Givenchy Pandora admirer with a few questions

[bobjo]

Hi Givenchy owners!

I'll try to keep this post as brief as possible (in case I ramble!): I am in the market for a new bag for school. I was originally eyeing the PS1 bag, but after reading about their poor CS, I became skeptical. I started looking into other bags that could possible be used by men (Oh note: I am a guy) and I was drawn to the Pandora. I remember thinking the Pandora looked so odd the first time I saw it and it never appealed to me... but then I saw it worn by some users on tPF and I'm starting to fall in love with it! I love the way it slouches

Anyway, the things I'd like to carry in the bag are: a water bottle, a notebook, long wallet, sunglasses, macbook pro charger, pencil case, and other small misc items (gum, keys, etc).

With that said, I was wondering...

1) Should I go for a medium or a large? Are the strap lengths different for the two sizes? For reference, I'm 5'10".

2) Can someone please describe the inside compartments of the Pandora bag? I've been searching up the forums and Google but I can't find any decent pictures of the inside of the bag. Are there compartments for you to organize your stuff, or is it a "throw it all in there" kind of bag?

3) How is the quality on the Givenchy Pandora? One thing I was scared of for the PS1 bag was because of quality issues (I really really don't want to send a bag back for repairs.. it's such a hassle) and while I don't beat my bags up, I tend not to treat them like babies either.

4) From what I've seen, the bag can be made of different types of leather. Is there one type of leather material that's superior (in terms of wear and tear) compared to others?

5) If you are both an owner of a PS1 bag and a Givenchy Pandora, which one are you more satisfied with?

Thanks in advance! The Pandora is a truly beautiful bag... I can't help but keep staring at the design.

 

[emilyenglish]

I only took delivery of mine yesterday and I'm truly smitten already. I met a male friend of mine for coffee this morning and he grabbed it and said "mine!". I think it's such an androgynous bag that looks great on both genders. I have the black medium pepe leather (the worn wrinkled look). I haven't had a proper play with mine, but today I kept my sunglasses and umbrella in the bottom compartment and the rest of my stuff in the main compartment. I think it falls better if it's not overfilled, but that's just my opinion.
Hopefully one of the hardcore pandora owners will chime in with their advice!

Buy one, you won't regret it!

 

[crazybagfan]

For your height and for a guy, definitely go for large! I have a medium size in goat skin. The leather is durable. However I feel the pepe leather is also very durable and look chic on pandora. It has few compartments, so can organize your stuff better.

 

[thithi]

I agree that you should go with a large... i think the most durable would be the goat skin - i have one that i use regularly and it's held up extremely well over the past year. pepe leather or any other finish may be too delicate. I don't have the pepe leather so I don't know how that would hold up. The larger interior compartment is pretty roomy, I have a medium and a lot of times my stuff gets swallowed up inside. I think a large would hold what you need, but definitely go to a dept store and give it a test run before committing. Inside the large compartment is two slip pockets for a phone and some cards and a small zip compartment. The outside has two additional zip compartments but they are fairly small... I only used those for traveling, such as my camera and train pass for quick access.

 

[bobjo]

I only took delivery of mine yesterday and I'm truly smitten already. I met a male friend of mine for coffee this morning and he grabbed it and said "mine!". I think it's such an androgynous bag that looks great on both genders. I have the black medium pepe leather (the worn wrinkled look). I haven't had a proper play with mine, but today I kept my sunglasses and umbrella in the bottom compartment and the rest of my stuff in the main compartment. I think it falls better if it's not overfilled, but that's just my opinion.
Hopefully one of the hardcore pandora owners will chime in with their advice!

Buy one, you won't regret it!

Congrats on the new pandora! At first I was only set on goatskin leather but then after seeing some model pics of people with the pepe leather, it's making me indecisive again! Thanks for our input

For your height and for a guy, definitely go for large! I have a medium size in goat skin. The leather is durable. However I feel the pepe leather is also very durable and look chic on pandora. It has few compartments, so can organize your stuff better.

