Mulberry vs. Hermès: Which brand is better? [2026]

Mulberry offers accessible British luxury with high-quality leather bags typically priced under $2,500, focusing on durability and classic, everyday designs. In contrast, Hermès represents the peak of French ultra-luxury, where iconic, handcrafted bags like the Birkin and Kelly start at over $10,000 and are considered investment pieces known for their exclusivity and artisanal craftsmanship.

Let's compare these two heritage brands in detail to help you decide which is the right investment for your collection and lifestyle.

Mulberry: Accessible British Luxury & Craftsmanship

Founded in Somerset, England, in 1971, Mulberry has established itself as a quintessential British heritage brand. It is celebrated for its timeless designs, exceptional leather, and expert craftsmanship. Mulberry targets a style-conscious consumer who appreciates understated, versatile luxury that can be used every day, making it a popular choice for those investing in their first high-end handbag.

• Product mix: While best known for its leather handbags like the iconic Bayswater and Alexa, Mulberry also offers a range of small leather goods, accessories, footwear, and ready-to-wear lines.
• Price point: Mulberry sits in the accessible luxury category. Most of their popular handbags fall between $800 and $2,500, offering a way into the luxury market without the astronomical prices of top-tier brands.
• Quality & Materials: The brand is committed to quality, with many of its bags proudly made in its UK factories. They are known for using durable, high-quality leathers, including many that are vegetable-tanned and sourced through environmentally conscious methods.
• Style & Aesthetic: Mulberry’s design blends classic British elegance with a modern, practical touch. Their bags often feature structured silhouettes, clean lines, and subtle hardware, making them incredibly versatile for both work and weekend wear.
• Sustainability: Mulberry has a stated commitment to sustainability through its "Made to Last" promise, focusing on responsible sourcing, using eco-friendly materials, and offering a lifetime restoration service for its bags.

Mulberry is the ideal choice for someone seeking a beautifully made, durable luxury bag with classic British style that doesn't demand an ultra-luxury budget.

Shop Mulberry: mulberry.com

Hermès: The Pinnacle of Artisanal Ultra-Luxury

Established in Paris in 1837, Hermès is the global standard for ultra-luxury, exclusivity, and artisanal craftsmanship. The brand is more than just a fashion house, its products, especially the legendary Kelly and Birkin bags, are status symbols and investment assets. Hermès appeals to high-net-worth individuals and serious collectors who value heritage, handcraftsmanship, and the cachet that comes with owning one of the world's most desired items.

• Product mix: While world-famous for its leather goods, Hermès produces a wide array of luxury items including iconic silk scarves, fine jewelry, watches, ready-to-wear, fragrances, home goods, and more.
• Price point: Hermès operates at the highest end of the market. Small leather goods start in the hundreds, but handbags are a major investment. The price for a Birkin or Kelly starts around $10,000 and can easily exceed $50,000 or more, depending on the size, leather, and hardware.
• Quality & Materials: The quality is considered unparalleled. Each bag is typically handmade by a single artisan in France over many hours, using the finest leathers sourced from exclusive tanneries. The hand-stitching and attention to detail are legendary and ensure a lifetime of durability.
• Style & Aesthetic: The Hermès aesthetic is one of timeless, understated elegance. The designs are classic and refined, allowing the perfect craftsmanship and exquisite materials to take center stage. There is often minimal branding.
• Exclusivity & Shopping Experience: Acquiring a Birkin or Kelly directly from a boutique is famously difficult, often requiring a significant spending history with the brand. The shopping experience is highly personalized, discreet, and exclusive, often requiring an appointment.

Hermès is for the discerning buyer who seeks the absolute best in craftsmanship and is looking for a true heirloom piece that functions as both a handbag and a valuable asset.

Shop Hermès: hermes.com

Mulberry vs. Hermès Comparison

Price Comparison

This is the most significant differentiator. Mulberry is positioned in the accessible luxury market, with handbag prices largely ranging from $800 to $2,500. This makes it a feasible "splurge" for many professionals and a great entry into designer goods.

Hermès, however, operates in a completely different financial world. Its most sought-after bags start at five figures and have a robust secondary market where prices often exceed retail due to scarcity. An Hermès bag is a serious financial investment, comparable to buying a car or a piece of fine art.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce high-quality products, but the level of craftsmanship is distinct. Mulberry produces excellent, well-made bags designed for longevity and regular use, with a strong focus on durable leathers and solid construction in British factories.

