Polène handbags
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It's so versatile. It's the only bag ever (from any brand) that I want to own in multiple colors.
I think the expectation should be when buying new it should come in perfect condition! If everyone just accepted the odd bit of peeling or shoddy stitching the the retailer gets away with it and the low standards will remain the same or could get even worse! Hopefully as people like myself who have experienced receiving bags from Polene with defects return them, then hopefully their quality control will get better in future?
Thank you for the link. Wow this bag is stunning. It may be a bit small for me. I just splurged a few months ago on a more expensive bag and this is holding me back right now. I think the olive dix would make a great summer bag but I am not 100 percent sure I need it or would use it that often.
I'll see if Polene does extend the free shipping option until the end of December and have a few more days to think about it. Otherwise I feel like I cannot really justify it.
So after admiring Polene’s designs for a long time, I finally pulled the trigger with the free shipping and got a number of designs that I have long admired.
Ordering was fine, shipping was fast and they came well packed. The boxes are nice and the dust bags are thick.
But when I opened them my overwhelming feeling was disappointment. I have a lot of contemporary bags (Furla, Wandler, Strathberry, Coach, Oroton and yes, Michael Kors) and was expecting similar quality. But I don’t think the leather quality is as good as any of those brands. I think Polene does a great job with their website and the bags are very photogenic, but they just don’t look anywhere near as good in real life.
Here is my rundown
Un in camel - came with asymmetrical folds, and the top edge of the bag juts out from the flap instead of being covered by the flap. It makes a great design, well, not great. If this can be fixed with restuffing, I might keep this one, as I love the design and like the colour and size.
Un nano in lilac. This looks really cute but my phone is a tight fit. The main issue is that the edge of the shoulder strap is really sharp and scratches my skin.
Sept - the new wool version in camel. Colour is insipid and in person I don’t like the proportions of the bag. A definite return.
Neuf in blush. Pebbled leather feels kind of powdery. Not sure I love the colour enough. Folds are asymmetrical but I think it matters less with this design.
Mini neuf in glacier. Colour less intense in real life but still nice. Came with a rough rubbed patch on the leather on the front of the bag. Folds asymmetrical but as above it doesn’t look too bad with this design. Like the nano, my phone fits but only just.
Tonca in maple. I like the colour. The strap is darker than the bag which I didn’t pick up in the photos. I don’t love the way the end of the strap hangs down. Keeping for my daughter who likes it.
So overall, I still love the designs and think they are unique and very chic. But for me the execution is lacking. I would rather pay a bit more and have better quality leather.
Hope this review is helpful
Ordering was fine, shipping was fast and they came well packed. The boxes are nice and the dust bags are thick.
But when I opened them my overwhelming feeling was disappointment. I have a lot of contemporary bags (Furla, Wandler, Strathberry, Coach, Oroton and yes, Michael Kors) and was expecting similar quality. But I don’t think the leather quality is as good as any of those brands. I think Polene does a great job with their website and the bags are very photogenic, but they just don’t look anywhere near as good in real life.
Here is my rundown
Un in camel - came with asymmetrical folds, and the top edge of the bag juts out from the flap instead of being covered by the flap. It makes a great design, well, not great. If this can be fixed with restuffing, I might keep this one, as I love the design and like the colour and size.
Un nano in lilac. This looks really cute but my phone is a tight fit. The main issue is that the edge of the shoulder strap is really sharp and scratches my skin.
Sept - the new wool version in camel. Colour is insipid and in person I don’t like the proportions of the bag. A definite return.
Neuf in blush. Pebbled leather feels kind of powdery. Not sure I love the colour enough. Folds are asymmetrical but I think it matters less with this design.
Mini neuf in glacier. Colour less intense in real life but still nice. Came with a rough rubbed patch on the leather on the front of the bag. Folds asymmetrical but as above it doesn’t look too bad with this design. Like the nano, my phone fits but only just.
Tonca in maple. I like the colour. The strap is darker than the bag which I didn’t pick up in the photos. I don’t love the way the end of the strap hangs down. Keeping for my daughter who likes it.
So overall, I still love the designs and think they are unique and very chic. But for me the execution is lacking. I would rather pay a bit more and have better quality leather.
Hope this review is helpful
Hello friends.
It’s been a couple of months since I last bought from Polene (May this year I think?) and I bought a mini neuf in chalk this time with the free shipping.
The size is really cute, the opening is not as narrow as I expected, and the colour is gorgeous.
I inspected it really closely and found a small area at the top handle where it looks like the raw leather edges are exposed. I recall a PF member highlighting this before but I don’t recall the outcome.
Have emailed CS on this and will update regarding the outcome!
It’s been a couple of months since I last bought from Polene (May this year I think?) and I bought a mini neuf in chalk this time with the free shipping.
The size is really cute, the opening is not as narrow as I expected, and the colour is gorgeous.
I inspected it really closely and found a small area at the top handle where it looks like the raw leather edges are exposed. I recall a PF member highlighting this before but I don’t recall the outcome.
