Ode to the Evelyne

[mcpro]

Congratulations! Which strap did you get with it?

thank you ! same color strap blue hydra.

 

[peonies13]

Generally I prefer closed top .. not necessarily because of safety but also when I am constantly transiting between locations, I am afraid of something falling out that I wouldn’t notice right away like my passport (especially without an inner pocket). I feel like nonstop shopping between stores would be ripe for losing something. Because of this I often don’t use my evelynes except when I’m at home running errands or going to work; I tend to stick to things with closures or zippers like bolide or Kelly. If you do want to travel with evelyne then I don’t think it’s overkill to get another secure pouch and also I think it won’t get too squished in your tote (can probably fill the center with a scarf and it’s good enough)

Oh good to think about me losing something! That is a really great point. I unfortunately don’t have a bolide or zipper top bag so as you said a zip insert is probably not overkill. Curious, why do you carry your passport around? Is that to get VAT refunded on the spot in certain stores? I would’ve figured I could lock that in the hotel room safe?

Hi,
I suggest to get an insert with zipper. Mine has zipper and I carried mine all over England, Germany, a bit of Austria without any problems. While flying i put in inside my cabin suitcase then put it in the overhead compartment. When walking around in a crowded area (christmas markets!), sometimes I stuffed a scarf at the top then holds my bag tightly . I think you just need to be careful and mindful. Don't get distracted too often or let pickpockets distract you. I heard pickpockets do teamwork, one person distract the tourist, the other one reach for the bag.

Thank you, this is so helpful! I didn’t know about pickpockets working in teams, and I appreciate that tip. The scarf on top and held close is pretty smart and I will do that! And I’m glad of the idea to travel with it in my cabin bag into the overhead!

 

[luckylove]

So exciting that you are traveling to Paris! A zippered insert does sound like a more secure way to travel while sight seeing. I will say, it is very easy to get distracted in Paris as there are so many wonderful things to view and explore. In such a moment, while visiting Paris my first time, I did get momentarily distracted and before I knew it, my wallet was gone. I never felt a thing! The thieves were that talented. I am wiser and more alert these days, luckily. I am not sure what your evening plans entail, but you may want to pack a small clutch or shoulder bag inside your evelyn for dinners out while traveling. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[mmvv22]

Please share tips/tricks for traveling internationally with the Evelyne 29!

I am traveling to Paris at the end of September and since I want to do some shopping while I’m there, I figure I should level up from my normal super-casual/athleisure travel vibe and bring one of my H bags… that way I can dress up and down. It’ll likely one of my Evelyne 29s for convenience / capacity and also crossbody ease for long walking days.

A few specific questions…

However the open top is a concern for me in terms of pickpockets and theft. I typically use my 29s without an insert (though I do own one that’s liner style - no closure) and simply contain my contents into a couple of smaller pouches within the main bag. Debating if I should buy another insert that zips closed just for the trip, but since I’m only gone a week perhaps that’s overkill?

I intend to pack it in within another bag - i.e. not use it while flying. Tips for how to do this without damaging the bag structure and protect the leather? I’ve only ever flown with my Evelyne TPM before (empty and tucked gently into my tote) so traveling with a bigger bag is new to me.

Lastly color wise would you go with gold/GHW or etoupe/PHW for my one bag for the week?

If you have any other travel considerations with this bag please post them in case I’m missing anything obvious! Thanks all!

Insert with a zipper is a good idea but you still need to make sure your Evelyne in front of your body and not on the side or behind because pick pockets have no problems with unzipping stuff. What I found useful is to be constantly aware that no one is too close to me. I usually don’t like people be close to me anyway so even when it’s crowded I always keep my distance and back off or go way if someone try to come to close. Also I have an H maxi pareo which is very light and quite big. I alway carry it with me and qrao it around my bag when I’m in tourist places. Protects from scratches, protects from spotters, and then I can use it as scarf or just put back in bag

 

[birkie_love]

Oh good to think about me losing something! That is a really great point. I unfortunately don’t have a bolide or zipper top bag so as you said a zip insert is probably not overkill. Curious, why do you carry your passport around? Is that to get VAT refunded on the spot in certain stores? I would’ve figured I could lock that in the hotel room safe?


Thank you, this is so helpful! I didn’t know about pickpockets working in teams, and I appreciate that tip. The scarf on top and held close is pretty smart and I will do that! And I’m glad of the idea to travel with it in my cabin bag into the overhead!

