Best place to purchase Dior Saddle Bag | Dreams DiOr come true!
I swear the title sounded much cooler in my head. Lol. Forgive me if it's cringe.
I wrote about making a big purchase in one of my earlier entries and I am finally going to talk about it here.
So I finally took the leap and bought my very own Dior Saddle Bag during my most recent trip to Amsterdam. If you don't already know, Europe is the best place to purchase Dior Products - thanks to VAT returns across European Union countries.
I grew up watching a lot of fashion-oriented shows and I was obsessed with the E channel. I would watch almost every show religiously and get lost in the world of fashion. I loved seeing how celebrities style themselves and my obsession with handbags stemmed from there.
I used to lust over the pieces donned by A-Listers and one particular bag that stole my heart was the DIOR Saddle Bag - It was love at first sight. This beauty has been living in my head rent-free ever since I saw the queen SJP carrying it in an episode of Sex and the City.
Sorry I got sidetracked. Anyway, the objective of this post is to offer some information to those of you who are looking into purchasing the Dior saddle bag. So let's dive right in.
Re -emergence of a Cult Classic | Dior Saddle Bag 2.0
The iconic saddle bag was first launched in John Galliano’s Spring/Summer 2000 collection and it instantly became all the rage in the fashion world. The bag turned into a must-have item among celebrities and fashionistas.
Famous celebrities such as Beyonce and Paris Hilton were seen toting this bag making it the IT bag.
This timeless piece is now back in the spotlight as it was recently reintroduced during the 2018 autumn show by Maria Grazia Chiuri, the current artistic director at Dior.
Shortly after its reboot, Instagram was flooded with photos of celebrities and influencers carrying the recently launched saddle bag. The bag was seen on Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and Bella Hadid among others.
The saddle bag 2.0 returned with a bang and is clearly here to stay.
Saddle 2.0 Variations
The size and fit of the respective bags are:
Mini
Dimensions: 21 x 18 x 5 cm / 8.5 x 7 x 2 inches
Strap length: 84 - 102 cm / 33 - 40 inches
The size is ideal for a Lotus wallet or an iPhone 12 Pro, as well as a pair of AirPods and lipstick
Medium
Dimensions: 25.5 x 20 x 6.5 cm / 10 x 8 x 3 inches
Strap length: 84 - 102 cm / 33 - 40 inches
The bag held my passport, glasses, small wallet, a packet of tissue, lipstick, and a scrunchie besides my iPhone 11. #triedandtested
The newer version comes with a thin detachable strap, so you have the option of wearing it as a crossbody. For extra style points, you can purchase the embroidered wide canvas straps that are sold separately.
The magnetic closure on the saddle flap is a huge step up from the original style. The new magnetic clasp allows the bag to be easily accessed.
A gold-tone metal featuring the signature "CD" is tastefully added on either side of the strap.
The bag is available in a myriad of materials such as calfskin, oblique canvas, and embroideries. They come in various colors, prints, and motifs. The options are endless, really.
Pros and Cons
Pros
It is trendy and has great aesthetic appeal.
Versatile -perfect as a day or night bag
A great investment piece as it holds its value well
Good VAT returns if purchased from EU Countries.
The new edition comes with a strap so you can also wear it as a crossbody. You can dress it up or down according to your mood
The bold gold finish on the bag is unique and something that you rarely see. The gold metal hardware is scratch proof
The new edition is bigger in size and can hold a lot more things.
The iconic shape - You will not see another designer bag with the similar design
Cons
The new model is expensive - for economical options, you can consider vintage pieces. The vintage pieces reflect designs of the 90s era - think floral, denim, rasta prints, and even sports jersey prints.
Not a Daily Bag - While the newer model holds a lot more items; It is always nice to be able to fit more things if you were to carry a bag on a daily basis
Delicate - The bags are very delicate especially if they come in lighter colors. The canvas-style bags are very durable, not easily scratched and stains can be easily removed. However, bags crafted from leather require extra care and attention. You can read the Ultimate Dior Leather Guide to learn more about the durability of different kinds of leather.
Where to purchase
The newest edition can be purchased at any DIOR boutique around the world and it retails between 2900- 4700 Euro. As mentioned earlier, Europe is the best place to purchase this bag courtesy of the added advantage of tax-free shopping in the EU.
If you are looking at saving some $$$, you can opt for preloved or vintage bags that are available for sale online. However, the reboot of the saddle bag saw a significant increase in the price of second-hand saddle bags; so scout around for best prices and make sure you verify the authenticity of the bag before committing to the purchase.
