Lulu Guinness Review: Britain’s Wittiest Handbag Brand Still Has the Best Lips in the Business

Lulu Guinness built her brand in London on humour, surrealism and unmistakable silhouettes. Her red lips clutch, inspired by the surrealist art of the 1930s, is one of the most recognisable evening bags in British fashion and has sat in museum collections as well as on red carpets. The brand had a rough patch in 2020, when it briefly went into administration and was bought back by existing investors, including Lulu herself. Since then it has refocused on direct-to-consumer sales, gifts, jewellery and its icons.

The honest caveat: the products are better than the service. Trustpilot rates the brand around “Average”, and complaints focus on slow or missing deliveries, refunds that drag on, the occasional scratch or loose stitch, and surprise customs charges for some international orders. The bags are great, but the post-purchase experience is the gamble.

✅ WHAT WORKS

• Iconic design. You can recognise a lips clutch across a room. Few brands at this price own a silhouette this clearly.
• Wit and personality. Playful, art-inspired pieces stand out among endless neutral totes.
• Collectability. The lips clutches hold their appeal and resell well on the secondhand market.
• Strong guarantee. The advertised 12-month money-back guarantee, plus free UK returns, is generous for accessories.
• Gift-friendly range. Lips jewellery from about £75 lets you buy into the brand without paying clutch prices.

❌ WHAT TO KNOW

• Delivery delays. “Still waiting” is a recurring theme in reviews, along with weak order-status communication.
• Customer service. Many buyers say emails go unanswered and refunds take a long time.
• Finish defects. A minority report scratches on mirrored or patent finishes and loose stitching.
• International costs. Some overseas buyers were hit with customs charges they didn’t expect.

Overall, buy the icon and check the finish on arrival. If anything is wrong, use the guarantee quickly.

Best Overall Pick: Surrealist Lips Clasp Clutch, Patent (~£295)

This is the classic lips shape in glossy patent, in burgundy, gold, silver and more. It’s the most wearable way to own the icon, and the patent finish is a little more forgiving than mirrored.

Best Value: Gold Surrealist Stud Lips Earrings (~£75)

The brand’s lips signature at the lowest price. They make a perfect gift and are an easy introduction to Lulu Guinness.

Premium / Upgrade Pick: Surrealist Lips Clutch, Mirrored Red (~£345)

The full statement version. The mirrored red finish is the bag photographers love, made for weddings, galas and red-carpet nights.

Approach With Caution: Mirrored Finishes in General

They look spectacular, but mirrored surfaces show scratches and fingerprints, and they’re where most finish complaints come from. Inspect yours as soon as it arrives.

The pattern: Reviewers rarely criticise the designs. Satisfaction depends mostly on whether the order arrives on time and in perfect condition.