Category: FASHION

 

 

I remember seeing this Puzzle bag when it first came out about 3 years ago under the new Loewe directed by Jonathan Anderson. My first impression was “what a cool bag” but I never thought I would actually buy one, as the unique cuboid shape made me doubt its longevity.

Fast forward to now, the bag proved me wrong with its staying power and has slowly but surely obtained the title of a true LOEWE icon as of today.

 

 

 

 

 

The name of the bag, Puzzle, comes from the deftly carved geometric components, resembling the subtly sculptural puzzle pieces.

 

The bag comes in various colors, materials, and sizes. Personally, the design was already a unique statement enough, which is why I opted for the very classic options: Tan, Classic Calfskin, Small.
(24 x 16.5 x 10.5 cm)

The Small size is the perfect size for me on my petite frame, while still fitting a ton.
I’m the kind of person who carries very little with me, but just to give an example, I can also fit in my DSLR camera, on top of what is shown below..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This bag is by far, the most care-free and durable bag in my collection. I am not at all concerned about ruining its shape because it is supposed to have that natural slouch over use, which I am looking forward to. It is also super resistant to scratches or stains, compared to other bags.

 

Although it has only been about 2 months (so still relatively new), I have no doubt in my mind that it will age beautifully.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though there are 5+ different ways to wear the bag, I usually carry it by the handle, or on my arm/shoulder if I need to be hands-free. The bag can also be folded until it is completely flat – I have not tried this yet but it should come in handy especially when traveling..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I have been enjoying this bag to bits, like all things in life, it comes with some negatives.

 

 

1. THE STRAP: If you have been following the journey of the Puzzle bag, you may have noticed some changes throughout the seasons. One of these changes is that the Small version now comes with a thinner strap (the Medium still comes with the wide strap) I was aware of this prior to my purchase, however I did not expect the inconveniences it would bring. The new thinner straps do not stay in place and tends to dangle making the whole look of the bag a tad bit messy. See below for example 😦

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. THE OPENING: I read this on almost every review of this bag, and I also agree with the fact that the short opening is quite cumbersome. While the bag can fit much, getting things in and out of the bag could have been easier if the zippers were wider.

 

 

 

 

 

Despite these minor concerns, my only regret about this bag is not getting it sooner. I truly adore this piece and its incredible craftsmanship and functionality. The stunning shade of Tan magically elevates any kind of outfit, with an understated yet feminine touch, while adding subtle branding with the stamped white logo.

 

 

 

 

 

CLICK TO SHOP the Loewe Puzzle bag below: 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven’t done a bag review post in awhile, so I thought I would do due diligence for my most recent purchase: Céline Frame bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First released in the Resort 2017 season, the Frame bag is a rather lesser-known bag of the brand’s highly-coveted collection which includes the famous Luggage tote, however with its modern and minimalistic aesthetics, the bag has been favored amongst many Céline fans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Frame bag is, unsurprisingly, designed like a frame. It is beautifully structured, yet incredibly soft, making it an easy everyday bag. The wide shoulder strap provides extreme comfort to the already lightweight bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With simple compartments, the inside of the bag is very spacious and roomy. It can fit my DSLR camera and much more, which is rare for a medium-sized bag like this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moreover, its functionality and versatility is outstanding. This bag can be worn as a tote handheld, on your shoulder, as a crossbody (relatively falls short but just the way I like to wear my crossbody bags), or even as a clutch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Frame bag comes in a variety of bi-color combos (which all seems to be seasonal), and this Ruby/Nude color-blocking is just another proof that Céline is a true genius with colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now onto the (possible) con’s:

 

• Prone to scratches. I tend to be pretty careful with my bags, but given the nature of the calfskin leather, I have already noticed some scratches. This does not bother me so much, because I prefer my bags to show signs of usage — which I think makes them more beautiful, and more “mine.”

 

 

 

• Unadjustable strap. Again, this does not bother me because the strap length is perfect and there is no need for me to adjust it. In fact, had there been buckles and holes on the strap for adjustments, I think it would have taken out the whole  ‘minimalistic’ design out of the bag. I prefer the bag without it as it provides cleaner lines and simple structure.