Check out Vestiaire Collective and SACLAB for top-tier preloved bags - they have some amazing quality pieces.
Tips to Consider
Here are a few tips that I would like to share with you that I trust will be helpful to you. I am in no way an expert but the following is an account of my personal experience.
Firstly, avoid buying a bag that is hot or trendy at that point. Instead, invest in a classic piece that will be relevant for years to come.
I personally feel that neutral tones are the way to go when choosing your first luxury bag. This will allow you to mix and match your bag with your outfits. You can go for bold colors, prints, and seasonal motifs as you build your bag collection. However, this is just me. You do you based on your personal taste and style.
Make sure you do your research before you splurge on a designer bag. There is a wealth of information available online. There are various pages and channels on the internet that offers reviews and news on luxury bags. My go-to pages are pursebob, purseblog and most recently handbag_holic. If you are a fellow handbag enthusiast do check them out!
If you are purchasing the bag through an online medium; always always verify the authenticity of the bag.
Read up on the longevity, durability, and maintenance of the bag to ensure that the bag stays in its best possible shape. Proper storage is key in preserving the condition of the bag.
If you are purchasing it from a physical store, be sure to try the bag, and inspect it closely to see if you are happy with the interior & exterior of the bag and if it is able to hold your things properly before making the decision to buy it.
My bag story
This is my story of how I bought the bag that I have been lusting over forever.
So I bought this bag during my recent trip to Europe and quite frankly this purchase was never a part of the plan. It just happened! I guess you could call it Kismet. Haha. I can feel my husband giving me the side eye. Lol.
Anyway, my original intentions were to purchase a tote bag that is roomy enough to hold all of my stuff while traveling. So for months I have been reading and watching reviews about the versatility and durability of the LV Neverfull bag. I had the whole function vs fashion debate with myself and was convinced that the Neverfull was the perfect fit for me since I was on the lookout for a good airport bag.
When it was time to put our plan in motion, we headed to the LV boutique located at De Bijenkorf but the crowd beat us to it. There was already a long queue ahead of us and were submitted to a virtual waitlist. We decided to use the extra time to do some window shopping before returning to the LV store.
We walked around a little bit and let our gaze wander while admiring all the pretty things around us. I did a double take when I caught a glimpse of the saddle bag out of the corner of my eye. I walked closer to get a better look and there she was, the bag of my dreams, sitting daintily by the display window. That too in the color that I have always wanted!
The next thing I know I was in the store asking the client service representative assigned to us to show me the bag. Seeing it in the flesh so up close hit differently. I inspected the bag thoroughly and I fell even more in love with it. I loved how spacious the compartment was - it was roomier than expected actually. Everything from the gorgeous suede lining to the gold hardware finish stole my heart. Also I am a total sucker for its iconic silhouette - I got all starry eyed looking at it.
One major concern that I had was in terms of color cause let's face it caring for a white bag is no easy feat. It can stain easily and requires delicate care and regular maintenance. And there is the whole issue of color transfer to consider as well. I have to be mindful of what I wear when I carry this bag.
Sensing my concern, the very kind service representative showed us a few other pieces in different colors and designs but my eyes kept falling on the white bag. The heart wants what it wants.
I was pleasantly surprised when our representative told us the price of the bag as it was well within a comfortable price point for us. I thought to myself - this gotta be the Universe's way of telling me that I should buy it. Haha. The things that I tell myself to justify my impulsiveness
Just like that, we pulled the trigger. The whole function vs fashion debate flew right out of the window.
I had a cheesy grin plastered across my face as the service representative rang up the bill. I couldn't shake it off. Lol.
I am the type of person who enjoys in-store shopping compared to digital shopping. The ability to feel and try out my favorite pieces while taking in the ambiance of the store brings me palpable joy.
Upon successful transaction, the bag was handed to me beautifully wrapped in Dior's Christmas edition packaging. It was stunning! It was the most amazing moment - the bag that I have been longing for forever is officially mine!
My previous luxury item purchases have always been calculated so I was waiting for buyer's remorse to kick in. I am happy to report 3 months and I have not felt any regret. I believe that you should only invest in a bag if you really love it. You do not want to spend a huge chunk of your hard-earned money on a bag that will only make occasional appearances.
#Protip Invest in a piece that will elevate your wardrobe and to get the best use of your bag.
This is a core memory experience that I will never forget for it is not every day that you treat yourself to a luxury purchase.
I cannot wait to style this beauty!
I hope that you will find the information that I have shared helpful.
Alas Dream DiOR comes true!
Till next time, toodles!
Opmerkingen