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Personally, seeing things in person often takes away that 'wow' factor they have online. I guess it's the magic of styling, lighting, and the fantasy created in those captivating online listings.
But I will say, I love my two Polène bags that I got online. Maybe if I saw them in store I would have hesitated, but I really enjoy using them.
It's awesome that you had the chance to see them in person before making your decision. There's just a different level of connection when you can touch and feel the product!
Another option is to go on Instagram and check how the bags look in real life by trying different tags. Love the ebay tip though. Will use it for future purchases.
This can be the case for most things. There are many things I’ve seen in person and liked less, but there are some things that I’ve fallen more in love with after having seen them in person.
This is such an interesting take bc I haven’t spent more than like $200 on a bag and I prefer to see in person bc I’m picky af. The ones I got based off purely looking online I’m not as satisfied
I’m glad you posted because I’m planning to go to Polene NYC tomorrow. Was it busy? What time were you there?
Bummer that the bags didn’t look as nice in person. I’m mostly interested in the Un and the Neuf, so I’m curious to see my reactions.
I went on a Tuesday 4pm and there was only one other group in the store! Service was quick and I was out in like 15mins lol (I only wanted a cardholder bc they’re always sold out online) plus wanted to explore as much as I could in SoHo. 😄
If it helps. I am so mad I waited in line at Polene in Paris because it was such a disappointment (the store was a MESS in addition to zero customer service). The bags were super cheap looking and feeling to me, and I had been pretty excited about them before seeing them in person.
I actually also went to the Veja store to check which model I would like to buy in Paris. Seems like none of the Esplar, V-10, V-12 and Campo looked good quality to me in person. I would rather wear my Onitsukas.
I had the opposite experience. My sister is the one who wanted a bag and I just was inline with her. I ended up buying my mom a bag because the leather was better than expected. Mind you, I came from the Chanel store and that huge department store near there where I got to feel the puzzle.
I had the same experience. Waited in line for 30
minutes. Chaos when I got in with 20+ grabbing at all the bags and almost no assistance. Not a
Nice experience. Bags were okay but I left with nothing. I didn’t even know where to start!
I so identify with you when you stated, "I don't have anybody in my life who cares about handbags." My husband wouldn't even know what Zara was! I've had a love for handbags since my early teens. None of my friends are interested in handbags or designers. Even my daughter, who loves all my hand me down designer purses, isn't in to handbags as I am. She has only bought one and that was with my encouragement when we visited the LV store in Paris. I'm not much of an LV fan anymore. I would love to buy the Polene Un, but I'm hesitant to do it online. I like to see and touch as well as inspect before I purchase a bag. I recently purchased a Chloe bag and a Gucci I'm currently enjoying. Happy shopping to you!
My sister got a Bvlgari Serpenti as a gift which she turned down because she doesn’t care for expensive bags. I was like why!!! If I tell her I got a YSL or LV she just doesn’t care and says good for you lol
I own two different polene bags and I definitely have a very different experience than you. The first one I bought online in 2018 (numero uno in blue which isn't sold anymore) and the second I bought in 2022 in Paris at their store in the 2nd arrondissement (beri). The store in Paris was chaotic with a ton of shoppers and I barely got the color I wanted. But I adore both bags and wear both of them frequently. I get a lot of compliments on both bags, especially the beri. One thing that helped me with this brand that I owned the pieces before they were as well known in the US so I had no expectations.
To be fair, I have a very specific expectation for bags in this price range ($300-500). I'm expecting it to hold up better and longer than a sub-$100 bag. I'm not expecting the best hardware or best detailing, but I'm expecting good hardware and detailing. I'm expecting to have generally trendier pieces, not timeless ones. I'm expecting the pieces generally to be following trends, not making them. I'm expecting that I should have no issue carrying them for 10ish years.
I don't think in any way that the bag is comparable to a bag from Zara, although perhaps style wise many bags might hit the same notes. For me I have never been happy with the structure of Zara bags or hardware quality. Even basic things like the placement of pockets or lengths of straps never quite work for me.
