DIOR MICRO BAGS ARE AS SMALL AND FUN AS YOU'D EXPECT, AND ARE RAGING THIS LATE SUMMER.

The unexpected success of micro bags was something that took many bag lovers, by surprise. After all, a bag is intended to carry your most needed wares,  and when the trend of tiny bags became more than just a moment but a movement, it seemed like it might not hold. But hold it has (well, not holding all of your items like your much needed phone) and all fashionistas find themselves utterly infatuated with micro bags. These miniature versions are playful and meant to make a fashion statement, and while our bags are intended to be functional, many of us grow our collections extensively to fill just about any and every category that exists. we want our bags to be different and fun, and if you are just a bit obsessed with all things miniature, then you'll quickly fall in love with Dior micro bags. The brand reinvented and launched some of its most iconic bag silhouettes in micro sized versions, just allowing for your AirPods, lipstick, keys, and a bit of cash + credit card to fit inside. 

Dior Micro Vanity Case: When Dior introduced the Vanity Case as a bag option, many felt this instant longing for it. The shape is more utilitarian, intended to be that of a makeup bag, but once you add the shoulder strap and turn it into a bag, the new shape is really lovely. This Micro size has a single compartment that you access by the open top double zip closure. The removable and adjustable leather shoulder strap allows for you to carry the bag by hand, wear it over the shoulder, or crossbody. As this bag is a part of the Lady Dior family, a D.I.O.R charm hangs from the outside hardware where the strap attaches. The outside features Cannage topstitching on the lambskin leather and there are ample colorways to choose from. The dimensions are small of course, 12 x 7.5 cm or 4.7 x 3 inches. 

Dior Micro Lady Dior: The Lady Dior bag is one of the most iconic and recognizable bags in handbag history, and this fun-loving sizes allows the sometimes more demure Lady Dior bag to feel a bit more lively. The Micro Lady Dior has every feature that makes the Lady Dior the staple that it is, from the iconic cannage motif, to the recognizable architectural lines, to the golden Christian Dior signature. The smaller size is meticulously crafted by the House’s leatherworking Ateliers in Italy and the elements of this tiny accessory are then assembled one by one by the petites mains. Dior offers a variety of colors from basic black to pastel hues and there’s a long, adjustable shoulder strap included as well. Dimensions are 12 x 10 x 5 cm / 5 x 4 x 2 inches. 

Dior Micro Saddle Bag: The blue is a dreamy hue, perfect as the water backdrop to our day at the pool, and also my favourite together with the same model in logo canvas. You can pair this bag with micro shoulder straps or opt for one of Dior’s embroidered shoulder straps to really give a different look. Dimensions are 12 x 7.5 x 5 cm / 4.5 x 3 x 2 inches.

Micro Dior Caro Bag: A model matching classic chic and modern vibes, thanks to the choice of material in smooth calfskin and iconic cannage motif. As for the hardware, this flap bag features the brand’s monogram closure inspired to Christian Dior’s perfume bottle sealing and chain strap. Dimensions are: 13 x 8 x 4 cm / 5 x 3 x 1.5 inches.

Dior Micro Montaigne Bag: Inspired by the famous address of the "maison", as for the hardware, this flap bag features the brand’s monogram closure inspired to Christian Dior’s perfume bottle sealing and an adjustable leather strap. Dimensions: 13 x 8 x 4 cm / 5 x 3 x 1.5 inches.

UNVEILING MY NEW, STUNNING SMALL DIOR TOILE-DE-JOUY-EMBROIDERY BOOK TOTE.

When Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri introduced the Dior Book Tote, it quickly ascended the bag world into star status and promptly became a staple of the Dior aesthetic. The original size was designed to carry all daily essentials and many used it as their daily carry as well as their travel bag to contain anything and everything they needed. With the success of the Dior Book Tote, the House added two additional sizes: small and mini. One thing Dior excels at is focusing on a core group of bags and expanding on each line, offering different styles and sizes which will suit every Dior lover. The Dior Book Tote has always been a bag I’ve had my eyes set on, with new iterations each season luring me in and turning me into more of a Book Tote fan. But one pattern that I’ve obsessed over, and saved a multitude of pictures of in a folder on my laptop, is the Toile-de-Jouy print. 

