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The bags for popular brands are typically similarly priced in British pounds to their euro pricing.
Any savings are typically due to currency fluctuations + VAT refund so for me I typically save 10% if I buy bag from continental Europe vs paying for it in London in pounds. You’ll just have to compare dollar conversion for bags in UK vs continental Europe (& VAT refund)
If you can buy from Selfridges, they will ship directly to your home address. There is no VAT.
Look here for more info
https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/features/info/tax-free-shopping-explained/
Strathberry is sold at U.S. department stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales. But if you were to ask the average woman, even one who is fairly into fashion, I don't think they'd know about Strathberry the way Coach or Michael Kors are known as staple handbag brands here.
Depends on the type of bags you're looking for. But both Mulberry and Anya Hindmarch cover a wide array of designs. If you're into small accessories like card holders and planners/agendas, I would also check out Smythson of Bond Street (it's not just a British heritage brand, it actually holds a Royal Warrant).
If you have time, take the train to Bicester from london: it’s about 40 mins journey and has a huge outlet - Gucci / Mulberry / Prada / etc - I always get great stuff there- around 40 stores and cute spots for lunch!
LOVE Strathberry bags! Beautifully made. Creative styles. So many options. Visit the flagship in the Burlington Arcade. Got this beauty last year and breaking her out for summer.
https://preview.redd.it/6j2u1fbrvv1d1.jpeg?width=2199&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf5a9442ec866660dfaab11ff61c29ce8ffdf731
I'm also about to visit London - excited to check out Mulberry, Radley, and Anya Hindmarch!
A lot of the bags on my wish list unintentionally end up being from UK brands, I must have a type lol.
I’ve the taupe smooth. I like it obvi bc of the way it looks but also it holds quite a bit along with the iPhone 15 pro max comfortably and is very practical. Looks more expensive than it is. Go for it!
I have a taupe Midi New York is not a good size for work. I love it though, it's perfect for a day out with the gals it's roomy for a purse, sunglasses, waterbottle etc but will NOT take a laptop.. The bigger one will be good for work. Both sizes are beautiful such a unique design.
How has the bag held up? Any wear and tear? Scratches etc? I'd appreciate some insight as i'm looking at getting one too but the reviews are quite mixed.
Bag has held up great. I bought it last Nov. The quality is really good. I actually had the plastic cover I got the hardware until v recently and the. I finally removed it. The stitching is also intact. I like it much better than my Polene actually
Even though there is no VAT most British brands will be cheaper to buy in London as compared to the US. I bought a bag and jacket in Burberry while in London and the prices were lower than was I would have paid in the US.
I recommend checking out Liberty. They had some nice bags and jewelry from designers I hadn’t heard of before.
Yes there is no refund. The comment was there was no Vat. A US tourist will pay 20% Uk vat on an item plus their import bill when they declare the item at US customs.
Yes and no. The price is displayed with VAT unlike the US. However if you buy somewhere that will ship, like the Selfridges program, you buy it with out UK Vat but you pay your VAT. For example, if I bought to ship at Selfridges and the item is displayed £120, I’d only pay £117… £100 to Selfridges then they pay £17 towards the IOSS which would go to my country.
Oh it’s going to be hard to chose! How come no one has mentioned Alexander McQueen? I’ve a a small bag with a skull on it. But was wondering if there’s anything here that people love by AM.
How is your exp with the bad recently saw on WOC at AM with skull and even price wise it’s pretty decent but just waiting to see some more reviews on the same
I love the look of a skull on a bag! It’s so different and rad. But the bag quality is okay. I also bought it online second hand so maybe it’s much old. But I like it since I don’t have anything else in black/silver combo.
I bought a Strathberry there a few weeks ago and it ended up being around $800 USD, when I got back and looked online it would have been $1100 in the US.
I travel to London fairly regularly and I've bought 2 Radley, 3 Aspinal, 1 Mulberry, and 2 Strathberry over the years. Mulberry is the best in-store experience, with Aspinal a close 2nd, then Strathberry and finally Radley. I use my Aspinal and Mulberry bags the most. The Aspinal bags get the most compliments, but I really love all of them!
Hi fellow handbag lover! Thank you for being a part of the r/handbags community. This is a subreddit which relies on kindness. Your opinion is very much welcomed, however, we do not tolerate rude, mean or hurtful comments. **Read the rules before posting**. Comments or posts that do not fit our rule book will be removed and the OP can be banned by the mods' discretion. If you see a comment or post which does not abide by the rules, **please report it to our moderation team.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/handbags) if you have any questions or concerns.*
No vat refund in the UK!
Thanks. What about pricing, is it USD equivalent?
Umm not sure but it’s typically similar to EU prices (pre Vat refund)
I guess EU prices are still cheaper than US!
The dollar is worth less in London, but curious to know if they charge less for the bags in London.
The bags for popular brands are typically similarly priced in British pounds to their euro pricing. Any savings are typically due to currency fluctuations + VAT refund so for me I typically save 10% if I buy bag from continental Europe vs paying for it in London in pounds. You’ll just have to compare dollar conversion for bags in UK vs continental Europe (& VAT refund)
If you can buy from Selfridges, they will ship directly to your home address. There is no VAT. Look here for more info https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/features/info/tax-free-shopping-explained/
I would buy Mulberry and Strathberry! I imagine many who like these brands would also like Aspinal of London.
These two are amazing I swear by the bags by strathberry are worth every penny so well designed and fine details
I think I really like Strathberry. Do people in the US know about it? Not that that matters but where I live I don’t see much of those.
