OK now you have made me more curious about examining this bag!
It looks like it's the same leather as the Rodeo, which is fairly light. And the Rodeo is great leather and seriously well made.
Rodeo:Kelly as Bel Air:Birkin?
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It looks like it's the same leather as the Rodeo, which is fairly light. And the Rodeo is great leather and seriously well made.
I think Bel Air is in line with Rodeo, both very high end neighborhoods in LA.
You know, the Rodeo has no Balenciaga in it either, but I think it's a home run. This one not so much, and it does overly scream sloppy seconds of Hermes, Celine & Fendi.
To be fair, I don't think this is a take on the Picotin, but on the grocey plastic bag. Not that it's a good thing, but Demna did go wild releasing $3000 leather versions of trash bags and grocery bags and potato chip bags.
I see more classic Balenziaga in the shoe-boot-pants. Some of Cristóbal Balenziaga's designs were very 'out there' and conceptual in terms of silhouette(s) and challenging to wear. But yer, I agree Derma takes the 'cheap shots'.
I have laid hands on the bag (medium). It’s quite light and they seem to be emphasizing that it’s bonded calf leather - I think a thin layer on the inside and a thicker layer on the outside. Seems thinner overall than the Rodeo but still very durable and structured, but likely to slouch nicely over time.
Behind the flaps on the outside is a half-height slip pocket. Access to that disappears when the flaps are cinched up, and when you do that the lower turnlock doesn’t seem to have a purpose. The side snaps can be left completely open or closed at two different depths depending on desired look. The inside zipper pocket goes all of the way across with a seam in the middle and a double zipper to access either half.
It’s in black and also a light cream color, which strangely seemed a bit thicker/heavier (but that might have been my imagination since to me light colors look bigger).
All in all a nicely made and considered bag that’s delicious to handle and feels comfy on the shoulder. I’m thinking hard about whether I need YAT (yet another tote). I have also been eyeing the Row Margaux for quite a while but the short handles (and weight) have kept me away (also the media that "everyone" is getting one because it's the "new Birkin", which is silly and impossible anyway).
Behind the flaps on the outside is a half-height slip pocket. Access to that disappears when the flaps are cinched up, and when you do that the lower turnlock doesn’t seem to have a purpose. The side snaps can be left completely open or closed at two different depths depending on desired look. The inside zipper pocket goes all of the way across with a seam in the middle and a double zipper to access either half.
It’s in black and also a light cream color, which strangely seemed a bit thicker/heavier (but that might have been my imagination since to me light colors look bigger).
All in all a nicely made and considered bag that’s delicious to handle and feels comfy on the shoulder. I’m thinking hard about whether I need YAT (yet another tote). I have also been eyeing the Row Margaux for quite a while but the short handles (and weight) have kept me away (also the media that "everyone" is getting one because it's the "new Birkin", which is silly and impossible anyway).
I don’t hate it eitherI took another screen grab
I'm getting Fendi peekaboo (on acid) as well nowI think this bag has an identity crisis.
I don't hate the bag, it's kinda clever in terms of changing looks, but it annoys me that all that 'front leather' is just 'window dressing', no pockets.
One other thing. Even for a lot of bag, it's expensive IMO.
View attachment 6038293
I bought the medium Bel Air today black with silver
As a Birkin owner I buy the bel air to have something I can carry day to day, and I thinks it is actually a smarter and cooler cousin.
The bel air though inspired by the Birkin it is unique in its own way and I still find it under the radar without the “look at me I am the birkin vibe “
I also like how light it is and it can be shoulder carried
The bag is well made and the leather is just like my Rodeo bag and slightly thinner.
The pic is taken earlier today after I wore it out of the store and I will post more pics and give my detailed review later on.
I also like the inside pockets, 4 in total which act as a mini organiser for key pouch and card holders etc
As a Birkin owner I buy the bel air to have something I can carry day to day, and I thinks it is actually a smarter and cooler cousin.
The bel air though inspired by the Birkin it is unique in its own way and I still find it under the radar without the “look at me I am the birkin vibe “
I also like how light it is and it can be shoulder carried
The bag is well made and the leather is just like my Rodeo bag and slightly thinner.
The pic is taken earlier today after I wore it out of the store and I will post more pics and give my detailed review later on.
I also like the inside pockets, 4 in total which act as a mini organiser for key pouch and card holders etc
Love that the branding is on the inside, doesn’t scream “look, it’s this brand’s luxury bag!”
Would love to see how the bag looks when the front pocket is locked and straps are pulled through the holes, does it give a sort of Hermes vibes?
There is branding on the back of the bag. I don't think the cinched up styling says H.
bel air medium carry all bag
Shop the Women's Bel Air Medium Carry All Bag in Black at the Balenciaga US official online boutique.
www.balenciaga.com
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This is what it looks like closed and with the snap buttons closed on the side too
So far I am liking it a lot because of its versatility and under the radar look
And if preferred u can unbuckle the straps for the less formal look too
Or dress it up with the charms
Or dress it up with the charms