I have been using the Mulberry bayswater tote in the color Oak for more than 8 months now and I think its a good time to share my honest opinion and also tell you whether its worth your money or not.
I bought this bag before thanks giving last year and I have been actively using it now, so lets see how it rates.
A little bit about Mulberry
Mulberry was founded in 1971 and is a UK based luxury brand. The bags are also manufactured in UK. So, obviously, the brand has its presence for 50 years now, so I am pretty sure they have good knowledge about there products and how to make the best ones.
What instantly stood out to me is that they stand for bags made to last. Its their claim, and honestly when it comes to a work tote, or a travel tote, I was looking for something that will last for a while.
Moreover, Mulberry supports and is working towards improving climate conditions with zero emission focus. Read more about it here. And as someone who values what we leave behind for our future, I really want to see more fashion brands get on board that.
Why I Bought It?
I wanted a versatile bag that I can take to work, travel and for random errands as well. I usually don’t carry tote bags, its not my style. So, they are used purely for functional purposes. That is why I wanted a bag that I can wear with any colored outfits and any style of outfits.
But more importantly, I wanted something in decent size. I actually went to the store to try on the bag before pulling the trigger. Even if you are shopping online, sometimes trying it on physically helps a lot.
The color of the Bayswater bag I picked is called oak, but it looks Cognac to me. The interior lining in almost black, navy blue. And I bought it for $900 + tax which is almost a $1000.
It might seem cheap for regular luxury shopper, but its still a lot of money.
Measurements
Mind you that any style of tote bag is a bit narrower at the bottom and wider at the top. But the measurements are taken of the base because that is where you keep your stuff.
Below are the measurements:
- Bottom Width – 14 1/4 inch
- Top width – 18 1/2 inch
- Height – 11 1/2 inch
- Depth – 5 inch
- Handle height – 10 1/4 inch
Does a Laptop Fit?
This is the biggest question you would ask specially if you are buying this tote for work. And this is also where most of us go wrong. When we think of a 15 inch laptop, its not the width or height of the laptop.
Its actually the diagonal measurements of the screen. Now, I own a 16 inch MacBook Pro and here are the measurements.
Material
The outer shell is made of soft cow grained leather. The leather looks stiff but its actually really soft but sturdy. And the grained leather is treated to protect it from stains and abrasion. I love how the grained leather looks so rich and luxurious in the cognac color. It looks like almost double the price.
The inner shell is suede leather in almost darkest blue. I am honestly glad that its not black because it would have been a big contrast.
There is a lighter shade of stitching detail that elevates the bag. I have been using the bag for sometime, and I have not seen any loose stitching so, its really made well.
Look & Feel
Mulberry bags in general have a bohemian and cozy rich vibe to them. They look like they have a classic style and can be worn comfortably with diverse styles of outfits. And the Mulberry Bayswater tote definitely speaks for it. The band around the front of the bag adds more detail and elevates the plain tote style of the bag.
I have been looking for a tote bag for a while and the bayswater bag, just spoke to me. That is why I kept going back to it over and over again. You would usually see a logo or color contrast or prints in most luxury totes, but the Mulberry bayswater tote bag looks very different from all of them.
It has the simplistic design but it also has a well thought through design that separates it from all designer bags. And the grained leather just adds more luxury to it. I love how amazing the whole thing is and if I had to go back, I will buy this bag in another color for sure.
Durability & Longevity
It’s been like 3 years that I have been using this bag on a regular basis and till date there has been no visible sign of wear and tear.
I have been using it on travels like a brutal trip to Egypt where we were moving a lot. It still holds the cognac color really well.
I have taken it to work trips where the bag is shoved to the max for functionality. And I haven’t seen and issues or the handle getting worn from the weight of the bag.
I also carry it to work almost everyday and it looks classy with all my outfit. I think Mulberry knows how to build a good work bag that can hold the test of time.
Handle Height
I wanted to point this out and highlight it. That is why it gets its own section. Handle height is key factor to a good tote bag that you can stuff items in without worrying whether you can carry to on your shoulders.
This was one big functionality, that I never paid attention to while purchasing any of my earlier bags and I always ended up disliking the bag I chose. But the Mulberry Bayswater tote bag with 10 1/4 inch handle drop is perfect for me. I can stuff and make the bag wide and still be able to carry it with ease.
The thickness of the straps also help adjust the weight, so carrying it on your shoulders is not as painful.
Top Colors
Where To Buy
Depending on your personal style, you might want to pick a neutral tone bag or pick a colorful one. But I have to say it’s so hard to decide with this bag, because they really do a great job with picking right shade combinations that will elevate this bag. So, I am sharing some of my favorite options.
The bag has got through a price increase of $95 in the USA which is pretty reasonable compared to other designer brands.
You can always buy them directly from the Mulberry website. But here are some of my favorite online stores to shop it from –
- Cettire (On Discount)
- Selfridges (On Discount)
But the best value for money is to shop at Nordstrom because you can apply for Nordy plan, do double points and get a gift card for yourself to shop for something else. Isn’t that awesome.
