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dopey · Oct 4th, 2009, 11:31 PM

Hey guys, i'm posting this in the General thread so that all bag lovers can help me out. =) I am really thinking hard about this, and i wish I could say that i could buy all, but... i can't afford everything right now. =) So i would appreciate everyone's inputs on this, i.e. quality - longevity of style, classic factor, etc.., heavy/light to carry and versatility of the bag.

These are my choices:
LV Pomme d'Amour Alma MM
Mulberry Bayswater in Oak or in a really shocking color like fuschia
Balenciaga City in Anthracite or, some pink/purple (raisin) color

For reference, I'm 5'2.. live in a very tropical and laid back city. Although most people wear flipflops and shorts here, close to the hippy/bohemian look... I am into Mad Man/40's-50's style of clothing (high waist skirts/shorts, blouses, etc) mixed with a lot of tailored pieces, classic clothes. You will usually find my closet full of whites, nudes, blacks and grays with a few pinks, violets or reds.

My skin is very sensitive, so I can't carry heavy bags or else, i'll get a big red bruise on my shoulder. I.e. my YSL muse I has to be filled 1/4's full only cos it will cause bruising. Hence, I tend to carry hand-held bags like the Speedy and Alma. But it's a pain when you have a baby to care to.

My friend advised me to buy the Pomme Alma, partly for its shock value and partly cos it's been haunting me. I already have the Amarante version, but I just love the Pomme cos it's sooo.. nice.

The Balenciaga is something I've always admired, but wonder if i could pull it off, since it's quite rocker-ish. And I'm usually into structured bags. I also wonder if this is something i could use till i'm 40-50 years old. But then again, I think this would be a nice break from the usual structured bags that I have, and add edge rather than elegance to my outfits.

Mulberry... this one is something I have yet to see IRL. I've read that it's a good quality bag. Smooshy and handheld. Some say you can adjust the straps to make it a shoulder bag? But I am loving the shape, the colors it comes in.. Another love about it? It's not so-logoed like the LV, or so distinct like the City. Very few people know about this brand in my country and I like it that way (avoids problems with the ILs, esp SIL and MIL.

Black_Swarmer · Oct 5th, 2009, 01:29 AM

I voted for Bal - don't like LV's generally and though the Mulberry Bays is a gorgeous bag it will probably be to heavy for you ... the straps on Bays are not adjustable so you would have to try it on to see if you can carry it on your shoulder - but it is still quite heavy. Happy bag-hunting!

TrashedBride · Oct 5th, 2009, 04:56 AM

I'm voting Mulberry! The bays is a beautiful, classic bag, but yes, it is very heavy... Have you considered the Ledbury, bays' little sister? She's a perfectly scaled down handheld version - you say you love handheld, and I think she'd suit your style really well. I too love 40s and 50s style and my black Ledbury compliments that wonderfully. She's quite a bit smaller than bays, but you can fit a surprising amount into her - you can expand her too, just like bays, for days when you need to tote more stuff. She's a gorgeous, timeless classic, but takes on a vintage edginess, iykwim, as the leather ages. She comes in some gorgeous colours and leathers as well as the classics (black, chocolate and oak) and is much cheaper than bays too!
Hth, let us know what you decide!

alij78 · Oct 5th, 2009, 05:05 AM

Balenciaga!

dopey · Oct 5th, 2009, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by TrashedBride

I'm voting Mulberry! The bays is a beautiful, classic bag, but yes, it is very heavy... Have you considered the Ledbury, bays' little sister? She's a perfectly scaled down handheld version - you say you love handheld, and I think she'd suit your style really well. I too love 40s and 50s style and my black Ledbury compliments that wonderfully. She's quite a bit smaller than bays, but you can fit a surprising amount into her - you can expand her too, just like bays, for days when you need to tote more stuff. She's a gorgeous, timeless classic, but takes on a vintage edginess, iykwim, as the leather ages. She comes in some gorgeous colours and leathers as well as the classics (black, chocolate and oak) and is much cheaper than bays too!
Hth, let us know what you decide!

TrashedBride, thanks, will look at the Ledbury as well. =)

Hmm.. so far the Balenciaga is leading, with the Mulberry Bays a close second. No love coming from the Pomme Alma lovers?

ssc0619 · Oct 5th, 2009, 06:58 AM

I love the Bayswater and don't find it too heavy. If you do, I agree with TrashedBride that the Ledbury is a wonderful alternative. I have two!!

Roxana · Oct 5th, 2009, 07:08 AM

I voted the LV pomme, but I must say the bayswater in fuchsia sounds amazing too!

ahertz · Oct 5th, 2009, 12:58 PM

Balenciaga! I love the way the "rocker" style bags look with tailored clothing. Plus they're super lightweight and easy to carry by hand or shoulder strap.

muggles · Oct 5th, 2009, 01:08 PM

Balenciaga!

