The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Off the Rack: Mulberry for Target


Yesterday I checked my local Target to see if they had anything left from the Mulberry for Target handbag collection which is available now in stores and, last time I checked, nearly entirely sold out online. The large black satchel looked surprisingly good in person but $49? Really? I just couldn't justify buying another black purse for that price. The pink leopard print bag was delightful and I was really tempted to buy it but I just couldn't do it. I had to put aside the fact that it remotely connected to the Mulberry brand and admit to myself that it looked cheap. If the quality had just been moderately better, I would have jumped on that bag. I think these bags could certainly add fun to many outfits but when money's tight, these don't make me reach for my wallet.

More photos after the jump. Did you buy anything? Did seeing the bags in person change your mind one way or another?














Comments
I wasn't impressed with this line. Looked very cheap to me.
#1 Tracie on 2010-10-14 17:09 (Reply)
I just didnt like that it said "for target" all over it- the buckle, keychain, etc. I wouldn't spend the $50 for such an obviously target product
#2 Ashley on 2010-10-14 17:20 (Reply)
BB, I think the Anya Hindmarch handbag collaboration was so much better than the current Mulberry one. Our Target store was still full of Mulberry for Target merchandise and up close, it looked even cheaper. What a disappointment!
#3 Maria on 2010-10-14 18:39 (Reply)
I also wasn't impressed with this line either. Target has had better products from other designer handbag collaborations. I'm definitely gonna pass on this line.
#4 Nicole on 2010-10-14 18:56 (Reply)
Im from Canada and headed over to michigan the morning of. I ended up buying the black satchel with 2 front pockets, but I agree with Ashley, the "for target" was really frustrating. Plus I found I had to go through a couple bags to find one that didn't have a front buckle that was put on crooked...I bought the bag because I was in desperate need of a new carry all- and I had a gift card. Love the quality and look of the bag, but little details could be better.
#5 Jessica on 2010-10-14 18:58 (Reply)
I bought the large black patent bag and the pebble crossbody bag which I am happy with. I just dislike the stupid heart chain that it comes with, good thing it's removable!
#6 Allie on 2010-10-14 19:22 (Reply)
i was very disappointed when i saw this at my local target. i did not like how it said mulberry for target all over.
#7 michele on 2010-10-14 20:09 (Reply)
I agree I wasn't blown away like I had hoped. I did purchase the large pink leopard print bag hoping it would fit my laptop and it does! I would have written these bags off but it's a fun punch of color compared to my plain laptop case.
#8 Paolina on 2010-10-14 20:19 (Reply)
You couldn't have said it better. They look cheap, and justifying a $50 black bag just because of the brand name is dumb and not worth it. I don't know why they made it look so cheap.
#9 Dina's Days (Homepage) on 2010-10-14 21:24 (Reply)
I ended up getting the plain black tote bag because I really needed a big bag for school (Can you believe I actually didn't own a big bag till now?) -- I used it that day.

Overall, I really like the bag (it seems well made), but I am going to try to find a long strap for the bag. The thing I disliked the most was that it says "Mulberry for Target" on the big gold clasp. Totally unnecessary! The keychain says the same thing!
#10 Moni (Homepage) on 2010-10-14 21:32 (Reply)
I waited for weeks to for this line and was set on buying the large pebble tote and the pink leopard but when I got to the store I was SO disappointed! It looked so cheap especially the leopard so I eneded up with the black pebble crossbody and I love that one but yea I agree I hate the for target being on every inch of the bag!
#11 Mary on 2010-10-14 22:59 (Reply)
I wasn't really expecting them to look like actual Mulberry bags, because it is Target. Of course it's cheap. The pink leopard called out to me, and I did end up buying it because it's just fun. Who cares, right? I was having qualms about it looking cheap, but compared to a $1,500 bag, it is cheap.

