Difference btw printed Darwin leather and congo/reptile?

H

Hs Bobbo

Member
Jan 26, 2009
58
0
#1
Hi,

I'm gonna buy an EW Bays in printed chocolate leather :yahoo:. Now, I have two alternatives, either I buy a fullpriced or an outlet version. Since I can't touch the outlet one I need your advice.

Is there a big difference btw the leather qualities? The fullpriced is lined with suede and therefore rather thick leather, like original darwin in for ex original Jaquettas, what's it like in the outlet version?

Which would you choose and why? Apart from price difference - or are the differences so small that you would go for the cheaper outlet version without a doubt?
 
#2
Hi there - most of the special outlet versions are congo -which is a larger print pattern than the store version of printed- I prefer the smaller store print version but it is personal taste- you may be able to get a substandard retail version at the outlets but they are rarer. Outlet stock tends to be about 30% off retail -for me that wouldnt make me buy a congo version as I dont like the larger print.
 
#3
Hi

Mulberry has made it very confusing with all the versions of reptile prints.

The version that is most frequently available at outlets (ie Outlet only specials) is what they NOW call reptile print. It is a large scale print and very matt & flat in finish - I cant recall if they have a suede interior or are lined? (This print is the same scale as the old vintage Mulberry congo leather but Im afraid the quality is not the same at all)


The small scale reptile print called "Printed VT" is the same as the old Kenya Darwin. This is a really beautiful leather and top quality. (Elvis, Corries & I are its biggest fans).

Occasionally/rarely Outlets will have this leather and they will be lined with the Mulberry tree fabric and the flap of the Bays will be lined with NVT leather (this is a major plus as it stops the flap from collapsing when the bag is used loads). Wheras the printed VT sold in Mulberry shops or mulberry.com will be lined with the raw suede and dont have the extra leather on the flap.

(if you havent dropped with boredom by this point).......If you love the large scale print then you can grab a bargain at the Outlets but if you prefer the smaller print and the more traditional leather then I think "Printed VT" is your best bet.


Sorry for waffling, and do let us know what you decide to do.


Ells xx
 
#4
Mulberry Ellie said:
Hi

Mulberry has made it very confusing with all the versions of reptile prints.

The version that is most frequently available at outlets (ie Outlet only specials) is what they NOW call reptile print. It is a large scale print and very matt & flat in finish - I cant recall if they have a suede interior or are lined? (This print is the same scale as the old vintage Mulberry congo leather but Im afraid the quality is not the same at all)


The small scale reptile print called "Printed VT" is the same as the old Kenya Darwin. This is a really beautiful leather and top quality. (Elvis, Corries & I are its biggest fans).

Occasionally/rarely Outlets will have this leather and they will be lined with the Mulberry tree fabric and the flap of the Bays will be lined with NVT leather (this is a major plus as it stops the flap from collapsing when the bag is used loads). Wheras the printed VT sold in Mulberry shops or mulberry.com will be lined with the raw suede and dont have the extra leather on the flap.

(if you havent dropped with boredom by this point).......If you love the large scale print then you can grab a bargain at the Outlets but if you prefer the smaller print and the more traditional leather then I think "Printed VT" is your best bet.


Sorry for waffling, and do let us know what you decide to do.


Ells xx
Click to expand...

Perfectly put Ells!!! Now please help me find some small leather accessories in it- I have a pocket book in choc but thats it!!!
 
#5
Thanks for your help - suddenly i know a lot more!

The bag I'm considering is this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370343562687&fromMakeTrack=true and it's clear to me that it is an outlet version with the mat and flat finish of the leather. I don't like it, I'm totally in love with the retail version. If I had a lot of Mullberry bags maybe I would consider it more, but since I only have my Jacquetta so far, this buy will be important for me...! So, unless I change my mind later today, I will place my order with Mulberry tonight!
 
#6
I bought a black E/W in printed VT from Bond Street earlier this year. And even if I think £550 is quite a lot for a bag this size, I think the different from the outlet version is so big, that I prefer to pay the extra £ to get the printed VT one.