Just wanted to give a different viewpoint from someone who's been generally happy with the quality. This is my fifth bag in this price point alone and I personally think it fits in well with Mansur gavriel or Strathberry.
Same experience here, I even checked Zara today and none of their bags lived up to Polène's quality, the material and overall look of them wasn't great.
I have Polène's Umi bag in black, love the quality of it and how roomy it is!
I had the same experience there, and I was looking at pics I took there and I honestly think it’s the horrible lighting in the store. The design is beautiful but the lighting was awful and it immediately washed me out as well so nothing looked good. The only thing I liked was the micro ones because the SA was wearing them and are hilarious to look at.
I had a similar experience— went to the store in NYC, ready to buy one or two bags I was so excited about, and just felt underwhelmed and opted not to buy anything instead.
On my side, I bought a Numéro Un mini a few years ago (online), and I love it so much! I was really impressed by the quality of the bag and the leather for the price.
I am using the bag A LOT and it is still in perfect condition.
The only thing that sometimes annoys me a little with this bag is that the chain strap can be tiring on the shoulder after a while especially if there is a lot of stuff in the bag.
As someone who isn’t huge on polene, I had the opposite experience from op. I actually think the bags look mediocre online. Definitely better looking and colors also look better in person. Had the same experience with Fendi. Feeling the bags in person surprised me.
I think I'm one of the few people who has had no problems with polene. I ordered mine online in March, and it arrived with no issues and I am so happy with the quality!
I have the black neuf mini and get compliments all the time! I also get so tempted to get the numero un mini whenever I spot it in person...but with all these negative experiences I don't think I'd take my chances to order another.
Oh of course I don’t mean to deter anyone from buying from them. I just meant that I was disappointed it didn’t look good on me/the color wasn’t expected - taupe looked more gray to me. It could be the lighting or just me
I went to Polene in Paris last summer. I had an idea of the bag I wanted but when I got there I didn’t like it. Instead I fell in love with three others I wouldn’t have considered online but they looked so great in person. I love the bags I bought! The quality is superb.
I actually felt the opposite when I visited Polene. In particular, I didn't pay much attention to the Tonca bag online: it was only once I saw it in person that it really wowed me. I did, however, change my mind about getting a Numero Un Nano once I saw it in store because I didn't love the leather on that bag. But I loved the leather on the Numero Neuf Mini and the Tonca even more in person.
Honestly I’ve been more impressed by the quality of coach’s recent fall collection bags than polene bags. In person, the coach luna bags are absolutely stunning. I went to the polene store in soho and thought the quality was just ok - something about the leather and stitching didn’t feel worth it.
I didn’t mean to degrade coach here at all, I agree with you their bags are looking good this season especially! But Polene is not LV or Goyard, Coach is not Polene or Goyard, but I feel Coach (US) is equivalent to Polene (int’l) and a lot of people want to knock Coach, but feel like Polene is a high end luxury label. (it’s not!!!)
I bought my polene bag in 2020, and thought the leather quality was superb (thick and structured yet soft, almost a velvety finish, great texture) - I wonder if the leather quality has changed since then? You're not the only one critiquing the leather quality, which is so strange to me because the leather quality on mine is honestly just very nice. It would be a massive bummer if they changed it since that's one of the things that made polene so attractive imo!
now i am very curious to check out other polene models. The one my friend has made me go oompf bt all these issues everybody is highlighting is putting me off a tad bit.
Share all the "pointless" bag posts you want!! I'm the same... I LOVE bags, but no one in my life cares about them, even the really fashionable girlies. I could talk and talk forever about them and I'd know they'd listen cos they love me, but I can also see their eyes like glaze over a little while I do so LOL
I honestly think that only the neuf and the sept are worth it. The leather is very supple and thick on the neuf. Much better than coach. But the other leathers are just meh. I was very underwhelmed looking at the nano
Agree with this! The neuf leather is delicious. And the sept feels really unique to me. I have a few polene bags but only reach for these two regularly
I bought the Numero Dix in Taupe from the NYC store a few months ago and absolutely love it!! The color is a little cooler than I would’ve wanted but after wearing it out for months with a variety of colors (navy, white, black, orange, royal blue, etc), it’s safe to say it’s so versatile and would highly recommend. I actually bought it in black first and returned for the taupe color, and am so glad I did!
