Help me choose my first designer bag

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italianstyle

italianstyle

Member
Aug 18, 2017
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#1
I'm currently 34 years old and about to purchase my first designer bag. After a long research I've rounded up the models which would interest me and I would like to hear from people who either owned or currently have some of these bags. My style in my 20s has always been a bit edgy and sexy. I've toned it down a lot in recent years but still I feel attracted to something more rock 'n' roll. Here is the list of bags and my reasoning for them:

Balenciaga City Bag: I've always loved this style. When I was in my 20s I had a very similar style of a bag and it was my favorite. I'm currently eyeing the City bag in a croc-leather effect. The pros for this bag is that it's a classic and the price is still accessible. I only heard good things about it and the quality. I feel that I will get a lot of wear out of this bag.

Saint Laurent Loulou bag in small: it's one of my favorite brands and the Loulou is gorgeous. It would fit with all the things I have in my wardrobe. Can transition from day to night. My only fear is that this bag is not a classic and might get discontinued.

Saint Laurent Kate medium bag in crocodile effect: a classic from YSL and I love the tassel. I heard only good things about this bag. It would also go with all the things in my wardrobe. Can transition from day to night. The only con that I can find with this bag is that it will not fit that much.

Loewe Puzzle bag: I love more the small size but the new version doesn't have feet. I've seen this bag in the store and it's stunning. The quality is also amazing. Goes with a lot of outfits. A classic from Loewe. Cons: feet only in the medium size, opening very small.

Celine Belt bag: I love the minimalism of Celine. Another one of my favorite brands. Pros: durable, classy, spacious, acceptable price. I would buy it in grey or black. Cons: I don't feel like this is a classic and it might get discontinued in upcoming years.

LV Pochette Metis: a bag which has grown on me. Pros: practical day bag, fits a good amount, good resale value, pretty style. Cons: had several quality issues, a bit too casual, I don't love logos that much, hard to get in the canvas.

I would also like to mention that I'm only interested in black, nude or blue/navy bags. On the second-hand market I've searched for these bags but I've only found ones at good prices if they were in a funky color or if they had visible defects and I would like a bag in a very good condition. I'm not saying that it would be impossible to find a good one second-hand but I don't have the time to dedicate to this search.
 
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#4
I agree, go try them all out and see what works for your lifestyle.
Most of us have bags for different occasions so there is truly not a one fits all.
Only you could decide what suits you best.
Make a day out of it and enjoy bag shopping!
 
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#5
I agree with the others. Take the time to try out all of them if you want to make the best decision for your first designer bag. Just make sure it is something you can envision using a lot and can fit your essentials. I personally have the Loewe puzzle (but in medium), the LV Pochette Metis (but in empreinte leather/marine rouge) and the YSL Kate with Tassel (but in small grain de poudre leather) so let me know if you have any questions about these brands.

If you're a bit rocker chic, I think the Kate Tassel or the Balenciaga City might suit your style best. I agree that the Kate might not fit as much stuff because the leather is really stiff and structured without much give; so take that into consideration. You might also want to look into the Pochette Metis in empreinte leather like I did so that the monogram doesn't look too obvious and the bag will be in a solid color.

Congratulations in advance on your first designer bag. :)
 
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#6
I personally like the Loewe Puzzle best, and think it is among the most versatile of the options listed. I'm considering it myself, and like that I could carry it to the office, on weekend days, and on casual weekend nights. The Celine Belt is the only other bag in your list that would work for me in all of these settings, but I don't find it edgy at all, and think it may be on its way out. I think the Puzzle will look great for years to come.
 
#7
Pochette Metis!! My most recent purchase, I'd been waiting for months to get a call from my SA and finally did on Wednesday. It's such a practical, classic, simple and elegant bag that just works with everything. Bigger than it seems, a great bag to dress up or dress down. You won't regret it!!
 
#8
Balenciaga City. It's the most rock 'n roll out of the bags in your list.

My style is also rock 'n roll. My favourite bags are Balenciaga Town (I don't have the long strap city style yet!), Saint Laurent Loulou small, and I am waiting for a call for Pochette Metis (which isn't rock 'n roll but like you, it's grown on me. :)
 
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#9
serenityneow said:
I personally like the Loewe Puzzle best, and think it is among the most versatile of the options listed. I'm considering it myself, and like that I could carry it to the office, on weekend days, and on casual weekend nights. The Celine Belt is the only other bag in your list that would work for me in all of these settings, but I don't find it edgy at all, and think it may be on its way out. I think the Puzzle will look great for years to come.
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Thanks for your opinion. I also have the same concerns about the Celine Belt Bag. Also about the Luggage bag. I think both of them might be out in a few years. To me the only real classic shape from Celine is the Classic Celine Box Bag but the price is too high.
 
