Le 5 à 7 Bea Tote

[imunlisted]

I saw the Le 5 à 7 smaller shoulder bag and bucket bag discussions, but nothing on the Bea tote. 🤓

This bag was not on my radar, but I have had my eye on the Prada "Medium leather tote" for a while. I came across the YSL Bea last week and was shocked at how buttery soft it is; not surprised to learn it's deerskin (I've had deerskin moccasins, so I know it will only get better with age). The other Le à 7 bags are calfskin; I wonder why the Bea is different... 🤔 Anyway, I started doing mental comparison of the YSL and Prada totes, and I'm leaning heavily towards the Bea (cost vs size, closure/security, and ways to wear being the main reasons; tying the two strings inside the Bea changes the shape). I will also add I never went for the popular YSL "shopping tote" because I dislike/can't carry totes with small/thin straps.

I was curious if anyone else is also considering or already has this bag and to get their thoughts.

Thanks!

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Images for reference:








Prada tote I mentioned earlier for comparison:

 

[jellenp32]

I haven’t tried the YSL tote. I have had a few Prada totes and I do find them very durable. The only downside is they are heavier due to the sturdy leather

 

[baghagg]

I've been watching this bag, need to see irl soon. Would be interested in all colors except black (though admittedly this could change in-person, famous last words, etc). Does anyone have this bag? If yes, which color? Extra credit for mod shots lol!

 

[imunlisted]

Well, I have to finally admit I wasn't 100% honest in my first post... I had actually bought the bag because I was able to get a slight discount. I finally decided to keep it a few days ago. I was feeling a little guilty because I realized it also is very similar to my very old Givenchy George V tote (lambskin) that I bought preloved off EBay years ago; I used that bag to death traveling and finally cleaned and put it away to give it a break. That said, a tote is a tote, right? There's bound to be similarities...

I had been hoping to get some thoughts/feedback here to inform my decision, but guess I'm a first mover this time (and for the first time!), so here goes:

@jellenp32 You are totally right, this bag is definitely not light; I will say it's right on the cusp for me - if it wasn't so soft and slightly heavier, I'd be more on the fence. That said, this will be a casual/daily/work travel workhorse so I'm more concerned about durability and some of the lighter large bags in this price point make me worry about how long they'd hold up long term.

@baghagg Highly recommend seeing and feeling it in person - the softness is what did it for me. One of my aunts had a cognac brown Gucci hobo in deerskin many years ago, and I remember marveling at how soft and luxe it still looked despite its age; I asked her when she got it and she said it was over 10 years old at the time. She is a busy OB/GYN and is not particularly careful with her things - definitely a "buys things expecting them to last and uses them to the ground" type person. I have a very distinct memory of her rushing us into the car, slapping on some lipstick, then tossing the lipstick into her bag and then flinging the bag into the backseat... 😅 I ended up getting the black because I plan to use this for work (I travel quite a bit); I also love that it folds quite flat and could easily pack into a suitcase or large duffel/weekender (probably could also roll it up once it's soft enough). Hoping it will become for me what my aunt's bag was for her!

I've included 2 VERY bad, unflattering mod shots of me 🥸 - I threw on a light colored blazer so you could actually see where the bottom of the bag hits. For reference, I'm 5'2" and have a large bust, so the bag will definitely look different on different builds.

Also including some ref images of the Givenchy George V (which might have been a unisex bag/tote) for anyone curious about my comparison.


Final thoughts for anyone interested - this is a great everyday tote that can transition from day to night and will age well over time. Love the thick, securely attached handles (majority is actually part of the same piece of leather that makes up the front and back, respectively) and suede interior (I personally prefer leather-lined vs cloth). I'm also very understated and shy away from logos or anything loud and like that I can tuck the latch inside the bag if I want and no one is the wiser.

Hope this is helpful!



This is the bag with a shirt stuffed inside and the sides tucked in - there are two leather strings inside you can tie together to keep this shape.


Again, stuffed with a shirt but with the sides opened out.

‐-----------------------------
Givenchy George V for context:

 

[baghagg]

Well, I have to finally admit I wasn't 100% honest in my first post... I had actually bought the bag because I was able to get a slight discount. I finally decided to keep it a few days ago. I was feeling a little guilty because I realized it also is very similar to my very old Givenchy George V tote (lambskin) that I bought preloved off EBay years ago; I used that bag to death traveling and finally cleaned and put it away to give it a break. That said, a tote is a tote, right? There's bound to be similarities...

