Anya Hindmarch maxi zip cross body vs Mulberry Lily

[Saurus72]

So, in the spirit of buying less but better, moving away from disposable items and towards things that I want to buy and enjoy for years, if not decades...

I am considering what would be my first very expensive handbag purchase (I do have some nice bags, but have not spent a huge amount on them due to a combination of gift vouchers/outlet bargains/presents).

The two I have my eye on are very different - the small (not mini) Mulberry Lily and the Anya Hindmarsh maxi zip cross body. I don't have a particular need for a bag to fill a particular gap in my wardrobe, but I am looking for something to use a lot - I don't want to keep it 'for best'. I would ideally, like to get one in the Summer sale, although that is not an imperative.

Does anyone have experience of either/both of these bags? I have never owned any item by either designer. I have friends who have Mulberry bags and they love them, but I have also heard that Mulberry quality is not like it used to be.

Any input/experience gratefully received.

A quick update on my bag dilemma. I went to Bicester Village today and went to both Mulberry and Anya Hindmarch. Re: Mulberry - there were some beautiful bags, but the Lily was only available in green, blue and pale pink and while I liked them all, they did not compare to the Oxblood which I still covet. In Anya Hindmarch, there was a beautiful cross body satchel in Oxblood, but was too small for and the zips were very troublesome - I literally felt like I was going to break them .

I eventually decided on a very understated but lovely black Carker hobo, like the one in this picture (but black obvs www.google.co.uk/search?q=anya+hindmarch+carker+leather+tote&client=safari&hl=en-gb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAWoVChMI35aTl_mMxgIVgzcUCh05tgCl&biw=1024&bih=704#hl=en-gb&tbm=isch&q=anya+hindmarch+carker+hobo&imgrc=-Xf3oVO0k6fPxM%253A%3B960QyFyttdoPEM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn-images.farfetch.com%252F10%252F58%252F13%252F70%252F10581370_2928358_322.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.farfetch.com%252Fshopping%252Fwomen%252Fanya-hindmarch-carker-hobo-bag-item-10581370.aspx%3B322%3B430 )

It's a great size, is really comfy on my shoulder and also has an adjustable, detachable cross body strap. I also love the little pockets inside for sunglasses, phone, lipstick and a pen, plus the clip for keys. I think this bag was form a couple of seasons ago, original price £650 - I paid £188 which seems like a fair price for what feels like a good quality bag.

I'm still considering a Chloe mini marcie in pale grey and the fabled Lily in Oxblood or I hear that red may be coming for AW15 which sounds lovely.

Thanks for all your input, saves me boring my mainly uninterested-in-handbags friends .

Oh, and also when I was at Bicester earlier on the bag quest I went into MaxMara which had some absolutely gorgeous bags for work, most reduced from c.£750 to around £250. They seemed very well made - had never considered that shop before, but will definitely look in future.

Well done op. Great bag, at a great price!

Love the carker! Anya should do more of those types of bags again.