Have emailed CS on this and will update regarding the outcome!
yup! see pics below. loose stitching near the handle and under the bag. I'm worried if it were to ever get snagged on something
The nano I received also came with asymmetrical folds. I ended up keeping the bag - I didn't want to deal with the hassle of returning and repurchasing since they wouldn't allow for an exchange and I didn't want to risk receiving a new bag with more flaws lol.
Thank you for the photos!yup! see pics below. loose stitching near the handle and under the bag. I'm worried if it were to ever get snagged on something
View attachment 5676754
View attachment 5676755
Wow that is quite obviously loose. It is a bummer indeed that they just passed it off as within their QC.
It’s likely then that for my bag it will be said to be within QC as well. It’s not terribly obvious for mine but I wonder if it may worsen with use.
Shout out to @WillWordForBags who definitely enabled me to pull the trigger on the mini neuf! Haha. Hope you are recovering well my dear.
Hi! Coming out of anonymity on this topic that I've been avidly reading since I felt into Polene rabbit's hole in 2020. Bought and sold many of their bags in the last year because I chose colors that I loved but that in the end didn't match many of my outfits.
Their Un in the traditional size is a lovely bag but too heavy if you keep it on your shoulders all day long. I sold it even if I am still missing the beautiful polar blue shade I chose.
The Nano imho is the perfect bag that you can wear during a relaxed weekend when you are out with the family. You will also need a diaper bag for the babies' necessities but this cutie will look lovely enough to give you that typical refined Parisienne girl vibe.
The Beri was not my bread and butter, ended up selling her with no remorse.
The maxi Cyme in Camel is my workday bag, even better than my prev Neverfull. I have been wearing her nonstop since May and the leather wears like iron, no scratches or wear.
The Hobo Dix is a great bag when you need more space, the only downside is that it's pretty narrow so you need to open it with two hands but it seems to get better with usage.
Just wanted to give you my 2cents on the leather quality issues topic. For Christmas I rewarded myseld with a premium designer bag that I have been lusting for a couple of years (Celine nano belt) and the leather used is so plasticky and the upper part seems so wonky that I cannot believe that I really paid 1800€ for her. It is a great looking bag though and I don't think that I will return her but imho Polene drummed leather is way more pleasant to the touch that the one Celine used for the belt (and for the Sangle that I already have). I am not too fond either of Hermes Epsom and Togo, they aren't anything special considering the price tag they come with.
The best leather ever imho is the one Ferragamo used to use for the Soft Sofia line but gone are those days.
Imho Polene is a brand with one of the highest value for money.
Their Un in the traditional size is a lovely bag but too heavy if you keep it on your shoulders all day long. I sold it even if I am still missing the beautiful polar blue shade I chose.
The Nano imho is the perfect bag that you can wear during a relaxed weekend when you are out with the family. You will also need a diaper bag for the babies' necessities but this cutie will look lovely enough to give you that typical refined Parisienne girl vibe.
The Beri was not my bread and butter, ended up selling her with no remorse.
The maxi Cyme in Camel is my workday bag, even better than my prev Neverfull. I have been wearing her nonstop since May and the leather wears like iron, no scratches or wear.
The Hobo Dix is a great bag when you need more space, the only downside is that it's pretty narrow so you need to open it with two hands but it seems to get better with usage.
Just wanted to give you my 2cents on the leather quality issues topic. For Christmas I rewarded myseld with a premium designer bag that I have been lusting for a couple of years (Celine nano belt) and the leather used is so plasticky and the upper part seems so wonky that I cannot believe that I really paid 1800€ for her. It is a great looking bag though and I don't think that I will return her but imho Polene drummed leather is way more pleasant to the touch that the one Celine used for the belt (and for the Sangle that I already have). I am not too fond either of Hermes Epsom and Togo, they aren't anything special considering the price tag they come with.
The best leather ever imho is the one Ferragamo used to use for the Soft Sofia line but gone are those days.
Imho Polene is a brand with one of the highest value for money.
For me color and bag design often have to ‘go together’, at least in my head. Often the first color I see a bag in is the ‘quintessential’ color for that bag, to me, and sometimes I struggle liking a bag as much in any other color after that. I think this happens more with trendy and seasonal bags tho, and when a brand has chosen to really promote a bag in a particular color during a season.
I’m having this problem right now with my Valextra Iside. I first saw it in their classic ‘oyster’ color and that’s what I own. I love the bag and want another one but no other color they have looks ‘right’ to me for some reason haha.
All that said, I don’t have this problem with too many of Polene’s bags. I do sort of fundamentally associate the Dix with brown… prob due to the equestrian vibes.
Thank you so much, darling @windnocturne. You are the sweetest. So glad you got your Neuf Mini. It’s the best.
Haven’t seen photos or anything yet on here, cause I have been in a slow recovery. My taupe one was sold out every time I tried to order it so it’s going to have to be for next year.
Keep me posted. Sending you holiday love.
Terrible lighting today but I think this is pretty true to colour. I really like it. Protective stickers still on since I have to exchange it due to the defect.
Oh that is beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I’ve had my eye on that blue from the moment I got the email about it, it is my ultimate favorite shade of blue but unfortunately don’t know how much use I would get out of it. Looks like a lovely spring/summer color though!
Funny you say that - I was actually thinking the opposite; that it's too dark for spring/summer but a great winter colour!