Not as in wearing a bin bag (although there were a few times towards the very end of my pregnancy when I felt like that’s all I could possibly fit into…) as in a lady who has a somewhat delectable selection of very fancy expensive bags.
I have never bought a very fancy expensive bag. There was a half price Marc Jacobs once but I don’t count that as it was well….half price. And I was gifted a Balenciaga clutch by a very generous friend (I know, very generous) but that was a PRESENT so like I said, I have never bought a very fancy expensive bag.
I have tried, lots of times. I feel that I should treat myself to a staple, a beautifully made “forever” number that would go with everything (or at least most things.) My Mum has a Mulberry Bayswater, it’s lovely and all but I’ve always thought it was perhaps a little on the large side. I’ve toyed with an Alexa on and off for the last few years, James even offered to buy me one for my 30th but for one reason or another I found a selection of other pretty items I preferred.
Here’s the thing, I think I have a “spend” limit, I can’t justify anything over a certain amount on one fashion item. Yes I have some lovely what I would class as investment pieces, a leather jacket, a perfectly fitted blazer and so on (would love to know others general investment pieces actually – I can feel a separate post coming on) but I am simply too fickle and change my mind too frequently hence my dedication to the high street.
An Alexa is somewhere in the region of a thousand pounds (as I type that it makes me feel a little funny) don’t get me wrong, folks can spend their hard earned dollar on whatever the bloody hell they like and I’m the first person to admire someone else’s super swanky tote. It just seems I am unable to take that spendy leap of faith.
Maybe I’m just not that into bags? when I tot up all of the things I could treat myself to for the cost of just one sexy satchel it’s the multiple that always wins (can you imagine just how much Tom Ford make-up a thousand pounds would buy you?!) but I can’t help but feel I’m missing out. A posh bag would make me sophisticated and grown up….wouldn’t it?
Perhaps I’ve just never come across “the one” yet (There was a moment with a grey Miu Miu at the Westfield shopping centre last year but I never saw the same design again anywhere to the point I thought perhaps I had imagined it) or maybe the bags I do have and love (a black studded over-sized clutch from Zara and a tan cross body from Mango) do the job more than well enough without the need for me to part with such a large chunk of cash.
Do you own a fancy designer bag/s? Who is the designer and why did you choose it? Was it worth the investment? Do you worry about getting marks on it?!
Careful eBay shopping is my recommendation – I have a £50 mulberry purse and a £150 mulberry blenheim, both with boxes and tags and receipts. I LOVE them (but never use the blenheim – it’s just a little too small to be useful – I just look at it)
Wow, I didn’t know you could get such bargains Ann-Marie, go you, I am officially crap at ebay (I get carried away on there and end up missing the opportunity to bid…)
Hi Charlotte,
I felt like I had to respond as I am a total bag lady in recovery! I had a real addiction to Mulberry bags for about seven years after buying my first (a beautiful thick Darwin chocolate leather Phoebe satchel in about 2005). I was lucky enough to have a job that meant I could afford to buy them reasonably regularly (until I had about – er, 12) but then a combination of a career change/pay cut, Mulberry putting their prices up (and then some!) and them not having any designs I truly lusted after made me stop *needing* to have them. It was weird, it was a bit like an addiction. I saw one of their bags in a magazine and I had to have it. It’s not that I was fickle as I ummed and ahhed for six months before buying the Phoebe but after that there was no looking back!
Now while I don’t buy any new designer bags I have a set of classic, beautiful handbags which I will use forever. Some I bought came and went via eBay (I just didn’t get on with the Bayswater for example as I prefer shoulder bags) but I love the ones I have; my grape Alexa is my absolute favourite for winter. It annoys me though that Mulberry have put their prices up so much, though. For example the Alexa cost me £695 a few years ago, now they are more than £1,000 and way more than the price I paid in the sale. I’m not surprised the new Tessie collection is priced quite a bit lower as people don’t have £1,000 to spend on a bag.
As for getting marks on them…. I do always worry a bit but a bag is meant to be used, designer or not! I always spray mine with Collonil Waterstop spray (to stop rain spots and water marks) and occasionally I will give them a rub with some leather cream. Some marks buff out of the Darwin leather but you have to be more careful with others. I have a bit of a watermark on the bottom of a rose-coloured bag (my bad, I put it down on the sink and didn’t notice quickly enough to dry it off). I was gutted for ages but now I don’t notice…
I know I have spent a lot on bags but I still love them all and use them all on a rotation basis, with different styles and colours for all seasons. They are an extravagance I know, but hey, they are all paid for and will last me a lifetime. 🙂
Sorry for the long post!
