Polène handbags

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#6,544
sophiegray said:
With polene’s beautiful designs, it has great potential. As opposed to what zi read, the leather and workmanship just can’t measure up with premium brands like Loewe, Bottega Veneta, Givenchy, Celine and Chanel (I can’t comment on the others since I do not own them). I have seen and used all above in actual, so I can vouch for the differences. The leather quality is just not as luxurious in actual as the photos. They are very photogenic bags. The look and feel of the leather is not luxurious and it is kind of understandable with its price point. But I just can’t agree with comparing it with premium brands like those mentioned above. It can’t even compete with Coach.

If I were to rate Loewe’s puzzle bag with Polene in terms of leather quality and workmanship (1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest), and if Loewe puzzle is 10, polene’s numero un and beri are 3-4. I’ll post the uneven stitch of numero un in a bit.

I need to be clear I don’t hate Polene. In fact, i got complements yesterday with my Beri. My friends find the shape cute. I am just trying to share my observations in terms of leather quality and workmanship. Having read how luxurious it is is what made me expected too much and felt disappointed when I received them.
Click to expand...

Polene has found their niche to a certain degree. Not thinking that Polene is thinking that they are
in the same arena the way that Loewe, BV, Hermes, Chanel etc are
Polene has put out a handbag that is fashionable, priced well, doesn't have all the bells & whistles
that other high end brands may offer, but nonetheless in particular the NEUF is well made, stylish,
& works in a busy lifestyle, JMO.
I don't have the other styles under discussion just the NEUF & I am happy to own it
It's unfortunate that in spite of issues they are having with their quality control, the brand still
has potential & perhaps the peeling, stitches & other issues will be addressed.
Not to offend any Coach lovers, but just took a look at their site & for me the bags I looked at
lacked the sophistication that the NEUF offers for me, JMO
 
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#6,545
Yes, agree that Polene has nice and unique designs. Only speaking about the leather and workmanship which I am not fond of.

My posts are partially addressing to the issue that some people claiming polene’s luxuriousness at par with high-end bags. If you don’t feel that way, then we’re on the same page.

This is the stitches that I was saying I wasn’t happy about. If I bought this below $150, I won’t complain, but this Numero Uno is $430, which is unacceptable for me.

C9C6AE93-B89E-4CE2-B392-F5E2D1C12D48.jpeg
 
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#6,546
sophiegray said:
Yes, agree that Polene has nice and unique designs. Only speaking about the leather and workmanship which I am not fond of.

My posts are partially addressing to the issue that some people claiming polene’s luxuriousness at par with high-end bags. If you don’t feel that way, then we’re on the same page.

This is the stitches that I was saying I wasn’t happy about. If I bought this below $150, I won’t complain, but this Numero Uno is $430, which is unacceptable for me.

View attachment 5671155
Click to expand...
I'm totally on your side that Polene can't compare to luxury leather bags which cost 10-times the amount from luxury brands that value craftmanship. My opinion is that if they get their quality issues under control they could very well sell their bags for twice or even three times the amount and still not be too expensive - compared to other brands in this price segment. With many other brands you pay much more for branding and design, for the same quality.
When we talk about pricing we also have to keep in mind that a lot of their visible stitches like in this photo is stitched by hand. It is way more expensive to make than a machine stitch. I don't think I'll be able to find any branded full leather bag with a considerable amount of hand stitching that sells for below $150, I can't think of a company that does that. (As I've said before, of course they shouldn't be sending out imperfect bags to customers, I would also be annoyed with this corner)
 
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#6,547
I had another thought: After talking so much about quality issues with you I was really worried about receiving my next bag. I'm happy to report that my Cyme came in perfect condition (I finally posts a family picture in the dedicated thread, if you want to head over). What I noticed is that it was packaged really well, all straps wrapped in bubble wrap and so on. It was the same thing with my Dix, which was also spotless. The only bag I was having quality issues with was the Neuf. This one didn't come with bubble wrap. Just the bag in the dust bag. And now I'm of the opinion that some quality issues like scratches, chipping, dents and so on are not due to lack of quality control of new bags but that they send out bags that have been returned to them without really checking them well enough for signs of use.
 
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#6,548
Regardless hand stitch or machine stitch, i can’t accept the stitching like this rather than straight. Im more particular with the final outcome more than how the bag was made. For me, such should not pass the quality inspection at a $430 bag. I don’t even see such stitching in my $12 clutch bag.