Edited since I apparently do not know how to respond in the thread lol


Yes I carry it around for VAT refunds and shopping! That’s the fun of shopping in Europe!! Even without shopping I always worry I will somehow get stuck somewhere without a way to prove my identity so I just take it with me. But mostly the shopping 😂

 

[birkie_love]

So exciting that you are traveling to Paris! A zippered insert does sound like a more secure way to travel while sight seeing. I will say, it is very easy to get distracted in Paris as there are so many wonderful things to view and explore. In such a moment, while visiting Paris my first time, I did get momentarily distracted and before I knew it, my wallet was gone. I never felt a thing! The thieves were that talented. I am wiser and more alert these days, luckily. I am not sure what your evening plans entail, but you may want to pack a small clutch or shoulder bag inside your evelyn for dinners out while traveling. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Sad to hear about your first experience!!!

 

[peonies13]

So exciting that you are traveling to Paris! A zippered insert does sound like a more secure way to travel while sight seeing. I will say, it is very easy to get distracted in Paris as there are so many wonderful things to view and explore. In such a moment, while visiting Paris my first time, I did get momentarily distracted and before I knew it, my wallet was gone. I never felt a thing! The thieves were that talented. I am wiser and more alert these days, luckily. I am not sure what your evening plans entail, but you may want to pack a small clutch or shoulder bag inside your evelyn for dinners out while traveling. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Oh geez, what a bummer of an experience! Really appreciate the tip and perhaps I will also pack a small question… That’s a great idea. Also, I’m having trouble finding a zip insert that I like… do you think a small zippered bag inside the Evelyne would serve a similar purpose or do you think pickpockets would just take the entire thing? Basically I’m not totally seeing how/if an insert would inherently be better or different from a zipped bag (which I could then repurpose).

Insert with a zipper is a good idea but you still need to make sure your Evelyne in front of your body and not on the side or behind because pick pockets have no problems with unzipping stuff. What I found useful is to be constantly aware that no one is too close to me. I usually don’t like people be close to me anyway so even when it’s crowded I always keep my distance and back off or go way if someone try to come to close. Also I have an H maxi pareo which is very light and quite big. I alway carry it with me and qrao it around my bag when I’m in tourist places. Protects from scratches, protects from spotters, and then I can use it as scarf or just put back in bag

Oohhh wow ok thank you so much for this context! I assumed a zipper would be enough, but I see your point. I don’t love crowds so my default would be to not be pressed up with other people, but your point is well taken, that I should intentionally make space to minimize risk. I love the idea of the Perreo. I don’t own one, but I have something that could serve a similar purpose. May I ask, how did you use it to cover your bag? Did you just simply drape it or did you tie and wrap it?

Edited since I apparently do not know how to respond in the thread lol


Yes I carry it around for VAT refunds and shopping! That’s the fun of shopping in Europe!! Even without shopping I always worry I will somehow get stuck somewhere without a way to prove my identity so I just take it with me. But mostly the shopping 😂

No worries, I think my post got merged into this bigger thread and that’s why you’re not able to reply in-line! Curious, is it possible to get the VAT refund elsewhere (like at the airport) or is it required to bring your passport into shops? I would be nervous walking around with my passport, but perhaps if it makes VAT refund significantly easier I should plan to do that?

 

[birkie_love]

Oh geez, what a bummer of an experience! Really appreciate the tip and perhaps I will also pack a small question… That’s a great idea. Also, I’m having trouble finding a zip insert that I like… do you think a small zippered bag inside the Evelyne would serve a similar purpose or do you think pickpockets would just take the entire thing? Basically I’m not totally seeing how/if an insert would inherently be better or different from a zipped bag (which I could then repurpose).

Oohhh wow ok thank you so much for this context! I assumed a zipper would be enough, but I see your point. I don’t love crowds so my default would be to not be pressed up with other people, but your point is well taken, that I should intentionally make space to minimize risk. I love the idea of the Perreo. I don’t own one, but I have something that could serve a similar purpose. May I ask, how did you use it to cover your bag? Did you just simply drape it or did you tie and wrap it?

No worries, I think my post got merged into this bigger thread and that’s why you’re not able to reply in-line! Curious, is it possible to get the VAT refund elsewhere (like at the airport) or is it required to bring your passport into shops? I would be nervous walking around with my passport, but perhaps if it makes VAT refund significantly easier I should plan to do that?

