This Mulberry bag! Or something else? Handbag challenge!!

[ShyGirlie]

I have spent a huge amount of time looking for a particular style of handbag. Must be:

• real leather
• grey
• quite structured
• have grab handles to carry in crook of arm AND a long shoulder strap (can be detachable)

Finally found one to meet all these criteria, unfortunately it's a Mulberry Alexa one! Would never normally even consider a bag at this price (1100 pounds) but its just perfect! Technically I can afford it if I take a whack out of savings account, but I'm really meant to be saving very hard!

What should I do? Can i get the Alexa any cheaper elsewhere? Do I just buy it? How does anyone justify spending this on a bag?!?

Would love it if u lot could find me something similar elsewhere as it really does not have to be a mulberry one! Willing to spend up to 200 pounds on something else.

D your best!

Sorry cant link to bag, don't know how to on ipad

If you'd ideally spend only up to £200, don't buy the Mulberry. I'm a big M fab - but it's worth looking in TX Maxx, M&S (you'd be surprised), etc.

Watching with interest, I'm after a similar bag with a similar budget. I'm also looking at the Marcie satchel, and I quite like some of the very structured totes at that price point. if only I had the budget for a Celine

I love the Alexa, I think if that's the one you want then you should go for it! The only similar satchel which I like better is the Proenza Schoeler PS1 which is similar price or more. But in the interest of research...

Chloe Marcie or Paraty ?

Vince Camuto ?

Jimmy Choo ?

This Saint Laurent beauty ? Budget out of the window!

Have you looked at Marc by Marc Jacobs, do you like their bags? Or Rebecca Minkoff do bags in that sort of range too. Or maybe Coach?

I say treat yourself , the Alexa is a fabulous bag which won't date

Was coming on to recommend Coach but see another poster has beat me to it! I love Mulberry but think the pricing has gone up a lot. Coach are better priced and very good quality, although you can't order from the UK website you can ring the store and they will post out for free!

Marc Jacobs? I have this bag in teal and it's lovely quality, beautiful leather, and will probably wear better than an Alexa from what I've heard.

Also second/third the other posters suggesting Coach. Really good quality and value for money IMO.

Thats a lovely bag Blond the MbMJ bags are fantastic quality leather.
Like others have said, Coach great value, also look at Kate spade and Tory Burch, I have bags from both and they are great. How about this
tory burch satchel

ohh i like that marc jacobs one! coach all beautiful but not in the colour im after. thanks ladies!

If your heart is not into spending that much money then don't. rule number one of designer handbags - it has to be worth it to you and you have to be delighted with the purchase. Get yourself on ebay or reseller sites. You'll score a secondhand grey mulberry alexa for around £400, less if it is in 'used' condition. Mulberry did a grey alexa a couple of years ago so there will be some kicking around secondhand if you are prepared to wait a bit. Good luck.

Anything here? www.lkbennett.com/Handbags/View-All/c/handbags-viewall?q=:price-desc:parentColour:Grey&text=

naughtipidginsnest.co.uk/naughtipidginsnestshop/prod_2892369-Mulberry-Alexa-OS-in-Chocolate-Buffalo-New.html

Check out Hobbs...

mulberry I hate to say have declined in quality so I've heard.

a few people I know who have the older bags and got new or saw new say quality has gone downhill.

I'd get Chloe, Marc by MJ, maybe Celine, Tods, Coach etc,

modula?

My mberry is fantastic quality and the cost per wear makes it one of the most cost effective things I have ever bought.

If you can afford it just go for it - you won't regret it

Instead of the much-seen mulberry perhaps?

Another option This is primarily a USA label, so excluding the 'net and bond street is hard to source, v good quality.

Hi,I'm looking for a new bag at the moment and a thinking of going for a Longchamp Le Pliage in tan leather but it does come in a lovely anthracite/grey and are around £300.
I have several Mulberrys and find them really heavy to use everyday

I have the Alexa and I wouldn't say it was"structured" it's quite "floppy", unless full.
I love it and would highly recommend Mulberry, they last and are very well made!

Please don't tell me that the ALexa is named after that Aexa Chung/Chang creature??!!

The one with only one expression - "Ta-da" as if she feels awfully smug about dressing herself/more likely being dressed by a stylist.......