Disclaimer: I no longer own this handbag. For my up to date luxury collection you can click here.
I’ve started becoming really obsessed with Mulberry again recently. They’re killing it with their newer designs, and bringing out more structured bags, which I’m always a fan of. I had a small Mulberry Lily in black for years, and it was my go to evening bag… but the leather started going softer and softer on it (which it’s meant to!), but it made me go off it in all honesty, as I do prefer something that will hold its shape. Plus, Mulberry changed their logo a while back, and got rid of the tree design, so I wanted to really modernise my collection with pieces from the newer range. Anyway, I suppose what I’m trying to explain is that the Lily for a good while was really my only “evening” bag, by that I mean one that I could take to a club, or carry as a clutch etc… but aside from the structure issue – really, I adored the design still. That was when I noticed the Darley. Structured, around the same size (ish) as the Lily, and still fit into the evening bag style – wallet on a chain kind of thing – perfect!
This style has actually been slowly creeping up in price over the past year or so, and this is a sure sign that a bag is not just a seasonal trend piece, but will actually make a good investment (if you get fed up of it a few years on, you should be able to sell and at least make your money back); in short, it’s a really popular bag, and because I’d been keeping my eye on it – but wanted to remain sensible – the price increase was really the kick up the bum I needed.
So as I mentioned, it’s very structured (love!), only comes in cross grain leather – grained leather is the only type I go for now, so much more durable, and also classic looking, in my opinion – and has gold hardware, with the modernised Mulberry logo embossed. The only thing with the hardware is, I don’t think it’s available in any other hardware colour but gold, now for the black bag either work well really, but had I wanted it in another colour, I would also prefer a silver hardware choice – but that’s just personal preference.
The chain is completely detachable, so it can also be used as a clutch, and it measures 13 x 19 x 4.5 cm, with a 56cm shoulder strap drop. The bag is big enough to fit my own purse in, along with my phone, makeup and keys comfortably; but if you did want to ditch the purse, it has a super generous eight credit card slots built in, as well as both an internal and external zip pocket and a slip compartment sitting behind the flap at the front, that would be ideal for holding your phone.
I think it’s incredibly well designed to be honest, especially for a smaller bag. It’s also lined with Nappa leather, so you don’t need to worry about makeup stains etc, if you’re a little bit reckless with things like that, as everything will just wipe clean. Purchasing the bag and looking around it, I just couldn’t find fault at all… with the exception of the shoulder strap – I find this can sometimes roll off the shoulder, and it annoys me at times – but is it enough to give the bag up as a non worker for me? No. I love the bag, and it’s brilliant for the price. A good solid purchase, especially if you’re looking to start your designer collection.