Kate x
Hi Kate! never apologise for a long comment! My Mum mentioned the massive Mulberry price rise, I do seem to recall an Alexa being more around the £800 just two years ago or so.
I think that’s the key – how much enjoyment and use you get out of them and it seems that you do which makes them a very wise investment. Plus you know how to look after them, I’m terrible and do tend to throw them about in any old fashion (!) perhaps if I did spend a lot I’d take more care x
Also, see here: http://www.covetique.com/bags.html
Dangerous… 🙂
Well I know what website I’ll be perusing this evening… Ann-Marie you are naughty!
heh heh heh 😉
PS that was meant to be an evil chuckle 🙂
Mwah ha ha! (also evil – with an underlying tone of bag buying excitement)
I treated myself to a Marc Jacobs bag after years of deliberation. I too found myself struggling to part with so much hard earned cash, but I decided when given some money by parents for my 30th that I would finally take the plunge. I still use my bag nearly every day 4 years on. Cost per wear must be pennies now!!
Cost per wear is absolutely true though, some of those “on trend” high street items I’ve bought and worn twice have worked out really quite expensive!
I hear you Charlotte – I am definitely a bit of a bag lady (although not as bad as my sister who has just had her husband build her a bag room (closet with shelves) in their house…) I bought a Bayswater a few years ago at the Mulberry shop in Heathrow Airport – as I was flying outside of the EU I got to take advantage of the duty free discount which helped to knock a few ££s off which helped with the guilt issue. I recently purchased a Michael Kors bag which I must say I really love – it’s a summery grey colour so goes with everything, is big enough for essentials and even a notebook but not TOO big and best of all was only £300. The material is sturdy and even in a light colour has no marks or scratches. Winner!
I’ve heard good things about the Michael Kors Ashley, a good friend of mine currently has her eyes on a grey one, maybe it’s the same one?!
Duty Free is a good idea, I will make the effort to take a look next time I’m at the airport. Size is really important to me – I don’t want too big either but it has to fit a make-up bag, a small purse, keys, mini iPad, notebook and iPhone…..quite a lot really!
There is definitely a fine line between big enough for the day to day essentials vs. carrying basically a suitcase on your arm every day! This one has lots of inside pockets and zips so is easy to organise too which is good – maybe it’s just me but I always seem to end up loosing my oyster card/keys/phone in the bottom of even the smallest bags!
I love handbags and have 3 Mulberrys – a Bayswater, an Alexa and a clutch. The Alexa is by far my favourite and I use it every day, but as a fan of dark denim I find they stain on the back and if you want to actually use the bags, there’s very little you can do about it. I haven’t bought any since the Alexa though, and I do think Mulberry has become very expensive. I bought my Alexa 3 years ago at Heathrow for £600 – it’s hard to believe they’re more than £1000 now! My fantasy bag would be a Balenciaga tote, but I just can’t justify the expenditure. I’m making do with my Balenciaga purse until I win the lottery! 🙂
I wonder what Mulberry’s profits have been like – i.e. they sell less due to the massive increase but overall the company is making more, there must be a lot of competition with these designer diffusion lines. Kate above mentioned Mulberry have released Tessie which is cheaper so I guess they must be aiming for the mid-range market themselves too.
I do love Balenciaga ….. x
Mulberry have moved a lot of their production back to England from Italy (I think) and they are aiming to make them all in Britain in the future. They have a new creative director who is trying to take them back to their roots and use a highly skilled workforce. Apparently this can’t be done without the price hike
Ooooo!!! Bags!! For almost a decade I have lusted over the Balenciaga Motorcycle bag – and that is no exaggeration.. But with it being in excess of £1000 it remains firmly at the top of my ‘what I’ll do immedi when I win the lottery’ list. (Although it might help if I actually played..)
Anyway, I digress. I did treat myself to a dark purple Michael Kors Selma bag last year for my 30th and I absolutely love it. I love the shape – it reminds me of a Celine bag – and I love the colour. At the time I was sporting a mustard coat from Zara and I loved the combination! As designer bags go, MK aren’t the most expensive but the bag is still exceptional quality. Also, the Selma has quite subtle gold hard wear. Some of the other bags they do are too bling for me.
I really hope Mulberry drop their prices again soon.. I read that they would! It’s my sister’s 30th this year and I really want to treat her to a red Mulberry purse. But they’re £300 at the moment which seems steep! Xx
Jennifer I love mustard with purple, alas neither colour suit my skin tone at all so I have to admire the combination on my sister instead!