Hermès offers true artisanal mastery. Each bag is a handcrafted masterpiece made by a single artisan from start to finish. The house uses the most exclusive and highest-grade leathers in the world, some finished with precious metal hardware. While a Mulberry bag is manufactured to a high standard, an Hermès bag is a piece of art.

Product Selection & Style

Mulberry’s style is best described as timeless British elegance with a practical, contemporary sensibility. Its bags, like the workhorse Bayswater tote, are designed to be both stylish and functional for a modern lifestyle. The aesthetic is perfect for everyday luxury.

Hermès’ style is supremely classic, refined, and unchanging. Its designs have remained iconic for decades because they transcend trends. An Hermès handbag adds an instant touch of sophisticated polish to any outfit, communicating status and impeccable taste with quiet confidence.

Shopping Experience

You can walk into a Mulberry store, visit its website, or browse a selection at a luxury department store like Nordstrom and purchase a bag easily. The experience is welcoming, accessible, and in line with typical luxury retail.

Shopping at Hermès for a "quota bag" is a unique process. It is nearly impossible to buy a new Birkin or Kelly by simply walking in. Customers typically must build a relationship and purchase history over time before being offered the opportunity to purchase one. This strategy enhances the brand’s exclusivity and the desirability of its key products.

Sustainability & Ethics

Mulberry makes its sustainability initiatives a prominent part of its brand identity. It actively markets its "Made to Last Charter," which includes a commitment to using carbon-neutral leather and offering a lifetime repair program to extend the life of its products.

Hermès, as a heritage brand, has always focused on creating products that last for generations, which is inherently sustainable. The company engages in responsible practices but is less public and marketing-focused about its specific environmental initiatives compared to Mulberry.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right brand for you comes down to your budget, lifestyle, and what you value in a luxury product.

Choose Mulberry if:

• You are looking for your first high-end designer handbag.
• You want a durable, beautifully crafted leather bag for everyday work or weekend use.
• Your budget for a new bag is comfortably under $3,000.
• You appreciate classic British style and a brand with transparent sustainability efforts.

Choose Hermès if:

• You are a serious collector or view luxury acquisitions as long-term investments.
• Exclusivity, status, and the highest level of hand-craftsmanship are your main priorities.
• Budget is not a primary concern and you are prepared for the unique purchasing journey.
• You desire a true "holy grail" heirloom piece that will retain or potentially increase in value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mulberry or Hermès more expensive?

Hermès is dramatically more expensive. A new Mulberry bag might cost $1,500, while a new handbag from Hermès starts at around $10,000 and can reach six figures.

Which brand has better quality?

Both have excellent quality, but Hermès is in a class of its own. Mulberry offers high-quality, factory-produced luxury goods. Hermès offers unparalleled, handmade artisanal luxury, considered by many to be the best in the world.

Do Mulberry bags hold their value?

Mulberry bags have a decent resale value, particularly for classic and popular styles like the Bayswater. However, they typically depreciate from the retail price and are not considered investment pieces in the way Hermès bags are.

Why is it so hard to buy an Hermès bag?

Hermès intentionally limits the production of its most iconic bags, the Birkin and Kelly, to maintain scarcity and exclusivity. This high demand and low supply mean the brand can be very selective about who is offered the chance to purchase one, reinforcing its status as the ultimate luxury good.

Is Mulberry a good entry-level luxury brand?

Yes, Mulberry is an outstanding choice for an entry into the luxury market. It offers a genuine heritage feel, excellent quality, and timeless design at a price point that is more attainable than top-tier brands like Hermès or Chanel.

Where are Mulberry handbags made?

A significant portion of Mulberry's bags are made at their two carbon-neutral factories in Somerset, England. This commitment to British manufacturing is a core part of the brand's heritage and appeal.

Are Hermès bags a good investment?

Yes, statistically, iconic Hermès bags like the Birkin and Kelly have proven to be incredible investments. Over the past few decades, their value on the resale market has often increased at a rate that outpaces traditional investments like stocks or gold.

Which brand is better for everyday use?

Due to its more accessible price point, durable construction, and practical designs, a Mulberry bag is a far better choice for everyday use. While an Hermès bag is durable, its immense value and status often lead owners to reserve it for special occasions.