ChiChi143 · Oct 5th, 2009, 02:37 PM

Balenciaga!

Swanky Mama Of Three · Oct 5th, 2009, 02:48 PM

Pics please!!

umamanikam · Oct 5th, 2009, 03:45 PM

Mulberry...love oak bays

SARM4800 · Oct 5th, 2009, 06:28 PM

Lv

angelicjulie · Oct 6th, 2009, 08:38 AM

I love Mulberry, I have an East West Bayswater which is a great alternative to the bigger version, I suffer strap marks too if a bag is too heavy but the EW Bayswater is PERRRFECT, it can be shoulderbag or handbag, or crook of arm bag.... I have it in crimson but want the rouge noir as well. I definitely recommend it and its not quite as pricey as the usual Bayswater so you can splash out on 2 without guilt. Plus I agree with you about the beautiful colours it comes in, although the East West doesn't come in as many shades as the Bays, check out mulberry.com as they're always bringing out new ones even during the season, not just at the start of the new season

Good luck
xoxo

Vintage Leather · Oct 6th, 2009, 01:07 PM

Mulberries (berrys?) have an intrinsic weight to them even before you load them down - the leather is just thicker.
They can endure a lot, and be carried everywhere. But they are very heavy.

I love the colours of Vernis, and the Alma is a classic bag. One thing to keep in mind - vernis is an unsealed leather. That might not be the correct term, but what I am trying to say is that if you set a white vernis on a dirty floor, you can perminantly stain it. If a pen explodes anywhere near your bag, it will stain. I had a pale blue wallet, and had to stop using it after a year because of discolouration. Pomme D'Amore is a dark colour, so it probably won't show any soiling - but vernis is a suprisingly delicate leather, and I don't have the energy to baby it.

Balenciaga's are very lightweight and supple. I don't know how fragile they are - I'll ask around that forum. But I love the justaposition of rocker and lady!

View Poll Results: What should I get first?
LV Vernis Pomme D'Amour	8	11.76%
Balenciaga City in Anthracite/Raisin/Framboise	41	60.29%
Mulberry Bayswater in Oak/Fuschia	19	27.94%
Others	1	1.47%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 68. You may not vote on this poll

Oct 4th, 2009, 11:31 PM	#1
dopey OP Member Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 92	Poll: Balenciaga/LV/Mulberry Hey guys, i'm posting this in the General thread so that all bag lovers can help me out. =) I am really thinking hard about this, and i wish I could say that i could buy all, but... i can't afford everything right now. =) So i would appreciate everyone's inputs on this, i.e. quality - longevity of style, classic factor, etc.., heavy/light to carry and versatility of the bag. These are my choices: LV Pomme d'Amour Alma MM Mulberry Bayswater in Oak or in a really shocking color like fuschia Balenciaga City in Anthracite or, some pink/purple (raisin) color For reference, I'm 5'2.. live in a very tropical and laid back city. Although most people wear flipflops and shorts here, close to the hippy/bohemian look... I am into Mad Man/40's-50's style of clothing (high waist skirts/shorts, blouses, etc) mixed with a lot of tailored pieces, classic clothes. You will usually find my closet full of whites, nudes, blacks and grays with a few pinks, violets or reds. My skin is very sensitive, so I can't carry heavy bags or else, i'll get a big red bruise on my shoulder. I.e. my YSL muse I has to be filled 1/4's full only cos it will cause bruising. Hence, I tend to carry hand-held bags like the Speedy and Alma. But it's a pain when you have a baby to care to. My friend advised me to buy the Pomme Alma, partly for its shock value and partly cos it's been haunting me. I already have the Amarante version, but I just love the Pomme cos it's sooo.. nice. The Balenciaga is something I've always admired, but wonder if i could pull it off, since it's quite rocker-ish. And I'm usually into structured bags. I also wonder if this is something i could use till i'm 40-50 years old. But then again, I think this would be a nice break from the usual structured bags that I have, and add edge rather than elegance to my outfits. Mulberry... this one is something I have yet to see IRL. I've read that it's a good quality bag. Smooshy and handheld. Some say you can adjust the straps to make it a shoulder bag? But I am loving the shape, the colors it comes in.. Another love about it? It's not so-logoed like the LV, or so distinct like the City. Very few people know about this brand in my country and I like it that way (avoids problems with the ILs, esp SIL and MIL.
dopey OP Member Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 92

Oct 5th, 2009, 01:29 AM	#2
Black_Swarmer Dior Dragon Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 760	I voted for Bal - don't like LV's generally and though the Mulberry Bays is a gorgeous bag it will probably be to heavy for you ... the straps on Bays are not adjustable so you would have to try it on to see if you can carry it on your shoulder - but it is still quite heavy. Happy bag-hunting!
	__________________ Best regards, Camilla My collection!