It’s interesting what you say about the subtle gold hard wear, it’s what’s put me off buying some (otherwise lovely) bags, the Miu Miu I liked (which I may have imagined…) had a kind of gunmetal/silver which I preferred. x
I read an article recently that said Mulberry had put up its prices in an attempt to compete with e.g. Hermes but this back fired as their usual fans were now out-priced and the people who could afford Hermes weren’t interested in little old Mulberry. So apparently they might be putting prices back down.
I have a black mini Bayswater which I have used every day for work since I got it two years ago, and I love it! My sister told me to go for it before I had kids and could no longer justify that kind of money on a bag. I would also love an Alexa but actually do find it hard to justify that cost. I saw one in the Bicester outlet store for a mere £600 and looked beseechingly at my husband….he was having none of it. Though I didn’t come away empty handed as I bought a much more reasonably priced Kate Spade cross body across.
For me, these couple of bags have been worth the investment and yes maybe secretly I do love the odd admiring comment I get too! I did worry about marks to begin with, but the longer you have it the less worried you become and it inevitably gets a bit weathered anyway.
Laura thanks for reminding me about Bicester – I always forget about it. My sister bought a lovely Kate Spade bag from there recently it was under £300 I seem to recall.
Interesting on the Hermes/Mulberry situation, a lady I used to work with had a Hermes and I used to be actually scared for her ever damaging it/losing it etc – it was 10K apparently (!)
You need to get yourself to a Kate Spade sample sale Charlotte. The bags were going for £60 a few weeks ago!
My wonderful husband has just bought me an Alexa as an early 3rd year wedding anniversary/birthday/pregnancy present, and I just love it!! I think he went to the factory in Somerset? It is just so soft, and I will treasure it (whilst still swishing it around town, feeling like a million dollars!!). I also have a ‘Hermes Birkin’ which I found in a curiousity shop- no idea if it is genuine or not, but it feels and looks lovely, and for a bargainous price, I’m not bothered either way! x
Dani! A Hermes in a curiosity shop?! I am so jealous! I missed out on a Chanel 2.55 in an antique store because I am an idiot (I have to have a strong coffee/several glasses of wine to even be able to tell the story of my stupidity)
What a kind and generous husband you have x
I had lusted after a Mulberry for years, and like you Charlotte my husband offered to buy one for my 30th….but I couldn’t take the plunge…it just seemed too much! I did however manage to get a Lulu Guinness tote in the sale online for £150….far happier with the price and I think its a little funkier than a Mulberry….check out Lulu’s sale online now…bargains to be had!!! xx
My Mum has a Lulu obsession! she bought me a super cute make-up bag and mirror from the brand for my birthday, I’m going to ring her straight away and let her know about this sale!….also may have a butchers myself 🙂 x
It’s amazing – just bought one of the big canvas totes to use as a beach bag this summer – HAPPY FRIDAY to me!! xx
I have a collection of Mulberry bags (6 in total…..blushes!) and I have to admit I use and love every one of them. Most have been Sale/Airport tax free purposes but I see them as an investment as in the long term I am not wasting my money on multiple cheap bags which don’t last. I own 2 Bayswater’s (1 of them is 5 years old and still looks as perfect as the day I got it but just a little ‘softer’), they are so classic and make any outfit but can be a little heavy for a full days shopping….Step up my most recent purchase….The Bayswater Satchel (Swoon!!) a perfect mini replica of my beloved bag but with a handy cross body strap. I am personally not a fan of the Alexa, in comparison to the classic styles the leather looks a little cheap and not as robust hence the Bayswater Satchel. I am now expecting my first baby so I think my Mulberry addiction has to come to an end but I know the bags will continue to be part of my staple wardrobe for many years to come.
Emma the bayswater cross body sounds perfect with a baby (two hands!) sounds lush, I didn’t even know the design existed (feel very out of the fashion loop!)
It’s the “staple” that I need to find, maybe I should dedicate a whole day just to bag shopping….not a bad way to spend a Saturday x
My lovely husband treated me to a beautiful black alexa as a joint birthday/Christmas/anniversay gift (for the next 5 years I was told, haha!) I love it! I’ve made sure I’ve treated it regularly with good leather stuff, but apart from that I’m not too previous about it, I use it for pretty much everything except work (as I’m pretty bad at just launching my bag on the desk/floor/floor of the bus etc), my theory is these bags are meant to last and get better with age – I can’t wait it have a ‘vintage’ bag some day in the future that’s got some stories to tell and been to some interesting places, and maybe looks a little worn in. I also hope that one day I’ll get to pass this to my daughter (I’m currently expecting but don’t know what flavour it is – so if it’s a boy, I’ll just have to keep it to myself, shame!) so, although it does make me a little sick sometimes at the cost if it, so many other things could have been bought for that price, the cost per use is pretty good and I’m hoping it will last a veeeeery long time….so does my other half (I doubt I’ll get another hehe!) xx
That’s a good point Kate, I hadn’t thought about it in a “leave it to my daughter” way, then it definitely would be a worthwhile investment.
