Mulberry Somerset Tote in Cornflower Blue Pebbled Leather
Tote / North-South Shopper silhouette with slightly tapered sides and top-handle design. · Mulberry (UK), a British luxury house founded by Roger Saul. Known as 'premium luxury,' Mulberry is celebrated for its leather heritage and quintessentially English aesthetic.
Collection: Somerset Collection. This line was a staple of Mulberry’s accessible luxury range in the mid-to-late 2000s, positioned as a more casual, everyday alternative to the Bayswater.
Style
Tote / North-South Shopper silhouette with slightly tapered sides and top-handle design.
Brand
Mulberry (UK), a British luxury house founded by Roger Saul. Known as 'premium luxury,' Mulberry is celebrated for its leather heritage and quintessentially English aesthetic.
Material
Soft pebbled calfskin leather with a natural, supple grain. The bag features a semi-structured base with softer side panels. Construction includes machine stitching with heavy thread and hand-finished burnished edges on the straps.
Dimensions
Width: 32cm, Height: 24cm, Depth: 12cm, Strap Drop: 22cm. This is the standard Small/Medium tote size.
Description
The Mulberry Somerset Tote is a masterclass in understated British elegance. Featuring a bicolour palette of cornflower blue and rich oak, it offers a relaxed yet polished aesthetic. Its supple leather mold provides comfort under the arm, while the brass hardware accents give it a vintage, equestrian-inspired feel. It is a workhorse bag that balances luxury with practicality.
Key Features
The distinctive oval leather logo patch on the front center, the vertical leather handle anchors with brass slider accents, and the tonal side stitching details.
Material & Construction
Soft pebbled calfskin leather with a natural, supple grain. The bag features a semi-structured base with softer side panels. Construction includes machine stitching with heavy thread and hand-finished burnished edges on the straps.
Color & Pattern
Cornflower Blue (often referred to in various seasons as French Blue or Sky). It is a cool-toned, desaturated blue paired with contrasting Oak/Cognac brown leather trim and straps.
Hardware Details
Brushed Antique Brass hardware. Features include the signature oval leather patch with the embossed Mulberry tree logo and flat brass rectangle loops securing the handles.
Interior Description
Usually lined with fine canvas or micro-fiber lining in a tonal or neutral khaki shade. Includes one zip pocket and an interior leather 'Mulberry' fob with a serial number on the reverse.
Closure Type
Top zip closure with a leather pull tab. The zipper is typically a heavy-duty metal Riri or branded YKK zipper providing high security for a tote style.
Strap & Handle Details
Dual flat leather handles in contrasting Oak brown leather. The handles are non-adjustable and designed for over-the-shoulder or hand carry.
Craftsmanship Details
Uniform machine-stitching with high-quality bonded nylon thread. The leather has been drummed to achieve a soft hand-feel while maintaining durability. Edge painting on the brown straps is thick and resilient.
Authentication Indicators
The embossed Tree Logo is crisp and centered on the oval patch. The 'D' or 'S' shaped stitching at the base of the handles is a common Somerset trait. Interior should have a round brass disc with a unique serial number if it is a later production model.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Turkey or China. While Mulberry’s heritage bags (Bayswater/Alexa) were often made in Somerset, England, the Somerset and Mitzy lines were frequently manufactured in high-end partner ateliers in Turkey.
Era & Period
Late 2000s to early 2010s. This period was characterized by the 'Boho-chic' and 'British heritage' trends where Mulberry dominated the UK market with functional, logo-lite leather goods.
Age Estimate
Circa 2008–2012 based on the style of the oval logo patch and the specific pebble grain leather variant used during that production cycle.
Cultural Significance
Represented the era of 'accessible luxury' where designer bags became staples for the working professional. It helped transition Mulberry from a niche heritage brand into a global fashion powerhouse.
Condition Notes
The exterior leather shows significant softening and creasing (typical for this leather type). There is some minor corner softening and slight darkening on the handles. The hardware has a natural patina. Overall Grade: Very Good (Pre-owned).
Value Estimate
Original Retail: approx. $650-$750 USD. Current Resale Value: $150-$275 USD depending on color saturation and handle wear.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a damp cloth; use a leather cream (like Mulberry’s own or Collonil) to keep the pebble grain hydrated and prevent cracks. Avoid heavy rain as the light blue can water-spot.
Similar Handbags
Mulberry Mitzy Tote (uses a metal logo plaque instead), Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir (similar soft leather logic), and the Coach Maggie bag (similar multi-compartment soft tote).
Interesting Facts
The 'Somerset' line was named after the English county where Mulberry was founded and where their 'The Willows' factory is still located today.