Anonymous wrote:Not the Op but is there any benefit (ie cost savings) to buy the bags in the UK?

Yes, depending on the exchange rate of course. And you need to get the VAT rebate. Unfortunately Mulberry closed its store in Heathrow, whihc automatically knocked off the VAT.

I have an Aspinal purse - very well made and I use it but I don't love it (it was a gift).

Mulberry is definitely a millennial status symbol.

[quote=Anonymous]I own both Mulberry and Strathberry. They are exceptional quality British bags. Mulberry: Mulberry aren’t all made in Britain. My tote is and it’s one of the reasons I chose it, is an everyday bag it’s slouchy, soft and simplistic.

Strathberry: is a Scottish brand and their bags are also top quality (these feel more luxurious and are presented more luxuriously than mulberry). Strathberry are made in Spain by Spanish artisans who know their work. My Strathberry is my formal winter bag and its quality is just perfect.

It’s fair to say; I’m a typical Yorkshire girl. Neither of my bags are walking billboards for the brand. If you know the brand you know they’re quality. If you don’t know the brand you’ll walk by and think that’s a nice bag. I like understated and quality rather than overpriced blingy over branded bags. But it’s pretty crass to be showy from where I’m from, and so it’s likely an inherited trait.

Both Brands are worn by HRH the Princess of Wales and many of the Royal Family including the Duchess of Sussex and our Queen Consort. [/quote]

Nice try. We know you're not actually from England.

Anonymous wrote:Londoner here and I don't know what the perception of Mulberry is in the US but over in the UK it is a premium luxury brand in a much higher league than Coach and Kate Spade. The Mulberry Bayswater is THE it bag for professional women who have made it. I would say the brand competes with Celine/Givenchy/Loewe etc, its not ultra top tier like Hermes.

Precisely this.

Mulberry is so classic in London that I buy a mulberry bag at the Christmas sale annually just to have it. I currently have an oxblood Aubrey and a black leather drawstring one that I haven’t even worn yet.

Not the Op but is there any benefit (ie cost savings) to buy the bags in the UK?

This thread has been enlightening. I thought Strathberry was a ripoff of Burberry and Mulberry ...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mulberry is top quality, similar to a Celine a Chloe level bag. Aspinal is high quality, still excellent but a little more of an imitator than a leader. Strathberry is only well known bc MM carried one once early on. I haven’t seen one in person so am not sure the level of workmanship. All of these are higher value and more prestigious than a Kate Spade/Michael Kors/Coach level bag. Among the American brands you mention, Coach is the best quality and their leather bags are well made but the brand suffers from a mass market image. I still think there is a place for a classic (leather, not fabric and no obvious logo) Coach bag in a classic wardrobe.

The old vintage coach bags from when they were made in America (they were made by unionized workers, too--before they closed the US factories, Coach was known for treating its workers fairly) are collectible, there's a whole set of people who hunt for them.

+1. I had a coach bag I got for college graduation in 1998. In about 2003 i broke the strap. I was able to send it back and they replaced the strap. I cannot imagine anything like that happening today.

About 2015 I bought a Kate Spade tote from their short-lived "Madison Avenue" collection that was supposed to be higher end. Its made of very nice quality leather and has great details (lovely stitching and feet). I still bring it out for interviews.

Conversely I recently purchased a Mulberry wallet from Nordstrom. It arrive and was just so un-special that I returned it. While Mulberry is still nicer than current Kate Spade and Coach, I would never put it on the same level as Celine.