Glad to hear that the goat skin leather is durable! I'll check out the large pandoras After seeing some of the model pics in the Show Pics of your GIVENCHY in Action!! thread (those with large Pandoras), I'm inclined on the large size now

I agree that you should go with a large... i think the most durable would be the goat skin - i have one that i use regularly and it's held up extremely well over the past year. pepe leather or any other finish may be too delicate. I don't have the pepe leather so I don't know how that would hold up. The larger interior compartment is pretty roomy, I have a medium and a lot of times my stuff gets swallowed up inside. I think a large would hold what you need, but definitely go to a dept store and give it a test run before committing. Inside the large compartment is two slip pockets for a phone and some cards and a small zip compartment. The outside has two additional zip compartments but they are fairly small... I only used those for traveling, such as my camera and train pass for quick access.

SO glad there are zip compartments inside the bag (they are like a must for me!) Only problem is I'm going back to school soon and there are 0 designer stores near my school so I can only rely on online reviews... I'd probably buy the bag online. But from what I've seen/read, seems like I can do no wrong with the Pandora! Thanks for your input

If any other Pandora owners would like to share their thoughts, please keep them coming! I really appreciate it. Thanks!!

 

[beckonice]

Hi there!

1)
As it's for school, definitely go for a large! It will hold bigger-than-A4 folders (you'll just have to insert them vertically into the bag and then turn them as they won't go through the zipper otherwise) and a netbook. Not sure about a full size laptop or macbook though.

2)
Inside the big compartiment there is 1 zip pocket and two slip pockets. The zip pocket is quite small though, wallet-sized I'd say. So it is kind of a "throw it all in there".

3)
The quality is GORGEOUS. The leather is amazing and the stitches quite thick, especially on the handles (there's an extra layer of leather there so it can support the weight of the bag).


4)
I intend to use my Pandora as an everyday school bag like you and the sales assistants at Givenchy advised me against the pepe leather (which is lamb), as it is not as solid as the goat leather and won't hold as well when loaded.

5)
I don't own a PS1 but I own an Alexa, which has the same satchel look. For me they don't serve the same purpose and it essentially depends on wether you need to carry a lot of stuff to school : if you do, then go for the Pandora cause there is only that much space in a satchel.

Hope it helps!

 

[bobjo]

Hi there!

1)
As it's for school, definitely go for a large! It will hold bigger-than-A4 folders (you'll just have to insert them vertically into the bag and then turn them as they won't go through the zipper otherwise) and a netbook. Not sure about a full size laptop or macbook though.

2)
Inside the big compartiment there is 1 zip pocket and two slip pockets. The zip pocket is quite small though, wallet-sized I'd say. So it is kind of a "throw it all in there".

3)
The quality is GORGEOUS. The leather is amazing and the stitches quite thick, especially on the handles (there's an extra layer of leather there so it can support the weight of the bag).


4)
I intend to use my Pandora as an everyday school bag like you and the sales assistants at Givenchy advised me against the pepe leather (which is lamb), as it is not as solid as the goat leather and won't hold as well when loaded.

5)
I don't own a PS1 but I own an Alexa, which has the same satchel look. For me they don't serve the same purpose and it essentially depends on wether you need to carry a lot of stuff to school : if you do, then go for the Pandora cause there is only that much space in a satchel.

Hope it helps!

Thanks beckonice! I don't think I'd carry my macbook in the bag... I'd probably worry about the extra weight.

Does the zip compartment big enough to fit a long wallet?

This is perfect - it'll narrow down my choices to goatskin pandoras Now to decide on colour and to find availability... haha

Your post has been extremely helpful - thanks again!

 

[beckonice]

You're welcome!

Does the zip compartment big enough to fit a long wallet?

Yup, it is quite long and should fit your wallet.
Good luck on your search and keep us posted!

 

[HolyFashionista]

I'll have to agree and say that the goatskin is amazing,
I've a small Pandora and it's held up very well over the past year and a half I've had it.

