How do people afford Mulberry bags?

[Stokey]

There were two girls on either side of me on the tube last night each with a Mulberry bag and both in their 20s. And there are often threads on here about which one to buy.

Just wondering how people can manage to spend £800-1200 on a bag? I consider myself quite well off and couldn't justify it.

Would we question a man in his 20s with an expensive briefcase and assume that he lived at home, supported by his parents? I don't know why we'd assume that just because the girls were young-ish they were dependant on their parents. Some people are lucky enough to earn good salaries.

I have two, one was a gift from my DH and the other a gift to myself. I'm in my 20s, absolutely independent from my parents and with a mortgage, but decided to spend my money on that rather than other things.

They are much more expensive now than they used to be however.

I once spent about £1800 on a watch. My sister, who was with me, was withering in her scorn. 22 years later I'm still wearing it, and my sister has had several cheaper watches in the meantime (which I suspect probably add up to about the same £).

ShreddedHope I wasn't judging, I was interested.

But Artandco's point about her mother's Channel coat is good - shows that it is worth spending a lot on something that will last.

Don't think any of my bags have cost more than £100 but most don't last longer than a couple of years so maybe I should reconsider my strategy!

I saved up and bought one last year. I use it every other day (except in the summer). It's good quality (OK, not as good quality as Hermes perhaps ) and goes with everything, isn't overly trendy or blingy. My other bags are all from Dooney and Bourke, which I actually prefer. The florentine leather is equestrian grade and doesn't go floppy (my bag pet-peeve).

I have quite a few mulberry bags, bought over the last 3 years. Some have been birthday or Christmas presents from DH. Most have been bought in the sales or from the outlets. But I will be 50 next year, our house is furnished, cars paid for etc. We would never have been able to afford such things when we were younger. I don't buy anything else with a designer name and DH matches me by collecting guitars. I choose carefully, buying classic colours and styles that are well made and will last years.

I have a target to pay my mortgage off in about two years - when that happens I will definitely reward myself with an expensive bag (and DH will get a reward too - probably an outlandishly expensive bike)

I have Mulberry and many other designers goods too.
I work bloody hard and frankly I love them all
I do agree they have become more common place nowadays though. Bonuses in the city I reckon!

I have 3

The first 2 were bought in my 20s. I was a City lawyer earning good money (£80-100k) and wanted to treat myself. I got a black one then a tan one which pretty much covered every outfit I'd ever carry them with and I preferred having few expensive bags than buying a new cheap one every 4-6 months like my MIL does. I bought mine at sample sales when the average size ones cost about £500 full price - think I paid £300 each. They must be getting on for 10 years old now and still as good as new. My 3rd is an Alexa, under 5 years old, which was a Xmas present from DH - he knows I like lux. things and paid full price for that one. I don't have a car and I don't smoke so I don't feel guilt about the expense.

We need a psychologist to explain why people think different things are frivolous - eg bags, frocks, nights out etc. Someone here has said you should spend the money on frocks rather than a bag but I can't imagine spending loads of money on any garment other than a wedding dress. We all have different ways of allocating our income & some people save & some people run up scary credit card bills - what is it about bags that causes so much more fuss on here than anything else?

Mulberry are still British made, factory nearish. Put me off a bit, not that I could ever afford one. Was surprised when I realised the factory was nearby in a very deprived town. Think there is a seconds shop.

I think it's the association with WAGs that seems to get people's backs up. I don't see having an expensive bag any different than an expensive car or gadget.

Because they used to be cheaper. Because they do good sales. I have a couple but have never paid anything near full price and I reckon at least one is now worth a fair bit more than I paid because it's a classic and prices have risen so much. I think they age very well too (or did before quality fell)
Having said that now I think they are ridiculously overpriced and lost their appeal a lot. I wouldn't buy another unless I was rolling in cash because even half price they are extortionate. The Bayswater has nearly doubled in price in 5 years!

I bought a Bayswater five years ago for £495.

Mulberry bags used to be something you could save up for. The prices are outrageous now. I don't think they want ordinary folk buying their bags.

missed the memo again. What does a mulberry bag look like?

I bought one with my first ever bonus when I started work in my grad job 10 years ago - I was on a fairly high income with only rent to pay (central London) so had a decent amount of disposable income. My Bayswater was "only" about £495 though, so although expensive it wasn't the crazy price they charge now. I'd never spend that much on a bag now even though i can technically afford it - different priorities I guess.

I have quite a few Mulberry handbags. I bought them years ago, before I had children and when they were much cheaper than they are now (and better quality imo).

I agree with MichaelFinnigan; most people don't seem to judge those who spend money on expensive phones/contracts and iPads, when they only last for a few years. A decent handbag should last many years (if looked after properly). I've always refused to spend money on a mobile phone contract/ top of the range phone, so that's around £500 a year saved already.

Re the statement of price being meaningless - actually it is to me as I am a senior manager in retail buying, including outlets.

So I very rarely take into account the RRP of anything I buy at an outlet, but whether it equates to good value and markup, and whether I will get great use out of it.

My bag is a classic that has stood the test of time. The quality is fantastic. It's equated to £40 a year so far. And it's far from finished it's life, the size shape colour and look are perfect for work, travel, shopping etc.

The only other bags I really use are my Ted Baker clutch for evenings which is getting ragged and was not grwat value, and I have two Radley bags which I bought when I worked for House of Fraser at 70% off. They are great for trips out, fun parks, concerts etc. I have had them for 11 years and they look great - even after many soakings on various log flumes.

TheAwfulDaughter There were a few comments about youngish women living at home and therefore having less outgoings. I didn't mean to imply they had said they were fully supported/pampered by their parents, I just thought it was an interesting point to see if people would suggest the same if it was men involved.

Personally if I saw a young man on the tube with expensive looking clothes/bags (I think you can tell quality and cost fairly quickly with most men's items) I would honestly assume he was successful with a good job, rather than living at home with lower outgoings. Perhaps this is an indicator of my assumptions rather than anyone elses.

I agree it's just about priorities, sorry if I side-tracked the conversation.

I have never owned a designer bag. In my teens and 20's I was into clothes and shoes more than bags. I tended to buy bags in high street stores.

Now I would love not mind a designer bag. They look good, are sturdy and can last for years.

My bags last several years probably because I rotate them rather than carry the same for days on end.

I remember buying clothes for every night out regularly when living at home. I earned a lot less but had virtually no responsibility bar giving dm housekeeping, paying for travel to work and mobile phone contract.

I'm mid (late?) twenties and I have one but my husband bought it as a present. I love it but would never have bought it for myself.

I don't have a mulberry, but have had a DKNY bag (bought with a tax rebate) and one of the Longchamp Pliage bags.

I used the DKNY every day for about two years - it still looks awesome. I stopped using it because I was bored. I then switched to the longchamp, which I have ABUSED for the last 18 months, shoving as much stuff as possible in it, bashing it around, generally mishandling it. The corners have worn a bit, but otherwise it still looks fine.

If you buy quality it lasts.

Shoes, is another. I have some shoes which cost £££ these are treated well, sent to cobblers often, and look as good as new, but in fact are years old.
Yy watches, an expensive watch is worth looking after and will last forever.

I know people who could but would never spend on such things. But they will pay less, but replace more often. Each to their own.

I always assume that most people carrying very expensive designer bags have bought them on credit!

I'd sooner buy investments for my ISA. I'd never spend more than £150 on a bag.