Polène handbags

[fettfleck]

Does anyone have the Cyme? Or Cyme Mini? I am considering the Cyme Mini in grain Cognac or the Cyme Tisse in Cognac edition. I am hesitating because the dimensions of the Cyme seems very large. Would be great if someone who has this bag can share their thoughts please.

I have one and posted some thoughts here:

Polene Cyme Discussion Thread

Discussion thread specifically for Polene Paris Cyme, their tote bag.

forum.purseblog.com

I am 5“2‘ and think it has a perfect shopper size, does not look huge at all. My 11 inch laptop fits, but one has to take into account that because of the shape having a less wide bottom, all the things inside the bag will flip around like crazy and might be a bit difficult to find, if you don‘t use mini bags or organizer inside your bags - which I don‘t do as I hate searching something inside a bag inside a bag.

 

[baghabitz34]

I just bought a Polène numéro neuf and posted this review in another thread - wanted to share it here in case it is useful!

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So I finally bit the bullet and purchased a Polène numéro neuf, which I had been eyeing forever (along with a number of other polène bags). I ended up returning it (more info on that below but TLDR: painless but with shipping to and from Spain I ended up out $40 - which I see as a very reasonable price for not buying a plane ticket to Europe, lol).

The Polène bag arrived quickly - I ordered on a Friday and it arrived the following Wednesday via DHL, two days before it was officially slated to arrive. The box was quite large and the black polène box inside was pretty - definitely usable as a gift box if the purchase was a gift.

The leather looked high-quality to me and was supple (see the undulating, origami-ish shape of the bag), & the stitching was solid. There was no chemical smell (nor a strong leather smell, which I've sometimes had with purses bought in Spain). What I didn't quite like about the bag was: no zipper (see title of this thread ) and some gaping on the sides of the bag (e.g. the bag was never completely and totally closed, like it would be with a zipper). I travel a bit and, in more everyday terms - things are always falling out of my purse, so I was hoping that the bag's top closure would seem a bit tigher in person, and it didn't. (Of course, as people have pointed out elsewhere, this could simply be solved by purchasing a zippered purse organizer.) But even more than that, I wasn't sold on the blush color I picked. Even in the pictures below, it appears a deeper, richer pink than in person - to my eye, it looked too muted.
Here is a picture that makes the bag look quite close to the images on the Polène website - the color appears a darker, rich pink.

However this picture may do more justice to the "muted" shade of pink that you see in person:

The leather also is not super thick - this is a good thing for weight, I think, but to me it made the purse seem a bit floppy and unsubstantial (perhaps particularly because of the lack of structure that I was already concerned about).

So after some going back and forth I opted to initiate a return - which was totally painless. Polène CS got back to me in about 2 business days) with a DHL label and some important instructions about including the customs forms on the *outside* of the box. I scheduled a pick up with DHL and the person who came for the package even helped me make sure that the customs forms, etc, looked good. I paid return shipping - $20 - and so was out a total of $40 for shipping to the US and back, a totally reasonable amount, I think, for an overseas delivery.

So overall, the purse was lovely but ultimately (as I feared) just not what I was looking for.

As I'm looking for a purse with a secure closure - I am now looking at the Coach Rogue 25 (which I saw recommended in these forums) as well as the Hammit Daniel Medium (which seems like it might be just a tad bit less heavy? Coach purses sometimes can get quite heavy!). Any suggestions on either of these, or others - I'd love to hear! Thanks

Do you have a Coach store near you? If so, I would recommend trying the Rogue 25. I have two. I find them a bit small. But if you don’t carry a lot, it could work for you.

 

[Monaliceke]

I have one and posted some thoughts here:

Polene Cyme Discussion Thread

Discussion thread specifically for Polene Paris Cyme, their tote bag.

forum.purseblog.com

I am 5“2‘ and think it has a perfect shopper size, does not look huge at all. My 11 inch laptop fits, but one has to take into account that because of the shape having a less wide bottom, all the things inside the bag will flip around like crazy and might be a bit difficult to find, if you don‘t use mini bags or organizer inside your bags - which I don‘t do as I hate searching something inside a bag inside a bag.

I do like to carry some pouches to organize smaller items in my larger bags, so it’s good that you mentioned. I will go check the Cyme thread now. Thanks for sharing.

 

[lat34]

Do you have a Coach store near you? If so, I would recommend trying the Rogue 25. I have two. I find them a bit small. But if you don’t carry a lot, it could work for you.

Thanks! I did just check it out. It's a beautiful bag but I agree it's maybe a tad bit small, and the outer pockets are slightly less useful.

 

[Donauwaller]

Update on my Mini Neuf:
I've been using the bag and I am really loving it.
The design is really unique and the overall quality is beautiful.

I find that the small opening, which initially seemed like a con, turned out to be a pro!
I can keep the bag open (magnetic snaps open ) which is so comfortable to reach in and out on the go, but it's still pretty secure as it would be impossible for anyone else to snatch something since even I have to maneuver.

It's a really special little bag and I am tempted to get another one in a different color, but I'm still eyeing the Tonca so we'll see.

That is exactly how I feel about this little cutie - and it really holds a decent amount! Now I wish that for autumn they will come out with some bold green or blue...

 

[WillWordForBags]

That is exactly how I feel about this little cutie - and it really holds a decent amount! Now I wish that for autumn they will come out with some bold green or blue...

I know! We need contrast colors. Still, this little cutie comes in a lot of stunning light colors. I’m eyeing the pink toned ones or maybe even the black. It’s a special bag. I must have at least 2 of these.