If with better leather and craftmanship, I’d be happy to buy them 3x its price, because the designs are really nice. It seems that they have nice designs and it stops there.

My polene bags are only used a few times. Hopefully there wont be peeling.

Anyway, these are my sentiments and I stand by it. We can all agree to disagree. I just want to warn those who are planning to buy so they can manage their expectations.
 
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#6,549
I have the numero un quite long, before the beginning of the „polene hype“. Now I ordered another numero un a few weeks ago and I sent it right back. I can tell you: the quality was worse, you could see the differences. Stitching was crooked, the flap was kind of thinner leather, the bottom corners were uneven and on one spot the leather was peeling.
So I agree with everyone saying the quality is not that good (anymore). I own several coach bags in the same price range, they are better quality, even though made in Asia. Then Strathberry is far beyond in leather and stitching quality, which are also handmade in Spain. And the LV Empreinte you just cannot compare, completely different league.
But thats just my opinion and experiences! I do love my Polenes, but wont buy anymore. ;)
 
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#6,550
Love Of My Life said:
Polene has found their niche to a certain degree. Not thinking that Polene is thinking that they are
in the same arena the way that Loewe, BV, Hermes, Chanel etc are
Polene has put out a handbag that is fashionable, priced well, doesn't have all the bells & whistles
that other high end brands may offer, but nonetheless in particular the NEUF is well made, stylish,
& works in a busy lifestyle, JMO.
I don't have the other styles under discussion just the NEUF & I am happy to own it
It's unfortunate that in spite of issues they are having with their quality control, the brand still
has potential & perhaps the peeling, stitches & other issues will be addressed.
Not to offend any Coach lovers, but just took a look at their site & for me the bags I looked at
lacked the sophistication that the NEUF offers for me, JMO
Click to expand...
I agree with what you said about Coach’s design. Design goes to Polene. Leather quality and craftmanship goes to Coach (not outlet).

I guess it depends on what we value. I value quality and craftmanship more than the design. Some may value the design more.
 
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#6,551
ramona708 said:
I have the numero un quite long, before the beginning of the „polene hype“. Now I ordered another numero un a few weeks ago and I sent it right back. I can tell you: the quality was worse, you could see the differences. Stitching was crooked, the flap was kind of thinner leather, the bottom corners were uneven and on one spot the leather was peeling.
So I agree with everyone saying the quality is not that good (anymore). I own several coach bags in the same price range, they are better quality, even though made in Asia. Then Strathberry is far beyond in leather and stitching quality, which are also handmade in Spain. And the LV Empreinte you just cannot compare, completely different league.
But thats just my opinion and experiences! I do love my Polenes, but wont buy anymore. ;)
Click to expand...
So the amazing reviews were coming from earlier purchases. Now I understand. I bought mine recently - Sept or Oct 2022.

I don’t find numero uno or beri luxurious at all.

With inflation, I hope that they increase their prices rather than compromising on quality.
 
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#6,554
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and it's important to hear a variety of opinions, so I actually appreciate hearing disagreements. I'm in no position to personally comment on as I don't buy high end luxury goods, but am happy to hear the experience of others on this board, as well as others on YouTube. I also have a couple of spots of imperfection on my Neuf, but still am overall happy with it.

On the topic of those luxury comparisons, the channel of the leatherworker that deconstructs some luxury items (Tanner Leatherstein) was very unimpressed with Chanel's caviar leather. He considered the embossed finish of caviar overdoing it, as it hides the nature of the leather itself, such that any quality of leather can be used if you emboss that heavily. He did consider the construction to be quite nice. A quick short on it:


He did something similar for an LV wallet. He does have a favorable review of it, though still finds the selling price too high


Not impressed with leather trim on LV coated canvas, at all, lol:


He has an extremely positive review of Bottega Veneta, though, and says it's the best he's deconstructed so far:


He gives Polene Un a fairly positive review and is fairly impressed with the construction. Though he is not, say, examining the straightness of each stitch, but the overall way the bag is assembled. He doesn't care for the textured type leather so much, but doesn't think it's 'bad'. It's clear that broadly, he disprefers heavy graining on leather


He's generally of the opinion that the markup on 'luxury' handbags is way too high.

