Thoughts on these bags? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Thoughts on these bags?

Astrid

Veteran

With birthday and Christmas coming up I've been wondering about a new bag... I love the simplicity of these styles, but maybe I'm just blinded by all the lovely colors available?

What do you think? Could this be an everyday bag? And if yes, would you go for a bigger one to have room for umbrella and water bottle or for a smaller one that would also work for a dressy bag in a pinch? (Mata vs. Lola?)

There are a variety of leathers and colors available, I think I like the non shiny velvet in #3 best.

http://shop.volker-lang-access.....g_id=en_GB

Am I crazy to consider this? With the price the bag needs to be just right.

What do you think? Any and all thoughts welcome.

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

ClaraT

Veteran

I adore the first one (because it meets my style needs ): It is gorgeous, secure, and you can hold it but have your hands free. Love the blue and the lining! Is it large enough to hold your essentials (wallet, phone, sunglass case, lip balm)? (Or whatever your essentials are?) The others are great, too, if you like a clutch.

Aida

Veteran

I love the idea of velvet for you Astrid. To me #3 is firmly dressy for your style (I think you need a bigger floppier casual clutch if you want to go that route), but that same velvet with #1/2 could certainly work for every day. Would the velvet be an issue for rain though?

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Clara! Forgot to say, I'd definitely get one of the crossbody styles, not a clutch. Just got some pics of Google and with #3/4 you could see both leather and colors well. There are A TON of color choices, I would want a (near) neutral that goes with everything. The bag in the first two pics is the Lola, big enough for my essentials but probably not for an umbrella and I wonder if that might be impractical. There's a style that is bigger that would have room for umbrella, a scarf, something like that. But on some days my few things might get a bit lost in that bigger bag. But I already have a bigger crossbody bag I still like in tan leather that has been used very often over the years. I haven't used a comparable smaller bag I bought last spring as often, but maybe that was also because of the style.

Thanks Aida! It's just a normal leather instead of a shiny coated one, I don't think it would be an issue when it comes to practicality.

Pat_P

For what it's worth, I don't have a problem when I only have a few things in my larger bag. I thought I would - but it actually feels nicely roomy and spacious. So I vote for the larger one. That way, you'll have the space when you need it.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I love them. They have a really sweet vintage charm with the ball clasp and plaid lining.

Carole

Veteran

I like the idea of a little bigger, just seems a little more versatile and I like some substance iykwim! But maybe it's because I feel like a giant with a little bag because I'm tall and broad!

Diana

Veteran

Ok, I think they are super cute, but I am going to say Nay. I find kiss locks adorable but really impractical and annoying to use, especially for an everyday bag or wallet. Either they are too loose and feel like they're going to constantly pop open, or else they are super tight and hard to open and close without pinching oneself....

Anonymous

I personally love them, but I have rarely met a bag I didn't immediately fall in love with. My favorite is number 1 because it is so unusual and interesting.

rachylou

Veteran

I really like these!

Anonymous

I really like the green one you posted. What would you wear this bag with. The rectangular ones look like they might be a bit small to use crossbody with a winter coat...I also wonder of the metal makes it too dressy for everyday wear.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

The clasp makes me uneasy - I've had several clutches like that break or malfunction back in the day, although that could partially be because they were old...I mean vintage.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks for the input everyone, it really helped. I think I definitely don't want the bigger bag. I'm only 5'3" and I think too big bags don't look good on me. My current one collapses a bit when it's empty but because of the frame these wouldn't. And I don't like the color options with the bigger version as much. As for the closure - I didn't even think about that being problematic, so thanks. It's one of the signatures of the brand and they have sold these bags for 30 years, so I just assumed it would work well. I'm thinking I should definitely check it out in person though before I decide anything. And then think of it more as an special occasion bag for going out etc. and not for everyday use. I think the style would work better for those kind of outings. I'm also suspecting that I would miss internal organisation with one of these as a bigger everyday bag. I think I will check out the smaller ones in person to decide and keep looking for another bag for everyday use. I'm not in a hurry, I still like my bag after all.

Thanks again!

san

Veteran

Very pretty I love the colors and textures. Show stoppers I think, and they seem so modern yet retro.

viva

Veteran

Astrid, I think you are very smart to look at them in person and to consider this more of a special occasion bag -- not necessarily dressy, but also not necessarily every day. I would not have thought of the challenge of the clasp as Diana explained it, either. (Forums as so helpful.)

All that said, I gasped when I looked at the pictures. These are extraordinarily beautiful. They look really special, and I would love one of these as a special occasion bag. The colors are amazing, and the shapes are lovely!!! And the fact that the bags have been made for 30 years gives me a lot of hope for that clasp.

Can't wait to hear what happens.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks San! Modern yet retro is right - I love the style, seems pretty timeless to me. And I love pieces with clean and simple lines that still manage to keep a bit of softness.

Thanks Viva! They have a store here in Berlin, so I can check out all the colors and sizes in person. It's not exactly on my way, so it might be a bit before I have time to have a look, but I'll keep you all up to date. The first time I saw one of these was in a window display of a boutique in Munich. I didn't know the brand then, but I looked it up when I came home and I've flirted with the idea of getting one ever since. I don't think they're available in the US, but they ship internationally from the website. It costs 90€ though. Maybe these bags are something to keep in mind for the next trip to Europe?

rachylou

Veteran

Oh I didn't answer the questions: Ok I like them because they are both plain yet striking. I personally prefer the less shiny versions, because I like the plain aspect a whole lot. I like the green a lot, but then for me I could see the grey or brown or burgundy being extremely versatile. And I'd probably go for the bigger bag... Big phone

The clasp thing... All depends on the quality of the hardware.

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, I'm with you on the preference for the less shiny versions. I think plain is definitely underrated...