I bought this around February 2024. My collection of bags was 3/4s black, and I wanted a nice off-white bag that looked elegant and classy.
I came across a brand I’d never heard of yet, Strathberry, which is headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. Their bags looked good and the quality durable, so I went with this as I love the soft cream colour and the how clean/minimal it looks. The gold hardware and accents go beautifully with the cream material, giving it a very luxe appearance. The embossed lettering is very dainty and understated. Anything “louder” would have resulted in too many things going on visually with the bag.
On handbag forums I found that people were divided on the gold bar hardware, which looks like a piercing (and you can’t un-see it). I personally love it – which probably comes from a place of personal bias as I have no less than 15 piercings myself. In my opinion, the bar really draws the eye and, being horizontal, doesn’t disrupt the overall harmony of the bag while still making a statement.
It’s also not evident here, but the flap is actually a different colour from the rest of the bag – it’s a darker shade of beige than the cream body.
It has a zipper pocket on the inside and 8 card slots. It doesn’t fit very much, though; I normally just put my phone and cardholder inside. My keys are bulky so they would make the bag bulge. That aside, it’s perfect for heading out or for evening use where you just need something light for your essentials. The chain is also detachable, so you can use it as a clutch.
I like how carrying this bag makes me feel and look put-together and mature. It was actually after buying this WOC that I realised Kate Middleton actually has the exact same model in the same colourway! All in all, this is one of my favourite bags to bring along to events and fancy dinners.