How do you justify choosing nylon over leather?

[renee_nyc]

I bought my Prada nylon backpack in Milan last year and it felt just as special as my leather bags. But I also had that mentality that it wasn’t worth it the way leather is.

It’s been such a useful bag that I take to work sometimes and on weekends and I don’t baby it when it rains. I read quite a few posts here saying that their bags have held up over the years and a backpack isn’t particularly trendy so I felt like I could justify it.

 

[Saturday14]

Definitely! This is probably my favorite. It's 13 years old, bought it new, my go to travel bag and still looks new. Just love it! Worth every penny.


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Thank you for the joyous picture and for your feedback!! It's decided. The messenger is next on my hit list.
Absolutely love the giant bear!!

 

[Saturday14]

I bought my Prada nylon backpack in Milan last year and it felt just as special as my leather bags. But I also had that mentality that it wasn’t worth it the way leather is.

It’s been such a useful bag that I take to work sometimes and on weekends and I don’t baby it when it rains. I read quite a few posts here saying that their bags have held up over the years and a backpack isn’t particularly trendy so I felt like I could justify it.

Amazing!! It really is so reassuring to know that the material holds up and that the special luxe-feeling comfortably competes with leather.

I must also say that it's also pretty cool how that little triangle metal adds such oomph to the fabric and design. It really 'lifts' the nylon because the branding is modern and classic in equal measure. There's a clever edge to the triangle shape. There aren't many brands that could manage that. Even the most obvious ones.

 

[charlottawill]

Definitely! This is probably my favorite. It's 13 years old, bought it new, my go to travel bag and still looks new. Just love it! Worth every penny.


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I have a smaller version of that. It is a workhorse, while my other bags - Gucci, Dior, LV, Prada leather - hibernate in the closet.

 

[renee_nyc]

The other thing I really like about their bags in addition to the small logo triangle is the saffiano leather on the strap and zip fasteners.

If you end up getting something you’ll notice how amazing the leather looks and feels (presumably because it was a Prada invention). It’s making me want a saffiano leather wallet from Prada.

The SA I met with in Milan told me the way the re-nylon is made that it is stronger than the original nylon (which is no small feat.)

Amazing!! It really is so reassuring to know that the material holds up and that the special luxe-feeling comfortably competes with leather.

I must also say that it's also pretty cool how that little triangle metal adds such oomph to the fabric and design. It really 'lifts' the nylon because the branding is modern and classic in equal measure. There's a clever edge to the triangle shape. There aren't many brands that could manage that. Even the most obvious ones.

 

[coffeenpurses]

I have the nylon Prada reedition 2005 and one of my dream bags has alway been the Prada nylon backpack. But I find myself always thinking, for the price of Prada nylon, I can get a leather bag from other brands.

How do I get over this mentality?

I bought a vintage 2000 version for a few hundred dollars, for me that was the only way to justify the price. Plus it's a more sustainable option!

 

[thisisfine]

So as much as I love my leather bags, I noticed I baby them way more than I do my prada nylon crossbody that I got 2 years ago. It basically got to the point where the nylon became almost a daily whereas my LV/Chanel/Guccis sat around gathering dust. Despite literally taking it into a hike, the bag still looks pretty solid. I love that I can bring it to a club or just go around town with it. By far, it's the best luxury travel bag I've owned. Despite not being "luxury material,"I think the prada nylon is worth the money I paid for. It's a luxury item that actually matches my lifestyle and my personality!

 

[Pop Art Suzy]

I love my Prada nylon bags. I still have and use my men's backpack that I used as a diaper bag for my daughter 23 years ago. I took it to Europe last July and it was so convenient having it to lug around. I also have my black nylon backpack that I bought a year ago, and I love it. I wear it a lot and it's really durable and easy to clean. I just wipe it off with water and it works well. I don't baby it by any means, and it's still in excellent condition.

 

[CoastalCouture]

I once posted on TPF that I would never choose a fabric bag over a luscious leather... no way... not me... well, now I find myself fawning over the Prada Nylon messenger! So your question is exactly what I was looking for on here. I do agree that if it's your dream bag it's worth it.

My head is more around functionality. I'm a Londoner and no stranger to surprise rain showers and need something to jump around buses and the underground with. Less precious but still VERY COOL. Then find myself thinking... pay a few hundred more (ok, ok... a thousand ...) and get yourself a scrumptious supple leather Celine...

Any one here have long term joy with a nylon messenger?

London, you say? I'm considering a Prada Re-Nylon messenger for some upcoming travel that will have me spending a few days in London. On previous trips, I've used a Tumi nylon messenger and loved the functionality. For this trip, I want to up the style a little. I've been looking at wallet on chain (needs to be big enough to safely store my passport behind a zipper) and lightweight leather, crossbody bags. It's amazing how many bags at luxury price points do not give you zippered interior pockets or secure closures on the bags themselves. For travel, these are things I like to have in my primary bag.

 

[AnnaLou]

Yeah, if we really want to dwell on raw material cost for luxury goods, almost nothing is worth the price tag. Even LV monogram bags are made of treated canvas, and the $5000 VCA bracelet is made of natural stones that cost less than $10

Yup! This. These brands are all WAY overpriced for what they actually are. It makes no sense to go after any of these based on materials costs, or even in most cases, labor costs. You are buying the name and/or the style. If you like the nylon, it really isn't much more marked up than a leather version would be. Get what you like within your budget.

In short: How do you justify nylon over leather? The same way you justify getting a luxury bag over a less expensive one. You get it because you like it and you can afford it. No other justification necessary.

 

[Antigone]

I've been thinking about this, and I realised that among my luxury bags, the one I have had the most ROI on is my Prada reedition. My leather bags are just sitting pretty in my closet.

 

[sfm_783]

Leather bags just look soooo much better over time. I would never spent over $1000 on nylon.

 

[Saturday14]

Leather bags just look soooo much better over time. I would never spent over $1000 on nylon.

I felt the same until recently (around the same time I discovered this thread and actively searched for nylon feedback on TPF). I’ve now done a 180 and really think that while leather is undoubtedly luxurious, over time it can look very tired, picks up dirt very easily, scratches, it can discolour a whole lot. Prada’s nylon looks so robust. I’m referring to bags we’d use everyday and throw everything in, of course!

 

[cherhorowitzzz]

I used to have a Prada nylon backpack which i recently sold and now I have a cute nylon tessuto gaufré in black which is honestly adorable and I easily justify it because it is way less expensive when bought second hands ! And I tend to buy second hands a lot partly because I love the older quality to basically every brand !
I think Prada nylon is very robust, does not stain, if it does you can wash it, it is hard to scratch and you do not have to worry much about it in everyday life.


I'd love to get a vintage Prada tote bag later. However, I would never justify the price of the 2000 re-edition bag which I think is crazy expensive for such a small bag.

 

[LadyBond]

I have a handful of leather bags from different brands and I only have 2 Prada bags - both are nylon. These prada nylon bags are my favorite to use on casual days and travel because they are so low-key, convenient to use and very durable.

So if your goal is to have a casual bag you will be able to use all the time and look chic at the same time - then a prada nylon bag is the way to go.