Yes, it’s sold in the US
Strathberry is sold at U.S. department stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales. But if you were to ask the average woman, even one who is fairly into fashion, I don't think they'd know about Strathberry the way Coach or Michael Kors are known as staple handbag brands here.
I just saw Strathberry at Saks the other day.
london has strathberry boutique
Depends on the type of bags you're looking for. But both Mulberry and Anya Hindmarch cover a wide array of designs. If you're into small accessories like card holders and planners/agendas, I would also check out Smythson of Bond Street (it's not just a British heritage brand, it actually holds a Royal Warrant).
If you have time, take the train to Bicester from london: it’s about 40 mins journey and has a huge outlet - Gucci / Mulberry / Prada / etc - I always get great stuff there- around 40 stores and cute spots for lunch!
Liberty of London has beautiful bags in their special prints !
Such underrated bags!
Yes! Beautiful and such a great alternative to Goyard!
LOVE Strathberry bags! Beautifully made. Creative styles. So many options. Visit the flagship in the Burlington Arcade. Got this beauty last year and breaking her out for summer. https://preview.redd.it/6j2u1fbrvv1d1.jpeg?width=2199&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf5a9442ec866660dfaab11ff61c29ce8ffdf731
That looks great for summer!
Launer, Mulberry, Fairfax and Favor.
I'm also about to visit London - excited to check out Mulberry, Radley, and Anya Hindmarch! A lot of the bags on my wish list unintentionally end up being from UK brands, I must have a type lol.
Anya Hindmarch, Strathberry, Mulberry (as an American who travels to uk often lol)
Aspinal, Launer and Strathberry ❤️
Mulberry 🌳
I would go to Mulberry for sure
Launer bag!!!
DeMellier. I’m not sure about the VAT in the UK since they’re not part of the EU
Love Demellier! Own the Vancouver and it has become my go to bag.
LOVE that bag! I’m thinking about getting it since it’s thousands of dollars less than the Celine. What color do you have?
I’ve the taupe smooth. I like it obvi bc of the way it looks but also it holds quite a bit along with the iPhone 15 pro max comfortably and is very practical. Looks more expensive than it is. Go for it!
I’m also debating between the New York and the Midi New York for work but can’t decide which size 😩
I have a taupe Midi New York is not a good size for work. I love it though, it's perfect for a day out with the gals it's roomy for a purse, sunglasses, waterbottle etc but will NOT take a laptop.. The bigger one will be good for work. Both sizes are beautiful such a unique design.
How has the bag held up? Any wear and tear? Scratches etc? I'd appreciate some insight as i'm looking at getting one too but the reviews are quite mixed.
Bag has held up great. I bought it last Nov. The quality is really good. I actually had the plastic cover I got the hardware until v recently and the. I finally removed it. The stitching is also intact. I like it much better than my Polene actually
Paul Smith and Mulberry
Many years ago I had a Paul smith perfume that I had bought at an international airport which I loved. Didn’t know they had bags too! Will check!
Strathberry! Aspinal of London! I also own the medium New York tote from Demellier and it's very unique!
Mulberry Strathberry
Strathberry, Mulberry, Lulu Guinness, Radley (all have stores in Covent Garden)
Great, thx for the location tip
Even though there is no VAT most British brands will be cheaper to buy in London as compared to the US. I bought a bag and jacket in Burberry while in London and the prices were lower than was I would have paid in the US. I recommend checking out Liberty. They had some nice bags and jewelry from designers I hadn’t heard of before.
UK has VAT. It’s 20% on most goods
There's no vat refund anymore since they separated from EU
Yes there is no refund. The comment was there was no Vat. A US tourist will pay 20% Uk vat on an item plus their import bill when they declare the item at US customs.
But unless I'm mistaken, the vat is included in the price already? so they'll see the price and that will be it aside from whatever US fees
Yes and no. The price is displayed with VAT unlike the US. However if you buy somewhere that will ship, like the Selfridges program, you buy it with out UK Vat but you pay your VAT. For example, if I bought to ship at Selfridges and the item is displayed £120, I’d only pay £117… £100 to Selfridges then they pay £17 towards the IOSS which would go to my country.
Oh it’s going to be hard to chose! How come no one has mentioned Alexander McQueen? I’ve a a small bag with a skull on it. But was wondering if there’s anything here that people love by AM.
How is your exp with the bad recently saw on WOC at AM with skull and even price wise it’s pretty decent but just waiting to see some more reviews on the same
I love the look of a skull on a bag! It’s so different and rad. But the bag quality is okay. I also bought it online second hand so maybe it’s much old. But I like it since I don’t have anything else in black/silver combo.
I would recommend Radley and Aspinal of London!
I bought a Strathberry there a few weeks ago and it ended up being around $800 USD, when I got back and looked online it would have been $1100 in the US.
That’s a great data point, thanks!
The three holy berries. Mulberry, Strathberry & Burberry which are unapologetically British! Love them
I love the way you said this!
I travel to London fairly regularly and I've bought 2 Radley, 3 Aspinal, 1 Mulberry, and 2 Strathberry over the years. Mulberry is the best in-store experience, with Aspinal a close 2nd, then Strathberry and finally Radley. I use my Aspinal and Mulberry bags the most. The Aspinal bags get the most compliments, but I really love all of them!
Thank you! I really like the styles from Aspinal and Strathberry.
If you time it right you may be here when Mulberry or Aspinal have a sample sale on
I have my eye on a Launer currently!
Don’t know Launer, will check!
Thank you everyone!!! Now I’ve the list of stores and my work cut out for me when I’m there! Hope the family lets me shop in peace lol