I had been hoping to get some thoughts/feedback here to inform my decision, but guess I'm a first mover this time (and for the first time!), so here goes:

@jellenp32 You are totally right, this bag is definitely not light; I will say it's right on the cusp for me - if it wasn't so soft and slightly heavier, I'd be more on the fence. That said, this will be a casual/daily/work travel workhorse so I'm more concerned about durability and some of the lighter large bags in this price point make me worry about how long they'd hold up long term.

@baghagg Highly recommend seeing and feeling it in person - the softness is what did it for me. One of my aunts had a cognac brown Gucci hobo in deerskin many years ago, and I remember marveling at how soft and luxe it still looked despite its age; I asked her when she got it and she said it was over 10 years old at the time. She is a busy OB/GYN and is not particularly careful with her things - definitely a "buys things expecting them to last and uses them to the ground" type person. I have a very distinct memory of her rushing us into the car, slapping on some lipstick, then tossing the lipstick into her bag and then flinging the bag into the backseat... 😅 I ended up getting the black because I plan to use this for work (I travel quite a bit); I also love that it folds quite flat and could easily pack into a suitcase or large duffel/weekender (probably could also roll it up once it's soft enough). Hoping it will become for me what my aunt's bag was for her!

I've included 2 VERY bad, unflattering mod shots of me 🥸 - I threw on a light colored blazer so you could actually see where the bottom of the bag hits. For reference, I'm 5'2" and have a large bust, so the bag will definitely look different on different builds.

Also including some ref images of the Givenchy George V (which might have been a unisex bag/tote) for anyone curious about my comparison.


Final thoughts for anyone interested - this is a great everyday tote that can transition from day to night and will age well over time. Love the thick, securely attached handles (majority is actually part of the same piece of leather that makes up the front and back, respectively) and suede interior (I personally prefer leather-lined vs cloth). I'm also very understated and shy away from logos or anything loud and like that I can tuck the latch inside the bag if I want and no one is the wiser.

Hope this is helpful!


View attachment 6046987
This is the bag with a shirt stuffed inside and the sides tucked in - there are two leather strings inside you can tie together to keep this shape.

View attachment 6046988
Again, stuffed with a shirt but with the sides opened out.

‐-----------------------------
Givenchy George V for context:

View attachment 6046993

View attachment 6046995

Thank you for your detailed description of this gorgeous bag! Your pics confirm what I suspected: this bag is like having two different bags in one! I do see the similarities between the YSL and your Givenchy; however, the YSL is like the "refined cousin" (for lack of a better analogy lol). The hardware is perfectly proportional! It looks great on you both ways! Can't wait to get my hands on it, literally and figuratively! 😜

 

[baghagg]

I finally got around to an in person 'meet and greet' with the Bea tote! Beautiful bag! I'm stuck between two (completely) different colors and the fact that it doesn't have 'feet' I found it light weight, well made and seemingly durable. SOS

 

[imunlisted]

I finally got around to an in person 'meet and greet' with the Bea tote! Beautiful bag! I'm stuck between two (completely) different colors and the fact that it doesn't have 'feet' I found it light weight, well made and seemingly durable. SOS

Oh no! 😅 I always go with black because I mostly wear black for work and don't want to worry about the bag looking dirty, but the white looks great with your outfit!

 

[baghagg]

Oh no! 😅 I always go with black because I mostly wear black for work and don't want to worry about the bag looking dirty, but the white looks great with your outfit!

Thank you @imunlisted very much! The other choice is called "Musk" which is a loden or olive green (pictured in your original post). The "Cream" bag is a summer offering, wondering if it can be considered a "winter white" as well???

 

[jellenp32]

Love the white color.

 

[baghagg]

Love the white color.

@jellenp32 thank you! Do you think it can be used during winter season in the Northeast, or is it strictly spring/summer only in your opinion?

 

[jellenp32]

I think it’s beautiful for warm weather. I would use it dressier in cooler months. If you have a winter white coat it would be perfect. Very chic. I would not use with darker color coats though. Just my taste. I think it would look off

 

[baghagg]

Thank you @jellenp32 for taking the time to give this some thought - I am of the same opinion!

 

[Dree55]

I finally got around to an in person 'meet and greet' with the Bea tote! Beautiful bag! I'm stuck between two (completely) different colors and the fact that it doesn't have 'feet' I found it light weight, well made and seemingly durable. SOS

The white is stunning. Oh dear, now I have another bag on wishlist. I already have 2 Le 5 a 7 supple hobos.