 

 

Dimensions: 30 x 20 x 18cm (length x height x width)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Boy. This finally happened. I’ve been on the hunt for a Chanel Boy bag for the longest time, as I have never came across the combination I liked. Every time Chanel released their new collection, I visited and re-visited the stores to check if my preferred combination (old medium / beige taupe / chevron / lambskin / ruthenium hardware) was available. No luck. I knew it was going to be a waiting game and that it would come when the time is right. Fast forward to now, I had come back to Rue Cambon in Paris, aka my lucky place (and danger zone), where I got my Classic Flap 5 months ago, to test my luck again.

 

 

 

As soon as I stepped inside the store, I saw an array of new arrivals in variety of designs and colors, but I had one goal and one goal only: The Boy. Probably looking like someone on a mission, I headed straight to my SA (I will share her information if anyone is interested), and asked for the Boy, with my combination specifics. She showed me a Boy VERY close to my desired combination, but only in black with caviar. While it was indeed beautiful, since all of my other Chanel bags are in black, I wanted something different this time. When my SA opened the Boy Bag closet, one particular color caught my eye, and it was this beautiful, buttery beige color that I instantly fell in love with, and even though it didn’t meet all my combination checklist (the hardware was gold, not ruthenium) I knew it was the one.

 

 

 

 

Color: Dark Beige

I may be biased but this is by far Chanel’s prettiest beige pink color I have ever seen. The official designer color name of this bag is ‘dark beige’, somewhat resembling of a caramel popcorn topped with pink sea salt (although I don’t know if such flavor exists, and what that would even taste like). I am a big fan of neutral beiges and pinks, and this is the perfect shade of beige pink. I also love that this color can appear differently under certain lighting: beige, pink, or even taupe. I have only had it for a few weeks now, but the color really grew on me, and still does every time I wear it.

 

 

 

Hardware: Gold

Since the brand Chanel itself screams ‘Chanel’ (not that that’s a bad thing), I wanted something more understated and muted. So with the gold hardware, I was initially concerned that it would make the bag look a bit fancier than I desired it to, however, I believe there must have been a reason why Chanel only made this in the gold, and I think the dark beige color of the bag and the gold hardware compliment each other very, very well. Funny thing is, had it came in the ruthenium hardware, I still would have chosen this gold hardware over it.

 

 

 

 

Pattern/Leather: Chevron Lambskin

Since my Classic Flap is in caviar with classic quilting and my backpack in calfskin also with classic quilting, I wanted something different this time. I also think the Boy Bag looks much better in the Chevron quilting, although that’s personal preference. I am aware that I have to be more careful with the lambskin, but I wanted something more feminine and soft, which I believe the lambskin exudes, whereas the caviar has an overall edgier look to it.

 

 

 

 

 

Size: Old Medium

Dimensions: 25 x 15 x 9 cm / 9.8″ x 5.9″ x 3.5″

There was no doubt the Old Medium was the perfect size for me. The small one was adorable, and as a lover of mini bags, I was slightly torn, but there just wasn’t enough space. It was also too long to wear it one chain on the shoulder or as crossbody, so there was only one way to wear it with doubled up chain, which is a total deal-breaker for me (I need to be able to wear my bags in more than just one way). New Medium, on the other hand, which is the next size up from Old Medium, was too big on my petite frame. The Old Medium is perfect and fits everything I need to and more. I will be showing you what fits in the next section.

 

 

 

What Fits?

Goyard Passport holder
Chanel Card case
Rayban Sunglasses
Agenda
Keys
Cosmetics
(Dior compact, Korres lipstick, Byredo perfume, Byredo hand cream, Caudalie face mist)

 

 

The Boy (old medium) vs. Classic Flap (medium) Comparison

You can see that the Boy can hold much more (sunglasses, hand cream, face mist)

 

 

Negatives?

For the time being, I am so happy to finally have a Boy in my collection. Due to its versatility and functionality, I already know I am going to get a good use out of it, more so than the Classic Flap, which is suitable for more formal occasions.

