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Alrighty folks – I’ve got to get you up to speed on a few things on the bag front. So let’s start from the beginning shall we? First – I recently hit a career milestone – hooray! I finally nabbed a promotion that was a few years in the making so it’s just been warm and fuzzy feels all round.
How does this relate to bag news? Well, if you watched this video, you’ll know that I like to mark significant milestones with handbags! Most of the bags in my collection represent something big that’s happened in my life – either in my career or something personally. I’ve been collecting handbags since I was a university student and I work hard to save and purchase them with my own money. The long lead time between bag purchases allows me to conduct proper due diligence and I eventually allow myself to purchase bags as a reward once I’ve hit a goal or achieved something I’m proud of. It’s nice to see my research pay off with a successful (and sentimental!) addition to my wardrobe.
Loewe Mini Puzzle Bag vs Loewe Small Puzzle Bag
For the longest time, the Loewe Puzzle Bag has been at the top of my wish list. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve paid a visit to the boutique to try it on. I’ve made constant reference to the Puzzle bag on my Instagram stories and in my YouTube videos for the past few years (I talked about it in this year’s wish list video as well as my 2022 wish list video). In my mind, it wasn’t a matter of if, but when. I had my own career milestones that I wanted to achieve before I could entertain dropping that amount of hard earned clams! That being said, I had my heart set on the small size in tan… or so I thought.
Small Puzzle Bag (from my visit to the boutique back in 2021)
In the initial stage of excitement having found out I got the promotion, I popped into the Loewe boutique once more to try it on. It was, after all, going to be my reward. But a combination of things made me think twice about the bag, and the main reason that made me question the bag altogether was that I just wasn’t excited about it – the butterflies normally present when I’m excited about a bag were nowhere in sight. Was it too long of a build up? Why was I so unsure? Am I prepared to buy a bag that I’ve wanted for so long but currently feel a bit meh about? So many questions and so little answers. In the coming days, I decided to prepare a fresh pro/con list (and be totally brutal about it). I’ve prepared multiple lists over the years about this particular bag – but times and habits change and this was going to be the easiest way for me to get to the nitty gritty on the one page.
Taupe Puzzle Bag (L) vs Tan Puzzle Bag (R)
I revealed this plot twist on my Instagram stories a couple of Sundays ago and received an influx of messages from a lot of you wanting to know my reasons why. I figured I’d share that list with you in this post so you can see how I pro/con-ed my way out of a handbag purchase (which does happen from time-to-time). Think of this as a blow-by-blow account for how I fell out of love with the Loewe Puzzle Bag. Before I share, I’m just going to throw a disclaimer here to say that my considerations are obviously not going to be the same as yours – what irks me might not even register for you. And equally, what I’m fine to live with, might be a dealbreaker for you.
With that said, let’s get crackin’:
And there you have it. The rest, as they say is history. While I haven’t completely written off the Puzzle Bag, I have parked the idea of it for now. Perhaps one day it’ll find its way back into my heart (and my wardrobe), but I’m really happy with the bag I ultimately bought as my reward purchase, one that I’ve soft launched already but will get its proper introduction soon!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
This makes total sense to me! I think the recognizability of it (compared to the more classic/timeless look of the one you got) do make it a bag that might wind up having a shorter shelf life than the others in your wardrobe.
Author
I hadn’t really considered whether it would go out of fashion until late in the piece and after that came on my radar, I wasn’t able to push that aside!
I love my small Puzzle!! It’s my first handbag purchase to mark my 30th.
I haven’t had a proper experience in the Loewe Sydney boutique (just that one time for a Ghibli launch, but we all know that’s not comparable), but my experience at the David Jones outlet has been phenomenal time after time. When I purchased my small tan, Jennifer and Soo were super wonderful to offer their thoughts on colour and size against my frame. I was still mulling and they gave me space to think in front of the mirror.
For those keen on folding it flat, I think it’d be hard to do when it’s new. But as time goes by and the leather softens, I’m sure you can do it. I personally want to keep the boxy structure as long as I can.
I agree the mini can be expensive when you think size vs price tag, and I imagine it wouldn’t hold a lot. Like Virginia said, it all comes to your personal style and lifestyle!
Author
It sounds like you had an ideal in-store experience – which makes a world of difference! I much prefer to be left alone but a lot of boutiques don’t get that memo!
Thanks for sharing your tips! I’m sure someone will find those very helpful 🙂
Just dropping a note to say I really enjoy your videos/blog! I watched your videos about the celine bags multiple times (bought the belt bag nano, still eyeing the box bag). I appreciate the thought you put into buying a bag.
Author
Thank you so much! I’m glad those Celine videos were helpful.
I admire your good taste! I only own two designer bags – the small Loewe puzzle and the Gucci horse bit 1951. I love them both for different reasons I wear reading glasses so new a bit of space to carry them around and love that the Puzzle bag has the extra space. I also love that it’s. understated and a bit IYKYK. My Gucci is in monogram so I feel it’s dressier and more obviously a designer bag but I feel so polished with it
I live your blog and IG and am constantly inspired by your style. Thanks for the work you do
Author
oh wow – the two bags you own are the ones that i was tossing up between?! you’ve got the perfect mix between a structured and a relaxed bag 🙂 I love the monogram version of the horsebit bag – i was tossing up over that one too but ultimately decided on the leather version 🙂 thanks so much for your lovely feedback!