Hi all! I would like to invest more in British brands and of course love Mulberry, tusting, Aspinal, but was wondering whether you think the quality of these are all equal? Do you think there are other brands I should look into? Thanks for the advice!
British brands - your thoughts?
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I love Mulberry! It’s definitely my favorite brand along with LV. ❤️ I don’t own anything from Aspinal of London, so can’t say anything about its quality.
British leather goods are some of the best in the world. They tend to be more concentrate on utility and durability rather than other European brands.
People who have bought Aspinal seem quite happy but they are more a fashion, or contemporary brand IMO. Cambridge Satchels and Liberty, London are also fun but I haven't bought a bag from them in a long time.
Mulberry, Metier, Swaine, Launer, Pickett, Ettinger, Tanner Krolle and others are more serious and should be excellent quality.
Asprey are more expensive and are made in Italy now but still nice.
People who have bought Aspinal seem quite happy but they are more a fashion, or contemporary brand IMO. Cambridge Satchels and Liberty, London are also fun but I haven't bought a bag from them in a long time.
Mulberry, Metier, Swaine, Launer, Pickett, Ettinger, Tanner Krolle and others are more serious and should be excellent quality.
Asprey are more expensive and are made in Italy now but still nice.
Mulberry has absolutely beautiful quality. They have always used gorgeous, thick leather and their colours are fantastic. They did go through a phase of using faux suede/leather lining, but I think they have stopped this now or have limited it to seasonal styles. Their bags are extremely well-made and they are a go-to here in the UK.
Aspinal has lovely designs and makes some of their bags in Europe, however some are made in China, which put me off a little due to the prices. I have a Mayfair bag from them and it's beautiful. Lovely leather and construction. However definitely slightly lower in quality IMO than Mulberry.
Burberry is a great British brand that I have always loved and have a good Burberry collection of bags and RTW and have never had any issues. I have Burberry bags from 2010 and they're still in great condition and are really well made.
I have a Liberty tote in their Iphis print and the quality is phenomenal. I constantly use it for travel and day-to-day! Much more under the radar than other canvas totes and they apparently use the same factory in Italy to print their canvas as LV.
Aspinal has lovely designs and makes some of their bags in Europe, however some are made in China, which put me off a little due to the prices. I have a Mayfair bag from them and it's beautiful. Lovely leather and construction. However definitely slightly lower in quality IMO than Mulberry.
Burberry is a great British brand that I have always loved and have a good Burberry collection of bags and RTW and have never had any issues. I have Burberry bags from 2010 and they're still in great condition and are really well made.
I have a Liberty tote in their Iphis print and the quality is phenomenal. I constantly use it for travel and day-to-day! Much more under the radar than other canvas totes and they apparently use the same factory in Italy to print their canvas as LV.
Mulberry has absolutely beautiful quality. They have always used gorgeous, thick leather and their colours are fantastic. They did go through a phase of using faux suede/leather lining, but I think they have stopped this now or have limited it to seasonal styles. Their bags are extremely well-made and they are a go-to here in the UK.
Aspinal has lovely designs and makes some of their bags in Europe, however some are made in China, which put me off a little due to the prices. I have a Mayfair bag from them and it's beautiful. Lovely leather and construction. However definitely slightly lower in quality IMO than Mulberry.
Burberry is a great British brand that I have always loved and have a good Burberry collection of bags and RTW and have never had any issues. I have Burberry bags from 2010 and they're still in great condition and are really well made.
I have a Liberty tote in their Iphis print and the quality is phenomenal. I constantly use it for travel and day-to-day! Much more under the radar than other canvas totes and they apparently use the same factory in Italy to print their canvas as LV.
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I think the issue with Aspinal is they have several outsourced factories, so the quality can be variable.
Loving the Liberty tote. I have amazing black and leather brief case and a laptop case (purple lining) and a red leather holdall.
Yup! Burberry!
Of course! I have some fantastic vintage bags from them and I love the new Knight and some other current models.I was going to say Aquascutum too (I have a fantastic folding briefcase from them) but they're more into the sportswear and outdoorsy look atm.
Daks and Paul Smith, like Mulberry do trad. British with a twist.
I think the issue with Aspinal is they have several outsourced factories, so the quality can be variable.
Loving the Liberty tote. I have amazing black and leather brief case and a laptop case (purple lining) and a red leather holdall.
