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Original poster

Mulberry - are they worth it anymore?

18 replies

crazyspaniellady · 04/02/2018 15:05

Hi all!

I’m on the prowl for a new bag, haven’t bought a handbag in over a year as my last one was a big purchase, but the bayswater mini backpack has caught my eye and I am sort of in love with it.

But... it’s £695, and while I can afford it, I would probably squirrel away money for it as that gives me more time to think my big purchases through thoroughly rather than rushing into it through lust for something rather than love and having HUGE “buyers remorse”.

I’ve had mixed reviews of mulberry recently, and I’m unsure about whether I should just go for it or look elsewhere and maybe get something better quality for my money, as it’ll become my new work bag and I want it to last.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:

Lanaorana2 · 04/02/2018 15:09

Prada and Miu Miu are miles better made, as are Chloe and See by Chloe. See by Chloe is less than half the price of Mulberry too. ditto Coach.

Go through the bags on NAP and see what you like - it's a good time to buy, and you get to see the whole range of lovelies.

MadTea · 04/02/2018 15:19

I'd rather go for a Prada than Mulberry

redmarkone · 04/02/2018 16:08

oh no, i love mulberry for its low key and timeless style and am saving for my first handbag. what's wrong with mulberry specifically?

Luckingfovely · 04/02/2018 16:16

No. Designs are boring, old and overdone. Quality has gone downhill since they moved factories. Many other much better brands out there now.

Luckingfovely · 04/02/2018 16:19

Try these....

Coach
Anya Hindmarch
Hill and Friends
Aspinal
LK Bennett
Kate Spade

Luckingfovely · 04/02/2018 16:20

Also some other thoughts on the matter on this thread:

I love Mulberry but can't bring myself to spend that much. Alternatives please?http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style andd_beauty/3095548-I-love-Mulberry-but-cant-bring-myself-to-spend-that-much-Alternatives-please

RiskIt4Biscuit · 04/02/2018 21:13

The new bags are garbage.

I've been a loyal Mulberry customer for over a decade, and their bags used to be really good quality. Lovely leather and lovely craftsmanship.

They have however gone downhill over the last few years, to the point of now being something I do not not want to spend my money on any longer.

The new leather is frankly crap (the one that's print assisted, shiny and used for the new Bayswaters). The leather used for heritage Bayswaters is, afaik, still okay.

The new leather is not made to last - I have seen several examples (own purchases, in store and other people's experiences) of it looks terrible within just a few months.
The customer services are a shambles and people are dealing with them for ages to get to a resolution.

When buying products at that price, I'd expect more.

BubblesBuddy · 04/02/2018 23:21

Mulberry don’t line their bags and they lose their shape. I have two of their bags and I just don’t look at them now. However, take a trip to Bicester Village and see what the reductions are. The prices the make it a bit more palatable. I never thought Mulberry leather was that good. They look worn fairly quickly.

I have Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Chanel, LV, Jimmy Choo, Tods and a few other top brands. All are better than Mulberry and are classic bags.

peachypetite · 04/02/2018 23:24

I disagree with the comments about quality. I have a few different ones, bought in the last six years and the quality seems good. I think they are classic.

Original poster

crazyspaniellady · 04/02/2018 23:51

I’ve got an LV and would’ve hoped it would be at least similar quality to that. Part of me does feel a bit silly about paying £700 for a mini backpack but I did fall in love straight away. I may need to think this over and shop around. Thank you everyone for your suggestions! Sadly a trip to bicester village is out of the question as I live in the north of Scotland, but I may go into Mulberry in Edinburgh next time I’m there and see it in the flesh.

OP posts:

PseudoFred · 05/02/2018 12:42

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Mulberry bag purchase. I've looked at all the other poncy bag brands but I like the Bayswater. I don't just want a bag, I want that specific bag so to me it would be worth it. If I don't buy that one I'm not buying any as I already have a perfectly functional handbag.

RiskIt4Biscuit · 05/02/2018 12:55

crazyspaniellady there are other Mulberry outlets in the UK - not in Scotland, but in York, Cheshire Oaks and down in Somerset.
You can find their details on the Mulberry website

I don't think they post bags out anymore (I could be wrong though), but they are quite helpful on the phone, and if you do plan to go, call them before to make sure they have the items you would like to have a look at.

LadyOfTheCanyon · 05/02/2018 13:18

I bought a Lily last year and while I love it, it's definitely not as well made as other Mulberrys I have ( Alexa, Phoebe, Blenheim, Ayler Rio). I've used it maybe ten times and the flaps are starting to curl already despite storing it carefully and padded out to keep its shape.
I wouldn't buy another. Agree that Miu Miu is far better for craftsmanship.

mrsrhodgilbert · 05/02/2018 16:00

I have quite a few mulberry bags but I don't like the new leather and won't buy it. I love the old leather and like the fact that the bags I own are not stiff and ultra smart. That wouldn't suit how I dress. I have four Bayswaters and although I love them I don't use them that much as they're quite heavy and I prefer a strap these days. But I haven't had any quality issues with them. I live near the York outlet so get to see the bags fairly frequently.
I also have two Chloe bags, again not the ultra smart styles which I feel are a similar quality although lined.
I don't like LV but obviously they are very popular. I wouldn't criticise them. We're all different, if you like it and can afford it then go ahead.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 05/02/2018 16:05

I've got a mini kite, which seems to be holding up okay, but it was a lot of money for an unlined bag. If I'm honest, the 2 Coach bags I bought in the sale are just as well made and lovely (although v differrnt in style).
I probably wouldn't ever spend that much again on a mulberry, unless I fell totally in love with the design whereby nothing else came close.

StylishMummy · 05/02/2018 16:20

Try some of the preloved Mulberry sites on Facebook, 'Mulberry swap & sell' and 'Mulberry under £300' are brilliant groups and all are verified before being approved, ways to pick up a bargain. There's a mini Bayswater backpack for £489 brand new at the moment

Dancergirl · 05/02/2018 19:54

I do love Mulberry and have a few of their bags but recently I've been looking at other brands.

There was an article in The Times 2 a couple of weeks ago about affordable designer handbag brands. I have just bought a Strathberry which I love and was significantly cheaper than Mulberry.

Demellier of London is another great brand.

Dancergirl · 05/02/2018 19:56

Think you have to register to read the full article but here it is:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/if-its-good-enough-for-meghan-markle-the-best-bags-for-under-500-spxbl07bh

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