Clare vivier messenger bag
pics: minimamaxima
Next up: Clare Vivier messenger bag in navy nubuck leather. My new favorite bag!
Based on the description on the Clare Vivier website, I was envisioning a huge bag. It arrived, and proved to be the perfect size: large enough to fit a 13″ MacBook w/sleeve, or a stack of sheet music or files, but not overwhelmingly so. When not very full, it collapses down upon itself and appears smaller. I think also that because it really doesn’t have any depth to it (it’s essentially two pieces of leather sewn together), it’s a smaller, more manageable size.
Anyway, I can’t get over how great it is. It’s hard to photograph the dark leather to show how nice it is, but it’s buttery, thick, and soft nubuck leather. The leather tends to mark up a bit, but rubbing the scuff with a finger will make it go away in a few seconds. I haven’t had any issues with water marks.
I’m totally enamored with the shape and size–it’s very relaxed and casual, and the shoulder strap is the perfect length for me (at 5’9″, it’s long enough to wear cross body or on the shoulder). Anyway, this bag was the highlight of my end-of-year shopping.
So happy for you! Her bags are wonderful, so elegant and functional – I love my navy messenger and black patent foldover clutch….and am now crushing on a mini sac
Very functional! I had seen the pictures of Katey Holmes and her red messenger, and I thought, “Huh, what’s the big deal?” But now that I have one, it’s just incredibly functional and minimalist in design–love it!
The bag looks wonderful. I was quite enamoured by the dark green colourway as well but the navy is lovely. Excellent investment purchase.
The dark green is lovely as well! It was a hard decision between the colors. I was worried about a lighter color due to denim transfer, which my dark-wash jeans seem to do at every opportunity.
Now I’m internet-stalking her “Bando” bag.
Denim dying bags is a major problem! I have a beautiful grey taupey bag that is practically navy on one side now from all the rubbing against my jeans, so sad! I was actually going to ask if you noticed any color transfer the other way with this bag though, since some people reviewing have mentioned it’s a problem (on shopbop, etc). But I have been drooling over her bags for so long now, and your description just made me want one even more. Keep us posted on how it holds up, ok?
ps- I swear I posted a comment here yesterday, and now it’s magically missing? Odd…
Hmmm, I haven’t deleted any comments…..maybe the WordPress platform messed it up somehow?
I’ll post an update about how the bag holds up and and dye transfer problems as the bag ages. So far so good, and I’ve carried it a bunch, but then I’ve been wearing dark jeans and dark clothes, so any dye transfer wouldn’t show up.
Ebay usually has one or two messengers on any given week, often for $100 off of her retail price…..just sayin’.
Yeah, WP was actually being funny with me, asking me to sign in and then when I tried to resubmit the comment it told me I was commenting too fast (!) Go figure.
Look forward to hearing how the bag holds up. Ebay is a good idea. But I think I just scored a substitute at Cos on sale. Will have to see how I feel about it in a few days… (I’m a chronic returner).
I have the navy messenger too and haven’t experienced any dye transfer to any of my clothing. The inside of the bag shed a few fibres for the first few weeks but it stopped after a while.
Good to know!
The Claire Vivier bags are gorgeous and really well made. Lovely choice! Oh and I love how humble Claire is.
Oooh, have you met her? So exciting!
Glad to hear that you have purchased a bag that you are so happy with – I love the simple elegance that it exudes! Great choice
http://mademois-elle.com
this is perfect – I am green with envy!
would you consider to sell your clare vivier bag?
Hi Felicia,
I’ve been enjoying using it and will be keeping it, but you can find them for sale on Clare Vivier’s website, the Steve Alan website, and often on eBay.