Opinions on Etro Vela mini vs Léo et Violette le sac Elégant (or other 50s inspired clasp bags)

[royaljelly]

Hi TPF members, opinions wanted on "50s inspired" clasp bags please!

I stumbled upon the following 2 bags online and could not make up my mind as to which one to get. Hoping to get some user experience of the bags or pros and cons - anything!

The 1st one is Etro Vela Mini


The 2nd one is Léo et Violette Le Sac Elégant


The sizes are very different: The Etro Vela is a mini bag (width 21cm, I believe). There are 2 other larger options, medium and large but I find them too slouchy for my liking and I'd love the mini one as an evening bag. Like, I'm so in love with the glam hardware

On the other hand, the Léo et Violette Elégant is much larger (width 30cm per the website) and looks like a super chic and neat work bag! I could totally see myself carrying it to work with papers insider although I'm not sure how much the handle and strap can endure. While I'm absolutely in love with the neat lines and smooth leather appearance of the bag, the little flap over the bag is what bothers me a bit. It looks slightly out of place to my eyes and I'd much prefer it to have a clasp like the Celine Clasp! But overall, I do love the clean lines of the bag

Now that I am aware that the bags serve different purposes, I'm really in a dilemma... I go to work every day so a work bag would see much more use obviously but I also have many other black bags for work (I have a Prada 1995 Re-Edition tote which might look just too similar to the Léo et Violette Elégant to justify another bag and a Lanvin Concerto along with several other tote bags in neutrals). I don't have an evening bag per se, except maybe my Loewe small Goya without the straps but truth is, I seldom attend cocktail events (think 2 to 3 a year max!) I'm not sure I could give the Etro the attention it deserves!


I'm aware that the 2 bags are of different price points but it would not be a factor in my decision as both falls within my comfort zone. So may I summon the collective knowledge of TPF and have some opinions please? I'd also like to know from those of you who have Etro and/or Léo et Violette bags, how is your bag holding up after use? Is the leather and hardware worth it in your opinion? Thank you in advance!

Edit: I don't think there are boutiques of either brands in my location so I'm afraid trying in person will not be an option for me. Also, I am not inclined to shop pre-owned Celine Clasp as I'm not confident that I could spot a fake

 

[spartanwoman]

I love the Etro! Stunning!

 

[poleneinblack]

Hi TPF members, opinions wanted on "50s inspired" clasp bags please!

I stumbled upon the following 2 bags online and could not make up my mind as to which one to get. Hoping to get some user experience of the bags or pros and cons - anything!

The 1st one is Etro Vela Mini
View attachment 5861313

The 2nd one is Léo et Violette Le Sac Elégant
View attachment 5861314

The sizes are very different: The Etro Vela is a mini bag (width 21cm, I believe). There are 2 other larger options, medium and large but I find them too slouchy for my liking and I'd love the mini one as an evening bag. Like, I'm so in love with the glam hardware

On the other hand, the Léo et Violette Elégant is much larger (width 30cm per the website) and looks like a super chic and neat work bag! I could totally see myself carrying it to work with papers insider although I'm not sure how much the handle and strap can endure. While I'm absolutely in love with the neat lines and smooth leather appearance of the bag, the little flap over the bag is what bothers me a bit. It looks slightly out of place to my eyes and I'd much prefer it to have a clasp like the Celine Clasp! But overall, I do love the clean lines of the bag

Now that I am aware that the bags serve different purposes, I'm really in a dilemma... I go to work every day so a work bag would see much more use obviously but I also have many other black bags for work (I have a Prada 1995 Re-Edition tote which might look just too similar to the Léo et Violette Elégant to justify another bag and a Lanvin Concerto along with several other tote bags in neutrals). I don't have an evening bag per se, except maybe my Loewe small Goya without the straps but truth is, I seldom attend cocktail events (think 2 to 3 a year max!) I'm not sure I could give the Etro the attention it deserves!


I'm aware that the 2 bags are of different price points but it would not be a factor in my decision as both falls within my comfort zone. So may I summon the collective knowledge of TPF and have some opinions please? I'd also like to know from those of you who have Etro and/or Léo et Violette bags, how is your bag holding up after use? Is the leather and hardware worth it in your opinion? Thank you in advance!

Edit: I don't think there are boutiques of either brands in my location so I'm afraid trying in person will not be an option for me. Also, I am not inclined to shop pre-owned Celine Clasp as I'm not confident that I could spot a fake

I had Leo Et Violette Elegant Bag briefly and it doesn't fit much. You should think of this bag as an evening bag more than anything else. I bought mine secondhand, so maybe they're selling a different size now but I think they only have one version and one size. I think capacity wise this bag can only hold your phone, a few makeup items, and that's it. The problem is the design of the bag. The bottom is very narrow and the top curves inward, which cuts off any available space at the top. The bottom also folds inward. It's highly structured so I don't know if it can even hold a small notebook, never mind full sized papers or a laptop. I never even used the bag before I let it go.

The leather flap part is magnetic if I recall. Inside is a metal clasp like Celine's.