Just discovered BE, please help me choose my first!

[rosieroseanna]

I have just discovered these gorgeous bags and I really want one!

I am interested in either a love me or love me mini or medium stroke me. The love me mini looks small but in modelling photos it looks really big. Which would be best out of the three? Also, are the sides open on the stroke me? And I think I would like apple green, is it definitely apple, not lime? And the leather is glossy? Is it like the Balenciaga leather? What does it compare to? Is the leather on the love me's different to the stroke me? Which is nicer? Sorry for all the questions! Also, I would want gold hardware, would that be a bespoke order? How long do they take and do they cost more? And does the leather stain in the rain?

Sorry for all the questions! Also, BE is English right? It just seems it's following on here is largely American!

[rosieroseanna]

I just phoned and it turns out they only do bespoke if you do a group order. Does anyone want an apple green stroke me with gold hardware?

[Tash1]

Hi rosieroseanna!!! Firstly WELCOME TO BE!!!

If you're interested now in either the LM, LMM, and SM then pretty much what's left on the website are your choices. OR there are quite a few bespokes currently being organised, or processed in certain styles/colours, as we speak in the LM, LM Midi, LMM, SM, and SMM. If you look on the threads, they've got their own individual titles, with specs etc.....I can't keep track of all the ones that are happening, but the ones I've given are just a few!! If you're interested, join that thread, and the ladies, I'm sure, will be all too happy to advise you!!

Oh, important point to remember, there are 3 sizes in the LM range; mini (LMM), medium (LM Midi), large (LM)......so depending on your size, and type of bag you like, will be crucial to your decision! There are loads, and loads of pics of all 3 bags that you like on the reference/pics threads!!

Finally, there's the 'Fall 08' line coming out soon and there's an individual thread for that aswell!! Have fun!!

[TropicalGal]

I think you should go for a Stroke Me, because they are going to be "retired" from the collection for awhile...so now is a good last chance to pick one up. Stroke Me's are very popular with all of us.

As a newbie, I would stay away from Bespokes. Too complicated and you're not familiar with the brand yet. Just get what's on the website. You live in England, so shipping and duty taxes are not a problem. Whatever you choose, enjoy!

[alexis77]

Stroke Me is going to be my first BE! I think it truly showcases the fabulous leather. Like Tash noted, there are two bespokes currently for SM in Tan and SMM in Tan--if you are interested in a SM or SMM in Tan in particular, check out those threads and contact BE. But if you are not dead-set on one particular color, then why not order through the website and get something in your hands quicker? KWIM?

[Tash1]

LOL!!! I was rambling on about what products were available, that I forgot to answer the actual question....sorry rosieroseanna!! I suppose it depends on your style and purpose, I always say this!! All the colours are lovely, it depends on your personal taste! I don't like saying to people go for this, or go for that, as we ARE all individual, either way you can't go wrong with any style!! Best bet though, go with what's on the website!

[beautiful stranger]

I just recieved my LM in pewter with silver hardware and the bag is amazing!!! The SM didnt really strike my fancy but that is just me .. I know lots of you dont like the LM and love the SM so its an individual thing as Tash1 said .. maybe you should get something off the website or a store that allows returns .. you never know what you feel about a bag until you have it in your hands .. you may be head over heels over it now but you never know till u actually hold one .. oh and the bags are heavy .. I dont know I would comapre the LM I got with GH bbags .. ya its pretty heavier than the RH bags but still its an amaizng bag to have and I cant wait to start using it!!! I havent been this phsyched about a bag for a long time! ..

[Tash1]

Originally Posted by beautiful stranger

I just recieved my LM in pewter with silver hardware and the bag is amazing!!! The SM didnt really strike my fancy but that is just me .. I know lots of you dont like the LM and love the SM so its an individual thing as Tash1 said .. maybe you should get something off the website or a store that allows returns .. you never know what you feel about a bag until you have it in your hands .. you may be head over heels over it now but you never know till u actually hold one .. oh and the bags are heavy .. I dont know I would comapre the LM I got with GH bbags .. ya its pretty heavier than the RH bags but still its an amaizng bag to have and I cant wait to start using it!!! I havent been this phsyched about a bag for a long time! ..

LOL!!! Yeah, my TMA was heavy when I first got it, there's just alot of leather in the TMA's and LM's (which is a good thing!!) ITA though about not really knowing what a bag looks/feels like until you have it in your hands, as its such a personal thing, and we're all such different shapes and sizes! So happy to hear about your new LM....I've got a sample, and the pewter crash is DIVINE!!

