Hi ladies,

I am considering my next purchase...it must be a satchel style and must be a bag I won't have to baby too much as my only other Mulberry is the NVT oak bays so I need to take care with her!

I am basically tossing up between the SBS in chocolate or the new oak printed Alexa. I have seen both IRL and am swaying slightly more toward the Alexa...I've always liked the style but was put off previously by the slouchiness of buffalo leather.

The SA told me the printed NVT will age beautifully but my question is...how durable is it and how much does it need babying? I would obviously spray it religiously but how does it stand up to rain? And how much does it soften over time?

Many thanks in advance!

Hi there- I have quite a few of the old style printed leather bags- not the congo- and they do soften a little over time but stay in shape and dont slouch at all- which I love- they wear very well- I would say better than unprinted nvt but I have no idea what the leather is like on the new seasons bags- imo the leathers they are using these days are not as good as a few years ago so only time will tell how this batch will wear but I agree with you the oak printed alexa and lily are my fav bags of the new season

Thanks elvis! How would you say it stands up to rain (when sprayed)? It didn't feel as 'porous' as NVT if that makes sense so I had hoped it might be a bit more water repellent??

I too also want to buy the oak printed alexa is one of my fav bags to come out this season as well, but have bought far too much so im restraining myself not to.
I have two black/congo printed leather items; the Bayswater and Ethan satchel they are both v.good quality and i reg spray them and have had no problems whatsoever. I feel this leather is the best and personally my fav. I think it is more water repellent than the nvt and mine havent softened at all. Ive also owned a Jamie in the congo leather and it was very robust and a beautiful looking bag. I really hope you do buy the Alexa and we have a reveal on it.

Originally Posted by J.A.N.

I too also want to buy the oak printed alexa is one of my fav bags to come out this season as well, but have bought far too much so im restraining myself not to. I have two black/congo printed leather items; the Bayswater and Ethan satchel they are both v.good quality and i reg spray them and have had no problems whatsoever. I feel this leather is the best and personally my fav. I think it is more water repellent than the nvt and mine havent softened at all. Ive also owned a Jamie in the congo leather and it was very robust and a beautiful looking bag. I really hope you do buy the Alexa and we have a reveal on it.

Yes the Congo is very hard wearing. My east west could handle anything. However I found I didn't like the stiffness of the leather. I hope soft printed oak lily works for me! Hehe.

Originally Posted by CPrincessUK

Yes the Congo is very hard wearing. My east west could handle anything. However I found I didn't like the stiffness of the leather. I hope soft printed oak lily works for me! Hehe.

It yes it is stiffer but i prefer it that way its much smarter
I think this oak would suit us much better than the norm.

I shall need to visit a store and compare oak soft printed lily with normal oak and make my decision! I want it before I holiday mid august. but I would need to sell stuff first! Hehe.

Originally Posted by J.A.N.

It yes it is stiffer but i prefer it that way its much smarter I think this oak would suit us much better than the norm.

Thank you ladies! :-)
I did think the printed leather on the Alexa felt very stiff and I hope it would soften just a little as it did make the bag feel a bit boxy (though I'd rather have that than the slouchy buffalo I think). As someone on here already it said, it is much more bays-like...compared to the original oak Alexa they looked like different bags!
I have just returned an SBS in the silky snake so I am really looking for something hardier, which it sounds like printed is!
Does printed leather develop a patina as NVT does?

Originally Posted by J.A.N.

I too also want to buy the oak printed alexa is one of my fav bags to come out this season as well, but have bought far too much so im restraining myself not to. I have two black/congo printed leather items; the Bayswater and Ethan satchel they are both v.good quality and i reg spray them and have had no problems whatsoever. I feel this leather is the best and personally my fav. I think it is more water repellent than the nvt and mine havent softened at all. Ive also owned a Jamie in the congo leather and it was very robust and a beautiful looking bag. I really hope you do buy the Alexa and we have a reveal on it.

Hope I will be able to do a reveal soon and tempt you JAN! ;-)
I have an outlet trip planned beginning of August so will see what happens there and then make my decision!

Originally Posted by JenF

Hope I will be able to do a reveal soon and tempt you JAN! ;-) I have an outlet trip planned beginning of August so will see what happens there and then make my decision!

Oh how exciting i will be waiting in anticipation.

I wasn't sure about the printed leather until I saw a photo of Andy Murrays girlfriend with the printed oak bays and I'm now coveting it!

I think the printed oak is gorgeous.

Originally Posted by laura81

I wasn't sure about the printed leather until I saw a photo of Andy Murrays girlfriend with the printed oak bays and I'm now coveting it! I think the printed oak is gorgeous.

I was the same but I am definitely warming to it. It feels so tough after the delicate silky snake!

Originally Posted by laura81

I wasn't sure about the printed leather until I saw a photo of Andy Murrays girlfriend with the printed oak bays and I'm now coveting it! I think the printed oak is gorgeous.

Yes printed oak looks gorgeous! I keep on looking at those pics too. She inspired me to use my Oak Bays yesterday with an electric blue skater dress! Hehe.

Originally Posted by JenF

I was the same but I am definitely warming to it. It feels so tough after the delicate silky snake!

Soft printed might be less stiff?

Originally Posted by CPrincessUK

Yes printed oak looks gorgeous! I keep on looking at those pics too. She inspired me to use my Oak Bays yesterday with an electric blue skater dress! Hehe.

It looked amazing with everything she wore.