Designer Bag Review: Louis Vuitton Neverfull, Tory Burch Robinson, 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli

SHOP THE POST:

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Jacket: Goodnight Macaroon c/o / Tank: Express / Bracelets: Wrapped by Sav c/o / Earrings: Kendra Scott / Denim: TopShop / Monogram Tote: Louis Vuitton / Cognac Tote: Tory Burch / Black Leather Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli

Hi friends! I have been wanting to share some of my favorite designer bags with you for quite some time and finally got around to reviewing three of them. I am a purse girl through and through, but I totally understand that purchasing a designer bag is a big deal and it needs to be treated as such. I scour the internet reading reviews before purchase, but I find that my most coveted pieces in my closet are the designer bags that I have saved up for and finally had the feeling of pure joy walking into the store and purchasing them.

I personally believe that one neutral designer bag can elevate your whole wardrobe and so I typically wear more affordable clothes paired with a more expensive handbag. I feel that I get a ton more wear out of my bags than I ever will my clothes (minus denim) and because of this, it is the area of my wardrobe in which I invest the most heavily. But if you prefer your money in your bank account, I get that as well and linked some amazing and more moderately-priced alternatives and dupes. I will also share with you the best times to purchase a designer bag so you never have to pay more than you should.

Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM:

Dimensions: 12.6 x 11.4 x 6.7 inches
Weight: 0.5 lbs
Price: $1260

We HAVE to start with this one because it is basically the end-all-be-all of handbags. I have lusted over this bag for years and last Christmas, Jeremy made my dreams come true purchasing this for me while we were in the islands (duty free!) It has since set all of my other bags to shame and is the one I reach for almost every day for a number of reasons.

First of all, the size of this bag is perfect. You can fit a good amount of stuff in here without it getting too bulky. The leather is light so the purse doesn’t have much weight on its own (0.5 lbs), which is key for me! I hate heavy purses! I also appreciate that no matter how much you have in the bag, there is always room to toss in another thing or two as you go about you day.

A perk to investing in a Louis Vuitton Neverfull is that it comes with a monogrammed zip up clutch that you can use as a wallet, grab to carry into a store, or keep your smaller items in so they don’t roll around the bottom of your bag. Louis Vuitton Neverfulls also continue to increase in price each year (Chanel features this same type of inflation). Meaning if you choose to sell this bag later on down the road, it will maintain a high percentage of its initial value.

Also, instead of the bag losing its shape and wearing out over time, Louis Vuitton handbags tend to get better with age. The leather of the straps turns from a light tan to a cognac and gets softer and more pliable. The dark leather is also easy to keep clean. I have only had one white scuff on the bag since purchasing it and was able to remove it very carefully with a Magic Eraser.

I went with the monogram canvas and beige on the inside. I plan on carrying this bag for years to come and wanted to invest in the most traditional and neutral option they have. It was a tough call between the rose ballerine and cherry interior though, but for me personally, I wanted something I could wear with every color.

I honestly can’t think of a con to share with you. Obviously if you need a bag to zip up, this isn’t the one for you. The bag currently retails for $1260, but if you are able to make the investment, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM. If you would like to save a few hundred dollars off the purchase price though, I recommend shopping used from a reputable reseller like Fashion Phile or The Real Real. Like I said, these bags get better with age so you won’t be losing quality purchasing a gently used version. FYI, the bags I linked below are through resellers.

Additional looks featuring this bag here, here, and here.

SHOP LOUIS VUITTON:

SHOP SIMILAR STYLES:

Tory Burch Double Zip Robinson:

Dimensions: 13.25″L x 4.5″W x 10.5″H; 4.5″
Weight: 1 lbs
Price: $595

This was the first Tory Burch product I ever purchased after drooling over it for months. I was initially a fan of the Prada tote, but the Robinson is so similar for a fraction of the price so I took the plunge. The luggage color and its size are perfection, which is why I continue to grab it two years later. The organization in it is killer… two large compartments on either side and one large compartment in the center featuring a zippered pocket and two smaller pockets as well. I can fit just about the same amount of stuff in this bag as I can the Neverfull and with such soft handles, it never bothers me when I have it overstuffed. I also love the ability to wear it as a crossbody bag.

My main issue with the Tory Burch Robinson is that for the price, I was surprised how quickly the leather lost its shape. I mean, I own a couple pair of her Miller sandals and they have looked brand new after a year of wear. Luckily, the Robinson on the market now features a more sturdy saffiano leather as opposed to the pebbled leather of mine.

If I can offer advice, I wouldn’t pay full price for this bag, even if you love it. There are so many times that it goes on sale throughout the year. My favorite site for designer products, ShopBop, lets you add products to your wishlist then shoots you an email alert when they go on sale. They have one big sale each season. Tory Burch itself will run sales too, so be sure to keep an eye out!

Additional looks featuring this bag here, here, and here.

SHOP TORY BURCH:

SHOP SIMILAR STYLES:

3.1 Phillip Lim Medium Pashli:

Dimensions: 10″H x 12.5″W x 4″D
Weight: 2 lbs
Price: $895

I loved this bag the minute I saw it and began saving up for it. I needed a black bag and wanted it to look a little edgy, but still classic and the 3.1 Phillip Lim Medium Pashli encompasses that. It is a little smaller than the two previously mentioned bags, so I normally don’t carry it on a day-to-day basis. But when I do, it is the one most people stop me to comment on.

I love the versatility of being able to zip the side flaps up to change the size. I personally keep the zipper down the majority of the time, I just prefer the look that way. The shark embossed leather of the bag is extremely durable and scratch resistant. My Pashli looks exactly as it did on the day I bought it over a year later. I know some reviewers say the bottom of the bag sags when they are carrying things in it, but I believe that’s mainly an issue with the full-size Pashli. I haven’t experienced it with my medium-sized one.

My main beef with this bag is that when you are carrying it on your arm (which you have to do because the straps aren’t large enough to hold over your shoulder), it isn’t easy to open and close. The gold latch is actually pretty tricky to close (or maybe that’s just me). The latch is the only part of the bag that is prone to scratches, so just be careful where you set your Pashli. Also, the bag itself is pretty heavy on its own so you don’t want to pack it to full or it could cut into your arm while you are carrying it.

Overall, I love this bag and am happy with my purchase. The weight of the bag would be my main concern before purchasing. If you carry a lot around every day, I would recommend a lighter handbag. I purchased mine from ShopBop during their Friends and Family sale when it was marked down 25%. Nordstrom is another retailer that will run sales (like the upcoming Anniversary Sale) on this bag, so just be patient before purchase.

Additional looks featuring this bag here, here, and here.

SHOP 3.1 PHILLIP LIM:

SHOP SIMILAR STYLES:

I also rounded up some of my favorite dupes for y’all of other designer bags below. Sometimes it’s fun to take one of these for a spin before taking the plunge on the real thing. Thanks for following along as I reviewed my favorite handbags. These three bags are true investment pieces that I plan to carry for years to come.