I also enjoy watching Super Dacob on Youtube and so at this point I've seen him dress in all black to bemoan the demise of his newly purchased Chanel. And he's been sad about such things multiple times this year. In the one I'm thinking of, he had this small one (maybe a little leather heart bag he wore like a necklace?), and I can't find it now and have to go to work. But the leather woven into the chain strap was peeling in multiple places, and it was a fairly new piece.

All that to say, that I like hearing others opinions of how Polene isn't as great as some of the luxury brands, and that is an honest opinion that others, who have the same criteria of evaluation would appreciate. I also appreciate the reviews from others saying that the luxury brands are not necessarily what they are hyped up to be, either. But in the case of Chanel, people are out here paying thousands of dollars and seeing peeling within months or weeks. Different things matter to different people, too, when determining 'quality'. For someone who is an actual leatherworker, the underlying material and having minimal finishing may be what's most important, so that Chanel is not in the same class as BV. For others having perfect stitching may be more important than the fact that the leather was covered with heavy embossing. I have a Coach boutique bag in smooth leather and like it a lot, but it does lack a certain thick tactile sensation that I like in my Polene Neuf. And multiple people complained that the strap on it is often wrinkled from the moment they first give it to you (Coach Tali). My 4 year old Brahmin which I used quite a lot has only a couple of nicks in it, not because the leather quality is superior, but because the finish is so thick and hard-wearing, nothing can penetrate. So it has longevity, but a leatherwork is unlikely to give it high marks.
 
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#6,555
nyeredzi said:
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and it's important to hear a variety of opinions, so I actually appreciate hearing disagreements. I'm in no position to personally comment on as I don't buy high end luxury goods, but am happy to hear the experience of others on this board, as well as others on YouTube. I also have a couple of spots of imperfection on my Neuf, but still am overall happy with it.

On the topic of those luxury comparisons, the channel of the leatherworker that deconstructs some luxury items (Tanner Leatherstein) was very unimpressed with Chanel's caviar leather. He considered the embossed finish of caviar overdoing it, as it hides the nature of the leather itself, such that any quality of leather can be used if you emboss that heavily. He did consider the construction to be quite nice. A quick short on it:


He did something similar for an LV wallet. He does have a favorable review of it, though still finds the selling price too high


Not impressed with leather trim on LV coated canvas, at all, lol:


He has an extremely positive review of Bottega Veneta, though, and says it's the best he's deconstructed so far:


He gives Polene Un a fairly positive review and is fairly impressed with the construction. Though he is not, say, examining the straightness of each stitch, but the overall way the bag is assembled. He doesn't care for the textured type leather so much, but doesn't think it's 'bad'. It's clear that broadly, he disprefers heavy graining on leather


He's generally of the opinion that the markup on 'luxury' handbags is way too high.

I also enjoy watching Super Dacob on Youtube and so at this point I've seen him dress in all black to bemoan the demise of his newly purchased Chanel. And he's been sad about such things multiple times this year. In the one I'm thinking of, he had this small one (maybe a little leather heart bag he wore like a necklace?), and I can't find it now and have to go to work. But the leather woven into the chain strap was peeling in multiple places, and it was a fairly new piece.

All that to say, that I like hearing others opinions of how Polene isn't as great as some of the luxury brands, and that is an honest opinion that others, who have the same criteria of evaluation would appreciate. I also appreciate the reviews from others saying that the luxury brands are not necessarily what they are hyped up to be, either. But in the case of Chanel, people are out here paying thousands of dollars and seeing peeling within months or weeks. Different things matter to different people, too, when determining 'quality'. For someone who is an actual leatherworker, the underlying material and having minimal finishing may be what's most important, so that Chanel is not in the same class as BV. For others having perfect stitching may be more important than the fact that the leather was covered with heavy embossing. I have a Coach boutique bag in smooth leather and like it a lot, but it does lack a certain thick tactile sensation that I like in my Polene Neuf. And multiple people complained that the strap on it is often wrinkled from the moment they first give it to you (Coach Tali). My 4 year old Brahmin which I used quite a lot has only a couple of nicks in it, not because the leather quality is superior, but because the finish is so thick and hard-wearing, nothing can penetrate. So it has longevity, but a leatherwork is unlikely to give it high marks.
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Oh wow!! I was very impressed with his review of the Polene Un bag. He was also quite impressed with the quality and materials vs the retail price compared to similarly made bags with much higher price tags that you pay for the status!! This review sold me even more on Polene, so thanks for posting!!
 
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