The Different Mulberry Leathers: A Guide

[Catelyn]

I think the buffalo is the original Alexa leather (my o/s oak lexy is this leather) - I know what you mean though, compared to other mulberry leathers it doesn't look or feel as luxurious.

 

[AlexaLexie]

Can anyone advise on the different leathers the oak alexa has come in. I have the printed oak and valentines ones but really want the 'original' oak one. I ordered one in the NAP sale which arrived today, it is soft buffalo but I was really disappointed, it looked cheap, plasticky and almost fake so I put it back in the box to be returned. Is it likely that I just got a bad quality one?

I'm a newbie on here, but from what I have read on various threads, the soft buffalo leather is known to vary a lot (particularly the oak color), and some people have been complaining about thin, plasiticky leather, while others report about thick, gorgeous leather. The soft buffalo leather can sometimes be very wrinkly, other times pretty smooth (depending on which part of the buffalo was used), so for those of us who can't pop into a store and pick a bag to our own liking, ordering a soft buffalo Alexa unseen on the internet can be rather hit-or-miss. You can see various examples of the soft buffalo leather in the Alexa reference thread:
http://forum.purseblog.com/mulberry-reference-library/the-mulberry-alexa-pics-only-584109.html
And there is an interesting thread with various comments about Alexa and leather quality here (76 pages):
http://forum.purseblog.com/mulberry/asking-people-list-good-bad-points-about-their-549309.html

The newer polished buffalo leather is supposed to be of more uniform quality, and if you prefer a more structured bag (not as structured as your printed oak, but more structured than soft buffalo), it may be to your liking. It will be a bit thicker than soft buffalo, so the bag may feel a little heavier, and also won't have that gorgeous leather smell of the older versions. Some people have reported to find the new leather over-processed and plasticky. I'll attach some comparison pictures of my oak mini Alexas (soft buffalo to the left, polished buffalo to the right) to help you decide for yourself. Sorry for such a long-winded post, hope you'll find it helpful.

 

[DiJe40]

Hi sorry I'm a newbie here and would post my own thread but as have only just signed on cant do it, can someone please advise on how durable and how to treat soft calf print fur, have just bought an alexa in it and I think mulberry did the Taylor in the same leather.. It's just a fur print on the leather as opposed to actual fur, but I am just wondering how hard wearing it is and what it is like if being used everyday? Thanks in advance



Ps have also posted this topic in a couple of other threads sorry - not sure which is most relevant

I also have the alexa in fur print, I wore it a couple of times and the bag has blewish marks from my clothes. I tried everything to clean, but it didn't work. I hate the bag now and never gonna used it again..

 

[ElainePG]

I've just purchased an Alexa in "shrunken calf" but cannot find any reference to what, exactly, this means. How does one shrink a calf?

Speaking seriously, is the leather processed in some way… is that what gives it the "nubbly" texture? How well does it hold up? The care card says to treat with Collonil Waterstop, but it doesn't say how much or how often. Should I use Collonil Gel, too? And if so, how often and where? All over the bag, or only in the corners?

Any and all help appreciated… this is my first Mulberry bag! The color ( Pheasant Green) is wonderful, and I do not want it to fade.

 

[moonriver99]

I'm a newbie on here, but from what I have read on various threads, the soft buffalo leather is known to vary a lot (particularly the oak color), and some people have been complaining about thin, plasiticky leather, while others report about thick, gorgeous leather. The soft buffalo leather can sometimes be very wrinkly, other times pretty smooth (depending on which part of the buffalo was used), so for those of us who can't pop into a store and pick a bag to our own liking, ordering a soft buffalo Alexa unseen on the internet can be rather hit-or-miss. You can see various examples of the soft buffalo leather in the Alexa reference thread:
http://forum.purseblog.com/mulberry-reference-library/the-mulberry-alexa-pics-only-584109.html
And there is an interesting thread with various comments about Alexa and leather quality here (76 pages):
http://forum.purseblog.com/mulberry/asking-people-list-good-bad-points-about-their-549309.html

The newer polished buffalo leather is supposed to be of more uniform quality, and if you prefer a more structured bag (not as structured as your printed oak, but more structured than soft buffalo), it may be to your liking. It will be a bit thicker than soft buffalo, so the bag may feel a little heavier, and also won't have that gorgeous leather smell of the older versions. Some people have reported to find the new leather over-processed and plasticky. I'll attach some comparison pictures of my oak mini Alexas (soft buffalo to the left, polished buffalo to the right) to help you decide for yourself. Sorry for such a long-winded post, hope you'll find it helpful.

