Mulberry Shop Bicester Village

[Crazy8]

Has anyone been to the Mulberry shop in Bicester village and is it worth going to? I want to buy a new bag but can't bring myself to pay full price!

Nope, but I'm watching this thread! Love Mulberry but I have the same financial problem :) They had an online Jan sale this year which made bags slightly less ridiculously priced, but still need to save a few months' salary for the indulgence.

I've previously bought from the outlet at Shelton mallet, good prices but caveat emptor - my bag has slight damage near the top. Not been to bicester.

Are the outlet store bags always slightly damaged? Also, if not Mulberry can anyone recommend another brand?

Last went in the summer. Mini Alexa's were about £600 and weren't obvious seconds (£250ish off RRP). Stock was pretty good, yes some weird colours but also plenty of current/classic shapes in classic colours. You will still pay around £500-£700, ime.

Not as much of a bargain as I thought they might be!

Some of them are last season/discontinued colours, some are slight seconds (stitching or dyeing faults, some more obvious than others). I have a tan Alexa hobo from there from 2yrs ago which I checked meticulously and there are no faults whatsoever with it, it has served me brilliantly.

No Crazy, Bicester is still pretty dear. You will still be buying a bag at a premium price. The huge Burberry shop had some gorgeous bags in last time I went (no naff Westbrook check), similar prices to Mulberry.

I've been a few times - there's a some 'seconds' and some 'past season' and some current bags - usually quite a random selection! There's a website, purse forum, that has a thread that is updated with what is in stock at the time here if you want to get an idea of what they might have.

Another recommendation for the Purse Forum thread, it's the best way to see what's in stock. They will post bags to you as long as they are past season stock - defective bags are only sold on site. Only a seven day return period though on posted stuff - call them and see if they have whatever you want in stock. I ordered a past season black Mitzy hobo which I'd wanted for years for £275 so was happy. It's my weekend bag and a real workhorse, from the days when Mulberry made bags as tough as nails at relatively good prices - was 'only' £595 full price.

I bought a beautiful oversize Alexa from their last year. Perfect condition and 40% off. Is hit and miss though, sometime their is nothing.

Are there any other handbag brands anyone would recommend?

Radley.

Ooh! Will have a look at Radley. Thank you.

Coach these are lovely bags. increasingly seen in the glossies this side if the pond. DD has two now, beautiful quality.

I saw something recently that said mulberry are looking at their pricing strategy and will be reducing their prices soon after over inflating them a few years ago.

I went during January sales and the savings were great. Totally worth going at that time as there's extra % off the already discounted price.

Mulberry are due to get cheaper later on year therefore I would have thought outlets will follow?

Maybe best thing to do is wait. I just want a really nice leather bag without spending ridiculous amount.

I'm sure I remember reading that Mulberry make bags specially for the outlet shop. I don't know whether they are the same quality as the non-outlet shop bags. I might pop along there this week sometime so I will go in and see what is there. I much prefer the Coach bags at Bicester.

Bicester is the devils very own armpit

It is a bit grim isn't it! I usually spend more time in Costa than in the shops!

It can be hit and miss at times. Yes, yes to keeping eye on purse forum, or you can phone Bicester. They will post perfect stock out. They stock old season stock along with seconds 'O' marked, which they won't post out. Normally 30% less than normal retail prices, so they can end up more expensive than sale stock at normal retailers.

Look out for additional % off at Bicester, tends to be around bank holidays.

Mulberry outlets do not sell on line.

I bought a perfect medium size Alexa for 40% off 18 months ago. I have used it constantly.

thanks for the link to the purseforum, I just got a dorset tote I've been coveting for a while.

I can second looking at coach bags. I brought a beautiful one from john lewis. www.johnlewis.com/coach-madison-leather-hobo-handbag/p967125?colour=Parchment fab prices s really well made and lovely leather

Bicester is very dependent on time of year. Mid November - mid ham is horrific: the stores pull out stuff that has not been seen in the high street for 5 years. Yes Ted Baker and Reiss I'm looking at you

Other nice brands are Celine - although very popular and pricey and a nice "cheaper" (I appreciate it's all relative) alternative is Michael Korrs. Marc Jacobs is good for casual or clutch bags