http://thechicaddict.blogspot.com
#12 Jessi Lou (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 00:39 (Reply)
Which Target store did you last seen the denim satchel? I am still looking high and low as they are all sold out here in SF Bay area.
#13 Jac (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 01:10 (Reply)
This is very unique design that looks very awesome.It will increase the beauty of the person who will wear these fabulous bag. It can be dream bagges set for any girl or women.
#14 diamond earrings (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 01:37 (Reply)
It looks so cheap...
#15 yen (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 03:26 (Reply)
The second bag (blue) is cute... wait, the pink bag with a leopard print looks good, too. Oh, well! Not really a fan of Mulberry but these bags are gorgeous.
#16 Avery (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 03:57 (Reply)
I only liked the leather bag. It is the biggest version and It doesn't look as cheap as the other ones look. I guess I am going to buy it!!=)
#17 ashley on 2010-10-15 06:30 (Reply)
Seeing these bags in person made me realize this collaboration is created to make a whole different class of people pay 95% markup for a brand name. I'm not in the market for $1200 handbags so I usually don't have to think about what a ripoff that is, but it really hits home when I am looking at a handbag that is uglier and cheaper-looking than the Mossimo brand bags, yet is $35 more expensive because it bears the name Mulberry (FOR TARGET). Ridiculous.
#18 MEP on 2010-10-15 07:55 (Reply)
You hit the nail on the head. I was SO excited for this collaboration and REALLY wanted to love it, but the fact that it says "Mulberry" just isn't enough to justify buying something that I probably otherwise wouldn't give a second look. The one exception for me was the black pebbled cross body bag, but if I decide I can't live without it, I will wait for a sale.
#18.1 Sara (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 17:19 (Reply)
Looked incredibly cheap and were overpriced. No thanks! :-)
#19 Elizabeth (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 09:22 (Reply)
I bought the crossbody pebble bag for $30 and love it. It looks great for the price. The Mulberry for Target label didn't bother me, it said the same thing on the Anja Hindmarch ones and I still use my patent clutch all of the time! (I agree the leopard ones looked a bit cheap/made for teenagers). Love, A
www.365fashionrehab.com
#20 365 Fashion Rehab (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 09:38 (Reply)
I went yesterday and the only things that were left over was 1 pink leopard cross body bag and the pink leopard, blue denim, and black LARGE sized bags.
I wanted a mini black patent one, but they didn't have it. =(
But I saw the "Mulberry for Target" and they should have put that on the inside...
#21 Elizabeth on 2010-10-15 11:48 (Reply)
bought the big pink leopard, cross body pink leopard, and the black pebble pink leopard. i LOVE the idea of pink leopard (or anything leopard in general really), but it looks cheap and again i don't like the "for target" on the front either. i'm 99% sure the large pink and possibly the cross body pink are going back. i'll most likely keep the black pebble cross body only bc i've been wanting one and the price was right.
#22 amarie on 2010-10-15 14:45 (Reply)
I thought the price range was great for the quality and design...it is relatively true to the original mulberry design (i.e. the baywater) so it's not only because it says "mulberry" that people are snapping these up...and i thought the pebble black was quite classy...the pink leopard is a lil out there but i thought it's quite fitting coming from an english brand (kind of reminds me of a paul's boutique...) since i can see girls rocking it :-) even though it's not my personal style...
you can't even get knock-offs for a lower price than what target is offering...and seriously? why are people expecting $1000 quality when they're paying $50 for the bag? If you paid $30 or 50, chances are its looks and quality is going to reflect the price you paid...
also if you're purchasing from target...it's going to say for target (similar to previous lines)~~and honestly, most who pay attention to your bag will know that you bought the bag from target regardless of what it says...there is really no point passing off a $50 bag for $1000 bag...
Overall i'm quite happy with the line and while i wish they had better colour choices (i.e. not denim or pink leopard) it's a good alternative for everyday use (i can use my crossbody for travel, the large satchel for work and traveling on the bus without worry because it wasn't $1000...) whereas with my other designer bags, i take more care and it is a lil stressful to maintain them in prestine condition...
#23 Milk Tea Girl (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 17:40 (Reply)
I'm so glad you posted this. I ran out Sunday morning (after seeing the preview online) and grabbed the medium black patent bag. Didn't really look at it. Silly me. Well, I got home and pulled it out and it is so cheap and not really attractive. I thought I might be crazy. It is already beside the back door ready to be returned tomorrow.
I totally agree iwth the "for Target" comment. I mean I am a huge Target shopper but I've never been a fan of advertising any logo. Even very expensive items.
#24 Kristin S (Homepage) on 2010-10-15 20:39 (Reply)
I'm in love with the leopard tote. If only my birthday were a couple months sooner. I'm sure it will be sold out long before December. :-(

I'd drop $50 if I had that kind of play money to throw around. But I'm the type of shopper where I'll try my hardest to justify spending X amount of money on something. It comes with regrets. I regret not getting a Rodarte dress when I had a gift card.
#25 Roxanne on 2010-10-17 02:38 (Reply)
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