Oct 5th, 2009, 04:56 AM	#3
TrashedBride per aspera ad astra Joined: May 2009 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 492	I'm voting Mulberry! The bays is a beautiful, classic bag, but yes, it is very heavy... Have you considered the Ledbury, bays' little sister? She's a perfectly scaled down handheld version - you say you love handheld, and I think she'd suit your style really well. I too love 40s and 50s style and my black Ledbury compliments that wonderfully. She's quite a bit smaller than bays, but you can fit a surprising amount into her - you can expand her too, just like bays, for days when you need to tote more stuff. She's a gorgeous, timeless classic, but takes on a vintage edginess, iykwim, as the leather ages. She comes in some gorgeous colours and leathers as well as the classics (black, chocolate and oak) and is much cheaper than bays too! Hth, let us know what you decide!
	__________________ 'If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat' Mark Twain

Oct 5th, 2009, 05:05 AM	#4
alij78 Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 925	Balenciaga!
alij78 Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 925

Oct 5th, 2009, 06:58 AM	#6
ssc0619 Some 'Splainin to Do Joined: Mar 2009 Location: New York Posts: 5,955	I love the Bayswater and don't find it too heavy. If you do, I agree with TrashedBride that the Ledbury is a wonderful alternative. I have two!!

Oct 5th, 2009, 07:08 AM	#7
Roxana ♥ Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Europe Posts: 3,257	I voted the LV pomme, but I must say the bayswater in fuchsia sounds amazing too!
Roxana ♥ Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Europe Posts: 3,257	__________________ B.Sc.

Oct 5th, 2009, 12:58 PM	#8
ahertz Member Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4,251	Balenciaga! I love the way the "rocker" style bags look with tailored clothing. Plus they're super lightweight and easy to carry by hand or shoulder strap.
	__________________

Oct 5th, 2009, 01:08 PM	#9
muggles Weeeeee!!! Joined: Aug 2007 Location: down the rabbit hole! Posts: 9,284	Balenciaga!
	__________________ Me and Parson! blue ribbon winners! ....wishing for a Bal pencil in any color! dreaming of an 07 PT in any color!

Oct 5th, 2009, 02:37 PM	#10
ChiChi143 ♥ Happily Engaged ♥ Joined: Jun 2007 Location: New York Posts: 8,256	Balenciaga!
	__________________

Oct 5th, 2009, 02:48 PM	#11
Swanky Mama Of Three Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Area Posts: 42,718	Pics please!!
	__________________ Tweet http://twitter.com/PBSwanky

Oct 5th, 2009, 03:45 PM	#12
umamanikam Member Joined: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,712	Mulberry...love oak bays

Oct 5th, 2009, 06:28 PM	#13
SARM4800 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 533	Lv
SARM4800 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 533

Oct 6th, 2009, 08:38 AM	#14
angelicjulie Hollywood Forever Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 33	I love Mulberry, I have an East West Bayswater which is a great alternative to the bigger version, I suffer strap marks too if a bag is too heavy but the EW Bayswater is PERRRFECT, it can be shoulderbag or handbag, or crook of arm bag.... I have it in crimson but want the rouge noir as well. I definitely recommend it and its not quite as pricey as the usual Bayswater so you can splash out on 2 without guilt. Plus I agree with you about the beautiful colours it comes in, although the East West doesn't come in as many shades as the Bays, check out mulberry.com as they're always bringing out new ones even during the season, not just at the start of the new season Good luck xoxo
	__________________ *It takes all the fun out of a bracelet if you have to buy it yourself* Peggy Hopkins Joyce

Oct 6th, 2009, 01:07 PM	#15
Vintage Leather Dreamer and Shopper Joined: Jan 2007 Location: US Posts: 737	Mulberries (berrys?) have an intrinsic weight to them even before you load them down - the leather is just thicker. They can endure a lot, and be carried everywhere. But they are very heavy. I love the colours of Vernis, and the Alma is a classic bag. One thing to keep in mind - vernis is an unsealed leather. That might not be the correct term, but what I am trying to say is that if you set a white vernis on a dirty floor, you can perminantly stain it. If a pen explodes anywhere near your bag, it will stain. I had a pale blue wallet, and had to stop using it after a year because of discolouration. Pomme D'Amore is a dark colour, so it probably won't show any soiling - but vernis is a suprisingly delicate leather, and I don't have the energy to baby it. Balenciaga's are very lightweight and supple. I don't know how fragile they are - I'll ask around that forum. But I love the justaposition of rocker and lady!
	__________________ My Grail Scarf: Les Trois Mousquetaires Everything with Turtles!! Grail Bag 32 cm 1963 black box kelly... HERMES TAMBOUR! Any colour, any leather - I'm not proud

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