Help me with a new bag please

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Chzbrg

Member
Sep 29, 2018
21
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Hello! I am looking for an everyday bag for running around the city etc, but also I could wear to dinner. I am always a large bag lady, I like big bags and I can not lie... but my shoulder is hurting. So lightweight, classic, and can still carry more than a cell phone. I like the YSL loulou and college. I want it to have a cross body option.

I have a mademoiselle chanel I thought would work but it is too small and I don't like the compartments sizes (too smallish) and it doesn't do cross body.
I went soho gucci but did a large hobo and I am always digging + it gets heavy, in the summer I will be sweating under it.

Thank you for your suggestions!
 
Since you gravitate towards big bags a small bag with some flexibility would probably be a good choice (structured bags with very stiff leather may not hold as much as you’d like)
I think the loulou, college and small puffer bag are all great choices. They are all able to be shoulder and crossbody.

The college has a top handle which is a great grab and go when needed or you can hold the handle while opening and closing the bag, makes life easier. It is not as soft as the small puffer but it is softer than the loulou. (I don’t have this bag but I have considered it before)

I have the small puffer in denim and it has the greatest capacity of all of my small bags (I’m more of a smaller bag sort of person) and I love it!

If you want something a little dressier though, the loulou may be a better option because it just has a little more structure that makes it more clean/streamline and less casual (but not too formal) However, if you’re thinking about getting it in the small size, it does have dividers/compartments which, in my opinion, sort of get in the way and you can’t fit that much :sad: . (I don’t have this bag but I have seen it in person a few times) Which sounds similar to your Chanel madamoiselle.

In terms of capacity for the small size, I think the college and the small puffer are your best bets. If you have a store near you, I highly recommend going there to try them on (to see how the strap length works for you) and to put your items inside.

Hope that helps, good luck!:tup:
 
If I didn't have my celine nano, I'd probably have the saint laurent sac du jour for this. For me both of these fit that running around the city vibe. They can also be carried to dinner and they are both pretty versatile bags. For me, the crossbody and the top handle also make them both pretty chic.
 
I sadly cannot recommend the LouLou as it gets heavy SO quickly. I tried both the small and medium version in store and was quite shocked how heavy they were compared to other bags of the same size. Also the divider renders it quite impractical in my opinion.

This was not on your list but maybe the YSL Niki would be another option? I own the Baby size, but for your needs the medium might be perfect. It is super lightweight has both the shoulder and crossbody carrying option because of the double-strap chain and fits a ton! I tried the Medium in store and - apart from large phone / wallet / key case / lipstick / sunglasses it even fit my 11 inch iPad pro and a small water bottle.
In my opinion it still looks comparably small (so works as a day to night bag too) and you could go for the lambskin option if you want a dressier version (the rouge opium one is gorgeous!). Personally I ended up deciding for the crinkled vintage leather option which is slightly less dressy but so versatile as it doesn't show any wear and can even withstand rain with no problem. If you can, try and go to a boutique because I found out that they have way more colorways (usually via order) to offer than shown on the website.
I decided for the Baby version because I also own a medium Puffer which fits almost exactly as much as the medium Niki and I wanted the Niki more as a party/evening bag when I don't carry my iPad or other bulkier items.

As others have stated the Puffer is an amazing option as well and the leather just feels amazing. So have fun deciding and let us know what you chose!
 
I love my nano belt bag. Looks chic worn crossbody and it’s cute handheld as well. It’s the perfect day to night bag if you want something understated. I used to own a toy loulou lou and it’s a very comfortable bag in that size which would also transition well from day to night if the capacity works for you. I wouldn’t get the Nikki bag as the chains make it heavy and the crinkled leather looks kind of cheap in my opinion. if You want that aged, distressed leather look, Chanel does it much better on the mini reissue. The price for this bag is bordering a bit obscene(even in the mini size), but I don’t know what your budget it so I suggested it. I’ve never tried in the ysl puffer but now I. tempted to check it out also!
 
The puffer is gorgeous, but you need to baby it. It scratches easily as it is lambskin. The envelope is much more care free. I don't have to worry about it scratching since it's matelasse leather. Be careful with YSL sizing on the bags. My small puffer is bigger than my medium envelope.
 
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My vote is for the Lou Lou or Puffer. I do think the puffer may be a bit more casual but it could work for nights out. The small loulou will definitely work. I don't find them heavy at all. However, the sac de jour is deceptively heavy. At least the one I own is. The small LouLou will work as a cross body option but the medium won't. Between the college and the loulou I think the college looks better cross body. I don't own it so I can't say anything about how it feels and what it holds.
 
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I had the same problem last week when choosing my first YSL bag. I was looking at the medium College, medium Envelope and small Loulou in the boutique and finally decided on the medium College as it is the most versatile IMO.

- The Envelope is too heavy but also small and inflexible at the same time. It´s very pretty though.
- The small Loulou is bigger than the medium Envelope and medium College, but missing a bit of functionality for me. It is a lovely bag, but when comparing it side by side with the college on my body, the college just looked more classy.
- The College is the smallest of the three bags, which is the only con for me, but it still holds all daily essentials. It´s more functional with the top handle and removable strap (I can use other straps on it as well which is a big plus!). And easier to grab stuff while on the go. It also works as a day bag and an evening bag.

I did not look at the Puffer bag, which I also like, but I wanted a more classic bag as my first YSL.
 
I've always been a large bag person but has to switch to 2 bags - a tote and purse - because of my shoulders too. I have a medium College, it's great for everyday basics and fits more that you think. I love it. That being said I would still carry a tote while communicating to hold paperwork, water bottle, yogurt, etc. I agree with AmbrosiaL - Niki is a great option. I have the large crinkle, fits alot if you need it too. It's flexible, can be worn on shoulder or cross body, doesn't need babying. It's not too heavy, although I don't fill it most of the time because my shoulder problems can't handle any heavy bag. I opted for large instead of medium because I didn't feel there was much of a difference and love having the option to carry more if needed. HTH
 
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Does anyone have thoughts on wear and tear with the leather covered logos on bags like the Niki, etc? I love that the leather covered logo makes the bag more low key, but worry that the leather will wear or get damaged? Any thoughts or experience? Thank you!
 
I sadly cannot recommend the LouLou as it gets heavy SO quickly. I tried both the small and medium version in store and was quite shocked how heavy they were compared to other bags of the same size. Also the divider renders it quite impractical in my opinion.

This was not on your list but maybe the YSL Niki would be another option? I own the Baby size, but for your needs the medium might be perfect. It is super lightweight has both the shoulder and crossbody carrying option because of the double-strap chain and fits a ton! I tried the Medium in store and - apart from large phone / wallet / key case / lipstick / sunglasses it even fit my 11 inch iPad pro and a small water bottle.
In my opinion it still looks comparably small (so works as a day to night bag too) and you could go for the lambskin option if you want a dressier version (the rouge opium one is gorgeous!). Personally I ended up deciding for the crinkled vintage leather option which is slightly less dressy but so versatile as it doesn't show any wear and can even withstand rain with no problem. If you can, try and go to a boutique because I found out that they have way more colorways (usually via order) to offer than shown on the website.
I decided for the Baby version because I also own a medium Puffer which fits almost exactly as much as the medium Niki and I wanted the Niki more as a party/evening bag when I don't carry my iPad or other bulkier items.

As others have stated the Puffer is an amazing option as well and the leather just feels amazing. So have fun deciding and let us know what

hi haVE YOU tried the COllege before? I wonder if it's heavy. It's now either Nikki in Crinkled baby, or the college... i need something that i can wear both day and night for dinner...
 
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