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Original poster

Mulberry bag- are they worth it?

91 replies

Missushb · 30/10/2014 14:50

Thinking about splashing out on one for my Christmas and birthday, are they as lovely as they look?! I know they are very expensive but are they worth it? It is it just a splurge too far?!

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 30/10/2014 14:57

You will get two kinds of answer on here. Those who love Mulberry bags and think that they are worth it and those who think that forking out several hundred pounds for a handbag isn't.

Comito · 30/10/2014 15:00

I have two but bought them both second hand. I really like the Mulberry hobo type bags. Previously had a Bayswater but I wasn't keen on it as it was too big to hang over my arm and the strap was too short to go over my shoulder.

Original poster
Missushb · 30/10/2014 15:02

Yeah I like the hobo ones they are lovely.

OP posts:
HolgerDanske · 30/10/2014 15:03

Yes.

Carpaccio · 30/10/2014 15:07

I have quite a few Mulberry bags and I love the design of them. But the quality isn't as good as it used to be.

I have had a few items replaced as they broke and couldn't be repaired, I have some bags that look scuffed and where the colour is wearing off the leather, but there's not much to do - Mulberry can't offer any advice of suitable polish to use and they can't do anything about it. These bags aren't being misused, they just don't last very long before they start looking worn.

The classic colours are better I think, but I still think that the quality of the leather is worse than it used to be. 10 years ago Mulberry was awesome - quality great and service was good. Now, the quality has gone downhill and the service isn't exactly fantastic either.

callamia · 30/10/2014 15:07

I always imagine mulberry bags are only bought by men when they feel bad about fucking their secretary.

I know this is stupid, sexist and narrow, but all the people I know who has them bought by a partner split up not long after.

I'd totally buy a super expensive handbag myself though. They last and look beautiful - and you know you'll use them.

LilAnnieAmphetamine · 30/10/2014 15:09

It depends upon the type skin and finish and what you want it for. If you will only use it occasionally, the calf hair bags are lovely, supple and soft but they age really badly, developing worn and bald patches.

The ox leather bags are tough as old boots. Darker colours look better for longer.

As long as you avoid bags with a lot of hardware then again, they will last. The bag styles with side fasteners to make the bag deeper when unfastened have a shorter life because those fastenings (metal and embedded inside) can come off leaving you with a bag that gapes when not filled.

The totes and hoboes are longer lasting because they are simpler.

I have an Alexa, a Roxanne, a Daria an Edie and a Willow. The Alexa has lost a lot of shape, has lost the side fasteners and looks a bit sorry for itself. The Roxanne is still sturdy BUT the fastening straps and buckles have started to roll up and curl up so it doesn't look as smart as it did. The Daria and Edie are my favourites- both in dark colours and still smart. Willow was a gift and not my choice.

lemisscared · 30/10/2014 15:09

I used to want one but don't like the latest styles. I think they are a status symbol and as such , a bit crass. If i had that sort of money to spend on a bag i think id want something more individual.

Bslami · 30/10/2014 15:10

I have the tote in tan and it is BLOODY heavy to carry, even before you put anything inside it. So I hardly ever use it. Don't get a big one.

uggmum · 30/10/2014 15:10

I have 3 Mulberry bags. The first 2 are really good quality. Lovely leather and wearing really well. I'm currently using the oldest one and it still looks new.

The last one I bought ( the most expensive one) is not so good. After 1 month the fastener broke. It was replaced in store (the bag was replaced). This bag, it's an Alexa, has not worn that well. I don't think the leather is as good quality as the others. Since I've bought it the price has increased by £300. I feel this is an unacceptable amount and as a result I have not bought another. This price increase was within 8 months of my purchase and I didn't get a special offer.

I also have a bright pink purse and I love it.

HolgerDanske · 30/10/2014 15:11

Oh that's a shame. I wonder if I should stick with anya for my day to day classic bags, then, and just buy higher end high street for my trendy items.

I've wanted the bayswater tote for ages now as I like big throw-it-all in bags. I suppose it wouldn't look too bad even if it did get scuffed and worn, as long as I stick to black or oak?

I will ponder this carefully during the months it will take me to save for my next buy Smile

lemisscared · 30/10/2014 15:11

Callamia Grin i know someone who bought his partner a mulberry bag and she fucked off with someone 20 years older!!!

SuperFlyHigh · 30/10/2014 15:12

IMO not at the prices they are now. I have an OLD one from back in 2000 or so and it's nice...