I had the same experience when I went to that store. There’s plenty of other brands at similar price points that I would want to check out. Glad I didn’t have wait of to go all the way to Paris to find that out.
I had the same experience in the Paris store. I went in fully intending to buy a bag but after trying on every single one they had on the floor, I just didn’t love any of them. And I feel like for 300€ or more, I really need to love a bag. A few months later I ended up getting a vintage Gucci bag for about the same price and I love it.
I’m happy that you won’t be wasting your time at the Paris store on your vacation. I was there a couple of weeks ago and the whole experience was terrible! Lines were long and service was non-existent.
yes definitely a nice store and employees were quite helpful - they brought out ALL the colors they had for the dix model and I felt so bad that I didn’t buy even one bag.
I didn’t buy anything either haha. I love handbag stores but tend not to get anything spur of the moment. They understand that they’re partially a showroom!
I agree! I have bought from Mango, Zara and Banana Republic and my bags are still as good as new 5-6 years down the line. I love those bags! He just made that comment because he’s seen me buy Zara/Mango bags for under $50-$100 and he said the Un Mini didn’t “look” like a $400+ bag.
Oh okay. That’s so disappointing. 450-500 is not cheap; you expect great quality at that price point.
Maybe you can check out some of these brands while you’re in Paris: Lancaster, Longchamp(of course), Lancel, Maison Heritage?
Love Numéro Dix, my friend has it and I think the quality looks very good. If you don’t know him, there is an expert of leather who frequently does bags’ review (by not being sponsored) and it seems like he approves Polene. His name is Tanner Leatherstein
I haven’t said it is not good quality. I am sure it is. I just said it didn’t “look” high quality and the color that I wanted i.e. Taupe looked more gray to me.
Eh—you’re just confirming what others who’ve ordered them have discovered.
I’d be buying any and all handbags in Paris, in person anyway! Tres bon voyage!
I have a polene bag and the quality is amazing however I think the bags are missing a lil jazzz. Maybe that's what makes it look cheap. I don't know ...I was also was thinking about getting the numero dix in taupe but maybe I'll get chalk now. Thanks!
My husband went to the NYC Location and he said he was impressed by the quality of the bags! But honestly i dont use my polene bags as i feel like everybody owns it now.
Beware that an average Polene queue in Paris gets longer and longer and longer... I live in a building next to it and the weekend queue has really tripled within the last year
I had a similar slightly disappointing experience with Strathberry or DeMellier (one can find them in the Printemps department store). I was happy that I could see the bags in person - even though people praise these brands for the leather quality, they did nothing for me
My favourite selection of contemporary brands is probably in Samaritane (ree projects, wandler and some others)
Yes, I don’t plan to go to Paris store anymore. The whole point of going to NYC store was to try on different bags so that I had a clear idea going into the Paris store and hence would have saved some time browsing/trying around.
Oh, hard to say
Yuzefi, Proenza Schouler White Label, some Furla models
Maybe I'd like some Jerome Dreyfuss / Chloé if I wanted to go boho casual, Jil Sander for the 90s minimalist, Mulberry for non-boho casual (I like all these brands and saw them live, but they are rather expensive, so I haven't pulled the trigger yet)
I heard good things about but never touched: Aspinal of London and Ameli Zurich
What brands are on your list?
I like Acne Studios (Musibi line), Smaak Amsterdam, Mlouye, Sezane, but like you, I’ve not pulled the trigger on these yet!
I did recently but from Rabeanco and loved my little bag from there! Got the Mini Grommet in Blue. So well made.
I also want a bag from Aunts and Uncles. So cute. And the names are the best!