Most stores ask for your passport and then have to process special paper work for you, which you then take to the airport to get the customs stamp before you then take it to the refund office to get it officially refunded. If you don’t have your passport I don’t think they can prove you bought it since you don’t get any paperwork. This is different than duty free stores in the airport where you show your passport and they don’t need to make paperwork. But all require passports to be shown!

 

[mmvv22]

Oh geez, what a bummer of an experience! Really appreciate the tip and perhaps I will also pack a small question… That’s a great idea. Also, I’m having trouble finding a zip insert that I like… do you think a small zippered bag inside the Evelyne would serve a similar purpose or do you think pickpockets would just take the entire thing? Basically I’m not totally seeing how/if an insert would inherently be better or different from a zipped bag (which I could then repurpose).


Oohhh wow ok thank you so much for this context! I assumed a zipper would be enough, but I see your point. I don’t love crowds so my default would be to not be pressed up with other people, but your point is well taken, that I should intentionally make space to minimize risk. I love the idea of the Perreo. I don’t own one, but I have something that could serve a similar purpose. May I ask, how did you use it to cover your bag? Did you just simply drape it or did you tie and wrap it?

No worries, I think my post got merged into this bigger thread and that’s why you’re not able to reply in-line! Curious, is it possible to get the VAT refund elsewhere (like at the airport) or is it required to bring your passport into shops? I would be nervous walking around with my passport, but perhaps if it makes VAT refund significantly easier I should plan to do that?

I usually use it with Birkins. I kinda drape it over my hand and cover back from both side. I’ve never done it with my mini Lindy because I usually take Birkin if I go duty free shopping because I’d be too anxious to have my passport in mini Lindy and I don’t have Lindy 29. But I guess you could try to wrap it around if you have big enough scarf. Pareo would be big enough too I thing. I received my pareo as a gift and I love it but I use it not as pareo but as a shawl for summer. it’s so versatile and very compact regardless of huge size

 

[peonies13]

Most stores ask for your passport and then have to process special paper work for you, which you then take to the airport to get the customs stamp before you then take it to the refund office to get it officially refunded. If you don’t have your passport I don’t think they can prove you bought it since you don’t get any paperwork. This is different than duty free stores in the airport where you show your passport and they don’t need to make paperwork. But all require passports to be shown!

Ahhh amazing, thank you for the clarification! You saved me from getting into quite the pickle!!

I usually use it with Birkins. I kinda drape it over my hand and cover back from both side. I’ve never done it with my mini Lindy because I usually take Birkin if I go duty free shopping because I’d be too anxious to have my passport in mini Lindy and I don’t have Lindy 29. But I guess you could try to wrap it around if you have big enough scarf. Pareo would be big enough too I thing. I received my pareo as a gift and I love it but I use it not as pareo but as a shawl for summer. it’s so versatile and very compact regardless of huge size

Ah I wish I had a Lindy, it’d be such a great travel bag and I don’t own any Bs either… but one day!! I am really hoping to find a vintage HAC and/or smooth Barenia anything while in Paris in addition to perhaps some new items from stores. If you happen to have any suggestions for good vintage shops in Paris please lmk

I really appreciate the photos so much, that’s so great so see as an example! Yours is an Evelyne 29 right (asking because in the first shot it looks almost like my TPM, but that might just be the angle). I am thinking I will probably do something just like this!

 

[mmvv22]

Ahhh amazing, thank you for the clarification! You saved me from getting into quite the pickle!!

Ah I wish I had a Lindy, it’d be such a great travel bag and I don’t own any Bs either… but one day!! I am really hoping to find a vintage HAC and/or smooth Barenia anything while in Paris in addition to perhaps some new items from stores. If you happen to have any suggestions for good vintage shops in Paris please lmk

I really appreciate the photos so much, that’s so great so see as an example! Yours is an Evelyne 29 right (asking because in the first shot it looks almost like my TPM, but that might just be the angle). I am thinking I will probably do something just like this!

Mine is TPM size. I don’t have Eveline 29. For some reason while I was typing I mixed up Evelyne with Lindy names. For some wired reason I often mixed names up even though I have both and know how the look like. But pareo size is 69.7" x 53.1". So it should be enough. And you can use any pareo not necessary be Hermes.