 

[WindN]

Update on my Mini Neuf:
I've been using the bag and I am really loving it.
The design is really unique and the overall quality is beautiful.

I find that the small opening, which initially seemed like a con, turned out to be a pro!
I can keep the bag open (magnetic snaps open ) which is so comfortable to reach in and out on the go, but it's still pretty secure as it would be impossible for anyone else to snatch something since even I have to maneuver.

It's a really special little bag and I am tempted to get another one in a different color, but I'm still eyeing the Tonca so we'll see.

Thanks for this! Great to know it’s working well for you. The camel colour is absolutely stunning too.
The small opening was definitely the main reason I’ve been holding off.
Maybe, when free shipping comes around I might get the chalk (I decided chalk is more versatile than glacier)… maybe.

 

[WindN]

They are ok for my opinion, but I still hate the straps. Still get all tangled up when I want to grab the bag fast onto my shoulders. Such a pity because it is such a pretty bag!

Oh yes that never occurred to me but yes I can imagine the tangling since there are now 4 straps to deal with. Thanks! I will continue to mull over it. It is really such a pretty bag isn’t it?

 

[Mei90]

I know! We need contrast colors. Still, this little cutie comes in a lot of stunning light colors. I’m eyeing the pink toned ones or maybe even the black. It’s a special bag. I must have at least 2 of these.

I agree!!

 

[PlaneJaneWithATwist]

So, after thinking about it for two weeks, I just placed an order for the regular Neuf in Cognac. I think it will be the perfect bag for the Scandinavian autumn. I also added the mini half moon wallet in Sienna

 

[fettfleck]

Oh yes that never occurred to me but yes I can imagine the tangling since there are now 4 straps to deal with. Thanks! I will continue to mull over it. It is really such a pretty bag isn’t it?

It totally is! The leather is perfect and sturdy and the color and design is beautiful! I was hoping to use it as a work bag, but because of the shape despite its size it is just unpractical… But I think it will be a great leisure or beach bag, as it has a good size to fit a lot of stuff, and in leisure time I usually need not to grab it fast.

 

[michelle_L]

I’ve been lurking in this thread for a while and would like to share my personal experience!

I ordered the Neuf mini because it was truly love at first sight. I live in Singapore and had to pay customs which amounted to slightly less than 10% of the bag’s cost. When it arrived i was thrilled but upon closer inspection, realise it came with what i consider to be defects:


I don’t think im very unreasonable or overly petty about tiny defects in general, but to me this inconsistent stitching bothered me so much that i am now in the process of returning it :/

This is mainly because the above stitching affects the shape of the handle’s ‘folds’. Because the stitching is so inconsistent, the handle looks completely warped and doesn’t have the same structural shape as some posted on this thread!

They replied to me 1 day after i sent them these pictures and explained in detail. However i still need further approval to get a returns label. Fingers crossed…..

Maybe it’s because i ordered it right before the French annual holidays? Would love to hear experiences from people who have ordered recently! Any defects?

 

[PlaneJaneWithATwist]

I’ve been lurking in this thread for a while and would like to share my personal experience!

I ordered the Neuf mini because it was truly love at first sight. I live in Singapore and had to pay customs which amounted to slightly less than 10% of the bag’s cost. When it arrived i was thrilled but upon closer inspection, realise it came with what i consider to be defects:

View attachment 5585411
View attachment 5585412I don’t think im very unreasonable or overly petty about tiny defects in general, but to me this inconsistent stitching bothered me so much that i am now in the process of returning it :/

This is mainly because the above stitching affects the shape of the handle’s ‘folds’. Because the stitching is so inconsistent, the handle looks completely warped and doesn’t have the same structural shape as some posted on this thread!

They replied to me 1 day after i sent them these pictures and explained in detail. However i still need further approval to get a returns label. Fingers crossed…..

Maybe it’s because i ordered it right before the French annual holidays? Would love to hear experiences from people who have ordered recently! Any defects?

I am sorry, but I don't see the stitching issue. Is it where the front part of the bag folds where there are three layers of fabric/leather you are concerned about?
I think it's just because the leather and the stitch on top gets a bit "stretched" because of the folding. I would not consider this a fault, but I understand that you don't want to keep the bag if it bothers you.

 

[michelle_L]

I am sorry, but I don't see the stitching issue. Is it where the front part of the bag folds where there are three layers of fabric/leather you are concerned about?
I think it's just because the leather and the stitch on top gets a bit "stretched" because of the folding. I would not consider this a fault, but I understand that you don't want to keep the bag if it bothers you.

Yup if you look at the parts where the folds are cinched, and compare left with right, theyre extremely inconsistent. I dont expect perfect symmetry of course, but because of this stitching, the handle shape (which is a big focal point of the Neuf imo) is really, really asymmetrical.

Btw it’s not due to and cannot be fixed by any stretching, it’s sewn to that spot.

 

[PlaneJaneWithATwist]

Yup if you look at the parts where the folds are cinched, and compare left with right, theyre extremely inconsistent. I dont expect perfect symmetry of course, but because of this stitching, the handle shape (which is a big focal point of the Neuf imo) is really, really asymmetrical.

Btw it’s not due to and cannot be fixed by any stretching, it’s sewn to that spot.

Aha, now I see what you mean. It's the two "flaps" that are placed unevenly to each other?
You should take a photo where you hold the sides together for them to see that they are not placed symmetrical, because as I did, they might not see the problem from photos of the bag open?