Mulberry Bag Quality

[IDidntFloatUpTheLaganInABubble]

I’m after a new work bag and have been looking at the Mulberry Bayswater in Oak NVT.

I want a bag I can just chuck my laptop & essentials in and use when commuting. I want something that’s not covered in logos and so not obviously expensive but will look timeless & hopefully improve with age.

The last bag I purchased for that sort of price I have been utterly disappointed with in regards to wear and tear, it was an LV which I think have really gone down hill in quality vs price in the last twenty years.

So does anyone have the Bayswater and if so how do you find the quality? Do you treat it regularly as they suggest and do you think it’s worth the price?

I have a 20 year old one and it looks perfect. Got a new Millie this year and it's also wonderful quality. I've only had one really disappointing Mulberry ever which was the Dorset. All others have been great (maybe 5 over 20 years).

I have a black Bayswater. It’s quite old now and it has aged very well. I actually think it’s getting better with age as the style suits the aging process, if this makes sense.

I do nourish it with leather cream every now and again but I don’t baby it on a day to day basis. It would suit would suit your purposes to a tee. I love mine.

I was hoping I wasn’t going to regret asking the question so pleased to see your feedback @Urgenthelplease

The Millie looks lovely!

Have you had various colours, I really love the Oak but am wondering if the black might wear better?

Millie is black but the Bayswater is bronze. They both look great and sure the oak would be fine. Brown leather generally looks better with age anyway. I just get a lot more use out of black.

@Petrine thank you, I have been looking at some well worn ones online, they look loved and grown into, not just old and in need of replacement. I want something to use for a few years and enjoy.

The upkeep also is reassuring I don’t want to be constantly forgetting to treat it and then have issues.

I have a Bayswater which is about 20 years old now and it’s still so beautiful. The underneath corners have worn a bit but otherwise it’s in great condition

I have a Bayswater that's a good 8-9 years old and looks fab!! As PP mentioned I do give it a good sort out maybe annually with the leather cream cleaner to keep it all supple and clean and tbh it looks fab. It's a lighter colour too and doesn't have any discolouring / patches in the leather and I'm not prissy with my bags, they get well used. Would recommend!

I have two Bayswaters, oak in printed leather that’s 12 years old and red onion in polished patent leather that’s much older. I’m rubbish at remembering to treat my bags but they’re both still in immaculate condition.

Another with a 20 plus year old Bayswater that’s still in great condition - this thread has made me think I probably do need to treat it!

Thanks all, that’s me sold then!

So pleased to hear such positive feedback so quickly. I’ve kind of set my heart on it having looked online for the last couple of weeks at various options so would have been disappointed were it not so positive.

And yes @Chitterchatterchoo time to treat it, don’t forget!

I have an old Bayswater in Oak and it looks great now it’s a bit worn and battered! Are you looking at brand new or a pre loved one? The older ones are a thicker leather that age well.

I’ve seen the new version and the leather seems different and not as nice quality. One thing I would say that if it is an older one you’re looking at they are HEAVY bags (before you put any laptops, tablets etc in there) but if that doesn’t bother you I would recommend a pre loved one.

The Bayswater is very heavy even when empty, so personally I don't rate it as an everyday or work bag I want to put a laptop in! They are beautiful though, my head really has to rein in my heart over them.

People always say Mulberry quality has gone downhill lately, but I can't say I notice anything wrong with the bags I have. Perhaps they've gone from exceptional quality to just being good or very good, because the ones I've had have been perfectly crafted and never shown any signs of wear.

Either that, or people are just complaining about the price hikes (which have been quite severe) and they're not worse quality just worse value for money, which is a subjective decision.

I’m looking at a new one as opposed to pre loved. It hadn’t occurred to it might be too heavy. It’s listed as 1.2kg on the website.

I think I’ll pop into a store tomorrow and see how it feels

I love my vintage oak Bayswater. In your position I would buy a pre- loved one to try which you could always sell if you didn’t get on with it, without losing any money.

Labels Most Wanted is a great seller, or Naughtipidgins Nest.

Yes I would try one instore and maybe take your laptop with you to check how heavy it is once you put it in the bag. Having a look I think I have the NVT oak leather (as opposed to the pebble grain) which is what ages well. I also have a Bayswater backpack in Oxblood pebble leather (purchased in Bicester) which gives the look of the original but more practical and comfortable if lugging stuff around. That hasn’t aged as well and just looks a bit dented and wrinkled these days

Sorry for the hijack OP, but where do you send your bags to be treated - is it back to Mulberry?

As far as weight goes I believe that the Darwin leather ones were heavy but no heavier than you’d perhaps expect for a bag that size. The NVT ones aren’t as heavy.

@ajandjjmum I assume treating means just rubbing in some leather conditioner. Certainly that’s what I do. I haven’t heard of anyone sending bags away for this purpose.

@ajandjjmum there's a company called Love Lolo and they sell all the cleaning / treating products you need. Message Louise via her facebook page and she'll recommend the best products for each leather type.

https://www.loveloloaccessories.com/

I have a black Bayswater that must be about 9 years old that I haven't used in a good few years due to the weight and size. I don't need a large bag anymore. Also I was never able to get it on my shoulder and after all these years I have decided I am a shoulder or crossbody bag wearer.
I used to treat it every so often to the Collonil leather gel and a spray with waterproof repellent.

I have a Bayswater in limited edition Lancaster Red which I use for work. It's stunning to look at and beautiful quality, but not old. I love it. I commute by car so I don't mind the weight, but wouldn't be keen on using it on public transport as it doesn't have a shoulder strap.

Mulberry sell pre loved bags on their own site. Verified and restored in Somerset. The price is similar to the second hand market on vestiaire etc I've been 100% tempted. https://www.mulberry.com/gb/shop/women/pre-loved-womens

I have a Bayswater oak
bought it about 6 -7 years ago
rarely use it as it to heavy for every day use

its basically my funeral / celebration bag 😂

I have a micro Bayswater in black that I love for going out to clubs / restaurants just the perfect size

Mini alexa which is lovely but slouchy

I have an Oak Darwin and it is really heavy -I would struggle to carry a laptop in mine I think, plus other bits and bobs. The other thing I would say is the straps are quite short so I struggled to wear it on my shoulder if I was wearing any sort of thicker jacket/ coat.

It’s nearly 20 years old and in great condition, but I haven’t used it for a few years.

Thanks so much for all your opinions. I popped into Regent Street this morning with my laptop to try for size and weight as suggested by @MooMinCow.

Had every intention of just looking and going home to consider my options. The NVT Oak Bayswater was just perfect though, even with my laptop in I don’t find it too heavy so we are on our way home and I am very pleased!