Mulberry

Well-made, sturdy, practical, and simple, the Mulberry Knightsbridge Leather Bag holds your goods without all the additional hoopla. Sure, tassels, tags, extra pockets everywhere, and a plethora of materials give a bag a fun appeal, but sometimes people just want to find a good sturdy bag. No whistles, no chains, just a simple bag. Mulberry is known for their impeccably sturdy designs on gorgeous toned down handbags. This thick leather is put together in a bowling style bag with brass hardware and a small front pouch pocket. There are two top handles and a zip closure. Simple as they come. Buy via Net A Porter for $1195.

Close up below
(more…)

The studinator is in da house. You think you are cool, WRONG. You are not cool unless you rock out the studs. It is totally ‘in’ to be totally punk rocker. We have been seeing studs thrown about here and there, but only one other time like this. Upon first glance, I ‘knew’ who the designer of this bag was. But I was totally wrong. This is not a Marc Jacobs studded bag, this is the Mulberry Studded Hobo Bag which gives a new meaning to stud detailing. I get it, I get that studs are so BAMF (BAMF is the new cool kid acronym, I am sure you can figure it out ). But this studding is scary if you ask me. The tassel on the side, which hangs down incredibly low and stands out incredibly much, is lined with chunky gold studs. Literally, the tassel looks like a war weapon the Spartans would use. I would not mind seeing a Spartan, in his Spartan attire, carrying the tassel, but other than that, it is really just scary. The materials are all right, cream patent leather, gold hardware, suede lining, but the overall product is all wrong. Good luck getting through a security check point with this sucker. I am tagging this bag a fug bag, but it is not necessarily fugly, it is downright scary. Studs gone wrong via NAP for $1595.

There is something about an earthy understated bag that is so practical and perfect for so many. Many times we are all so caught up with the newest trends, that we forget many people manifest their handbag desires in a great everyday bag. Mulberry deserves much credit for their sturdy simple designs that get the job done and do not add too many additions to make the bag detract from its intent. The Mulberry Leather Bayswater Bag uses a earthy warm ‘oak Darwin’ colored leather to make a handbag that is easy for everyday use. The two handles make this a perfect tote and there is a gold buckle fastening on the front. A flap closure, internal pockets, and adjustable side straps that give a little more room in the bag finish it off. There is also a chance the bag can fit under the arm nicely. Just under $1000 at NAP, this bag is sure to be a stunning bag for the gal who just needs to use a handbag (unlike those of us who have growing collections!).

Image via GR

The Desperate Housewife does have hair that puts mine to shame. After leaving Ken Paves Hair Salon (yep the Jessica Simpson BFF Ken Paves), Eva Longoria was photographed sporting long wavy locks and a chic new handbag. At first I could not ID the new shoulder bag, but something kept ringing a bell. And the bell was the Mulberry bell. A brand new bag on the Mulberry scene is the Mulberry Hanover Bag, which gives a laid back feel with its oak Havana leather and chunky hand stitching. There is a Mulberry bush on brass buckle on the front pocket. Laid back and perfectly understated for the gal with Ken Paves hair-do. Buy the bag via NAP $1195.

I hope all of you had a weekend enjoying some spring time sunshine. I spent many days relaxing and shopping and the evenings winding down in the jacuzzi! Got to love Florida! And now as it is just warming up, when you head to swipe some plastic, you realize that fall/winter lines are out already. It is 80 degrees and I was looking at velvet hats. Hum. Not sure if it is because the coloring is drab for spring or the coloring is drab all together, the Mulberry Radcliffe Canvas Bag does not do it for me. The tan canvas appears washed out which in turn looses the Paisley leather appliques in the mix. This bag reminds me of what a very slight beige color looks like on me. DRAB. I look like I have never seen the sun, my skin looks horrid, and I just blend into the background. I hate to see a bag with potential do the same thing. There is a signature buckle and woven brown leather handles which offset the coloring a tad. Because of my light skin, light hair, and blue eyes, this bag is not for me. Yet on someone completely different, it could work. Sure it is simple, but loosing the pattern in the bag looses my interest in the bag. Via Net-A-Porter for $795.

