Botkier vs Rebecca Minkoff

[starkfan]

Originally Posted by starkfan

I'm currently awaiting my first Botkier, so I can't do a direct comparison with my RM (a Matinee) yet, but [...] [...] I think Botkier bags are regarded as better quality than RM. Just my two cents, and I'll definitely be able to give more input once I receive my first Botkier.

Okay, here's the update as promised: Now that I've received my first Botkier (James Hobo in Deep Purple; unfortunately, not as great a deal as at the sample sale!!), I definitely think that Botkier's quality is better than RM, at least for the one RM that I received. (The problems I have with my RM can be viewed in the link back to the quoted post.)

The leather quality is good, nice and soft and smooth, with no variations in the leather (natural or otherwise) that I could notice (and I'm pretty OCD! ). The stitching is also all completely even, with only one tiny bit of a loose thread end that's barely visible (only noticed this because I'm OCD, like I said ) and doesn't seem like it'll cause any stitches to come loose. The zigzag stitching detail, in particular, is impeccable. The overall workmanship definitely seems very solid, which is exactly what I expect from a bag in this price range.

(Mine was made in China, BTW. Also, I think it's kinda cute that the "Made in China" tag is a little leather tag rather than the usual cloth tag you get with other brands! )

The lining also looks nice and sturdy, no problems with the interior either. The interior of my RM is fine as well, and whilst Botkier's natural lining is plainer than RM's black and white floral lining, well, I'd clearly rather have a plain lining than a bag with problems on the exterior.

Overall, Botkier definitely meets my expectations! If I had had an RM with no problems, I'd probably call the two fairly comparable, but given that (a) that isn't the case for me at least, and (b) the likelihood of getting a problematic RM seems to be much higher than with Botkier, I feel fairly safe in sticking with my original impression that Botkier is better quality than RM.

[ReecesPieces]

WOW im really seeing some familiar minkettes in here that i normally see posting in the RM forum! i guess i shouldnt be surprised, botkier's styles and price point seem to be at the same level. Im really glad i read this thread, theres so much information that is really helpful.. im getting pretty excited to make my first botkier purchase!!!

[melodoki]

I own a RM MAM, Botkier's leather Sasha, a Vixen hobo and have seen styles from both brands.

Since I haven't had any problems with RM, I am loving my MAM. IMO, RM has a few "classic" styles to the brand and they reproduce them in a rainbow of colors/textures. I enjoy the MAM but for the price, I wouldn't carry multiples of essentially the same bag. In that sense, I prefer Botkier b/c the quality level is the same if not better (and sometimes better prices!) and there is more variety from season to season. I like to have different "looks" with my bag choices, but that's just me.

Also, RM leather seems a little more sensitive that Botkier leathers, not sure if it varies by color. I have to be more careful with my MAM picking up scratches than my other bags. And with RM's QC issues, I find myself "checking" my MAM to make sure all the hardware is still there. I do agree that RM lining is a nicer touch, sometimes the black lining in my Botkier is a pit. I loved the suede lining in the Bianca but that added weight to the bag.

Overall, I am happy with both brands and would purchase either again, more likely Botkier b/c of better prices and changing styles since I already have my "classic RM" bag.

[drew2007]

I'm still a botkier fan but RM has done a good job of getting the minketters full of the RM fervor! It's like a cult ....... the bags are pretty but i like botkier functionality

[irchiq]

Originally Posted by ReecesPieces

WOW im really seeing some familiar minkettes in here that i normally see posting in the RM forum! i guess i shouldnt be surprised, botkier's styles and price point seem to be at the same level. Im really glad i read this thread, theres so much information that is really helpful.. im getting pretty excited to make my first botkier purchase!!!

Yep! I def think RM and Botkier share a fanbase. I saw plenty of RMs at the Botkier sale (including my own). I was actually introduced to RM through Botkier forum (member signatures had a whole of bunch of RMs listed in their "wishlists" and "havelists")

[drew2007]

The RM sale was outrageous! I think that 325 for a sample bag which you can buy on the UPW for 329 plus use the 15% coupon is insane (all the greens and turquoises and red MAMS and MABs were there)

[eye.bag]

I am soooo getting a RM after reading this thread. I have a Botkier and love it, but I think that RM has done a very good job of the different colours available. Though now I am nervous about getting it from eBay since the QC　ｉｓ　ｓｏ　ｖａｒｉｅｄ．

[ivysun]

Love this thread.. I am a big fan of RM and thinking about getting my first botkier...The trigger is absolutely beautiful. The only thing is, I wish it comes in more colors. Just like RM's MAM.. I have tons of them in diff. colors. Collecting the same styles in rainbow color is a lot more fun for me than collection diff. styles that I am not sure if I will love for long.