Yup! Burberry!
I was going to say Aquascutum too (I have a fantastic folding briefcase from them) but they're more into the sportswear and outdoorsy look atm.
Daks and Paul Smith, like Mulberry do trad. British with a twist.
I didn't know that about Aspinal! It makes complete sense now then why their bags are made all over the place.
Liberty is such a hidden gem! Your bags sound beautiful. It's a shame they don't make more leather bags... Harrods has started making Italian leather bags under their own brand name (not their souvenir line) so I'm excited to check them out when I head to London next month!
People always forget Burberry is British... there wasn't much British about it for the past few years but they seem to be reconnecting with their heritage a lot more now that Daniel Lee is there... he's from the same city as my husband and they went to the same school! So explains why they're tapping into the British theme a lot more now. I love the Rocking Horse bag.
Ohhh yes Paul Smith is great - completely forgot about them. Love the signature swirl pattern.
Radley bags are very affordable and nicely made with a phenomenal variety of designs.....maybe not classed as "designer" but not everyone can afford that so it's nice to have other options and support a British company......
www.radley.co.uk
This tells you about the company and their sustainability practices including ethically produced leather; they also have a range of products using recycled materials.....
www.radley.co.uk
Designer Leather Handbags, Purses & Accessories | Radley London
Radley London Official Online Store | Shop online for stylish handbags, purses and accessories made from luxurious leather with high quality detailing.
www.radley.co.uk
This tells you about the company and their sustainability practices including ethically produced leather; they also have a range of products using recycled materials.....
About Radley
We are a London born brand that has a passion for crafting beautiful handbags and accessories that women love.
www.radley.co.uk
Radley bags are very affordable and nicely made with a phenomenal variety of designs.....maybe not classed as "designer" but not everyone can afford that so it's nice to have other options and support a British company......
Designer Leather Handbags, Purses & Accessories | Radley London
Radley London Official Online Store | Shop online for stylish handbags, purses and accessories made from luxurious leather with high quality detailing.
This tells you about the company and their sustainability practices including ethically produced leather; they also have a range of products using recycled materials.....
About Radley
We are a London born brand that has a passion for crafting beautiful handbags and accessories that women love.
They just released a really beautiful Birkin-style bag too!
You're hitting a soft spot here, I do love British leather goods and have been doing a good bit of research lately - and a bit of a wishlist
I really like Mulberry, not all their bags are made in England or Europe anymore, though. However, I think they're not really doing a lot in China anymore, like they did when the brand became really big and internationally known. I own and love the Mini Zipped Bayswater. I used to own the original Alexa and regular Bayswater. The 2 things I struggle with are that their bags can often be difficult to access (main reason my Alexa had to leave, I so wish they'd updated it with a pocket for mobile access in the back) and that they can be heavy.
I'm currently looking to hunt down a pre-loved small del Rey as it's been dicontinued several years ago.
I'm not really into Aspinal for that very reason as they do make some of their bags in China.
Smythson hasn't been mentioned, yet. They do have a smaller selection and I'm not quite sure where their bags are made.
You mentioned Tusting and while they don't have a huge selection, all their bags are made in England and they are a family-owned company producing very well-made bags. I'm looking to purchase the Cardington soon-ish, just need to decide on the colour.
I think Strathberry hasn't been mentioned, yet. They make their bags in Spain. Tanner Leatherstein has given them the thumbs-up in one of his Youtube reviews and I think their quality is ace.
Asprey has been mentioned before, great quality and probably the most expensive together with Launer. Both have lovely quality but don't really suit my lifestyle, so I'm not looking to purchase.
Also, good to hear the opinions on the Liberty tote. It's on my radar
Hope this becomes a longer thread with a few more experiences on great British handbag brands 🇬🇧
I really like Mulberry, not all their bags are made in England or Europe anymore, though. However, I think they're not really doing a lot in China anymore, like they did when the brand became really big and internationally known. I own and love the Mini Zipped Bayswater. I used to own the original Alexa and regular Bayswater. The 2 things I struggle with are that their bags can often be difficult to access (main reason my Alexa had to leave, I so wish they'd updated it with a pocket for mobile access in the back) and that they can be heavy.
I'm currently looking to hunt down a pre-loved small del Rey as it's been dicontinued several years ago.
