Now, I just need to decide if I can justify the expense as this will be the most expensive bag I own by quite a margin. I think I probably can. Indulge me in talking this through ‘out loud’ 😂.
I’ve always wanted a Birkin 30, or a Kelly Retourne 28/32 (black with palladium HW) but I have a minimal spend history and refuse to pay the inflated, Preloved market prices, or pay top dollar for a preloved bag with corner damage. Or play the game.
The Dream bag appeals as it’s much less faffy: no complicated closure. The minimal hardware means it will be lighter. The design will be virtually unknown, except for a few like-minded souls (an IYKYK situation). Less chance of being targeted by thieves/muggers as it’s not recognisable like a Birkin, so I won’t be scared to use it. I can pick bespoke colours. Given my love of a black bag and the fact that I live in a rainy climate, I would almost certainly go for black or a very dark grey (but probably black), but I fancy a contrasting pop of interior colour e.g. the beautiful bubblegum pink which features frequently on Peter’s Instagram. It comes with a proper shoulder strap, e.g. one that is wide and in proportion with the size of the bag as opposed to the silly narrow straps that most designer bags have. It has a decent inside pocket.
I’m not 100% sold on the size of the side gussets but from reading through this thread, reducing them isn’t an option and they do allow the bag to maintain structural integrity, which I really appreciate. I also like that the corners are in a sellier style with edge sealant, which will reduce corner wear. It’s a great combination of structured yet casual. I like that it’s easy to close the flap which is my preferred appearance.
I’d go for goatskin interior and either goatskin or bull calf on the exterior. Which ever is the most hard wearing and water resistant. I like them both. I don’t have much experience with H leathers for comparison.
Which just leaves size. I’m 180 cm tall, US size 8-10. A Birkin 25, would look too small on me, but this looks larger due to the side gussets. I am genuinely torn between the dream bag in a 25 or 30 if I go for it.
In terms of the totes and larger top handles I already own: a garden party 36 which holds everything bar the kitchen sink, a workhorse LV speedy 30 in monogram canvas, a medium
loewe puzzle (about 30 cm long) which is v casual and probably my favourite bag.
The hole in my wardrobe that the dream bag would fill would be a forever bag that could go from a casual day out shopping to brunch/lunch or dinner in a smart/casual kind of establishment. I rarely do formal and I have appropriate bags for the rare times I do. As I’ve recently retired from my medical career (ill-health unfortunately. The bag is to mark the milestone and getting a reasonably decent pension at a relatively young age), moving forward, I will work from home on a very part-time basis, and I’m unlikely to ever dip my toe into the corporate world, so I don’t need a work bag that will fit a laptop or anything like that. A bag that is smart enough to take to a meeting should I ever need it would be an advantage however.
Having written it all down, it seems like the 25 cm would probably fit the bill more than the 30, assuming it would fit all my daily essentials. Would the 30 be too big to take out for dinner?? The bags look quite wide at the base so capacious. The bag occupying this proposed role in my life currently is a black Dior Diorever (now discontinued and I’d sell mine if I go ahead). This is 30cm long but the sides curve inwards and it narrows at the top so holds less than you think it will.
I’ve seen someone comment that the dream bag 30 would have a similar capacity to a Birkin 35, so I’m assuming the 25 will have a similar capacity to B30. I need to check the exact dimensions.
If anyone has any insights that could help me decide, I’ll be very grateful if you share them, otherwise, thank you for letting me ramble on a bit (ok a lot)!