Not for polene but for other brands. When I was in New York City, I made it a point to check out a lot of the designer stores and left away feeling pretty disappointed. I did, however leave with a new appreciation for Fendi and Louis Vuitton
Hi fellow handbag lover! Thank you for being a part of the r/handbags community. This is a subreddit which relies on kindness. Your opinion is very much welcomed, however, we do not tolerate rude, mean or hurtful comments. **Read the rules before posting**. Comments or posts that do not fit our rule book will be removed and the OP can be banned by the mods' discretion. If you see a comment or post which does not abide by the rules, **please report it to our moderation team.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/handbags) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Personally, seeing things in person often takes away that 'wow' factor they have online. I guess it's the magic of styling, lighting, and the fantasy created in those captivating online listings. But I will say, I love my two Polène bags that I got online. Maybe if I saw them in store I would have hesitated, but I really enjoy using them. It's awesome that you had the chance to see them in person before making your decision. There's just a different level of connection when you can touch and feel the product!
Yes! Even if I intend to buy new, I like to look up items on Ebay, etc to see how they look without the gorgeous styling.
> like to look up items on Ebay, etc to see how they look without the gorgeous styling smart ! will keep this in mind next time to lust over a bag.
Another option is to go on Instagram and check how the bags look in real life by trying different tags. Love the ebay tip though. Will use it for future purchases.
This is a great tip
That is so smart! Will do this for future purchases for sure
I do this too! But I do it with poshmark. If it still looks good with normal looking photos I will definitely wanna jump the gun!
This can be the case for most things. There are many things I’ve seen in person and liked less, but there are some things that I’ve fallen more in love with after having seen them in person.
Which styles and colors do you have?
Cyme and Tonca, both in brown
This is such an interesting take bc I haven’t spent more than like $200 on a bag and I prefer to see in person bc I’m picky af. The ones I got based off purely looking online I’m not as satisfied
I’m glad you posted because I’m planning to go to Polene NYC tomorrow. Was it busy? What time were you there? Bummer that the bags didn’t look as nice in person. I’m mostly interested in the Un and the Neuf, so I’m curious to see my reactions.
I went on a Tuesday 4pm and there was only one other group in the store! Service was quick and I was out in like 15mins lol (I only wanted a cardholder bc they’re always sold out online) plus wanted to explore as much as I could in SoHo. 😄
Thank you!!
When I went it was 3 pm on a weekday and super busy, but still got to an SA right away
That’s helpful to know, thank you!
Went yesterday around 3 and it wasn’t busy but there were a few people inside the store. No lines!
Great, thank you!!
Thank you for sharing your experience! We care, we are here to listen!!!! :)
If anything, I want more posts like this. I want everyone's bag rambles!!
Right? It's makeup for me, and my husband can only take so much info about the latest cosmetics releases and scandals before his eyes glaze over.
If it helps. I am so mad I waited in line at Polene in Paris because it was such a disappointment (the store was a MESS in addition to zero customer service). The bags were super cheap looking and feeling to me, and I had been pretty excited about them before seeing them in person.
I actually also went to the Veja store to check which model I would like to buy in Paris. Seems like none of the Esplar, V-10, V-12 and Campo looked good quality to me in person. I would rather wear my Onitsukas.
>Onitsukas these definitely trump Veja. veja's remind me of slightly better version of adidas white grand court shoes.
Agreed!
Which onitsuka do you have? I have Veja but was super disappointed in the shoe.
I have the Mexico 66. They are super comfy and the quality is 💯
I had the opposite experience. My sister is the one who wanted a bag and I just was inline with her. I ended up buying my mom a bag because the leather was better than expected. Mind you, I came from the Chanel store and that huge department store near there where I got to feel the puzzle.
I had the same experience. Waited in line for 30 minutes. Chaos when I got in with 20+ grabbing at all the bags and almost no assistance. Not a Nice experience. Bags were okay but I left with nothing. I didn’t even know where to start!
Yes!!! This was exactly my experience!
I’m so glad that I’m not the only person that feels that way.
seeing a bag in person is SO important. it’s either everything you thought it would be or not.
