Week two of the handbag hunt and alas I’m no closer…

This is a tricky challenge, finding a Mulberry handbag for £100

This week I looked online and did some research into offline shopping. Specifically, I looked into the places I think we’re most likely to hit paydirt: charity shops.

First I checked eBay

I sleuthed around eBay, hoping to find a well-loved Mulberry bag sold secondhand, or even something properly vintage, but it’s a tricky ask: no-one wants to buy anything that isn’t the real deal, and sometimes it’s tough to assess what is legitimate and what just isn’t. There’s plenty on eBay within our price range, but I don’t know if any of it will suit Kate. It’s worth a look, though.

Second stop: the Outnet

The Outnet is the clearance site for online designer clothing mecca Net-a-Porter. I haven’t yet bought anything here, but I know a few people who have scooped gorgeous designer clothing and accessories at a fraction of the original price. The Outnet usually has a few Mulberry pieces but right now they’ve got nothing in our price range and sadly, no bags. Still – it’s one to watch.

Next up – charity shops

I’ve done a little research into charity shops and found that four continually crop up in any conversation about amazing high-fashion finds in unlikely places.

At the risk of spoiling the fun for a few territorial bargain-hunters (come on, the money goes to a good cause!), here they are:

The Marie Curie Cancer Care, Richmond (1 Lichfield Terrace, TW9 1AS; 0208 940 1800)

Octavia Foundation, South Kensington (211 Brompton Road, SW3 2ED; 0207 581 7987)

Trinity Hospice, Kensington (31 Kensington Church Street, W8 4LL; 0207 376 1098)

British Red Cross, Victoria (85 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QU; 0207 730 2235)

I’m going to visit several of these shops and suggest my co-searchers do the same. If rumours are to be believed, nearly-new designer treasures abound at these locations… could it be that a Mulberry handbag waits among them?