I also prefer worn/older look leather and most bags just look well, a little “new” I guess!
I have a list of “30 things to do before I’m 30” (time is running out but I am getting there!). One of the items on there was put on there when I was 22 and moved to London for my first ‘real life’ job: to buy myself a Mulberry bag. As I progressed through the list, it was still looming large and my desire to get it was growing. But the price was also growing and seemed very out of the reach! I eventually targeted a future promotion date. And then that data arrived and I went to look. But in that time, something had changed. A lot of people had got them and I noticed they didn’t wear very well. Also, it was so ridiculously expensive. Was it really worth it? I decided it wasn’t, and bought flights to Indonesia instead. It was an amazing trip, and I’m glad I made the right decision for me!
I have a £25 bag from Warehouse (reduced from £75 in the sale) that I have used for 2 years and is immense! I love the idea of buying yourself a bag – that you have worked hard to afford it and it’s a testament of your hard work. But in practice – I just can’t get through with it!
However, am now on the Michael Kors website. They are so pretty…
This sounds much like me Sian, I didn’t mention it in this post but I have found an EPIC bag….it was £25.99 (!) and I genuinely like it more than the Alexa. Go figure.
Indonesia sounds amaze, I feel my “travelling” opportunities are out of the window now I have Mabel but we’ll see, maybe she can come too…..
What is this epic bargainous bag that you speak of?!?! Pray tell…
Charlotte I am SO with you on this one. I am sure people disagree with me but I actually think Mulberry is really over-rated. Don’t get me wrong, from about age 17 until about 26 I lusted after a Mulberry bag, so much my mum gave me an ancient one of hers (v v v ancient) which she didn’t like and to be honest I didn’t either. So I didnt use it and then prompty tried to sell it on ebay (another story – I’m hopeless with ebay!).
I think people are paying for the name, rather than the bag, and although I am a total snob I just cannot bring myself to do it. BUT I do like a nice handbag and if it’s a good label that’s good but £1000 for a handbag?!
So good old TK Maxx gets my vote, although I used to be horrified to go in there (my husband converted me) its acutally really really good occasionally. I’ve bought a few bags from there, a couple of Osprey numbers – a navy patent croc tote and a tan of the softest leather cross the body one. I also have a random sheepskin bag from Gap (now donated to my sister), a Cath Kidston shopper and a massive brown bag from Red Magazine Direct (is that still running?!). My most recent and by FAR favourite spend in TK Maxx is a wonderful hexagonal sided bowling bag style Modalu tan and black (so goes with EVERYTHING!) It’s amazing what you can find for a bargainous price – but you do have to be in the right mood to brave it!
TK Maxx is one of those places that makes me slightly panic, a bit like a large H&M does (!) I think its the sheer quantity of stuff, I never know where to start so I often just miss out altogether. I do like Osprey – I think their designs are very classy.
I rate GAP for bags actually, sheepskin sounds amaze! why give it away?! I bought a pretty mint green clutch from there in Spring x
I agree Charlotte, I have wanted a Mulberry forever but when it gets down to actually buying one I just can’t! My wonderful fiance bought me a Michael Kors bag for my birthday, in tan, in anti-scratch leather and I have used it every single day and I love it! I don’t have to worry about damaging it (because of the anti-scratch) and it was a wonderful present that he sees me gets tonnes of use from! Maybe one day I’ll talk myself into a Mulberry though… x
Kate I’m beginning to think I need to have a proper look at the MK bags, so much love for them, also I didn’t know anti-scratch was a thing?!