The only downside if I had to come up with one would be the price point, €3980. Previously €3720, Boy Bag (and some other bags) went through a price increase and we all know they’re only going upwards from now on. It is definitely one of the most expensive handbags in my collection, but with the VAT refund of €517.40, I know I have made a smart purchase by buying it in Paris.

Another possible con of this bag would be the lack of compartments. With the Classic Flap, there is the main compartment with two mini pockets, one in the front, and also in the back. On the other hand, this Boy Bag only has one main compartment with a thin pocket inside. Regardless of the number of compartments, as I’ve shown you in the previous section, the Boy bag can fit much more than the Classic Flap, but I guess this could be an inconvenience for some.

I have only had this bag for a few weeks now so I will have to keep an eye out on its wear and tear, but I have no doubt that it will age beautifully, as all the other Chanel bags do. Quality is never questioned with Chanel.

 

 

 

 

 

To say that I am a handbag addict would be an understatement. Even my birthday falls on National Handbag Day. That being said, I do have quite a large collection of handbags, and I frequently get asked all sorts of bag-related questions. Although I am no expert (I buy what I like, but with thorough contemplation), bag buying is something I have years of experience with and here I will share some of my thoughts/tips which I hope can be resourceful in your decision-making process:

 

 

Q. How many bags do you own?

A. 19, plus 6 pouches.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. How do you afford it all?

A. The answer is simple: I work. I have a full-time job that allows me to indulge in my expensive taste in handbags. I am a career girl, fortunate to have the opportunity to build and expand my professional career, and buying handbags is simply one of the ways I treat myself after hard-work.

But, of course, this comes after taking care of all the fun grown-up stuff (bills/rents) and I think it’s really important to prioritize your spending. If you can’t afford your dream handbag right now, then that’s ok – as a matter of fact, I think it’s admirable to be smart about your finances instead of spending money you don’t even have, often times to impress people you don’t even like. Especially for me, each handbag has its own story and a memory that goes along with it: the Chanel Backpack was a graduation gift, the Gucci Dionysus celebrates my new job. I wouldn’t want a handbag to remind me of something like maxing out on pre-approved credit cards or struggling to pay rent the next month.

Just remember, if you can’t have what you love, learn to love what you have.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. How do you make the decision to buy the bag?

A. There are a lot of factors I consider before buying a bag, and it really is a long process before I make the purchase. Once a bag catches my eye, I will do a ton of research, look at photos, try it on in the store, visualize wearing it with different outfits, while asking myself all sorts of questions like:

• Longevity: “Would I be able to wear it next year?” – This is a big factor for me. I want to buy bags that I can still wear next year, 5 ~10 years from now, which leads me to the next question.

• Trendiness: “Is this a trend?” –  I have a tendency to stay away from “trendy” bags that don’t hold their values after a season, and gravitate more towards classic pieces with staying power. This is not to say trendy bags aren’t beautiful – it is just a matter of preference. How to tell whether a bag is going to be a seasonal trend or a classic is something of an acquired sense, in my opinion. My recommendation is to research, browse through magazines and shops as often as possible, to be more “in-the-know” so you can get a sense of which bags are being advertised/over-exposed (which is often times for the trendy bags; you rarely see an ad for the Chanel Classic Flap)

• Usage/Value: “Would I be able to get a good use out of this?” –  I think about occasions and outfits I would wear the bag with. If I’m spending $2000+ on a handbag, it would have to work well into my lifestyle and I would want to get my money worth and a good use out of it. Also, I’ve realized that a bag might look great on its own (or even on someone else) but not necessarily on you. Some bags are just meant to be admired from afar.

• Similarity: “Do I have something similar?” – Having a pretty big handbag collection already, I am trying not to buy handbags that overlap in terms of functionality. For instance, I have the Givenchy Angitona in black, a structured bag I usually wear on formal occasions, so I won’t be purchasing another black/structured/formal bag, unless the Antigona falls apart, which is highly unlikely.

• Availability: “Is this going to be available next season?” – If the bag is something that’s always going to be available, season after season, I would probably save it for later and instead prioritize on getting other bags on my wishlist, whereas if the bag is a seasonal piece or relatively hard to get, I would take the plunge.