Monica, I love the trigger and can you please continue to produce this style in various new colors? I promise I will get at least 3 to 4 of those

[purseprincess32]

I think Botiker & RM are great.

[mouseptrolix]

In my modest opinion, having experienced both RM and Botkier bags, they are uncomparable. When it comes to quality and class, I will always chose Botkier. Botkier herself is a true classy lady, and her bags are timeless and interesting, the leather quality is amazing, and the price is rediculeously low for what you get. I own Botkier shoes, several bags and even make up case, get compliments left and right, and even though I have high end brands like Prada, Ferragamo, MJ,etc, my DH always prefers when I wear Botkier and comments how classy and at the same time modern these bags look.
On the other hand, I owned 7 RM's and sold ALL of them but one, which I am intending to sell as well. After experiencing first hand the poor quality of RM, and watching the styles get less and less interesting, I got rid of my RMs and feel that I lost respect for her and her company. I also personaly do not like the cult-like obsession of the RM fans either. It seems that RM cant do wrong, no matter if her bags fall apart, CS sends wrong items, leather doesnt match, you name it - everything is forgiven by the obsessed fans.
As for Monika - I respect her highly as a business woman and as a person, and I am proud to wear her amazing creations. Botkier in my mind is synonimous with style, quality and class. This is what her brand stands for, and she is doing an amazing job building and strengthening this brand. It is clear she has a roadmap and she knows where she is going, and she has secured a strong place among the fashion's best.

[mouseptrolix]

In my modest opinion, having experienced both RM and Botkier bags, they are uncomparable. When it comes to quality and class, I will always chose Botkier. Botkier herself is a true classy lady, and her bags are timeless and interesting, the leather quality is amazing, and the price is rediculeously low for what you get. I own Botkier shoes, several bags and even make up case, get compliments left and right, and even though I have high end brands like Prada, Ferragamo, MJ,etc, my DH always prefers when I wear Botkier and comments how classy and at the same time modern these bags look.
On the other hand, I owned 7 RM's and sold ALL of them but one, which I am intending to sell as well. After experiencing first hand the poor quality of RM, and watching the styles get less and less interesting, I got rid of my RMs and feel that I lost respect for her and her company. I also personaly do not like the cult-like obsession of the RM fans either. It seems that RM cant do wrong, no matter if her bags fall apart, CS sends wrong items, leather doesnt match, you name it - everything is forgiven by the obsessed fans.
As for Monika - I respect her highly as a business woman and as a person, and I am proud to wear her amazing creations. Botkier in my mind is synonimous with style, quality and class. This is what her brand stands for, and she is doing an amazing job building and strengthening this brand. It is clear she has a roadmap and she knows where she is going, and she has secured a strong place among the fashion's best.

[Bay]

I like both. I used to have the east/west trigger in teal and the mini sasha in hot pink.

And now I went over to RM. I like RM more because the styles fit me better and she has sooo many colors.

I wish I could of had the hot pink sasha in medium or large..

As far as the quality, my Botkier's held up very good and they smelled like heaven, just like my RM's.

[tonij2000]

I have four Botkiers and I had one RM. The RM Elisha was just returned to Nordies b/c the strap came away from the stitching more than once and I was sick of seding it to be repaired. Anyhoo, I do love the different colors and the nice looking leathers of RM so I just bought another RM (from a reputable retailer so that I can send it back if I don't like it) and today I bought a previously loved Botkier. I hope that I like the MAB but if I could only have bags by one or the other, I would have to chose Botkier.

[simurgh]

It's interesting to hear such different opinions on linings (who knew?)! Just my two cents, but I love the plain linings. I think most colorful linings look cheap (maybe I'm missing something, but I don't usually see them on the really high end bags) and/or tacky and clash with most outfits. One of the main reasons I keep buying botkier bags is because they have plain linings. I also like RM and hayden harnett, but sometimes avoid them because of the linings.

[jmcadon]

You just hear so much about the quality issues with RM. I had two and sold them both. I still have my original Botkier small trigger from the first year it came out and I love it!