar in shape to a LV Noe) in buffalo which is also being repaired - same problem as the Alexa.

I've had a Ledbury (looked like a small bayswater without the cross-body strap) replaced as the inking on the handles got sticky and ruined a top. The inking is the lacquer that's on the cut edges of the leather. I got another Bayswater instead - I've had that for a couple of years, and I can see that the leather on the piping is getting very worn - despite me being very careful with the bag.
To be fair, they replaced the Ledbury many years after purchasing it - but they did have a batch of bags with faulty inking.

I have a mini Alexa in green which is very sensitive. First time I wore it, I wore all white/cream clothes to avoid any colour transfer to the bag. But the back of the bag is shiny and there's a visible imprint of the tag that's inside the bag.

There's also a bag which has a metal chain with leather braided into it (like some Chanel bags). The leather unraveled so I've glued that back - this is a bag I have only used for a few quiet dinner parties.

I have had a purse which had metal parts like a zip. The metal parts peeled very quickly (after months, not years) - which meant I got a new purse. The new purse is now having minor issues with the zips and other metal parts.

Most of the metal parts on bags and purses get scratched and discoloured very quickly.

I thought I was just unlucky with the bags, but I find that this many bags (and I have friends who have had problems with the piping too) is indicative of poor quality.
I do have bags from cheaper and more expensive brands that have lasted better and I do have a couple of Mulberry items (a bag and a couple of smaller items) that are still fine despite being around 10 years old. But new ones simply don't last.

But the new bags are simply not good enough quality-wise, and I think it's a pity for Mulberry. But I cannot recommend buying any of their items as my experience with the brand and the quality is this bad.

Mosschops30 · 29/10/2013 16:00

Wow not great then!!!!

Still want one GrinGrinGrinGrin

Might be the mini bayswater

OP posts:
kchapper5 · 29/10/2013 16:03

I've got the oversized Alexa and love the slouchy cross body style but if that's not your style I'd go for the classic bays, :)

lilaloves · 29/10/2013 16:43

One thing I have noticed Mulberry bags are bloody heavy to carry around,anyone else find this?

mrsrhodgilbert · 29/10/2013 17:38

I'd go for classic oak Bayswater. I've had mine for two years now, I use waterproof spray regularly and the colour is getting better all the time. I rarely fill mine but I don't care. It is heavy but I'm kind of used to it.

I also have the small Bayswater but in a delicate, coloured leather and I love this too. It's actually the perfect size to hold what I need daily, which isn't much. My alexa is black and I used it in all weathers last winter and its still perfect. The oak is more likely to get marked whatever bag style you choose, just be aware of that. Also, when you go to buy it ask to see several bags because the grain on the leather differs so much, pick the one you like best. The assistants are quite used to this.

They are getting stupidly expensive but the ones you want are under £1000 still.

PepeLePew · 29/10/2013 17:46

The piping on my Bayswater (two years old, not used every day) is wearing through and you can see the wire. Which is shocking for the price paid. So do think carefully - I agree the quality is poor....does anyone know if there is any point taking it back to the shop and complaining?

Vibbe · 29/10/2013 18:13

I doubt you'll get much out of complaining in the shop as the bag is 2 years old, but there's no harm in talking to them.
I've just found that they are so used to having the bags sent in that they are in no way apologising or surprised that a £1000 bag doesn't last more than a few years.

They do have a fixed price on fixing piping (which I think is around £110).

AmberDextrous · 29/10/2013 18:18

Classic Bayswater
Love love love mine Smile
I have found no problem with quality, I am more careful with my designer bags though.
Enjoy!

pseudonymity · 29/10/2013 18:32

I have a mulberry from circa 2002 and the quality is amazing. Perhaps it is true that the quality is going down as people say. Piping is a tricky one, as details go it would have a lot of pressure on it as it's at the seams. I'm surprised about it wearing down though, surely you must be scraping it against things for that to happen?

I would def go for Bays out of those. I saw a friend with a v. old black Bays that had gone all slouchy and it was gorgeous. I would pay good money for one like that.

AlexaChelsea · 29/10/2013 18:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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