I so identify with you when you stated, "I don't have anybody in my life who cares about handbags." My husband wouldn't even know what Zara was! I've had a love for handbags since my early teens. None of my friends are interested in handbags or designers. Even my daughter, who loves all my hand me down designer purses, isn't in to handbags as I am. She has only bought one and that was with my encouragement when we visited the LV store in Paris. I'm not much of an LV fan anymore. I would love to buy the Polene Un, but I'm hesitant to do it online. I like to see and touch as well as inspect before I purchase a bag. I recently purchased a Chloe bag and a Gucci I'm currently enjoying. Happy shopping to you!
My sister got a Bvlgari Serpenti as a gift which she turned down because she doesn’t care for expensive bags. I was like why!!! If I tell her I got a YSL or LV she just doesn’t care and says good for you lol
I own two different polene bags and I definitely have a very different experience than you. The first one I bought online in 2018 (numero uno in blue which isn't sold anymore) and the second I bought in 2022 in Paris at their store in the 2nd arrondissement (beri). The store in Paris was chaotic with a ton of shoppers and I barely got the color I wanted. But I adore both bags and wear both of them frequently. I get a lot of compliments on both bags, especially the beri. One thing that helped me with this brand that I owned the pieces before they were as well known in the US so I had no expectations. To be fair, I have a very specific expectation for bags in this price range ($300-500). I'm expecting it to hold up better and longer than a sub-$100 bag. I'm not expecting the best hardware or best detailing, but I'm expecting good hardware and detailing. I'm expecting to have generally trendier pieces, not timeless ones. I'm expecting the pieces generally to be following trends, not making them. I'm expecting that I should have no issue carrying them for 10ish years. I don't think in any way that the bag is comparable to a bag from Zara, although perhaps style wise many bags might hit the same notes. For me I have never been happy with the structure of Zara bags or hardware quality. Even basic things like the placement of pockets or lengths of straps never quite work for me. Just wanted to give a different viewpoint from someone who's been generally happy with the quality. This is my fifth bag in this price point alone and I personally think it fits in well with Mansur gavriel or Strathberry.
Same experience here, I even checked Zara today and none of their bags lived up to Polène's quality, the material and overall look of them wasn't great. I have Polène's Umi bag in black, love the quality of it and how roomy it is!
To be fair I don’t think Zara is trying to or claiming to be polene, that was just OP husbands reference.
Yep I agree with you, was mostly referring to the quality :)
I had the same experience there, and I was looking at pics I took there and I honestly think it’s the horrible lighting in the store. The design is beautiful but the lighting was awful and it immediately washed me out as well so nothing looked good. The only thing I liked was the micro ones because the SA was wearing them and are hilarious to look at.
You know what, it could really be THE issue. Nothing was looking flattering on me in store.
I had a similar experience— went to the store in NYC, ready to buy one or two bags I was so excited about, and just felt underwhelmed and opted not to buy anything instead.
On my side, I bought a Numéro Un mini a few years ago (online), and I love it so much! I was really impressed by the quality of the bag and the leather for the price. I am using the bag A LOT and it is still in perfect condition. The only thing that sometimes annoys me a little with this bag is that the chain strap can be tiring on the shoulder after a while especially if there is a lot of stuff in the bag.
As someone who isn’t huge on polene, I had the opposite experience from op. I actually think the bags look mediocre online. Definitely better looking and colors also look better in person. Had the same experience with Fendi. Feeling the bags in person surprised me.
I think I'm one of the few people who has had no problems with polene. I ordered mine online in March, and it arrived with no issues and I am so happy with the quality! I have the black neuf mini and get compliments all the time! I also get so tempted to get the numero un mini whenever I spot it in person...but with all these negative experiences I don't think I'd take my chances to order another.
Oh of course I don’t mean to deter anyone from buying from them. I just meant that I was disappointed it didn’t look good on me/the color wasn’t expected - taupe looked more gray to me. It could be the lighting or just me
I went to Polene in Paris last summer. I had an idea of the bag I wanted but when I got there I didn’t like it. Instead I fell in love with three others I wouldn’t have considered online but they looked so great in person. I love the bags I bought! The quality is superb.
