THE MENAGERIE

The "Faye," an Italian-made, flap-closure shoulder bag by French design house Chloé, gained a passionate following in the fashion world in 2015 with surprising staying power. Backordered almost everywhere, it isn't expected to ship from most retailers until this March or April. (In fact, when I ordered one last July, I was told it would likely be the last one shipped from Nordstrom until that October.)

Typically, objects I gravitate toward are not conventional -- a Pinterest lineup of awkward, aggressive and borderline ugly clothes come to mind. This works out conveniently for me, as it means I often have no problem perusing a website's sale section and finding my dream piece reduced to $25, thanks to other shoppers' lack of interest.

Imagine my surprise when people agreed with me on the Faye, particularly in its smaller, suede-and-smooth leather incarnation. The Faye -- in all her crisp, strange, equestrian glory -- has turned out to be a handbag hit, selling out in stores and online.

My thoughts below.

Measurements

Dimensions: 9 ¼"W x 6"H x 3 ¼"D
Drop: 20" - 22 ½"
(adjustable belt-style strap)

Construction

Closure: top flap with magnetic "lock"
Interior: 3 compartments lined in suede with back pocket
Materials: body is leather & suede

Daily Use

I primarily use the Faye as a casual day bag, though its sleek construction and hardware would also carry it into the evening. I believe it's intended to be worn as a crossbody, but since the strap is adjustable, you can also make it short enough that it can be carried on one side.

Re: space, I often find myself struggling to fill the entire bag, as its composed of 3 expandable "accordioned" compartments. But caution: the Faye's compartments are slim and take the shape of what's in them, much like the Céline trio, so it's not sunglasses or chunky keys-friendly. Its slimness means it's not a bag to carry if you are used to having all your essentials nearby, or if you plan on being away from home a long time. I think of it as an errand bag or short outing bag -- room for wallet, phone, receipts, as well as a few small makeup items, but not much else.

It is also jingly -- very jingly. That chain-and-ring contraption, while striking, can quickly get old or inconvenient if you’re not into the sound of a hundred stacked bracelets rattling each time you so much as breathe out. For this reason it may not be a great choice for quiet places or listening events (think churches, movie theaters, performances, and so on). The giant metal ring has another downside, too: it seems you're meant to open the flap by holding down the leather body (since the magnet closure is strong) and grasping and pulling up on the ring. The whole motion strikes me as a little awkward.

In the world of bags with magnetic closures, the Faye is a winner. The magnet that holds the flap down is secure enough that someone just brushing past would not easily be able to open it. This seems like a minor point, but I've owned magnet-closure bags and wallets that prompt a mini heart attack every few hours when I notice they've popped open of their own accord.

Care & Maintenance

The Faye is unexpectedly easy to care for, given that much of it is composed of suede. The suede flap does show dust easily, but a spritz of Kiwi suede cleaner will clear that up, as well as more stubborn stains. No need to be overly gentle with a suede brush; the Faye's external suede is resilient and any apparent scratches smooth out immediately. On the inside, the black Faye's light suede lining is not particularly prone to darkening or staining: I've carried makeup compacts and eye pencils in it without worry.

I do not baby this bag at all, nor do I have to. Not only is its suede fairly unproblematic to maintain, the smooth leather portion of the bag is thick and not prone to scratches. Over time, minor wrinkling will present itself, but I’m able to remedy this with Collonil leather cream. Even liquids don't leave much of a mark on the Faye! In the first month I had it, I was caught in a sudden downpour and wasn't able to wipe it down immediately. Once it dried, there was no visible evidence that it had just been soaked. (Regardless, a suede protectant spray is recommended -- just in case.)

Quality & Value

In a nutshell? Solid, substantial, well-constructed. None of the materials used are light or flimsy, with the leather and hardware about as heavy as they can be without making the bag hard to carry. There are no raw/unfinished edges and no loose or stretched stitches. The attention to detail is striking, particularly the defined and sealed interior pocket edges, secure hardware anchors (see esp. the rectangular piece to the right that fixes the chain to the body), and metal rivets that reinforce pockets and prevent tearing.

Considering that I've seen less well-executed pieces go for $2300+, the Faye's sub-$1500 price makes it a bang-for-your-buck anomaly among luxury bags, IMO. That said, given its small size and low value retention, there are other contenders worth considering.

Pros & Cons

(-) small, not structured/supported, little resale value, cannot hold irregular or chunky items, suede collects dust, not ideal for bad weather, looks "niche" (which can translate as "odd"), suede is more prone to fading than leather, will require purchase of suede protectant and cleaner, could be "trendy"

(+) Versatile, fits continental wallet, compartmentalized, easy to care for, under $1500, adjustable strap, closes securely, not easily scratched, understated, looks "niche", good construction, not heavy, ageless in that it looks at home both on the shoulder of a 20-something and a 40-something

Vibe

Sleek, equestrian-inspired, minimal, modern, ageless, elegant, crisp, unexpected, confident

Alternatives

The striking Rag and Bone "Enfield" mini ($495), the understated Burberry "Peyton Chain" ($850), the minimal Elizabeth and James "Cynnie" mini bag ($395), and the Rebecca Minkoff mini "MAC" bag ($195), the last of which even has a metal clasp/ring detail at the front flap, too.

Comment

When the holidays come around, I live on Pinterest and detach from reality. Usually I'm content to pin a thousand wrapping paper schemes and leave it at that, but this year -- in a fit of festive feeling -- it was time to try my hand at it myself.

I'm an unspeakably huge fan of plain brown paper -- it's neutral and inoffensive and can be dressed up in a million different moods just by tweaking a small detail (a bow or some twine here, a tag there).

My other weaknesses: black ribbon, gold and silver accents, and sweeping, elegant typography.

Everything was given a giant ribbon bow as a topper. Naturally.