It's been radio silence here recently due to overwhelming amounts of work, darker days and my camera still being in the shop. However, I thought it was worth coming out of hibernation to share the first designer bag I've ever seriously considered owning: the Mulberry Bryn. I love Mulberry leather and the Bryn looks like the perfect combination of structure and slouch. The details are beautiful and I love the triple lock. I've been wanting to invest in a Mulberry wallet for a while now, so it's a big stretch to affording a bag, but it is a beautiful dream nonetheless.
Do you own a designer bag? What are the benefits?
I have to say that I really like this bag - it's such a simple design and details subtle, which I suppose adds to the allure.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple designer bags - the AW emile, Proenza Schouler PS11 and a YSL envelope clutch.
I haven't bought too many 100% leather bags before that, admittedly (I did have a patent HUGE MBMJ bag but I'm not sure it counts), so I don't have much to compare it to.
I've had my PS11 for more than a year now and it's held up pretty well, and my AW Emile which I've had for two months still looks like new, minus some minor scratches on the hardware. I think that really what it comes down to is that the workmanship is going to be of better quality when you are spending that much money on a bag, and the leather of a higher quality also, but it's something that you could easily go without by getting a leather bag in the $300-400 price range.
It looks lovely, I like Mulberry very much too. I think bags are worth the splurge, though of course not all designer bags live up to their price tag. Generally the leather quality of an expensive bag is better, and the interiors are usually just as beautiful as the outside, and the hardware doesn't tarnish. That's been the experience of the designer bags I've bought. Also, some are really smartly designed inside: sufficient number of inner pockets and slots. That's very important to me because I hate rooting for stuff.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very important to consider your "bag habits" - do you like to sling it on the shoulder, do you like it open or shut, do you want it to have a broad base or narrow base (because of what you tote around every day). The Mulberry Bayswater was my dream "grown up" bag, yet I don't use it as much anymore because I don't like fiddling with the flap and the clasp to get my travel card out, and it sits too snugly under my arm when I carry it on my shoulder.
I agree with Jamie that it;s something one can easily live without, but I say from experience that if you have always had an eye on a "dream bag", dont compromise with cheaper substitutes in between because in the end you will end up buying that dream bag anyway, and all money spent in between would have gone to waste.
My best buy is a YSL tote I got at 75% off - quality is so good and it still looks fresh after 3 years of hard wearing. My best "cheapish" bag is a messenger/hobo bag from Longchamp - super lightweight, super practical, and fairly chic for a messenger bag. It may be nylon but it was worth paying for.
Go shopping in person if you can, go feel all the bags, even at brands you couldn't care less about, and feel and touch everything (be shameless!) It's so much easier to judge quality and decide whether a price is reasonable once you've checked out the market. I don't like anything at Loewe for example but I LOVE touching the stuff.