I'm not really into Aspinal for that very reason as they do make some of their bags in China.
Smythson hasn't been mentioned, yet. They do have a smaller selection and I'm not quite sure where their bags are made.
You mentioned Tusting and while they don't have a huge selection, all their bags are made in England and they are a family-owned company producing very well-made bags. I'm looking to purchase the Cardington soon-ish, just need to decide on the colour.
I think Strathberry hasn't been mentioned, yet. They make their bags in Spain. Tanner Leatherstein has given them the thumbs-up in one of his Youtube reviews and I think their quality is ace.
Asprey has been mentioned before, great quality and probably the most expensive together with Launer. Both have lovely quality but don't really suit my lifestyle, so I'm not looking to purchase.
Also, good to hear the opinions on the Liberty tote. It's on my radar
Hope this becomes a longer thread with a few more experiences on great British handbag brands 🇬🇧
Thanks for this amazing breakdown!You're hitting a soft spot here, I do love British leather goods and have been doing a good bit of research lately - and a bit of a wishlist
I really like Mulberry, not all their bags are made in England or Europe anymore, though. However, I think they're not really doing a lot in China anymore, like they did when the brand became really big and internationally known. I own and love the Mini Zipped Bayswater. I used to own the original Alexa and regular Bayswater. The 2 things I struggle with are that their bags can often be difficult to access (main reason my Alexa had to leave, I so wish they'd updated it with a pocket for mobile access in the back) and that they can be heavy.
I'm currently looking to hunt down a pre-loved small del Rey as it's been dicontinued several years ago.
I'm not really into Aspinal for that very reason as they do make some of their bags in China.
Smythson hasn't been mentioned, yet. They do have a smaller selection and I'm not quite sure where their bags are made.
You mentioned Tusting and while they don't have a huge selection, all their bags are made in England and they are a family-owned company producing very well-made bags. I'm looking to purchase the Cardington soon-ish, just need to decide on the colour.
I think Strathberry hasn't been mentioned, yet. They make their bags in Spain. Tanner Leatherstein has given them the thumbs-up in one of his Youtube reviews and I think their quality is ace.
Asprey has been mentioned before, great quality and probably the most expensive together with Launer. Both have lovely quality but don't really suit my lifestyle, so I'm not looking to purchase.
Also, good to hear the opinions on the Liberty tote. It's on my radar
Hope this becomes a longer thread with a few more experiences on great British handbag brands 🇬🇧
This is really comprehensive, thank you!You're hitting a soft spot here, I do love British leather goods and have been doing a good bit of research lately - and a bit of a wishlist
I really like Mulberry, not all their bags are made in England or Europe anymore, though. However, I think they're not really doing a lot in China anymore, like they did when the brand became really big and internationally known. I own and love the Mini Zipped Bayswater. I used to own the original Alexa and regular Bayswater. The 2 things I struggle with are that their bags can often be difficult to access (main reason my Alexa had to leave, I so wish they'd updated it with a pocket for mobile access in the back) and that they can be heavy.
I'm currently looking to hunt down a pre-loved small del Rey as it's been dicontinued several years ago.
I'm not really into Aspinal for that very reason as they do make some of their bags in China.
Smythson hasn't been mentioned, yet. They do have a smaller selection and I'm not quite sure where their bags are made.
You mentioned Tusting and while they don't have a huge selection, all their bags are made in England and they are a family-owned company producing very well-made bags. I'm looking to purchase the Cardington soon-ish, just need to decide on the colour.
I think Strathberry hasn't been mentioned, yet. They make their bags in Spain. Tanner Leatherstein has given them the thumbs-up in one of his Youtube reviews and I think their quality is ace.
Asprey has been mentioned before, great quality and probably the most expensive together with Launer. Both have lovely quality but don't really suit my lifestyle, so I'm not looking to purchase.
Also, good to hear the opinions on the Liberty tote. It's on my radar
Hope this becomes a longer thread with a few more experiences on great British handbag brands 🇬🇧
A few years ago I was looking into a bespoke Anya Hindmarch crocodile bag.
I ended up buying my Jimmy Choo(which I love), but the Anya was a beautiful bag, and I wouldn’t rule it out in the future, although I do prefer European brands.
I absolutely love smaller British bag brands who make in small batches in-house. The quality and value for money is excellent. CARV is one of my favourites https://www.carvlondon.com/