But I wouldn't pay their prices now. My SIL's SIL has about 2 or 3 of them and I've seen good knockoffs of the one with the huge metal Mulberry tree logo.

Carpaccio · 30/10/2014 15:24

Oak will get patina - a nice worn for stained. I have a Bayswater in oak which is around 10 years old and it's much darker than when I bought it and has loads of stains from being caught in the rain, being treated with the leather care products recommended by Mulberry and from general use - just holding the bag by the handles will over time darken the handles considerably.

I don't think the weight of any of the bags is a problem for me, but I have heard that other people struggle with it.

It's been a while since my partner bought me a Mulberry bag, but he hasn't left yet and he doesn't have a secretary, so I might be safe. He has however had to deal with the Mulberry returns stuff in a shop and found it very frustrating as they got everything wrong, including losing the bag when he came to pick it up after it had been repaired. So maybe that's what's driving the men away...

I can to some extent accept the prices going up, but if the quality and service at the same go down, it just doesn't seem right or fair on the customer. With the amount of repairs and replacements Mulberry seem to offer, it's causing us more issues than it's worth - you get a bag, it breaks, they offer that you get a replacement for the value of the bag when you bought it. If there's been a price increase in the meantime, you can't even get the same bag you had because it's so much more expensive. Not cool.

buttercrumble · 30/10/2014 15:32

Yes , love both my bayswater and Antony and bought them myself. I would stick to the classic colours like black , chocolate or Oak. Smile

polyhymnia · 30/10/2014 15:36

I think the Anya ones are actually far nicer and also prefer selected bags from, eg, Russell and Bromley or L K Bennett. Find Mulberries rather unexciting in design and hate the blingy metalware on some styles. Really don't want to carry round a big 'gold' logo of a tree, sorry.

hellsbellsmelons · 30/10/2014 15:43

I also have 3 Mulberry bags and they are all good.
I would never pay full price though.
I head to Bicester village when I have some money for one.
Some great bargains there, but I do live only about 40 minutes away from it.

leedy · 30/10/2014 16:05

Yeah, don't like the blingy metalware ones at all, and some of the styles are horrible.

That said, I have a small Antony (chocolate) and a Tessie satchel (oak), both lovely, and really nice quality. Both bought by me, incidentally. :)

squoosh · 30/10/2014 16:10

They used to be worth it, they definitely aren't any more. They doubled their prices without improving their product.

Mulberry can bugger off as far as I'm concerned.

theposterformallyknownas · 30/10/2014 16:22

I'll be the first then, I don't buy expensive bags as can't afford them as a sahm.
I'm certainly not working to buy them.
I have heard Mulberry used to be good as a friend has them, but recently she has gone to other brands because of poor quality.
I think if you are spending a lot of money on accessories you want good quality and for it to look good for a long time, otherwise you won't use it and then it certainly won't be worth it and you'll have wasted so much money.

NickiFury · 30/10/2014 16:32

I've got three and I love them. I spent years wanting one, then I got a small purple Kristin, that I can use for evenings, a few years ago for Christmas and then got two more as totally unexpected gifts. Both Oak, the Daria Hobo and the Effie satchel.

Am now saving up for a black Effie satchel as I like to use them every day not keep stuck in a cupboard and I wear a lot of black.

I don't know if they're worth the money as such, but I love them and for me personally it's worth it especially as someone else paid Wink

NickiFury · 30/10/2014 16:37

Oh and IMO some of the new designs are hideous. I wouldn't wear a Cara Delevingne backpack if they gave me one free in every colour. I suspect thought, that I am not the target market for that particular bag.

RonaldMcDonald · 30/10/2014 16:55

Nope. Dully dull mcdullsville
I have 4 but now never use them and think they were a waste of cash

Floellabenjamin · 30/10/2014 17:03

I could have posted this myself OP _ I'm also looking at getting one I like the effie tote. But being put off by some of these posts

arna · 30/10/2014 17:11

I own 2 - a black Mitzy hobo (6 yrs ago for £350 in Selfridges 20% off pre Xmas shopping weekend events) and a large chocolate Anthony Messenger (5 yrs ago at airport duty free branch for approx £150). I would not buy them now - the prices have shot up that it's too silly/expensive even at the shopping outlets. I'm returning to favour Coach bags a decade after I first purchased a red hobo bag for under $150.

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