There are lots of lovely fiances and boyfriends of RMS readers x
Haha – this was the debate going on in my head last night! While I was still pregnant spent many an evening trying to convince Joel that the bayswater tote would be the “most practical and sturdy” baby change bag! (I find it hard to justify things for me… but this would really be for the wider family?!!!) In the end I went for a lovely, but under £100, soft leather bag from John Lewis- has loads of handy little compartments but just nice and plain. We stayed in a hotel last weekend and on the journey home I reached into my PERFECTLY organised change bag to find every compartment was stuffed with croissants, tea bags and jam from the buffet breakfast!! (he can NOT resist free things!) I was cross to find everything was not as I had precisely ordered it… and also because I hate it when my well organised kitchen cupboards have to accommodate silly piles of tiny jam 🙁 So yesterday after a day in the hot sunshine I noticed my lovely JL soft leather change bag wearing a dirty great big wet mark on it. I went into the bottom of one of the side pockets (for keeping thermometer and plasters – which I have not needed to use yet) to find 2 leaky packs of butter! It is (probably) destroyed! In my rage I did head for the mulberry sale but gosh those prices have gone up – and I’m not THAT angry! Super though that we have wrecked an £85 bag though for the sake of saving 2p on a gram of butter!!
I did buy the Mulberry Delilah satchel in last years sale, have a lovely marc by marc jacobs satchel (so a bit cheaper) and for nights out got a lovely black Anya Hindmarch (also sale) but I find anything over £500 tough to justify. I think when I don’t have a house extension to save for and if for any reason I didn’t have to pay any bills for a while… or feed a family… then I have my top 10 bag wish list completely ready.
Hello Amanda
I was after the mulberry Delilah bag for a year, actually I am still after it 🙂 May I ask you where did you buy it and how much did you paid for it. I was in an outlet but they didn’t have in any color in England ,there was only one in Ireland but they can’t ship from there. I am gutted!
Thank you:)
Also on the second hand buying or selling option… I like to use vestiairecollective.com – there is loads on there and all designer. I’m always a little scared buying from ebay (anything designer) of fear of being scammed but this place check the authenticity first before you’re allowed to sell it – which gives such peace of mind. Having said that I haven’t actually bought anything or sold anything on there – I’ve just maybe spent a few too many hours looking!
Yes I have the £500 reserve as well Amanda, no idea why but anything over that and I just can’t!
The breakfast buffet story did make me laugh a bit (sorry!) as I always pinch the jams….
My best friend has an Anya Hindmarch and says its the perfect cross body bag x
I got a Michael Kors bag as a pressie from my folks and I think it’s taught me that I’m just not that into bags! …which sounds ungrateful – I do really like my bag, it’s just that I don’t massively see the difference between it and some of the cheaper bags I have (I have a simple Longchamps that’s lasted me a million years and a couple from Zara which were bargainous but also have lasted!). And this is only for a Michael Kors which isn’t in the same price league as Marc Jacobs etc.
My brother went to Thailand on his honeymoon and my sis-in-law got a knock-off Mulberry which is absolutely AMAZING. I know it’s black market etc which is probably Very Bad but it’s really an amazing copy, really good quality leather and design. Of course, you’ve got to get over to Thailand to take advantage… 😉
Longchamps, also very classy. As are Loewe (the latter I think may sway me one day) but I do love Zara, when they are good they are VERY good!
I don’t have any super-expensive bags. I’m a fan of Longchamp pliage bags which are pretty inexpensive and hard-wearing and have a couple of high-end-not-quite-designer bags by Furla, Radley and the like. For a while I did really want a Mulberry and while I still do, sort of, I can’t get my head around spending that much money on a bag which so many other people have. I don’t really mind with Longchamp because they’re relatively inexpensive and quite functional, but to invest that much in a bag, I like to think I’d have something special and individual.
Interesting to read the different opinions on this one! I love a beautiful bag. I will shop anywhere and everywhere but I do think an expensive looking bag can make an outfit look chic (even a head to toe primark one :). I have a black Miu Miu Vitello, black Givenchy Pandora and a midnight blue Mulberry Lily Large. I bought the first two for myself pre wedding and baby and my husband bought the Mulberry for my 30th after much hinting and I love them all. The Givenchy is my favourite and I use it most days – its large enough to fit lots in and I confess its often got nappies, wipes and milk inside it, I’m not precious about them and feel like they should be used! I have to admit though, each of these bags has broken in some way and I have had to have them repaired, so although they are beautiful they definitely aren’t any more hard wearing than a high street bag.
Lauren that is an impressive collection! my friend Victoria has a black Gucci that she keeps lots of baby stuff in it – if thats what you need to do then why not? you should get maximum use out of it. I don’t think I’m that familiar with Givenchy bags so will take a peek x
I bought a Mulberry Emmy several years ago in the sale as a birthday present to myself. It was £300 at the time reduced from £700, so it was a bit of a steal. I used it day in day out for years and loved it. But now it just looks a bit dated, so it has been relegated to the back of my wardrobe. I would love another one but unfortunately as you have all stated above, their prices are now ridiculous, well out of my league even in the sale. Having said that I bought a Mulberry Clipper from the online sale about 3yrs ago for the bargainous price of £60! This remains my best buy ever! I now sport several Cambridge Satchels after working for them for a while (I made full use of staff discount), so can’t see myself buying any bags any time soon. But I can dream of buying high end.
