Mulberry Crossbody Bags - why do so many women have them?

[LucyLoo1972]

I have never had a nice handbag denote being in an elite profession. I have noticed lots of women where I live have Mulberry crossbody bags. I looked them up and was so shocked at the price tag!! the women I see wearing them dont always look like they are filthy rich so I am intrigued as to why they spend so much on a handbag. Sorry if this is a weird question. Maybe its me becasue we have plenty of money but my husband would go batshit crazy if I said id like one of these and wanted to buy one.

They aren't expensive though like Chanel or Birkin, most look to be between £600-£1200 so probably accessible to quite a lot of people, same price as an iPhone which a lot of people have but could probably just buy a cheap phone instead. It depends what you want to spend your money on. Are you allowed what phone you want.

What sort of academic were you, OP?

I think you need a thread in Relationships.

OP @LucyLoo1972 you sound upset.
Are you still having therapy?
Can you get a local part time job to help with your confidence? Charities would love a Dr Lucy. When I was unwell I worked in a charity shop. Great people. It saved me.

Fwiw I collect Mulberry bags. I only buy the bayswater and I can confirm the leather is thinner and they're microfibre lined. I have bags from thirty years ago.
Secondhand they are £500, new double that. However you are supporting a UK company with a small (39?)artisan workforce. If we don't buy our own heritage brands we lose them. That's why I buy Mulberry.

I think you could ask the same about any high end brands and why someone would pay more. Either they want a quality item that will last and feel it's an investment rather than buying 10 cheaper bags over 10 years. Or some people want the brands and to fit in. Others may want to appear well off. It just depends on the person.

I will buy some specific things for quality and longevity e.g cars, electrical appliances, food. But if you look at the state of my second hand Volvo you will realise that it's not about keeping up appearances. Unless bedraggled mess ever comes into style. And clothes and accessories just aren't interesting enough to me. I wouldn't know what a mulburry handbag looked like.

I was a sociologist

yes - I tihnk I need that thread too. I just see things ow I couldn't see befroe and don know why.

Have you separated from your husband now? I'm sorry you've had such a tough time, but you can start again.

Mulberry bags are at the affordable end of the market. I work somewhere we always get a decent bonus, and 10-15 years ago there would be a spate of new Mulberries just after bonus pay day 😂 They don't seem to be as fashionable now, at least where I work.

Are we talking about the Lily?
where I live no many people can afford designer bags

Which style of Mulberry are we talking about.

I love this. yes I need ot volunteer. ive been so unwell for eight years and I was so so full of life and potential before. I ,vied my research and teaching so very much. the irony is that trying to please my husband has anded me in this mess.

I think they are called Antony

I think they are called Antony

Why are you still with this man if he has caused you so much heartache? If you leave him, you can buy yourself no end of expensive bags!

no - we are still together ut things are terribel between us now I see the impact of soem of his behaviours on me. it nearly cost me my life and I lost everythign I loved.

DH bought me one for Christmas a few years ago, as he appreciated all the caring I do for the family. (Carer to two adult DCs with disabilities). Totally out of character for him to spend so much on such an item!

I look at it, and see perfection, as handbags go!

Are you feeling better now OP? Are you able to start thinking about returning to work and building up your life again? If you focus on that then you may be able to buy yourself a nice bag.

I loved him so very very much and thought we were so happy. I ended up having the most horrific breakdown and lost my academic career eight years ago. I haven't been able to work consistently ice then. im so sad as I worked so very very hard all my life and form phd and had a job to go to afterwards. there was no need for us to scrimp on money as we knew we would be left an inheritance form ym mum. but if we separated I have no means of working really at the moment, certainly not in an academic career which seemed high earning to me even though in reality its itsnt

My mulberry cross body must be 20 years old and would easily do another 20. I’ve had many mulberry bags but now only have two, the other one is a black mock croc Bayswater.
they hold their value really well and I’ve sold the others for good money. I’m unlikely to buy another but a couple of years ago I bought a purse for around £350, it will see me out.

Lucy you can get better. You probably had burn out, many academics do. My DD is a trainee clinical psychologist and she is pausing this year.

I lost my father very suddenly and my DD was volunteering in our local hospice shop. She said mum come and work with us. It really saved me.
You do know any money is joint money in a marriage?
My DH is a bit frugal but he would never tell me what to buy. I get crappy Christmas gifts but I work in beauty so there's not a lot I don't have.
Buy yourself a bag, John lewis sell them online.
It's a new day and it's first steps to get your mojo back.

thank you - I should have paused. there were certain specific reasons why my research put me under considerable pressure - I was critiquing my own conservative religious community and finding out things that were very very heavy and frankly sinister. it was very hard on top of the usual PhD stress. I blame myself a lot for the treatment I put up with. my husband is still with me butits very very difficult once saw what trouble he had caused me. I gave everythign to him in emotional support constantly.

I dont ithnk i grasped it was also my money ot spend as I wished. there were other issues in the marriage I could not see at the time at all.

Many are probably fakes.

@LucyLoo1972 from your user name I think we are similar age, life is too short to be unhappy, please take advice of PP, head over to relationships board. I wish you well and hope you can work things out, take care xx

I’m so sorry your husband is a miserable bastard OP. I don’t think your marriage is doing you any good at all.

There’s obviously a lot going on in your life and it’s really clear that something needs to change. You aren’t happy and your life doesn’t have to be like this.

A first step could be starting a thread in relationships.