 

[beanbaglumbar]

Well, I have to finally admit I wasn't 100% honest in my first post... I had actually bought the bag because I was able to get a slight discount. I finally decided to keep it a few days ago. I was feeling a little guilty because I realized it also is very similar to my very old Givenchy George V tote (lambskin) that I bought preloved off EBay years ago; I used that bag to death traveling and finally cleaned and put it away to give it a break. That said, a tote is a tote, right? There's bound to be similarities...

I had been hoping to get some thoughts/feedback here to inform my decision, but guess I'm a first mover this time (and for the first time!), so here goes:

@jellenp32 You are totally right, this bag is definitely not light; I will say it's right on the cusp for me - if it wasn't so soft and slightly heavier, I'd be more on the fence. That said, this will be a casual/daily/work travel workhorse so I'm more concerned about durability and some of the lighter large bags in this price point make me worry about how long they'd hold up long term.

@baghagg Highly recommend seeing and feeling it in person - the softness is what did it for me. One of my aunts had a cognac brown Gucci hobo in deerskin many years ago, and I remember marveling at how soft and luxe it still looked despite its age; I asked her when she got it and she said it was over 10 years old at the time. She is a busy OB/GYN and is not particularly careful with her things - definitely a "buys things expecting them to last and uses them to the ground" type person. I have a very distinct memory of her rushing us into the car, slapping on some lipstick, then tossing the lipstick into her bag and then flinging the bag into the backseat... 😅 I ended up getting the black because I plan to use this for work (I travel quite a bit); I also love that it folds quite flat and could easily pack into a suitcase or large duffel/weekender (probably could also roll it up once it's soft enough). Hoping it will become for me what my aunt's bag was for her!

I've included 2 VERY bad, unflattering mod shots of me 🥸 - I threw on a light colored blazer so you could actually see where the bottom of the bag hits. For reference, I'm 5'2" and have a large bust, so the bag will definitely look different on different builds.

Also including some ref images of the Givenchy George V (which might have been a unisex bag/tote) for anyone curious about my comparison.


Final thoughts for anyone interested - this is a great everyday tote that can transition from day to night and will age well over time. Love the thick, securely attached handles (majority is actually part of the same piece of leather that makes up the front and back, respectively) and suede interior (I personally prefer leather-lined vs cloth). I'm also very understated and shy away from logos or anything loud and like that I can tuck the latch inside the bag if I want and no one is the wiser.

Hope this is helpful!


View attachment 6046987
This is the bag with a shirt stuffed inside and the sides tucked in - there are two leather strings inside you can tie together to keep this shape.

View attachment 6046988
Again, stuffed with a shirt but with the sides opened out.

‐-----------------------------
Givenchy George V for context:

View attachment 6046993

View attachment 6046995

Hi! I’m wondering how your Bea bag has held up so far? I purchased mine a few months ago and have used it for about a full month now. It’s my first luxury item so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I’ve had quite a few issues with it already and I don’t see much info about it online. I had to exchange it twice already (the first time after using it 2x and the second time not used at all) because there were issues with the inner ties stitching coming undone. Now after one month of use with the third bag, one of the straps has started to crack… is this normal wear and tear or does this seem like a quality issue? I love how there are two different styles of the bag and the deerskin leather as I know I won’t baby it over time which is why I really want to keep it, but I’m concerned with all the issues I’ve been having. I am going to contact my SA but wanted to hear your opinions on the bag so far, thanks!

 

[baghagg]

Hi! I’m wondering how your Bea bag has held up so far? I purchased mine a few months ago and have used it for about a full month now. It’s my first luxury item so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I’ve had quite a few issues with it already and I don’t see much info about it online. I had to exchange it twice already (the first time after using it 2x and the second time not used at all) because there were issues with the inner ties stitching coming undone. Now after one month of use with the third bag, one of the straps has started to crack… is this normal wear and tear or does this seem like a quality issue? I love how there are two different styles of the bag and the deerskin leather as I know I won’t baby it over time which is why I really want to keep it, but I’m concerned with all the issues I’ve been having. I am going to contact my SA but wanted to hear your opinions on the bag so far, thanks!

So sorry to hear about the issues you're experiencing. What color do you have and are you dealing with YSL boutique or department store? Do you have any pics?