£60? £60?! I feel like a sale failure. Love a bit of Cambridge satchel, not invested but have considered many times. x
Oh my goodness! This is the best post for me to open on a Friday morning!!! I LOVE BAGS! I am a total bag lady! Underneath our bed is a treasure trove of dust bag covered loveliness! They make me so happy.
I blame this problem on my mother who also has a handbag substance abuse issue and I was brought up in a house where under the stairs had to be converted in to a walk in cupboard for my mum’s handbag collection. So my obsession started at a young age – actually with pencil cases in school – but now I’m a grown up it’s handbags all the way!
I have a Mulberry Alexa, a Chloe Marcie, a Michael Kors tote, a couple of Vivienne Westwood, 4 various sized Marc Jacobs (3 of which were purchased in the US last year), a vintage Louis Vuitton bucket bag (my mum bought it in Paris in the 80’s than she fell out of love with when it became the target for knock offs and donated it to me!), a couple of Kate Spade’s, a Mui Mui, a Gucci – see I told you I was obsessed!
I justify these purchases in many ways
– Firstly price per wear. I take really good care of my bags and they are incredibly well made, therefore they last for years and the price per wear cost becomes very little.
– Secondly, I always either save up, get them as gifts or get a bargain – I wouldn’t buy a bag if I couldn’t afford it and for years I have been incredibly easy to buy for for Birthdays and Christmas always asking for the yellow gift vouchers that come in a shiny black box (Selfridges) and saving these up until I can add a new bag to my collection! I also wait for events such as the Selfidges event each year before Christmas where everything is 20% off – it makes a big difference with big purchases. Or I wait for holidays – there are usually designer bags on offer in duty free which can help bring the price down. I went bag crazy in the States last year as stores such as Macys give foreign visitors a card that gives you 10% off all prices, including sale prices, so the beautiful yellow Marc Jacobs number came home with me for almost 1/2 price! The husband also bought me a bag when he won $500 on the first slot machine spin in Vegas – that’s my lucky bag! I also keep an eye out in charity shops my – sister picked up a beautiful green Mulberry in excellent condition for £100 in a charity shop (not cheap for charity shop prices but cheap for a nearly new Mulbs! And I totally agree that Mulbs have increased in prices almost exponentially over the last couple of years, they are however going to bring out a ‘budget’ line around Christmas with prices at about £500), on ebay and at outlets such as Bicester and Cheshire Oaks which are worth making a trip to if you are thinking about splashing out.
– Thirdly, I don’t spend a fortune on the rest of my wardrobe. I buy basics from Primark with pieces also from Topshop, Newlook, Zara, River Island, H&M etc. I would rather wear a cheaper clothes and dress them up with designer accessories. Clothing trends come and go so quickly that I don’t see the point in buying really expensive pieces only to wear them for 1 season (the exception is coats and shoes – I will spend money on a good coat and boots!), but a quality designer bag will be in fashion for years.
– Fourthly, They are ‘my’ thing and they make me really happy so why not?! I know I won’t be able to buy designer bags forever. Hopefully myself & my husband will be starting a family soon and I don’t think I’ll be able to justify the spend when we have more important stuff to spend money on, but while I can still think about myself I don’t see any harm. Plus I don’t spend beyond my means – I would LOVE a Chanel 2.5 but even I can’t justify those prices!!!
I would say make the investment Charlotte, but i am the biggest bag lady ever!
Wow Bryony, I think you win the award for ULTIMATE bag lady! but like you say, price per wear and it’s your “thing” plus I do agree that one particular spiffy piece (be it a bag or shoes or a great jacket) can make any outfit look 100% better.
I have never tried to do the Selfridges sale, it always look scary on the telly, all that pushing and shoving….have you got any tips? do folks not literally fight over the best bags?!
Ok, WHO mentioned vestaiarecollective.com – waah!
I know right? LETHAL.
Haha… So sorry! Its a bit like Etsy… you need to take a week off work to sit glued with a notebook and a list and make sure you do not miss viewing a single thing!
Hi Charlotte,
I too coveted Mulberry from afar for many years until I finally purchased the bayswater 2 years ago. I will admit I felt faint and a pang of guilt handing over my credit card, however I have no regrets! I have pretty much used the bag every day since I bought it and I absolutely adore it.