I recently tried on the large (which is ridiculous on me I'm 5"2!) but if you're a 5"10 guy it'll look great ( I may have made by SO try it on for kicks).

By long wallet do you mean french - because that won't fit in the little inside zip. But the bottom zipped compartment is great for that.

I'll finish off by saying the it's a great everyday bag and can carry quit a bit - but don't over stuff it, because it looses it's beautiful slouchy shape when stuffed to the gills and just looks like a strange box bag with one handle.

 

[nielnielniel]

5) If you are both an owner of a PS1 bag and a Givenchy Pandora, which one are you more satisfied with?
Pandora for sure, both as slouchy but I feel like i need to baby the PS1 and I can't hand carry it because it feels like the metal hook will snap if the bag is too heavy. there's 2 way to carry a Pandora and its fantastic.

Pepe leather all the way. I am a guy too and I went for large. If you are reasonably tall, it shouldnt be a problem. Unless you are quite petite, you can get away with a medium

 

[bobjo]

By long wallet do you mean french - because that won't fit in the little inside zip. But the bottom zipped compartment is great for that.

I'll finish off by saying the it's a great everyday bag and can carry quit a bit - but don't over stuff it, because it looses it's beautiful slouchy shape when stuffed to the gills and just looks like a strange box bag with one handle.

I have a LV brazza wallet if that helps describe what I mean by long wallet (I think it's longer than a french wallet). I'm so interested to see what the top main and bottom compartments look like once opened. The pandora just looks like such an interesting bag... I keep staring/analyzing the design haha

Pandora for sure, both as slouchy but I feel like i need to baby the PS1 and I can't hand carry it because it feels like the metal hook will snap if the bag is too heavy. there's 2 way to carry a Pandora and its fantastic.

Pepe leather all the way. I am a guy too and I went for large. If you are reasonably tall, it shouldnt be a problem. Unless you are quite petite, you can get away with a medium

Excellent. I think I'm set on the pandora now! I agree with you - I really like the handle on the pandora. I've seen someone holding the PS1 when the bag was full and it seems like a lot of pressure is applied on the metal hook that it would snap at any moment. The strap on a large pandora also seems longer than the strap on a large PS1 - not sure if that's true but it'd be a HUGE plus if it is. I'd love to be able to wear the bag on one shoulder or crossbody!

I really want a large black goatskin pandora... so hard to find one The only one I came across at the moment is from Barneys but sadly it's way over my budget Guess I'll keep looking around.

 

[beckonice]

I'm so interested to see what the top main and bottom compartments look like once opened. The pandora just looks like such an interesting bag... I keep staring/analyzing the design haha
(...)
I really want a large black goatskin pandora... so hard to find one

Hi bobjo! The large black goatskin Pandora is the one I have so I took a few pictures, hope it helps you!

This is the bag when it's empty (excuse the messy desk)

This is the botton zip opened, I put a book inside to give you an idea of the size.

This is the main compartment open with the same book on the bottom, gives you an idea of how roomy it is!

And finally a view of the inside zip compared to the lengh of the bag -should help you to see if your wallet fits.

(Taking those pictures I realize how I love that bag )
Hope it helps!

 

[bobjo]

(Taking those pictures I realize how I love that bag )
Hope it helps!

Wowza I love the bag even more now! Thanks beckonice! Tremendous help

I've found a large goatskin pandora for roughly $1800 ... I'm so tempted to buy it!! But it makes me wonder if I should wait until I see one at a lower price... *torn*

 

[crazybagfan]

Did you check out ******? She always has wonderful collection and good price. Her website is currently on 10% sales with the code BV. I bought my nightingale from her, excellent seller!

 

[bobjo]

^ I checked But no large pandoras.

I got really impatient and seeing as it was the only one left in stock... I decided to take the plunge on this Pandora

Got the last one!! Now it's on its way!! Super excited

Just wanted to say thanks to all for their help! Couldn't have made this decision without you all