#10
imbaghappy said:
I agree with the others. Take the time to try out all of them if you want to make the best decision for your first designer bag. Just make sure it is something you can envision using a lot and can fit your essentials. I personally have the Loewe puzzle (but in medium), the LV Pochette Metis (but in empreinte leather/marine rouge) and the YSL Kate with Tassel (but in small grain de poudre leather) so let me know if you have any questions about these brands.

If you're a bit rocker chic, I think the Kate Tassel or the Balenciaga City might suit your style best. I agree that the Kate might not fit as much stuff because the leather is really stiff and structured without much give; so take that into consideration. You might also want to look into the Pochette Metis in empreinte leather like I did so that the monogram doesn't look too obvious and the bag will be in a solid color.

Congratulations in advance on your first designer bag. :smile:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. How durable do you find the Pochette Metis? Is it something you use just for casual wear or can it be dressed up a bit? I tend to be a bit on the dressier side and wear lots of tailoring (similar to some of the stylings of Balenciaga or Givenchy). I have both Louis Vuitton and YSL stores in my city so I will look into them.
 
#11
Unfortunately, I don't have all the above stores in my city so I will either have to be patient until I go out of town to a bigger one or just gather the information online. For example, I don't have a Balenciaga store or a Givenchy where I am. I was also contemplating the Givenchy mini in crocodile-effect leather also (I hate the bigger sizes in this model).
 
#12
italianstyle said:
Unfortunately, I don't have all the above stores in my city so I will either have to be patient until I go out of town to a bigger one or just gather the information online. For example, I don't have a Balenciaga store or a Givenchy where I am. I was also contemplating the Givenchy mini in crocodile-effect leather also (I hate the bigger sizes in this model).
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do you have a neiman marcus or a nordstrom anywhere drivable?
I like Bal City....It's a nice medium size, has an optional shoulder strap and is lightweight
 
#13
Another vote for the City..
Maybe the Small City size?
I personally prefer this size to the regular one (smaller et with a crossbody strap).
Regarding the handles (the delicate part of this bag), they can be protected with twillies.
Regarding the leather, you may chose a bag in calfskin over an agneau version for durability.
Hope this helps!
 
#14
It is a pretty well-thought-out list. Balenciaga City, Saint Laurent Small Loulou and LV Pochette Metis are all good options. City is one of my favorite styles, and I own 12 of them :P. They are very light weight. If you prefer to have the crossbody option, Small City is a better choice. I don't have Loulou or Pochette Metis but they have been on my wishlist for a long while. If you don't care about the LV canvas, you can get a more muted empreinte version. I used to own a Celine Belt but sold it later. It is not easy to keep the belt (mustache) straight and it really bothers me. In terms of the Puzzle bag, I don't think it ages well. I have seen some on the resellers' website that showed really bad structural loss. In addition, if you don't stuff it right the shape looks funny.

My other suggestions are Saint Laurent Baby SDJ and Fendi Peekaboo.
 
#15
Fendi Peekaboo is one of my dream bags but it's a bit pricy. I could afford it for sure but I would have to wait a bit. However, that for me is not something that I would buy as a first bag (which I would like to enjoy a lot) because of the sensible lambskin. I heard the SDJ is more durable. Do you own one?

As a first bag, I would buy something durable which I can take to multiple occasions.

I agree with everyone that Balenciaga city would be a great bag for me. Edgy, chic and durable. I will also check the PM in the empreinte noir. It's such a pity that I don't like the canvas because then I could have endless options from LV. They make good first designer bag choices. I will check their epi and empreinte versions. With LV even if I end up getting something I want to sell in 2-3 years, I could get most of my money back.

Below are my two strongest options.

Catash said:
It is a pretty well-thought-out list. Balenciaga City, Saint Laurent Small Loulou and LV Pochette Metis are all good options. City is one of my favorite styles, and I own 12 of them :P. They are very light weight. If you prefer to have the crossbody option, Small City is a better choice. I don't have Loulou or Pochette Metis but they have been on my wishlist for a long while. If you don't care about the LV canvas, you can get a more muted empreinte version. I used to own a Celine Belt but sold it later. It is not easy to keep the belt (mustache) straight and it really bothers me. In terms of the Puzzle bag, I don't think it ages well. I have seen some on the resellers' website that showed really bad structural loss. In addition, if you don't stuff it right the shape looks funny.

My other suggestions are Saint Laurent Baby SDJ and Fendi Peekaboo.
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