• Resale Value (Investment?): This is not so much of an issue for me as I don’t buy bags thinking I would re-sell it at some point, but I know it can be an important factor for some. Basically this is how much profit you’ll get out of if/when you are to sell your used handbag. Chanel is one of the brands that has a high resale value, meaning you will definitely get close to what you originally paid for or sometimes even more, as their prices increase periodically.

 

+ Trying to decide between two or more colors? My best advice (I received from my Store Associate from Céline) is to just keep trying them on, with different outfits until you can make a decision. I don’t see this as bothering the Sales Associates, but more so as being careful in your decision as you don’t want to regret your purchase. It’s your money you’re spending so you have the right to take your time until you can be fully confident in your decision.

 

 

 

 

Q. How often do you buy bags?

A. I have no set period of time, but it seems like the average has been 7 bags per year. I know this is a lot, but it’s not something that’s going to happen every single year, as my collection has grown and there are only a few handbags left on my wishlist.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What is your favorite bag brand?

A. Céline, with no hesitation. I love the brand’s aesthetics and Phoebe Philo‘s artistic vision, so much so that people ask me if I work at Céline (I don’t, but I should at this point). The minimalistic and understated design just gets me every time. Chanel is a close second.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What is your most worn bag?

A. Definitely my Céline Luggage Nano. I’ve gotten so much wear out of it that I would consider getting it in another color. People thought the luggage would be a trend that would phase out, but I think this nano size has proven to be a classic. It holds a lot, and is so functional and practical (can be worn cross-body/shoulder/by hand). This is also a very rare color combination that I always get compliments on everywhere I go 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Q. And the least?

A. I would say the Chanel Classic Flap, mainly because it’s such a beautiful “special occasion” bag, at least for me. During the weekdays I wear workbags and on the weekends I like to dress more casually, so I don’t really reach for this Classic Flap, which is a bit more formal, unless I’m going to special events. Nonetheless happy to have it in my collection!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. Which bags have you sold and why?

A. I’ve sold 4 bags, all for the same reason being that I wasn’t getting much use out of it.

• Celine Trapeze: I had initially wanted a beige/navy combo, but this hot pink color caught my eye which resulted in an impulse decision. Had I bought the beige/navy, I might have kept it, as the Trapeze really is a beautiful bag. Would I buy it again? Maybe not.

• Prada Saffiano: Long story short, this one I didn’t necessarily “sell” but was defected so I returned it to Prada and got a store credit, with which I bought their double bag. I ended up selling the double bag, and vouched myself I won’t buy Prada bags, at least for awhile. Would I buy it again? No.

• Celine Luggage: I use the nano version of this luggage way more frequently, so I sold this big size, as I didn’t want to just sit in my closet and thought it would be better if someone else could get a good use out of it. Would I buy it again? No.

• Balenciaga City: I thought the classic City was too dull so I opted for the metallic edge, to give it a bit more.. well, edge. The leather was more durable, and therefore making the bag heavier. The bag also has no firm structure, and I, being more of a structured-bag person, wasn’t reaching for this bag (I only wore it twice). I sold it and got the mini version (which is more structured). Would I buy it again? Maybe. But in the classic version. Not at full price.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What do you recommend for a first designer piece?

A. For the first designer piece, you definitely want something you can get a lot of use out of, so I recommend classic pieces that go well with many outfits like the Givenchy Antigona, Balenciaga City, Louis Vuitton Speedy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. For girls on a budget?

A. I think Mansur Gavriel makes some great quality handbags, and even after thieir revolutionary “bucket bag” phase they still continue to release beautiful pieces and remain relevant in the handbag industry. Other brands I recommend are Proenza Schouler, 3.1. Phillip Lim, and A.P.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What is next on your wishlist?

A. Definitely the Chanel Boy Bag, but I haven’t come across the combination I want just yet. I always seem to want the leather/hardware/color combination that doesn’t exist, but I am in no rush and no position to settle for anything else but the combination I prefer. It’s a waiting game, as it’s always been for me!

 

 

 

 

 

Shop my bag closet

by clicking on the photos below:

                                     

                     

xx,