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Hi Balenci Community! I'm new to the Bbag world and I was wondering your opinions on the Small Hourglass bag for a travel/vacation bag. This bag will mostly be used for city destinations like Europe, and Asia, not really for Caribbean or beach destinations. I'm debating between the WOC version or the small hourglass version. I heard you can put quite a bit more in it and the strap for the Hourglass bag seems more durable. I would also have the option to wear it as a top handle.
Whereas the WOC is nice as well but seems smaller so you won't be able to hold as much. The strap is chain only and I know it's detachable but I doubt I would remove it and wear it as a clutch.
Also I want to consider weight as well. I don't want the bag being too heavy where it feels like a chore to carry and makes me feel sluggish.
Thoughts and opinions?
Whereas the WOC is nice as well but seems smaller so you won't be able to hold as much. The strap is chain only and I know it's detachable but I doubt I would remove it and wear it as a clutch.
Also I want to consider weight as well. I don't want the bag being too heavy where it feels like a chore to carry and makes me feel sluggish.
Thoughts and opinions?
i just purchased the hourglass in small (smooth leather with gold hardware) and am in love with it -- but in my opinion, i wouldn't choose it as a travel bag for a couple reasons. but i think it could work for you depending on the type of vacation you're taking and how you like to spend your time on vacation, and also whether or not you're trying to limit yourself to bringing 1 bag for your trip.
1. durability. since i chose it in smooth leather, i'd be a little bit worried about dinging it/scratching it which you might not want to be encumbered by when you're traveling, rather than to really be present and enjoy what you're doing rather than worry about your bag. also since it's so stiff, the corners could potentially bump into things and cause damage. if you opt for a more durable option like the mock croc leather, or don't mind having to take care of your bag, this would be a non-issue. i just know for me, having to even slightly consider the well-being of my bag while im on vacation and trying to live my best life would be really annoying
2. comfort. for travel i'd also aim for something super comfortable, which the hourglass is not for me unfortunately. i'd probably rate it a 6 or 7/10 for comfort. since the handle sticks straight up, depending on how you adjust the strap, it can stick into you a little bit. it's also very stiff and somewhat boxy, so it sticks out from your body a little and doesn't really mold to it. since it's also such a stiff leather, there's not a ton of give, so not a ton of flexibility in what it can hold. it's pretty much a rigid little box; still fits quite a decent amount for a mini bag, but in a traveling scenario i tend to want to be able to throw some extra items in my bag like sunglasses, sunscreen, potentially a sweater or small water bottle etc. also due to the stiffness, the strap is a bit thin and digs into my shoulder a bit more than my other bags for some reason, so if you're planning on wearing tank tops or warm weather clothes and are going to be wearing the bag all day, this might be a bit of a con. again, if you carry very few items and/or are accustomed to the feel of wearing stiff leather bags, this might not be an issue for you.
as i said it wouldn't be my top pick for travel, but if you are okay with the above factors and also are aiming to only bring one bag for your vaca and want it to be both a day and night bag, i think the small hourglass could be a great choice for you since it does have the crossbody option and looks great worn casually imo but you can also remove the strap and it looks very smart and chic for evening. also to your point about the hourglass woc, i also LOVE that style but it wouldn't be as versatile -- maybe you could bring it for evenings/lighter days, and bring one more bag as a supplement for when you need something larger? you could potentially also wear the woc with your important items in it to have easy access, and pair it with a backpack to hold your other miscellaneous vacation stuff. as for alternatives that i'd personally bring in this case, i'd probably opt for a prada nylon (most likely my nylon bucket bag, although this wouldn't be as great for evening) or balenciaga city/something made with the durable aged leather; both are not loud/attention drawing, still very chic and will make me feel good wearing, durable and don't have to worry about any sort of damage, inclement weather, etc. hope this helped!!
- editing to say that the small hourglass is actually surprisingly very lightweight! just remembered you asked about that in your original post. -
omg thank you, you are a literal angel for typing all this! I loved hearing your opinion and you definitely brought up some great points that I didn't think about prior.i just purchased the hourglass in small (smooth leather with gold hardware) and am in love with it -- but in my opinion, i wouldn't choose it as a travel bag for a couple reasons. but i think it could work for you depending on the type of vacation you're taking and how you like to spend your time on vacation, and also whether or not you're trying to limit yourself to bringing 1 bag for your trip.