Needless to say, I love this bag! :love:
 
#7
I would just like to butt in here and say that I have an outlet e\w reptile\congo and a Farringdon in Kenya Darwin. I don't find the reptile print flat at all, in fact the Kenya is flatter and more matt!

The flap of the e\w is lined with the same leather as the outside and the interior is fabric lined.

I wouldn't let other people's comments put you off, have a good look at both, I certainly don't prefer one of my bags over the other just because of the leather :smile: Saving money on your e\w could mean more accessories!
 
#8
Hs Bobbo said:
Thanks for your help - suddenly i know a lot more!

The bag I'm considering is this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370343562687&fromMakeTrack=true and it's clear to me that it is an outlet version with the mat and flat finish of the leather. I don't like it, I'm totally in love with the retail version. If I had a lot of Mullberry bags maybe I would consider it more, but since I only have my Jacquetta so far, this buy will be important for me...! So, unless I change my mind later today, I will place my order with Mulberry tonight!
Click to expand...


I think you have come to the right decision hun.

I dont want to be unkind about the outlet specials - they are a good price and thats a BIG consideration.

A girl in Stratford has one that she uses loads and it looks better the older it gets - less flat, less "cardboard-y" if you know what I mean?


So, what colour printed will you go for? May I just offer my personal opinion: Out of the 3 classic colours, oak & black show off the printed leather the best. Its hard to describe but although the chocolate is gorgeous (i have a choc printed VT Bays) it doesnt show the contrast in the printing like Oak or Black.

Good luck - you are going to acquire a gorgeous bag, whatever you choose.

Ells xx
 
#9
elvisfan4life said:
Perfectly put Ells!!! Now please help me find some small leather accessories in it- I have a pocket book in choc but thats it!!!
Click to expand...


:nuts:Im loving that unlike my ex-employer you think Im capable of working as a Procurement specialist darling Elvis!!!:nuts:


Printed acessories......right then. Bicester tends to get quite a few printed purses, wallets & agenda/planners. Also, a refillable A5 book would be nice?

I have the Continental (long) wallet in Oak Printed and its gorgeous and I got a black printed LL wallet from LHBags (was ever so lucky because it has the contrasting beige stitching which is identical to my Bays & Ledbury)

Have you thought of the Brass Framed Heart Keyrings - with the printed VT leather centre? Corries has them on her Bays I think. There are 2 styles, one with the long slim brass tag and the newer version which is the classic heart on a ring.

So Elvis, whats on the wish list?

Ells xx
 
#11
fozzie said:
I wouldn't let other people's comments put you off, have a good look at both, I certainly don't prefer one of my bags over the other just because of the leather :smile: Saving money on your e\w could mean more accessories!
Click to expand...


Excellent advice Fozzie - love the idea of saving the "saving" on more accessories.
 
#12
and dont you worry about those nasty so and sos at your ex place of work-they will get theirs one day- you concentrate on getting as much out of them as you can hun- you deserve to put all this behind you and go work for someone who appreciates your honesty and commitment
 
#13
Mulberry Ellie said:
I think you have come to the right decision hun.

I dont want to be unkind about the outlet specials - they are a good price and thats a BIG consideration.
Click to expand...


But you are being unkind to people who have one. Mine was a Christmas gift and I do not feel it's inferior to any of my other Mulberry's! In fact, I think it is better quality than my 'old' congo leather bags. :smile:
 
#14
Fozzie, Ellie didn't mean that they were inferior just that Hs hobo had come to the right decision because she loved one much more than the other. At the end of the day you need to go with the bag that makes you heart sing, even if you end up paying a bit extra.
That way you will always love it and never think 'what if'.
 
#15
Hi ladies,

Miss Mabel great advice. Fozzie, Ellie meant no harm, Ellie herself is the queen of some beautiful vintage style bags.

It is a personal choice for sure, and comes down to what each person loves and prefers. It's great to see such a positive comment about the leather you have in this bag.

x
 
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