[Tanja]

I'm with you beatiful, even though I have a SMM I don't like it very much because the shape is odd. I prefer the LM because it slouches really nicely, the LMM and Lm mini are to structured for my taste. It's always about personal taste. A big disadvantage of a bespoke order is tat you can't return the bag even if you don't like it.
The BE leather is very nice but you can't compare it to Bbag leather which is much softer and smooshier. The black crash looks similar to bbag leather but is much harder and not very soft even though it softens up and e.g. a LM in black crash puddles after a while of using it. The glossy leathers like wine, petrol etc. have a waxy feel to it and they look great, again they soften with use but but don't go near the Bbag softness. BE uses calfleather which isn't as soft and smooshy as goat. I really like the BE leather but if you expect it to be like Bbag leather you'll be disappointed nevertheless are BE bags very beautiful bags which come in great colours and are easy to wear. I'd suggest order a bag from the webpage and see how you like it, at least you can return it if it's not your taste.

[valkyrie360]

I have both the LM (pewter) and SM (apple green) and I like them both for different reasons. Mine are both slouchy -- Jackie's leather wears in wonderfully! I would suggest that if you like the SM, try for that one first, since it's being put to sleep for a while. We have a tan bespoke going for both the SMM and SM if you're interested. The tan leather is supposedly FABULOUS. That said, I adore my LM -- it's an incredible bag! That's the problem, all of Jackie's bags are amazing!

As for LM vs. LMM -- how tall/big are you? I'm 5"11 so the LMM looks way too small. I, personally love the regular size and wouldn't go smaller, but I like bigger slouchier bags. I believe that Jackie is coming out with the midi version in 2009, so if you think that were a better size then you could wait until then for that bag.

I think you'll be very satisfied with BE, since you like Bal. The quality is very high, and the price point is much better. There is a member here, Suzzeee, who has both -- she would be a good one to talk to for comparison.

BE is out of London, yes. The bags are made in Italy which is extremely rare these days!

Welcome!!!

[circoit]

Originally Posted by Tanja

The BE leather is very nice but you can't compare it to Bbag leather which is much softer and smooshier. The black crash looks similar to bbag leather but is much harder and not very soft even though it softens up and e.g. a LM in black crash puddles after a while of using it. The glossy leathers like wine, petrol etc. have a waxy feel to it and they look great, again they soften with use but but don't go near the Bbag softness. BE uses calfleather which isn't as soft and smooshy as goat. I really like the BE leather but if you expect it to be like Bbag leather you'll be disappointed nevertheless are BE bags very beautiful bags which come in great colours and are easy to wear.

I agree with this. BE leather is beautiful, but it is nothing like the Balenciaga leather. Balenciaga leather is very thin, smooshy and pillowy. BE leather is more structured and durable - but is still extremely gorgeous and very high quality.

Even though some members have had their bags escape rain without damage, it is best to apply a leather protectant to these bags before use.

[rosieroseanna]

I think I want a stroke me medium as I love that hobo look and I desperatey want apple green! Thanks for all your help guys!

[Suzzeee]

Originally Posted by rosieroseanna

I have just discovered these gorgeous bags and I really want one!

I love Bal's and have several and just ordered my first BE and shortly after ordered that (and before I got the first) ordered my second BE so I could jump on the Tan SM bespoke order).

I'm waiting for my first one to show up - should be here any day now. I ordered the Stroke Me (SM) in the regular size in the Black Crash w/ silver hardware - it was one of the last available on the website and that style isn't being made for Fall (except as a bespoke and there is a SM and SMM in tan being done).

I read most of this forum and asked a lot of questions, before I picked a style. Since, I love the Bal Day bag, I thought the slouchy hobo SM style would be perfect - I like big bags so ordered the regular size. I'll post pics and let you know how they compare as soon as mine shows up - should be in a couple of days. I'm looking at getting the Whisper to Me (WTM) in Purple Crash in the Fall! You can email Jackie or Ashley for swatches which really helps as all of the leather is very different.

[SAMMISAYS]

Hi, I have several bbags and I now own 2 BE I have the SM and the TMA. The SM is about the same weight as the Bal daybag. The leather is completely different than Bals, which imo works better for me. I have a 2 year old and every time I carry my Bbags I seem to have a new scratch not to mention the constant battle over the tassels. Bals are a litle too high mantenance for me. I think I am going to stick with the BEs now.

[Tash1]

Originally Posted by SAMMISAYS

Hi, I have several bbags and I now own 2 BE I have the SM and the TMA. The SM is about the same weight as the Bal daybag. The leather is completely different than Bals, which imo works better for me. I have a 2 year old and every time I carry my Bbags I seem to have a new scratch not to mention the constant battle over the tassels. Bals are a litle too high mantenance for me. I think I am going to stick with the BEs now.

Hiya Sammi! I too have got a TMA.....and LOVE IT!!! The leather is just so, so thick, compared to the other BE leathers, and I certainly do NOT worry about taking it out!! How long have you had yours, was it from the site?