Thanks so much AlexaLexie for putting up the comparison photos which really helped!

As I just recently got into Mulberry, I don't think I've seen the old soft buffalo IRL but I was petting an oak polished buffalo Alexa in John Lewis the other day and it didn't feel plasticy at all, the bag felt substantial and had a great quality to it! Very sturdy too. But somehow even though I LOVED the bluebell Alexa, I wasn't keen on the leather on that (polished buffalo too, I believe)......

 

[moonriver99]

I thought I would add that I recently bought an Alexa in 'smooth touch' from the York outlet. I couldn't find out much at all about this kind of leather before the purchase and because I don't live near any of the outlets, I had to do a mail order. Was initially very worried about this leather being thin/ plasticy/ too slouchy, but in the end I wasn't disappointed and it turned out to be just the right balance between structured and slouchy! It has a wonderful leather smell, too. I heard smooth leathers can scratch fairly easily but I'm planning on taking care of her and spraying her lots with collonil!

Hopefully my mini review of the smooth touch leather will help others decide on their purchases. As I'd just acquired the Alexa I can't say how it will wear, hopefully an update in a month or two!

 

[arnoldscigar]

I've just purchased an Alexa in "shrunken calf" but cannot find any reference to what, exactly, this means. How does one shrink a calf?

Speaking seriously, is the leather processed in some way… is that what gives it the "nubbly" texture? How well does it hold up? The care card says to treat with Collonil Waterstop, but it doesn't say how much or how often. Should I use Collonil Gel, too? And if so, how often and where? All over the bag, or only in the corners?

Any and all help appreciated… this is my first Mulberry bag! The color ( Pheasant Green) is wonderful, and I do not want it to fade.

I too have this bag so am hoping someone knows something about it....otherwise I'm in london in a couple of weeks so will go into the bond st store and ask them and let you know

such a nice bag I'm in love with it!

 

[NuffiPi]

Hello Ladies 

I am pretty new in the “Mulberry business” in the age of 47, and I feel that some advice had been very helpful! I am looking for a Mulberry bag to use as my everyday handbag. I am not in the situation that I have lots of money to spend on bags, so when buying one, I need to be pretty sure that I have made my right choice. And this is the kind of the backside of the medallion, when living in Norway and not having a Mulberry Shop on every corner.

However, my first and so far only Mulberry item is a French Purse (Black) in Natural Vegan Tanned Leather with Brass Hardware. The leather is kind of soft, but I love the texture and the luxurious feeling when holding it in my hands. I am very satisfied with that one, although the store collection here was rather thin, I think.

When it comes to the bag, I have found my favourites among those who are no longer in sale in the stores. It is the Mabel and the Roxanne (thinking a bit about the Bayswater too). The bag has to be roomy and the one that I can wear over my shoulder. When it comes to the leather, I want a different quality in a bag than in my purse. I want to have this thick and firm leather that holds up the shape of the bag, for years and years of daily use. Not one that is floppy and formless, if you know what I mean? The colour needs to be Black, I think I am rather old fashioned, but I feel that it has to work with my other stuff to... And at last, I would love to get hold of one who is made in England!

Regarding the model, is there too much going on with the Roxanne as an everyday bag in comparing with the Mabel? What do you Ladies think? And Is the Bayswater too “streamlined” for everyday use? After months of searching EBay and other vintage stores after the right bag in size, colour and leather, I have come to the conclusion that I have made this rather difficult for myself, but I am not willing to give up my dream too easy.

My apologies for such a long “letter” and my rather bad English too!

Thanks

 

[DiJe40]

Hello Ladies 

I am pretty new in the “Mulberry business” in the age of 47, and I feel that some advice had been very helpful! I am looking for a Mulberry bag to use as my everyday handbag. I am not in the situation that I have lots of money to spend on bags, so when buying one, I need to be pretty sure that I have made my right choice. And this is the kind of the backside of the medallion, when living in Norway and not having a Mulberry Shop on every corner.

However, my first and so far only Mulberry item is a French Purse (Black) in Natural Vegan Tanned Leather with Brass Hardware. The leather is kind of soft, but I love the texture and the luxurious feeling when holding it in my hands. I am very satisfied with that one, although the store collection here was rather thin, I think.