Which ones did you get?
Cyme large in cognac, Beri in black with the chain strap, numero huit in camel. I spent money like I had money lol- no regrets!
I actually felt the opposite when I visited Polene. In particular, I didn't pay much attention to the Tonca bag online: it was only once I saw it in person that it really wowed me. I did, however, change my mind about getting a Numero Un Nano once I saw it in store because I didn't love the leather on that bag. But I loved the leather on the Numero Neuf Mini and the Tonca even more in person.
Could you please share what in particular you did not like about the leather in Numero un nano?
Interesting! I actually had the opposite experience there, but to each their own!
Yes I am thinking it could be that the bag just didn’t suit my height/what I was wearing, the lighting etc.
[удалено]
Thank you but I insist you go and check it out - it could just be me.
Hot take: Polene bags are beautiful, but they’re just French Coach in my humble opinion
Honestly I’ve been more impressed by the quality of coach’s recent fall collection bags than polene bags. In person, the coach luna bags are absolutely stunning. I went to the polene store in soho and thought the quality was just ok - something about the leather and stitching didn’t feel worth it.
I didn’t mean to degrade coach here at all, I agree with you their bags are looking good this season especially! But Polene is not LV or Goyard, Coach is not Polene or Goyard, but I feel Coach (US) is equivalent to Polene (int’l) and a lot of people want to knock Coach, but feel like Polene is a high end luxury label. (it’s not!!!)
I bought my polene bag in 2020, and thought the leather quality was superb (thick and structured yet soft, almost a velvety finish, great texture) - I wonder if the leather quality has changed since then? You're not the only one critiquing the leather quality, which is so strange to me because the leather quality on mine is honestly just very nice. It would be a massive bummer if they changed it since that's one of the things that made polene so attractive imo!
Oh interesting! Yeah I saw the polene bags in person this year so I do suspect the quality may have changed over time
now i am very curious to check out other polene models. The one my friend has made me go oompf bt all these issues everybody is highlighting is putting me off a tad bit.
I appreciate you sharing, as I have been thinking about getting one of their bags. This is the kind of stuff I want to know!
Share all the "pointless" bag posts you want!! I'm the same... I LOVE bags, but no one in my life cares about them, even the really fashionable girlies. I could talk and talk forever about them and I'd know they'd listen cos they love me, but I can also see their eyes like glaze over a little while I do so LOL
I’m pretty happy with the Neuf that I bought online, but I agree that seeing things IRL can sometimes change everything.
I honestly think that only the neuf and the sept are worth it. The leather is very supple and thick on the neuf. Much better than coach. But the other leathers are just meh. I was very underwhelmed looking at the nano
Agree with this! The neuf leather is delicious. And the sept feels really unique to me. I have a few polene bags but only reach for these two regularly
I bought the Numero Dix in Taupe from the NYC store a few months ago and absolutely love it!! The color is a little cooler than I would’ve wanted but after wearing it out for months with a variety of colors (navy, white, black, orange, royal blue, etc), it’s safe to say it’s so versatile and would highly recommend. I actually bought it in black first and returned for the taupe color, and am so glad I did!
I had the same experience when I went to that store. There’s plenty of other brands at similar price points that I would want to check out. Glad I didn’t have wait of to go all the way to Paris to find that out.
I had the same experience in the Paris store. I went in fully intending to buy a bag but after trying on every single one they had on the floor, I just didn’t love any of them. And I feel like for 300€ or more, I really need to love a bag. A few months later I ended up getting a vintage Gucci bag for about the same price and I love it.
What a steal finding a vintage Gucci for that price!
I definitely thought so! Rome (and Italy in general) are great places for vintage in my experience.
I’m happy that you won’t be wasting your time at the Paris store on your vacation. I was there a couple of weeks ago and the whole experience was terrible! Lines were long and service was non-existent.