1. durability. since i chose it in smooth leather, i'd be a little bit worried about dinging it/scratching it which you might not want to be encumbered by when you're traveling, rather than to really be present and enjoy what you're doing rather than worry about your bag. also since it's so stiff, the corners could potentially bump into things and cause damage. if you opt for a more durable option like the mock croc leather, or don't mind having to take care of your bag, this would be a non-issue. i just know for me, having to even slightly consider the well-being of my bag while im on vacation and trying to live my best life would be really annoying
2. comfort. for travel i'd also aim for something super comfortable, which the hourglass is not for me unfortunately. i'd probably rate it a 6 or 7/10 for comfort. since the handle sticks straight up, depending on how you adjust the strap, it can stick into you a little bit. it's also very stiff and somewhat boxy, so it sticks out from your body a little and doesn't really mold to it. since it's also such a stiff leather, there's not a ton of give, so not a ton of flexibility in what it can hold. it's pretty much a rigid little box; still fits quite a decent amount for a mini bag, but in a traveling scenario i tend to want to be able to throw some extra items in my bag like sunglasses, sunscreen, potentially a sweater or small water bottle etc. also due to the stiffness, the strap is a bit thin and digs into my shoulder a bit more than my other bags for some reason, so if you're planning on wearing tank tops or warm weather clothes and are going to be wearing the bag all day, this might be a bit of a con. again, if you carry very few items and/or are accustomed to the feel of wearing stiff leather bags, this might not be an issue for you.
as i said it wouldn't be my top pick for travel, but if you are okay with the above factors and also are aiming to only bring one bag for your vaca and want it to be both a day and night bag, i think the small hourglass could be a great choice for you since it does have the crossbody option and looks great worn casually imo but you can also remove the strap and it looks very smart and chic for evening. also to your point about the hourglass woc, i also LOVE that style but it wouldn't be as versatile -- maybe you could bring it for evenings/lighter days, and bring one more bag as a supplement for when you need something larger? you could potentially also wear the woc with your important items in it to have easy access, and pair it with a backpack to hold your other miscellaneous vacation stuff. as for alternatives that i'd personally bring in this case, i'd probably opt for a prada nylon (most likely my nylon bucket bag, although this wouldn't be as great for evening) or balenciaga city/something made with the durable aged leather; both are not loud/attention drawing, still very chic and will make me feel good wearing, durable and don't have to worry about any sort of damage, inclement weather, etc. hope this helped!!
- editing to say that the small hourglass is actually surprisingly very lightweight! just remembered you asked about that in your original post. -
In terms of durability/leather I was looking at the mock croc leather because the scratches would be less noticeable. Additionally, I was actually planning to buy it pre-loved because I know it's going to get banged up (not intentionally but I know things happen). Like you said, I didn't want to be too hung up over taking care of a bag when I want to enjoy the moment. So in terms of care, I don't think it's the end of the world.
I'm so sad to hear about your experience with the comfort level
I really wanted it to be comfy - especially since I don't like going on vacation in the winter and I'm more prone to visiting places when I don't have to bring a coat or anything. On the other hand, the small hourglass gives me the option to unhook the existing strap and just get my own haha. Also I've heard that you can fit a pair of sunglasses in there... do you think it's possible or do you think it would be a stretch? Nonetheless, I'm ecstatic to hear that it's surprisingly lightweight! That's definitely a pro!You make a great point about versatility as well. I'm still debating whether or not I want to just bring one bag - because this would be perfect for both day and night vs if I want to bring a whatever day time bag and get the WOC for night. However I think I'm leaning more towards just bringing one so I don't have to be worried if someone's going to steal the bag at the hotel or anything if I bring others. But you gave me a lot to think about and reconsider so I appreciate your detailed response! I'm probably going to give this more thought and probably check them out in person before I make the decision!
omg thank you, you are a literal angel for typing all this! I loved hearing your opinion and you definitely brought up some great points that I didn't think about prior.
In terms of durability/leather I was looking at the mock croc leather because the scratches would be less noticeable. Additionally, I was actually planning to buy it pre-loved because I know it's going to get banged up (not intentionally but I know things happen). Like you said, I didn't want to be too hung up over taking care of a bag when I want to enjoy the moment. So in terms of care, I don't think it's the end of the world.