When it comes to the bag, I have found my favourites among those who are no longer in sale in the stores. It is the Mabel and the Roxanne (thinking a bit about the Bayswater too). The bag has to be roomy and the one that I can wear over my shoulder. When it comes to the leather, I want a different quality in a bag than in my purse. I want to have this thick and firm leather that holds up the shape of the bag, for years and years of daily use. Not one that is floppy and formless, if you know what I mean? The colour needs to be Black, I think I am rather old fashioned, but I feel that it has to work with my other stuff to... And at last, I would love to get hold of one who is made in England!

Regarding the model, is there too much going on with the Roxanne as an everyday bag in comparing with the Mabel? What do you Ladies think? And Is the Bayswater too “streamlined” for everyday use? After months of searching EBay and other vintage stores after the right bag in size, colour and leather, I have come to the conclusion that I have made this rather difficult for myself, but I am not willing to give up my dream too easy.

My apologies for such a long “letter” and my rather bad English too!

Thanks

Hello,
I would recommend the bayswater double zip tote, it 's a lovely bag..beautiful in black.
You can carry it in your hand..or use the strap. There is one thing...it's a bit heavier then other mulberry bags.

 

[Radissen]

Hi Ladies. I am looking into buying a lizard print bays. But I am not a fan of slouching and prefer the structured look of the kenya/croc print. How soft/slouchy is the lizard print (and what will it look like with use)?

 

[jayem]

Hi - can anyone please advise whether Mitzy Hobos were all made in a pebbled leather or whether some can be quite 'smooth'? I'm interested in purchasing a pre-loved Mitzy (and will get authenticated, pre-purchase of course) but was wondering if some were made in a different leather to others? Very grateful for any insight please. Many thanks.

 

[Radissen]

Does anybody know what the spongy pebbled leather is made of?

 

[ToniAH]

Hello Ladies 

I am pretty new in the “Mulberry business” in the age of 47, and I feel that some advice had been very helpful! I am looking for a Mulberry bag to use as my everyday handbag. I am not in the situation that I have lots of money to spend on bags, so when buying one, I need to be pretty sure that I have made my right choice. And this is the kind of the backside of the medallion, when living in Norway and not having a Mulberry Shop on every corner.

However, my first and so far only Mulberry item is a French Purse (Black) in Natural Vegan Tanned Leather with Brass Hardware. The leather is kind of soft, but I love the texture and the luxurious feeling when holding it in my hands. I am very satisfied with that one, although the store collection here was rather thin, I think.

When it comes to the bag, I have found my favourites among those who are no longer in sale in the stores. It is the Mabel and the Roxanne (thinking a bit about the Bayswater too). The bag has to be roomy and the one that I can wear over my shoulder. When it comes to the leather, I want a different quality in a bag than in my purse. I want to have this thick and firm leather that holds up the shape of the bag, for years and years of daily use. Not one that is floppy and formless, if you know what I mean? The colour needs to be Black, I think I am rather old fashioned, but I feel that it has to work with my other stuff to... And at last, I would love to get hold of one who is made in England!

Regarding the model, is there too much going on with the Roxanne as an everyday bag in comparing with the Mabel? What do you Ladies think? And Is the Bayswater too “streamlined” for everyday use? After months of searching EBay and other vintage stores after the right bag in size, colour and leather, I have come to the conclusion that I have made this rather difficult for myself, but I am not willing to give up my dream too easy.

My apologies for such a long “letter” and my rather bad English too!

Thanks

I love my black Mabel but it can very floppy. So soft though. My next purchase is to be a pre loved Roxanne. I just think all the older style mulberry bags are the best

 

[millie_moo]

I've been a Mulberry fan for years but am only now starting my collection (now the prices have tripled ), and I'm looking for 2 bags - an Alexa and a Medium Lily, both in black with gold.

The ALexa I'm wrestling with the price more than anything..

For the Lily, I'm confused about the leather. I've been looking in the pics thread and most people are posting about a grainy black leather, but looking online I'm seeing they're being sold as glossy goat leather. Can anyone help me with the difference here?

Thanks!

 

[Ria2011]

I've been a Mulberry fan for years but am only now starting my collection (now the prices have tripled ), and I'm looking for 2 bags - an Alexa and a Medium Lily, both in black with gold.

The ALexa I'm wrestling with the price more than anything..

For the Lily, I'm confused about the leather. I've been looking in the pics thread and most people are posting about a grainy black leather, but looking online I'm seeing they're being sold as glossy goat leather. Can anyone help me with the difference here?

Thanks!

Hi millie_moo, when the medium lily was first introduced it came in a grainy print leather. Over the years they've introduced other leathers. They're both lovely leathers but glossy goat is more stiffer and holds it shape better. On NPN, she explains about the different qualities of leathers. Hope this helps