Small everyday bag…Alma bb epi or Ysl loulou toy?

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#6
Oh this is a fun choice!! I have both bags. It depends how much you want to carry. They both have removable straps so you can really add whatever you want. I have the Alma BB in black Epi and it is gorgeous but I wouldn’t wear it to anything too formal like a wedding etc. It’s great for dinners and other evening things though. It’s soooo durable so it wins in terms of durability if you are looking for that and it also holds a great amount…definitely beyond the essentials for me. I have the toy Loulou in black with black hardware and I think it does a better job of versatility because it can go super casual to pretty dressy … even formal with the right chain strap. Guitar straps are also fun to make these casual and you can get them on Amazon or Etsy.

I am 5’3 and the regular leather strap for Alma BB is ok but it hits me the slightest bit too low on my hip bone. I got an identical lookalike that is adjustable from Dress Up Your Purse and it is so comfy.

My Toy Loulou fits: card holder (but you don’t need it bc of the card slots in the bag) iPhone 14 pro max, keys, sunglasses in soft case, a few makeup items, sanitizing wipes or even a little bottle of sanitizer, and small thin lotion bottle. The Alma BB would fit a snack or extra things you accumulate during the day haha. I throw a small car toy in there for my toddler and a snack bar.

Let us know what you decide! :)
 
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#7
Alma BB, I had the toy Loulou and like the other poster said it barely fit anything and I sold mine as well. The Alma bb fits a mini pochette, compact wallet, cles, tissue, gum, iPhone and sunnies very easy. And it transitions beautifully for evening. The only con is the strap is not adjustable. I am 5'6 and it works for me but if you are petite it may be too long.
 
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#8
I vote for the Alma BB. Mainly because I have two of them lol, but they're great bags and I love how you have the option of hand carrying it, or use as a shoulder bag (either regular or crossbody). The YSL bag doesn't seem to be very functional as far as changing looks, like the Alma BB has. Totally two different bags, but you can't go wrong with the Alma BB.
 
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#9
The YSL is more versatile due to the color combos you chose. Black and gold will always be dressier than navy and silver (imo); however I would get the Alma bb, because the Epi leather is extremely hard wearing. The toy loulou does not wear well overtime unless you baby it. It’ll get a ton of dents in the quilts.
 
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#10
I only have the Toy LouLou, and for me, personally, it is plenty big enough to hold my daily essentials. But I almost exclusively use mini and small bags, so if you need to carry more than a phone, card case, AirPods, lipgloss, hand sanitizer, and small snack, you’d probably be better off with the Alma.

I think the Toy LouLou in the color combo you chose is more dressy, especially if you add a chain strap for evening use. That being said, as others have pointed out, the Alma is going to be WAY more durable in the long run IMHO.

My Toy LouLou (same exact one you’re considering) has the most buttery, soft, pillowy leather, and while it is absolutely DIVINE, it does need to be babied a bit and shows scratches, dents, and dings SO easily. If this isn’t an issue for you, it’s a great little bag, but if you’re looking for more of a workhorse that doesn’t need to be handled delicately, I think the Alma will be better. I take good care of my bags but don’t baby them, and I wouldn’t use my Toy LouLou on a daily basis. She’s a bit too high-maintenance for that IMHO. :giggle:
 
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#12
thank you so much ladies!

Reading all your replies, I was not aware of the toy loulou being a high maintenance bag and does not hold shape in the long run. This is so disappointing. I have been watching the influencers, vloggers in YT, I don’t recall these 2 cons being mentioned…maybe I have not researched enough. I love love color blue thus considering the indigo in Alma bb but black is up there too. My only beef with the Alma bb is the non adjustable trap but otherwise it’s a beautiful and functional bag, day and night.
 
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#13
bethanycrt said:
I consider myself petite, I’m 5’3. does the guitar strap require extra care liIke does It get dirty easily? How do you clean it if there’s stain?
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Fyi I hav just had the alma for a month, so I may not be ur best reference, but I hav used it quite alot, I even travelled with it for 3 days n it has held up pretty well, but i did spray the whole bag including the guitar strap with collonil carbon pro to waterproof n minimise stains, my alma bb is a limited edition camel beige epi with ghw btw. :amuse:
As for the toy lou lou I hav had it for 5 yrs when it just came out n the price was half it is today lol. First i bought the pink blush with shw but sold it off couple of months later bcoz the corner scuffed n worn out very easily, since I really love the look of it, I replaced the pink with the black with shw n thank god its holding up very well until today. The corners r perfect, no signs of wear at all, it literally looks brand new :doh: but if uask me now would I buy it again brand new, I definitely wouldnt bcoz I dont think the bag worth the price anymore :sad:FYI it used to to hav a slit pocket in the middle (not tht it cn fit anything, other than parking tickets, cards lol) n the long leather strap can be converted into a short wrist strap, so u can wear the bag 3 ways, handheld, with wrist strap n with the long shoulder strap! So they literally hiked the price n made the bag less functional which is a no no for me :tdown:
 
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#14
neome said:
Fyi I hav just had the alma for a month, so I may not be ur best reference, but I hav used it quite alot, I even travelled with it for 3 days n it has held up pretty well, but i did spray the whole bag including the guitar strap with collonil carbon pro to waterproof n minimise stains, my alma bb is a limited edition camel beige epi with ghw btw. :amuse:
As for the toy lou lou I hav had it for 5 yrs when it just came out n the price was half it is today lol. First i bought the pink blush with shw but sold it off couple of months later bcoz the corner scuffed n worn out very easily, since I really love the look of it, I replaced the pink with the black with shw n thank god its holding up very well until today. The corners r perfect, no signs of wear at all, it literally looks brand new :doh: but if uask me now would I buy it again brand new, I definitely wouldnt bcoz I dont think the bag worth the price anymore :sad:FYI it used to to hav a slit pocket in the middle (not tht it cn fit anything, other than parking tickets, cards lol) n the long leather strap can be converted into a short wrist strap, so u can wear the bag 3 ways, handheld, with wrist strap n with the long shoulder strap! So they literally hiked the price n made the bag less functional which is a no no for me :tdown:
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Thank you so much for this! I love your honest feedback. All of you….Alma bb is such a classic, now I have to decide between indigo or black. The Ysl price hike is too steep for the toy loulou with its minimal functions. Im quite disappointed because these past days I was so hyped on this bag.☹️
 
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