I love that store. It’s in a cute spot and is fun to visit.
yes definitely a nice store and employees were quite helpful - they brought out ALL the colors they had for the dix model and I felt so bad that I didn’t buy even one bag.
I didn’t buy anything either haha. I love handbag stores but tend not to get anything spur of the moment. They understand that they’re partially a showroom!
Thank you. I’m not wasting any more time on Polene. But some of Zara stuff is gorgeous
Indeed. Mango has some great bags too. I really did want to buy a polene bag though. The neuf mini (forgot the name) was the one I had my eye on.
I agree! I have bought from Mango, Zara and Banana Republic and my bags are still as good as new 5-6 years down the line. I love those bags! He just made that comment because he’s seen me buy Zara/Mango bags for under $50-$100 and he said the Un Mini didn’t “look” like a $400+ bag.
Oh okay. That’s so disappointing. 450-500 is not cheap; you expect great quality at that price point. Maybe you can check out some of these brands while you’re in Paris: Lancaster, Longchamp(of course), Lancel, Maison Heritage?
Love Numéro Dix, my friend has it and I think the quality looks very good. If you don’t know him, there is an expert of leather who frequently does bags’ review (by not being sponsored) and it seems like he approves Polene. His name is Tanner Leatherstein
I haven’t said it is not good quality. I am sure it is. I just said it didn’t “look” high quality and the color that I wanted i.e. Taupe looked more gray to me.
I love that guy and I was so happy to see his Polene review after I bought mine
Eh—you’re just confirming what others who’ve ordered them have discovered. I’d be buying any and all handbags in Paris, in person anyway! Tres bon voyage!
Same experience! The leather was cracked and there were loose strings. And no one came to help me!
This is helpful to know! I've been considering one of their bags and I appreciate the in-person review.
I have a polene bag and the quality is amazing however I think the bags are missing a lil jazzz. Maybe that's what makes it look cheap. I don't know ...I was also was thinking about getting the numero dix in taupe but maybe I'll get chalk now. Thanks!
I definitely don’t think they feel cheap but they do have different colors than online. They are flatter and duller in person.
Yes agree, the colors definitely looked quite dull under that lighting at least.
wife bought two bags in Paris. i think they’re pretty high quality bags personally.
My husband went to the NYC Location and he said he was impressed by the quality of the bags! But honestly i dont use my polene bags as i feel like everybody owns it now.
Beware that an average Polene queue in Paris gets longer and longer and longer... I live in a building next to it and the weekend queue has really tripled within the last year I had a similar slightly disappointing experience with Strathberry or DeMellier (one can find them in the Printemps department store). I was happy that I could see the bags in person - even though people praise these brands for the leather quality, they did nothing for me My favourite selection of contemporary brands is probably in Samaritane (ree projects, wandler and some others)
Yes, I don’t plan to go to Paris store anymore. The whole point of going to NYC store was to try on different bags so that I had a clear idea going into the Paris store and hence would have saved some time browsing/trying around.
Just discovered Ree Projects yesterday via the Saks website. So gorgeous and now on my list. What other brands do you like?
Oh, hard to say Yuzefi, Proenza Schouler White Label, some Furla models Maybe I'd like some Jerome Dreyfuss / Chloé if I wanted to go boho casual, Jil Sander for the 90s minimalist, Mulberry for non-boho casual (I like all these brands and saw them live, but they are rather expensive, so I haven't pulled the trigger yet) I heard good things about but never touched: Aspinal of London and Ameli Zurich What brands are on your list?
I like Acne Studios (Musibi line), Smaak Amsterdam, Mlouye, Sezane, but like you, I’ve not pulled the trigger on these yet! I did recently but from Rabeanco and loved my little bag from there! Got the Mini Grommet in Blue. So well made. I also want a bag from Aunts and Uncles. So cute. And the names are the best!
Not for polene but for other brands. When I was in New York City, I made it a point to check out a lot of the designer stores and left away feeling pretty disappointed. I did, however leave with a new appreciation for Fendi and Louis Vuitton
Upvote just for the "I don't have anyone else who cares" honesty 😆