Many of our Snob readers across the pond are over Mulberry but stateside, the brand still garners attention. I love the Bayswater, especially in this luscious lavender patent– it just looks like a cool and refreshing drink of grape kool aid! And at $995 it’s one of the best priced bags around. Yes I know, this is the poor man’s birkin but I love the birkin shape and the longer straps on the Bayswater make it that much easier to tote around. The only Bayswater I’ve ever considered was the pink ostrich (can’t believe I missed out on it when it went on sale, sob!) but now I am obsessing over this one. I probably won’t get it, however. It’s like having nice jewelry; when you have really good jewelry you shouldn’t buy anything of lesser of quality. And since I already have so many fabulous birkins, I really shouldn’t be buying the alternative. What do you guys think of the Bayswater?
Mulberry bags at Net-a-porter.com
well I’m in the poor man’s alternative category Tina lol. But I agree, Unless you just loved this bag, you don’t need it if you have the fabulous holy grails in your closet already. I like it, but I would pass and get something else instead though.
I’m with you, Lauren (and of course you, Tina). It’s shaped just like the Birkin and the color isn’t lovely enough (in my opinion) to merit the investment. It’s not an unseemly bag by any means, but it’s hardly worth what I pay for rent!
I love it. Lately I developed a passion for lavender and purple and I also like the longer straps.
I do like the shape. In a really beautiful leather , it could be a really great everyday bag.Lilac patent is NOT my thing. I do love the RL Ricky bag , but then its 3 times the price.
Unfortunately, where I work, lots of people have them so it rather puts me off. They are well-made, a good shape and come in three different sizes and all sorts of leathers and finishes. They’re quite robust so you can sling them on your shoulder and fill them with stuff and still they look quite good. So you can treat them as anything from a handbag to a gym bag to a briefcase. Still, do you want something every other woman has?
I love love love this bag. It’s so simple and elegant it will take you everywhere. Luckily where I live no one has heard of Mulberry (let alone a Birkin) so I am safe from being another copycat. Not sure about the lilac patent though …
LOL and choking on my protein bar
Bag snob you’re the only one who can call a thousand dollar bag a poor man’s birkin.
Funny! Don’t ever change, even if the sky falls and we are all on food stamps I will still read your blog!
The color is totally refreshing!
Well I promised myself I won’t be getting any Birkins before I hit the big 40 (know that once I start I won’t stop so better wait a bit), hence I got myself a nice black Bayswater three years ago.
It’s not the most exciting bag in the world but it blends easily in the background and it’s got for everyday at the office without shouting I am an expensive bag.
My only complaint for Mulberry is that in the last two years I find the quality deteriorating. In brief they are not as good as they were, in my opinion anyway.
Amen, Jackie. We do need to remember that there are many people who no longer have jobs and are struggling to keep food on the table. We can still have fun on Bag Snob, but it is not the real world.
Looks too plastic — read: looks cheap. I have Mulberry. I like patent. But this one is not really working for me.
I love the Bayswater! I think it is stunning and elegant, but at the same time, it could be ageing on an older woman? It seems a bit too white collar… if I were told to think of any handbag which could be carried uniformly by lawyers, doctors, office workers… it would be this.
That said, with a bit of attitute, it’s look can be turner around- like with Kate Moss and her stunning alligator one. Or, I would like to think, myself being seventeen and snazzing mines up with a bit of experimental fashion.
But I think calling it the poor man’s Birkin is a bit derogitary, Tina! Maybe the wise man’s Birkin? Although I like to think that when i’m older and actually employed, i’ll be toting around a Birkin, lots of people earning an average salary wouldn’t dream of pushing their disposable income into Hermes, no matter how wonderful the materials or craftmanship. Indeed, my boyfriend who earns a Birkin-worthy salary thought I was genuinely insane spending £550 on my Bayswater… but then, maybe that’s just boys. He’d be fine carrying about a plastic carrier bag if I let him.
i like a (good quality) plastic bag myself, but for a girl, i’d agree with anonymous. a mulberry doesn’t seem quite worth the money
I LOVE this ones style and color. Just gorgeous
I don’t think bayswater looks similar as birkin, love mulberry’s natural leather but I hate this colour!
i like this color