I'm so sad to hear about your experience with the comfort level
You make a great point about versatility as well. I'm still debating whether or not I want to just bring one bag - because this would be perfect for both day and night vs if I want to bring a whatever day time bag and get the WOC for night. However I think I'm leaning more towards just bringing one so I don't have to be worried if someone's going to steal the bag at the hotel or anything if I bring others. But you gave me a lot to think about and reconsider so I appreciate your detailed response! I'm probably going to give this more thought and probably check them out in person before I make the decision!
no worries at all! im happy to help
ahh if you're planning on going for the mock croc i do think you'll have a lot less to worry about in terms of durability. balenciaga mock croc leather is super durable in my experience! pre-loved also sounds like a great idea too.
also i didn't mean to say that the hourglass is uncomfortable necessarily, just a bit less comfortable than some of my other bags -- but im a bigggg stickler for comfort. i definitely agree you should go in store and try it on, put some of your items inside and see how it feels on you! also, the bag definitely will comfortably fit a pair of sunglasses in a soft pouch, but probably will be a squeeze if you want to use a hard case. its a roomy mini bag for sure, i love the capacity of it and find it just right for my daily items (i'm not super minimal, i like to have a bit more room for a compact, sunglasses etc). also one other pro for me is that the magnet closure is super easy to use, the magnet sort of finds itself. so when you're on the go, you can just kinda place the flap down really quick and the bag will close and you can go on with your day. super fuss free!
also totally get your point about wanting to bring one bag, it's so much easier for peace of mind to only have your one bag with you at all times and not have to worry about other bags being in luggage and hotel room etc. so if the hourglass is comfortable on your body and fits what you'll need to carry, i'd say it could be a great choice for your vaca bag since style-wise i think it's perfect! let us know what you thought of it when you've tried it out!
Absolutely! looks like I'll need to make a trip down to try them out haha!no worries at all! im happy to help
ahh if you're planning on going for the mock croc i do think you'll have a lot less to worry about in terms of durability. balenciaga mock croc leather is super durable in my experience! pre-loved also sounds like a great idea too.
also i didn't mean to say that the hourglass is uncomfortable necessarily, just a bit less comfortable than some of my other bags -- but im a bigggg stickler for comfort. i definitely agree you should go in store and try it on, put some of your items inside and see how it feels on you! also, the bag definitely will comfortably fit a pair of sunglasses in a soft pouch, but probably will be a squeeze if you want to use a hard case. its a roomy mini bag for sure, i love the capacity of it and find it just right for my daily items (i'm not super minimal, i like to have a bit more room for a compact, sunglasses etc). also one other pro for me is that the magnet closure is super easy to use, the magnet sort of finds itself. so when you're on the go, you can just kinda place the flap down really quick and the bag will close and you can go on with your day. super fuss free!
also totally get your point about wanting to bring one bag, it's so much easier for peace of mind to only have your one bag with you at all times and not have to worry about other bags being in luggage and hotel room etc. so if the hourglass is comfortable on your body and fits what you'll need to carry, i'd say it could be a great choice for your vaca bag since style-wise i think it's perfect! let us know what you thought of it when you've tried it out!
Hi! I have a medium Hourglass and tried the small, weight wise would say they are almost the same. I also tried the woc and it fits an Iphone 12, lip balm, besides card and cash. So if you don’t carry a lot this could work for you or maybe woc+ tote bag, only the woc maybe it’s not the best option.
I wore my Hourglass on a recent weekend trip to Paris and it was fine, but not the ideal bag I would say. Even with the medium I needed more space and its not so practical to open and close. As mentioned the handle is also not the best look and feel. It’s not a horrible travel bag, but not the best imo.
If considering only B bags I would say that the Le Cagole or Motorcycle are better for a trip, these are more spacious and carefree. My oldie Motorcycle is my daily bag and I love it.
Sharing some pics as well, hope it helps!
ahhh gorgeous pics @mmeira 
+1 on the cagole being potentially an amazing option for a travel bag! it's soft, comfortable, very versatile due to the amount of adjustment options it has. but also has a very different look to the hourglass, which comes down to personal taste/style. the cagole might be my favorite bag PERIOD atm!
