Michael Kors bags - Yay or Nay?

[Corygal]

I like them. But so does every 15 year old in South London. Would you be seen dead wearing one?

So my mk bag doesn't have gold metal work or big metal things hanging off it; does that mean it is a fake?!!!!!!!

I've got a few of the more classic ones and I love them. I think if they aren't teamed with lots of bling jewellery, leggings and uggs then they are great

I love my orange MK Saffiano leather bag. I have half a dozen Mulberry as well as other designers, but there is a place for this one in my collection. It is a great shape, looks as good as new 2 years later and is a very practical Summer bag.
I always feel good when I carry it. Doesn't have the MK hanging thing though, but it does have studs. I got mine when they first came out in their new
Y opened shop in Edinburgh ( right opposite the Mulberry store!)

Nay from me - cheap and tacky looking.

YES I love mine. It's a large Jet Set plain black tote- I cut the dangly gold MK off though.

I love my Sloan which is clearly a rip off of a chanel (which is why I love it as can't afford chanel) but it has no logo hanging from it. Admittedly some of their bags are a bit cheap looking but some of them are fab. And they do lots of grey too which I love.

Well, although the verdict was a resounding FOTTFSOFAFOSM I got a pale blue one with silver fixings.

I removed that awful MK dangly tag and it just looks very clean and moderne, understated if anything (especially if I wear it with the logo inwards facing my coat). Rather pleased - such a good simple shape.

The really expensive MK bags are lovely, but if I was going to spend £600 I wouldn't buy MK as the brand has become a bit tacky because of the ubiquitousness of the cheaper bags. I hate that cross hatched leather it just looks so cheap.

Nay

Nay!

I had quite a nice plain black one which I used for a while and then gave to a relative. I took the stupid hangy metal tag thing off though.

I have 2 - a black hobo style one which I use everyday because of the shape. I also have a mandarin orange shoulder bag that use for holidays or in summer. Whilst I love them I agree with most pps in that they are the new mulberrys and are really devalued

Glad you're happy with your new bag Cory - sounds lovely!

I'm not a fan of anything that looks obvious, so large tags or logos are out for me. I do have some MK sunglasses, but unless you look extremely closely, they could be from Boots. I agree with what others have said. It's like the Burberry of the present day.

this article describes the reason for the brand success which is interesting.
Cory congrats on the new bag- it does sound fab

If yyou gave me one i wouldnt decline it but i am bag browsing atm and i decided no not MK
too popular.
I want something different.

Use whatever bag you like, OP! Who cares if others don't like it. If you do and it makes you feel good then use it. I am past caring what is 'in' or 'up and coming'. I wear what I like and get enjoyment out of. Isn't that what it is all about? Very boring and limiting to subscribe to the idea that certain brands are tacky or have had their day. All those saying to buy Coccinelle or whatever instead will be back in a few months this time to say how that brand is now over!

I think the issue with Michael Kors is over exposure and the brand extending itself to a wide variety of customers and possibly loosing its identity as a result. Some of the designs are beautiful, almost classic and if you choose carefully you can get a lovely bag; the Michael Kors Collection bags are very different to the designs pitched at the teenage/entry price market. Yet even at the entry price, if you stay away from over blinging/branding there are some nice pieces, good designs. The clothes and shoes are very nice. I think the brand has aggressively gone into the market and their image has suffered from the over sized watches/more obvious bag designs being prevalent and 'everywhere'. That said it isn't a brand I would ever spend money on, I don't see the appeal of it or buy into it like I would many brands - maybe it's my age but I don't see it as being an aspirational brand or classic or even quirky, all qualities that would appeal to me (am a handbag addict). If you are buying look at the MK outlets for more value for money.

Serenite, I agree with your post about what's happened to the brand. However, I also believe that the article that Meriboo linked is spot on. Very few people can afford a £1k bag, and a lot of the MK bags are copies of the designer bags. If your aspiration is to own a designer bag but your wallet doesn't match it then an MK bag is a good copy. Unlike others on the high street that are copies, I think MK bags are good quality. I also think they are a bit like Radley which were the equivalent of MK bags for many women, over 40. They get bad press on S&B, they have some beautiful bags which don't have the dog tag, or, like the MK tags, they can be lopped off.

Mumsnet is a funny old place. On one thread I am being lambasted because on average I spend £1k on a bag, and the assumption is that I am a big showy show off. On another thread I am in the minority defending MK bags which retail for £200-£300.

No chavtastic

I have one which DH bought for me as a present. I wouldn't have chosen it myself but use it every day because he bought it for me.

TBH you lot might hate it but I get compliments on it very regularly (and not from teenage girls).

Blingy, I agree, I actually did think about getting a black radley grovenor a while ago (I have vouchers for nearly 200) but I thoght about how hated they are on mumsnet! I don't like them all but I do like that one. I might still get it. It is very attractive for the price. imo. I love bags that cost three or four times that much though. Would love a nice bag. I own my house outright though. I should be able to buy one nice bag.

Corygal, can we have a picture please!

I enjoyed the pictures of other people's bags upthread!

If I saw one I liked then yes of course - I have a pair of MK sandals and they are lovely, only got a tiny logo on that isn't noticeable at all, and they seem pretty decent quality for the price.

Will attempt photographic evidence laterz.

In the meantime, can I point out that the new teen-at-the-bus-stop wear of choice is the Longchamp bag.

You know, those Pliage ones that turn into a usually black nylon shopping bag with tan leather bits.

To be honest, this is slightly annoying. Mind you, I've had pliages for years and never used them half as much as their shape promises.