As for the fear of marking it, that goes after a few weeks (and multiple cans of protective spray!)
Oh and on a completely seperate yet similar topic, what kind of changing bag do you use for Mabel? I would love to see more Mommy Must Have’s posts.
xxx
Hi Claire! ha ha ha it’s funny you should ask that, I didn’t like any changing bags (!) so use a leather “man bag” instead, the funny thing is so many people have asked about it since, will do a post ASAP x
I’m like this, but with shoes. I think it’s because while bags often get better with age, shoes don’t. I have to confess to having more than one Mulberry bag, bought when they were MUCH cheaper and at Heathrow, for the duty free savings. When it comes to shoes I’m strictly high street all the way!
Agree!!! I’m definitely a bag girl over shoes!
Ummm, may possibly be addicted to Mulberry but can justify it as all have been pressies from the Hubby. I’ve got him well trained! My first was such a treat and beacuse of that I still love it to this day. The thing I love about Mulberrys is they just get better with age and I only tend to go for them in the classic browns. It doesn’t seem to matter about the odd mark or bash. My most recent was a gorgeous tan Bayswater which Edd bought me as a having Alice present/anniversary present (both were the same day!). I did tell him to take it back as we needed new carpet more but he very quickly persuaded me otherwise!! I know he got a couple of them from Bicester so always worth a trip there to hunt them out although I have learnt that if you wait you normally get a better deal in the Mulberry sales (just sign up for the newsletters!). Maybe need to curb this addiction now! xx
A newsletter you say….?
Hi Charlotte
I treated myself to a Mulberry bayswater (limited edition snake skin effect leather) when I qualified as a lawyer – on the basis that because I had worked so hard to get there that I deserved to treat myself.
Yes I use it all the time and I LOVE it, I do take your point about it perhaps being a little on the large side. Have you considered the Del Ray instead? I guess the only drawback with that one is that its not really a shoulder bag as such.
I would say just go for it. Its not like you buy these types of bags all the time and the amount of enjoyment you will get from it for years to come is just a plus. Just think you can further down the line let Maebel have it too 🙂
I do like the Del Ray, would it make me as sexy as Lana?
And yes, I am now going to justify all future purchases by the statement “I am going to leave it to Mabel…”
Did you realise Mulberry used to make a bag called Mabel? Now that’s a sign! x
Ooh well I do love a designer bag!! I think once you have gone there nothing can compete really!! However I do agree the prices are ridiculous and I reckon £500ish is definitely my limit. I have a Mulberry Mabel (Charlotte this is the one you need to find on eBay to pass down to Mabel!!) which the hubs bought me when we had been together a couple of years! I was thrilled – however I don’t use it that much anymore I have to admit but I still love it. I must have used it everyday for about 2 years so cost per way it stands up. Think it was around £650 at the time. Also on the slightly cheaper end I have a Michael Kors and a Kate spade. Oh and a Chloe purse that the hubs bought me this year for Mother’s Day! (I didn’t even hint!) I also have an anya hindmarch clutch which was a wedding present. Wish list is another anya hindmarch and a Prada!! X
There is a Mulberry Mabel?!!! I must find it!
I have always coveted what is essentially a Prada man bag, they do it in a beautiful mid grey and a pale more blueish grey, equally gorgeous, equally ridiculously expensive.
I think I should definitely have an expensive purse for my next mothers day though 🙂
Also loving this post!! I toyed for ages about buying a designer bag as I’m also a huge fan of the more competitively priced Zara and sometimes TKMaxx numbers, well before it got a bit drag Queenie. I toyed with an Alexa (and def didn’t buy a high quality copy in Thailand 6 years ago *cough* ) and lots of the other it bags. I guess I felt like if I had one I would become more sophisticated and more grown up somehow, kinda felt like a feminine right of passage or something.
One Christmas sales I eventually took the plunge when I got an email from Matches and their designer bags were half price. I settled on a gorgeous wine colour leather DVF ‘camera’ bag. I had to trek across half of London and about a gazillion tube stops to Notting Hill to locate one in stock in a torrential rain down pour (I arrived with water dripping down my face and squelchy shoes) and when I got there I put half on my visa and half on my credit card (the uber posh girl in front of me did the same so I figured it was fine!!)
