Urgent Bayswater advice needed please.

[2ofstedsin24weeksistakingthep]

DH has very kindly bought me a Bayswater bag for my birthday which I love but I didn't realise they were so big! I'd call it more of a weekend bag than a handbag, and am not sure I would use it as much as I should.

Does this come in a smaller size? If it was smaller I'm sure I would use it lots. DH has said they will exchange it but not refund which is fine by me and he isn't at all bothered if I do this. However, today is the only day this can be done so need advice ASAP.

DH has just thrown a spanner in the works too by saying he almost bought a saddle bag, which to be honest is probably more me, though very samey to my other bags.

What would you do? I feel really ungrateful as he has obviously put a lot of thought into this and has obviously been saving up.

Go to the shop and try loads out. It will be fun.

Fwiw I have lots of bags the same 'shape' - they suit me, fit over my shoulder etc.

The bayswater is a large bag but I wouldn't have said weekender/holdal size. I think there is a holdal that looks like a bay's water though.

If it's not you then I'd exchange it otherwise you'll hardly use it and it will be a waste. I'm sure your dh would rather you have something you use than sat in a cupboard unloved

Is the 'standard' Bayswater that you have? Do they come in different sizes? I have one and it's really not that big, certainly no bigger than other handbags I have?

One thing I will say about it is that IME it's a really impractical bag - it's heavy and I always feel like a bit of twat carrying it as it doesn't fit over my shoulder so it dangles off my forearm like I'm Paris Hilton.

If there is another style that you prefer and it won't offend your DH, personally i would change it for something else.

I would just go to the shop and look at them and pick one. If dh doesn't mind which he doesn't you say.

The classic Bays is this size: www.mulberry.com/shop/womens-bags/icons/bayswater-chocolate-natural-leather-with-brass

There's the smaller satchel here: www.mulberry.com/shop/womens-bags/satchels/small-bayswater-satchel-oak-natural-leather-with-brass

The Piccadilly, which is a large Bays: www.mulberry.com/shop/travel/holdalls/piccadilly-black-grainy-print-leather-with-nickel

There's also the tote: www.mulberry.com/shop/womens-bags/totes/bayswater-tote-oak-natural-leather-with-brass

I have the classic bays and I think it's quite a practical size - I've used it as an everyday bag, as a weekend bag and I carry it over my shoulder.
The smaller one might be more practical as it can be used as a cross body bag.

there is an East West Bayswater

I have the East West Bayswater. Perfect everyday handbag size for me

It is definitely a classic Bayswater and whilst I'm probably over exaggerating it being a weekend bag, compared to my usual bags it's massive! I do love a good bag but don't really do statement bags if that makes sense. I like a quality bag that looks good, is practical and once on my shoulder I forget is there. I have a battered mulberry satchel that I have used everyday for the last 6+ years precisely because it fits into this criteria and several much loved but under used bags in the wardrobe

I'm going to go see what they have and then make up my mind. Thanks for the advice.

they should also exchange for a credit note which will give you more time to think and a chance to take advantage of the sales.

I know this isn't strictly what you asked OP but our views and tastes in bags sound similar - love mulberry but if I'm honest I'm not keen on the bayswater...

I have a much loved Antony in chocolate and I'm looking for an oak Seth... I know they are man bags but I love them!

What did you do, OP? Curious!

Sorry for not updating sooner but each time I tried the site was down.

Cloggal our tastes do sound very similar. In fact my old faithful is just like the seth/antony bags except it doesn't have a pocket on the front. Can't remember the actual name as it was bought so long ago.

There wasn't much in the shop that wasn't either massive or tiny and anything inbetween was in bright mustard, teal or studded. To be fair it was heaving and bags were flying off the shelves and staff were apologising for the limited stock! I did like Bella but someone got to the last one before me so I have got a credit note. They have 3-5 deliveries a week and are going to call when they get another in stock. Bella is very similar to my fave bag but due to being light brown nappa leather, marks really easily so doesn't get used much. Again I can't remember the name but it truly is beautiful with gorgeous tassles where the braided handles are tied together.

As a bonus the Bella is cheaper than the bayswater so if I shop carefully may be able to stretch to two bags!

2ofsteds Bella is a bloody lovely bag. A wise buy :)

I know you are happy to exchange your bag op, but I'm very surprised they wouldn't refund. I've bought bags from Mulberry stores and the outlets in York and Bicester and they always offer a refund within a certain time. I recently got one from York, for Christmas and was offered a full refund if I returned it within two weeks.

Mrsrhodgilbert The bag was from York but the problem was that DH was super organised and bought the bag when I was away in August. He thankfully explained this at the time so they extended the exchange period until yesterday which was why we couldn't have refund. DH knew that this wouldn't be a problem as I love Mulberry! As they didn't have a bag I liked they exchanged the bag for a gift voucher so I have until November 2014 to make up my mind.

The only problem now is that I have discovered the Effie satchel and can't decide which I prefer. Oops!

What a lovely husband you have. Mine too knows that anything from Mulberry will be well received. I'm having a trip over to York next week and the store should be very well stocked. Its the St Nicholas Fayre in the city and they will be expecting a lot of visitors. Hopefully your bag will arrive, though I think I'd be calling them too as they may be short of time and popular bags fly off the shelves.

Well it's back to the drawing board. Went to collect Bella in black and the leather is completely different to the red one. It was really thin and squashy so the bag just crumpled and lost its shape. It was also really shiny and looked like a completely different bag so I didn't get it.