+1 on the cagole being potentially an amazing option for a travel bag! it's soft, comfortable, very versatile due to the amount of adjustment options it has. but also has a very different look to the hourglass, which comes down to personal taste/style. the cagole might be my favorite bag PERIOD atm!
ahhh gorgeous pics @mmeira
+1 on the cagole being potentially an amazing option for a travel bag! it's soft, comfortable, very versatile due to the amount of adjustment options it has. but also has a very different look to the hourglass, which comes down to personal taste/style. the cagole might be my favorite bag PERIOD atm!
They are all amazing, right?! Imo Balenciaga offers amazing bags (quality, design, color options) in a fair price point, which make them perfect
They are all amazing, right?! Imo Balenciaga offers amazing bags (quality, design, color options) in a fair price point, which make them perfect
ugh YES, these reasons you listed are exactly why reason balenciaga is my favorite... they're the go-to brand for me. they have such a wide variety of style options for the "edgy" girl/guy, no matter what colors you tend to prefer or if you like to dress more casual vs dressy, etc. i feel like even if you just owned the hourglass and the cagole/motorcycle city, you'd be set for every occasion. i typically find LV and YSL to be a bit feminine/flashy/"dressed up" for my personal style, but balenciaga always nails it.
Fully agree with you! I recently got the black mini Cagole with the sparkling hardware as my birthday present and the idea was to wear it more in the evening or to go to festivals, but even with the sparkling detail the bag has such a relaxed vibe that I´m being able to wear it on a daily basis with a t-shirt + jeans. Will share pics later on!
Thank you so much for your reply! It's so nice to hear different opinions because I just couldn't make up my mind haha! Also absolutely, the pictures really helped. I think I was attracted to it because it gave me a more girlyish vibe. I currently own an LV and a Chanel but I definitely wouldn't have the heart to take those on vacation - that's why I was looking for something that gave me a similar style/vibe but still girly enough to match my outfits (i'm a jeans and a nice top kinda person)!
I had a feeling it might be a little difficult to open because the flap seemed kinda stiff so I wouldn't be able to open it to it's fullest potential LOL but I will definitely confirm when I go see it in store. You also make a good point about not being able to carry as much. I find the bigger bag I carry, the more unnecessary things I want to throw in (just cuz I can!). At the same time, I also might be biased because it's been so long since I've gone on an international flight (thanks to COVID) so I guess I'm too used to having a car where I can toss all my unnecessary things in. I'm really going to have to reconsider and weigh all the pros and cons especially if I think of this as a long term investment and not every trip will allow me to toss all my stuff in the car!
Thank you for the pictures as well. Also OMG that red hourglass with the crystals
Thank you so much for your reply! It's so nice to hear different opinions because I just couldn't make up my mind haha! Also absolutely, the pictures really helped. I think I was attracted to it because it gave me a more girlyish vibe. I currently own an LV and a Chanel but I definitely wouldn't have the heart to take those on vacation - that's why I was looking for something that gave me a similar style/vibe but still girly enough to match my outfits (i'm a jeans and a nice top kinda person)!
I had a feeling it might be a little difficult to open because the flap seemed kinda stiff so I wouldn't be able to open it to it's fullest potential LOL but I will definitely confirm when I go see it in store. You also make a good point about not being able to carry as much. I find the bigger bag I carry, the more unnecessary things I want to throw in (just cuz I can!). At the same time, I also might be biased because it's been so long since I've gone on an international flight (thanks to COVID) so I guess I'm too used to having a car where I can toss all my unnecessary things in. I'm really going to have to reconsider and weigh all the pros and cons especially if I think of this as a long term investment and not every trip will allow me to toss all my stuff in the car!
Thank you for the pictures as well. Also OMG that red hourglass with the crystals
You´re welcome and hope you can find your perfect B soon, share news with us!
Is it weird if my hair matches my bag? I regularly get an unnatural/"wild" color streak in my hair, usually I go with blue but have also had teal, silver, and lavender. Tried purple this time around and I like it a lot!
Purple is my favorite color and I love my Sapphire Twiggy. But now with a purple streak in my hair, is it too matchy matchy to carry a purple bag?
Purple is my favorite color and I love my Sapphire Twiggy. But now with a purple streak in my hair, is it too matchy matchy to carry a purple bag?
You look awesome! There’s no such thing as too matchy-matchy unless you are unicolor from head to toe.