I got it for £320 instead of £575 (though my husband still thinks it was a complete bargain at £150 – am I the only one who stretches the truth when it comes to telling him indoors?! He’d have a heart attack if he knew.. Though having said that we weren’t married back then so what’s he gonna do?!? Hehe)
I use the bag pretty much every day. It’s softened and the leather is grainy and gorgeous and the colour is unusual. I get compliments on it all the time because it’s abit different and it’s also highly functional. It has detachable cross body strap (when I put it on I annoy my other half as I always refer to putting the strap on as ‘taking the bag off road’)
Anyway after 4 years or something I still love it and I know I’ll have it for years to come. I’d say maybe don’t get the one everyone is getting. Think about what you feel is okay to pay and what is a long term investment. Def hang on for a sale, and when you do get it treat it with protector and don’t be afraid to use it! Marks add character, it’ll be a vintage classic in a decade!!
Xx
Haha Lynne, you most certainly are not alone in stretching the truth – that made me laugh! I realise I have no idea how much I actually spent on my bags anymore because I can only remember the version of the cost I’ve admitted to my husband- the sales cost, minus the birthday money that went towards it, minus the coffees at starbucks I didnt have so that I could add in another £30 and the amount saved on taking a pack lunch to work… I can pretty much get any item down to £20 these days! (all good for increasing maths skills though, right?)
I have got a Mulberry obsession. I have a nude Bayswater, which I got as a gift. A green patent leather clutch bag, also a gift. And an amazing navy blue suede Alexa bag. With a mega studded bow on it. It is very fabulous. I am currently saving for my wedding, and prior to this I was saving for my house. It has been a whole load of saving. I saw the Alexa in a shop window and I knew I had to have all £1200 of it. I begged my h2b, I even told him it would be a great nappy bag in the future (ha, there is no way my children will be allowed near its suede loveliness…). I absolutely love all of them. However, to make my life that little bit better, I would love a Chanel 2.55, a oak Bayswater and dream of all dreams, a Birkin.
I love my handbags. I have 3 designer handbags in classic colours (tan, black and navy) so I know that they will go with several outfits.
I wear them all the time, and although when they are brand new I am little bit precious about them after a year or so I chuck them about! I think the marks give them a bit of character!!
I will never regret buying my bags as yes they cost a small fortune and when you add up all the costs together (eek) its enough to give you heart palpitations… I have not brought any other bags since!
The way I think about it is, you can buy a £40 bag from new look, which you will own for 3 months before it starts to look tatty… when you then have to buy a new one. Over a course of a few years you have already spent a couple of hundred!! You might as well of brought a high quality bag which will last you for many years to come! Its actually a saving and an investment! (thats what I tell the husband!!! haha)
My next big purchase which I am saving for is a Chanel 2.55… a girl can dream! And yes it might hurt when I type in my pin in the card machine for about half an hour afterwards I know I will get over it soon enough when I start to wear it!!!
[…] designer investment for years yet have never taken the plunge. All of you lovely folk made lots of helpful suggestions so I was encouraged to re-consider my options – quite a few of you suggested Micheal Kors […]
I see we’re all “bag junkies” here. And here I thought I was alone in my quest for the perfect amount of bags. 😛
Oh how I have enjoyed reading all your comments!! What is it about us girls and our bags. I love my partner dearly but can categorically say that I have never experienced such the rush of desire and giddiness I have when I purchase a new bag. At present, I am delirious having bought a red mulberry Bayswater satchel. It has not been delivered yet so I am enjoying the exciting anticipation. I have coveted this bag for 18 months and just couldn’t bring myself to part with £850 (now that I’m a grown up mother, in theory, and can’t justify it). Anyhoo, I told myself that I would look out for one in the sales after Christmas. You guessed it, they sold out immediately. Since then, I have researched and looked everywhere for the particular shade of red (hibiscus) that I wanted but to no avail. Everywhere sold out. But then…..one pops up on Ebay for £550. It’s a sign!! I had it authenticated and did more research and asked for photos of bizarre things on the bag which would prove it was a genuine mulberry. I made the seller an offer of £480 and it was accepted. Wahoo! I may pas out with excitement before it actually arrives and I may get repetitive strain injury if I flick through the photos of it any more or look at the shipping status.
I have been working overtime recently and have saved the extra money. Three quarters of it will be spent on us as a family but one quarter was just for me….and I shall enjoy that lovely hunk of red mulberry leatherness for years to come!! And, of course, all of my bags (including my baby pink Chanel camelia quilted chain handle one -sob!) will be passed on to my daughter, Penelope.
If you can, treat yourself to a nice bag girls, it rocks! ❤️
[…] two years ago I penned a piece titled “Bag Lady“, I had never in my life invested in a fancy designer handbag and was contemplating taking […]
Gorgeous bag! Absolutely stunning!