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Kipling bags. Any good?

(97 Posts)
Greyduster Sat 03-Feb-24 12:24:58

I’m thinking of buying one of their cross body bags. Does anyone have any experience of the brand and are they any good? They seem to be fairly expensive considering what they are made out of. I’m trying to find out where they are manufactured - information that seems to be missing from their website (and even M&S’s website).

Jaxjacky Sat 03-Feb-24 12:39:05

According to Google made in Antwerp.

Gwyllt Sat 03-Feb-24 12:51:33

I’ve had one for longer than I care to remember. Mine is a waist one not a cross body one
Use it a lot
It still looks pretty good no frayed corners and it has been through the washing machine several times
Got mine from outlet at Cheshire Oaks

Strongcoffee12 Sat 03-Feb-24 12:56:15

I’ve had Kipling bags for years and like them a lot - they have plenty of compartments for keeping things in, they are sturdy yet quite stylish and are washable. The zips are good too. They also do purses.

Primrose53 Sat 03-Feb-24 13:34:21

My late SIL loved Kipling bags and had several. I can’t really see the attraction myself. The only gimmicky thing is the little gorilla hanging on it.

Jewelle Sat 03-Feb-24 13:37:55

I have a few and they are very well made and last for years!

Marydoll Sat 03-Feb-24 13:43:40

I live my Kipling bags because they are light, duarble, well organised and can be thrown in the washing machine.
I can't carry a heavy handbag, so they are ideal.
They may not all be very stylish (some are), but I have more stylish makes, for a special occasion.
I can't remember how many pieces there actually are in my collection.

Their luggage is fantastic, my silver holdall on wheels is over twenty years old and has been on numerous journeys through Europe and the UK, it still looks as good as new.

Greyduster, shop around. Some sites, including QVC can be cheaper than the actual Kipling website.

1summer Sat 03-Feb-24 13:45:28

I bought one in excellent condition from Vinted for about £10, without the little monkey - didn’t want that anyway. They had a large choice of nearly new ones so worth looking. This was for a holiday to Florida.
It was a good size and had lots of useful zip pockets and waterproof. The adjustable strap was very comfortable.
That said a similar new Kipling bag was about £50 and I wouldn’t have paid that.

Greyduster Sat 03-Feb-24 14:02:27

I’m not particulalry looking for stylish but practicality - I have a leather bag with a similar number of pockets and so on, but it’s years old and looking very worn. I would like to have had a ‘hands on’ look at one, but it seems M&S only sell them on line and they seem ridiculously expensive. John Lewis are cheaper but have very limited colours. Mary, I will look further on line. At least from all your comments they seem worth having.

AskAlice Sat 03-Feb-24 14:09:52

My daughter bought me one a couple of years ago from QVC. Spacious but light with good sturdy zips and lots of inside pockets, some also with zips. She worked for the Met for a number of years and tells me that they are also the safest in terms of pick-pocketing as the exterior zips are chunky and not easy to slip open quietly!

Washes like a dream too...

MiniMoon Sat 03-Feb-24 14:13:19

I have one I bring out every Summer. I've had it for years, it's lovely and light and quite roomy. It has a purse to go with it that can attach to the inside with a cord. It's my holiday bag.

MiniMoon Sat 03-Feb-24 14:14:04

All the monkeys have a name, mine is Sara.

toscalily Sat 03-Feb-24 14:33:10

I have had a couple and confirm they wear very well, can be washed and are nice and light but to me are more of a casual bag. I prefer my leather handbags of which I have many but a smaller Kipling cross body bag is ideal when needing two hands (or more) for dealing with grandchildren while out and about. M&S seem to be selling a few now but there are plenty of alternatives as well as Kiplings own site. Choose a style you like then do some online searches for a better deal, I have never payed full price for mine as I do think they are somewhat overpriced.

annsixty Sat 03-Feb-24 14:34:42

If is practically you are looking for and you use Amazon look for bags called NOTAG.
I bought a black one a few months ago and I have hardly used any other bag since.
It has multiple pockets, is very light and cost under £20.
It seems to be well made and I really can’t fault it.

sodapop Sat 03-Feb-24 15:30:43

I love Kipling bags and have several. They are lightweight with lots of pockets and a very useful strap inside for keys. I usually look for reduced prices or sales as they are expensive. Not in the same league as Gucci or other fashion houses though.

luluaugust Sat 03-Feb-24 15:34:28

I bought one in a sale years ago and have used it longer than any bag I have ever had. I have to admit I wish it would wear out now. Well made and plenty of storage

TurtleDove Sat 03-Feb-24 15:38:40

From the reviews I have read, they seem to be well liked. I do have the Monkey bag charm, I saw it for sale on Ebay and bought it for a few pounds.

Dollymixtures Sat 03-Feb-24 15:39:19

I love them, I own at least a dozen in various colours and sizes. As already said, they wash beautifully, are light to carry and have various pockets to split things between. I have a few for sale on Vinted as well, very cheap and good value.

Hilltop Sat 03-Feb-24 15:57:54

I have various sizes of Kipling bags and two purses. I like the many pockets and the zips have never broken. Very practical. But do shop around. Prices vary depending on the colour and latest models and colours are always more expensive. Last ones l bought from Aspen in Hereford on line . Kipling have stopped putting the key holder in a lot of them lately, which is a shame.

Pittcity Sat 03-Feb-24 16:02:54

TK Maxx is a good place to look. I have a Kipling backpack from there that was hugely discounted. I have had cross body bags in the past which were excellent. I got bored with them before they wore out so the charity shop benefitted.
I use Jasper as a keyring.

OldFrill Sat 03-Feb-24 17:17:33

Jaxjacky

According to Google made in Antwerp.

I only read 'developed and designed' in Antwerp. They give no clue as to where they manufacture.....

Strongcoffee12 Sat 03-Feb-24 17:21:48

I’ve had my monkey stolen - I used to save them for my great nephews when they were little and they put them on their pencil cases for school

Esmay Sat 03-Feb-24 17:21:58

They have a really good reputation .
I haven't heard anything negative about them .

J52 Sat 03-Feb-24 17:40:42

I have a small Kipling bag, but also two Spirit bags that I use when travelling.
I have found that the Spirit bags are just as good and were a lot cheaper.

Freya5 Sat 03-Feb-24 17:43:47

I love them. Bought my first one on a cruise, 35 Australian dollars, nearly fell over when got back to the UK and found out how much they were here. It was so handy, still have it 8 years later. Bought another, bigger one, last year from QVC one of their offers, great for flight bag, lots of room, and very light. Love the monkey. You can wash them too, and their place in Scotland will repair broken zips etc. You won't be disappointed.