Recognize her? No? Look a little closer. Isn’t there something just a teeny bit familiar? That boxy shape, those front pockets…ah, you get it now. Yes, our girl Roxanne has gone punk. I almost said goth, but those studs are definitely punk rock. What happened to her, you ask? Well, Ms. Mulberry here has been hanging out with Giles Deacon, who decided to give her a little makeover. He got his hands on some of her friends too, and come springtime, there will be a whole gaggle of Giles-influenced Mulberry girls. Now, do we like Roxy’s new look? Let’s see. The initial shock is none too pleasant, I suppose. Is that patent leather the Mulberry Roxanne by Giles is wearing all over her body? And studs placed right on the nipples? And gold AND silver hardware? Why this is madness, I say, what were her parents doing? But then the shock dies down. Okay, she certainly isn’t her old self and this look is anything but classic - but it’s a phase! Can’t she go through a rebellious phase? It’s even a little refreshing to see her dressed up like this, even a little…cute. This Roxanne can play with a whole new crowd of girls, a crowd that will be almost entirely distinct from the crowd she used to play with. But maybe some of her old friends will stay royal. After all, blue jeans and a simple tee don’t clash with her new style at all. Sure she’s over the top, but let the girl have some fun! Pre-order her to take for a spin at Luisaviaroma for 1150 Euros. She may not be your BFF, but hanging out with her will make you feel dangerous - and for us four-figure-purse-toting gals, that feeling sure is fun.

By nerdphanie, the Shopping Nerd!

It’s been quite quiet in the satchel department. Maybe it is because not many designers tend to classify their bags as satchels anymore, or rather, we don’t pay as much attention to them. Browsing Net-A-Porter’s bag section, I ran across a worthy candicate that needs mentioning.

The Mulberry Martha is made of Oak Darwin leather and features brass hardware and a canvas strap. The satchel has plait detailing around flap, faux buckle closure, white stitching and a single press stud fastening strap under the flap to secure. The Martha measures in a 11.5 by 10 by 2.5 inches and goes for just under a grand. On NAP, it’s shown with a pair of Chloe jeans, a light colored shirt, a Missoni belt and Pedro Garcia heels - in my opinion an absolutely stunning, casual everyday look.

How do you like your totes? Are you someone who prefers it longer or taller? My preference is for a longer tote, but sometimes a taller tote catches my eye and is also appealing. One of the taller totes that has my attention is the Mulberry Elgin Tote. Mulberry has made its way into many of our hearts and hands and this tote is simple but fashionable with its brass buckles and buckle strap closures. The tote is designed from soft pebble leather and is shown off by contrast stitching. For carrying, there are two shoulder straps with a 71⁄4″ drop which should be ample room to fit under the arm. Measuring 131⁄4″H X 12″L X 53⁄4″W , this tote shows that its height and length are not hugely different, but from an outsiders eye the dimensions seem to be much easier to differentiate. After opening the buckle strap closure, there is a zip pocket and suede lining. I’m a fan of the buckle and strap detailing on this bag. Buy it through Saks for $995.

If you are an avid handbag fashion follower, you will know the hype about the Mulberry bags. I love them. Simple but still detailed, I know that is an oxymoron. Leather bags never seem to go out of style, and the Mulberry bag is made of fine leather and beautiful studs which sets it apart from the rest. This particular bag makes me want to dress über cute and go out on the town to show it off.

The Mulberry Roxanne is one of the major hypes in the handbag industry at the moment. Offered also in oak brown and rose pink, the creamy vanilla leather has my pick. The beautiful color is accentuated with brass hardware and two pockets on the front. Also the bag features double leather straps with brass loops on end. What I love are the buckles placed all over the bag. There are press stud fastenings under the faux buckles on two external pouch pockets. Then also there are press stud fastenings on the three straps which secure main body of the bag, with of course the signature Mulberry logo on each rivet. Because the bag is unlined, you will have to be very careful what you place inside and hopefully not spill anything or it could damage the leather easily. But there is a small zip pouch on the inside to hold lipstick or a wallet or cell phone. The dimensions are 34cm x 18cm x 17cm and the bag can be purchased at Net-A-Porter for around $1045.