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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:

cuphat · 31/10/2014 10:54

I have quite a few Mulberry bags and I think they've been worth every penny, however I bought them in the days when the Bayswater was £495 (and I had no responsibilities!). I'm not sure they're worth it at today's prices. I have a few styles but the Bayswater is my favourite (I have it in three colours!). It easily fits over my shoulder though, even with a thick coat on; I've heard a few people saying that it doesn't fit over their shoulders and I wouldn't get on with a bag if it didn't.

HotDogJumpingFrogAlburquerque · 31/10/2014 11:06

I have a Bayswater in a lovely dark colour, got it about 3 years ago for about £650 (had 20% off). I don't use it for work, but do use it most weekends and so far no problems with the quality. touch wood

Have the prices gone up? I think when I bought mine the standard Oak Bayswater was £700ish, what are they now?

I don't think I'd buy another one, but that's just because I think one is enough. Have a few Russell & Bromley and LK Bennett bags which were half the price and probably similar quality-wise.

divingoffthebalcony · 31/10/2014 11:17

The Oak Bayswater is £895 now.

That's a £400 increase in six years.

HotDogJumpingFrogAlburquerque · 31/10/2014 11:30

Thanks Diving

Jeez...

I'm not sure that's worth it, especially as they aren't even made here anymore, aren't they made in Taiwan now or something? Shocking.

divingoffthebalcony · 31/10/2014 11:35

Mulberry like to dine out on this myth that their bags are made in the UK, but the figure is only about 30%. They have had factories in Turkey and China for a long time.

Lndnmummy · 31/10/2014 14:32

I have 3, two bayswater and one messenger and they have all aged beautifully (unlike me).
I love the aged look of the tan bayswater, it is beautiful.
I have not paid full price gor any of them as a friend gets them at corporate discount so maximum i paid was £350, I think. I am not sure i would pay around the £700 for them but again I wouldnt have the budget. Maybe if i did have the budget I would feel differently about it.
If the outlet in somerset is still around I can really recommend them too. Fantastic service, sending pictures etc.

Lndnmummy · 31/10/2014 14:34

Holy cow £895??? Really? As an owner of oak bayswater I would not say that sum of money would e worth it.

leedy · 31/10/2014 15:39

Yeah, their prices have gone up ridiculously, I think they were/are trying to price themselves as a "super premium" brand and I can only imagine the result has been fewer sales. I think when I bought my Antony they had just done another price hike and I managed to convince the SA to give it to me at the previous price ("I came in to look at this bag last month and it was x amount, now I have come back in to get it and it is y, you will lose a sale, etc. etc.").

squoosh · 31/10/2014 15:42

Their share prices have taken a big tumble this year. I'm not surprised.

santamarianovella · 31/10/2014 16:12

The sad thing is once you commit an irreversible mistake, like what Bruno Guillon did, trying to make the brand more up scale and exclusive, you are bound to suffer,

Big brands like Prada Celine, Chloe , balenciaga are expensive but the offer some reasonably priced bags that are within the mulberry price price range, so it's very normal for customers to switch alliance to the better brands, with fresher and more unique designs , I know that if I had a budget of £900 ( which is what a bayswater costs now days) I would certainly not get a mulberry, but will look at the stated brands I mentioned ,

NickiFury · 31/10/2014 16:34

I do love A Mulberry but I saw this today and am loving it equally. The price is much more palatable too.

cardamomginger · 31/10/2014 17:33

Not worth it any more IMHO. Better bags available at similar price points.

Original poster

Missushb · 01/11/2014 22:48

Thanks, I think I have actually been put off them now, but put on to Chloe! Saw the Marcie crossover today, it's lovely! The medium seems a bit big, but think the mini might be too small? Anyone got either?

OP posts:

sleepdodger · 02/11/2014 00:56

Self confessed bag junkie here
Verdict- the old ones are worth it
I'd honestly get a decent second hand one - 6+ years old

JaxTellerIsAllMine · 02/11/2014 08:12

I have a couple of Mulberry bags - and I do like them, but they are heavy. I carry lots of 'stuff' and before I even put anything in they are quite heavy.

Thinking of selling them. They are in their dust bags, in a box not being used.

mowglik · 02/11/2014 08:19

I don't see the appeal of mulberry bags but they seem like good workhorse bags..I'd probably try and buy them preowned and spend more on something like a Chloe as designs are more interesting

santamarianovella · 02/11/2014 08:47

missushb I don't have the Marice,but I owned the paraty, and I loved it to bits, it was still in great condition when I it passed to a friend,

Some Chloe bags go on sale in Selfridges, but you have to act fast,as they sell out within minutes, its worth to wait,as the sales are near. Liberty did a loyalty card event recently and some of the bags, were reduced too,

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 02/11/2014 10:58

Not offering any opinion WRT bags . I'm not a handbag buyer.

But I Googled Mulberry Bayswater and the shape of it is very similar to an M&S bag I got last year.

I don't pretend that my M&S bag is anything it isn't.
I can no way pretend that it's anything more than a £40/£50 bag from a High Street Chain.
It isn't leather (one of the reasons I bought it. I'm a vegetarian, I don't buy leather bags)
It holds an unfeasible amount and has zipped pockets .
It is a total pain in the jacksie to fasten the little line-up-and-twist fastening.
If I'd paid ££££ to be annoyed by a fastening, I'd be very annoyed.

WhereIsMyHat · 02/11/2014 11:42

They've kind of list their special-ness now I think. Every few people on my (not posh) school run have - mulberry (usually Anthony).

I think I'd invest in a coach bag. Simple lines, very little hard wear, classic colour.

ClaudiaNaughton · 18/11/2014 14:14

NickiFury What make is the pink bag please?

cardamomginger · 18/11/2014 14:40

Claudia - it's by Coach. They do mail order in the UK, have a shop on Bond Street, and you can get them in Harrods. Lovely bags and very well made! Hell of a lot cheaper in the USA, if you are ever over there.

burnishedsilver · 18/11/2014 14:51

They are lovely but definitely not worth it. You'll do better for less money.

FrugalFashionista · 18/11/2014 17:14

The Bayswater is a really great work bag for my needs, but the prices are pretty crazy and when it is full it is quite heavy to lug around. I am not keen on their new bags and had major quality issues with a Lily.

I have two Chloe Baby Marcies and they are my favorite go-everywhere bags - surprisingly affordable and all my essentials fit in. The Baby Marcie is probably my favorite small crossbody ever

FrugalFashionista · 18/11/2014 17:17

Sorry, meant the Mini Marcie, not the Baby Marcie

ClaudiaNaughton · 18/11/2014 18:51

I LOVE that bag Nicki

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