Originally introduced two years ago in select European boutiques in the large size Dior Book Tote in blue, the Toile-de-Jouy print dates back to 18th-century France. This type of print features cotton or linen printed with designs of bucolic landscapes and figures that was first seen from the factory Jouy-en-Josas which was situated near Versailles in France. In 1947, Christian Dior used his own version of this motif to upholster his boutique walls at 30 Avenue Montaigne. Last year Maria Grazia Chiuri reinterpreted the Toile de Jouy with the introduction of a series of wild animals, including monkeys and tigers, set in lush vegetation. 

This fully embroidered print comes to life as it graces the entirety of the bag and across the front is the Christian Dior signature and can be personalised across the back with your own name. I chose the smaller size in a delicate light blue shade, which can still fit your daily needs, including an iPad or small laptop, but I find this bag a bit too pretty and exotic for a work bag. This smaller shape can be dressed up or worn more casually and fits over the shoulder or can be carried by hand. Dimensions are 36.5 x 28 x 17.5 cm. Each Dior Book tote takes over a day to make, in fact the Large Book Tote takes artisans more than thirty-two hours of work and over one million two hundred thousand stitches. While much of the bag is embroidered by machine, plenty of details are crafted and finalised by hand.

The new Small Dior Toile-de-Jouy-Embroidery Book Tote is available in grey, pink and light blue. There are other items that have the Toile de Jouy print, including these slides, which I love, and this scarf. Some bags are beautiful in photos but are even better in person, and the Book Tote has always fallen in that category for me. That is why I was delighted, when I made my purchase in a delicate light blue shade and had it customised with my first name, during my recent vacation in St.-Tropez, the perfect spot to wear it paired to a lurex light blue, loose, maxi slip dress to walk carelessly through its breezy marine atmosphere.

A CLOSE LOOK AT MY BRAND NEW CÉLINE TRIOMPHE BAG, THE QUINTESSENCE OF PARISIAN "ALLURE".

Here is one more post dedicated to a French bag. It's been almost three years since the Céline Triomphe Bag popped up on Celine’s website along with the rest of Hedi Slimane’s debut collection for the brand. In that time the bag has slowly, but steadily found its way into the hands of several style stars, who have been spotted with the Triomphe bag in tow. When these VIP ladies take notice, so do we, and while this isn't the first Céline by Hedi Slimane bag we’ve lusted after, it also likely won’t be the last. 

The Triomphe logo is rooted in Celine’s history and the story goes a little something like this: Céline Vipiana’s car broke down in Paris, right in front of the Arc de Triomphe, and she was inspired by the chain that surrounds the iconic monument. The inside of the double links represent two Cs and Celine’s founder immediately adopted it as a house emblem, using it on bags, jewelry, in prints and on shoes. The iconic house motif was adopted and reimagined by new creative director Hedi Slimane, appearing as the finishing touch on a classic silhouette, which we now know as the Triomphe Bag. Lined in lambskin, both sizes of the Triomphe bag contain a separated interior for maximum organization, as well two interior pockets—a slit pocket and a zippered pocket. The strap is designed to be worn either over the shoulder or crossbody as it’s adjustable. 

The larger size is the less eligible, 24.5 cm L x 18.5 cm H x 7.5 cm D.

The medium size works well for the everyday, though it's a bit on the smaller end for an everyday bag with overall dimensions of  22.5 cm L x 16.5 cm H x 7.5 cm D. 

The teen size is perfect for the mini-bag lover with dimensions of 18.5 cm L x 14 cm H x 6 cm D.

The Nano size is 16.5 cm L x 11.5 H cm x 5 cm D. 

As for the colour and leather type selections, I chose the medium version of the bag, in classic black, smooth calfskin leather, but the model is available also in beautiful neutral, pastel, or vibrant shades, as well as in exotic skins or Triomphe logo canvas + tan leather. 

Anyway, what I like most of this bag is its quintessential Parisian "allure", which inspires me unexpected, imaginary journeys to the "Ville Lumière", in a period of so many travel restrictions.

YSL SUNSET BAG, A CROSSBODY WITH MANY PLUS POINTS.

The YSL Sunset bag is one of the most beautiful bags designed by Saint Laurent, and a favourite  one in my closet too. During this pandemic year, with alternative periods of social-distancing and smart-working, I've been prone to set aside large, roomy totes in favour of smaller crossbody bags, which I find perfect combined to sneakers, when I go out temporarily for errands, then go back to my home-office. 

1) YSL SUNSET BAG'S PLUS POINTS:

A plus point of the YSL Sunset bag, compared to other crossbody bags, is the fact that it is pretty spacey. This is due to the gussets at the side which also add a nice touch to the overall design of the bag, and to the fact that, on the inside, it is made up of two compartments – one open central pocket and a smaller slot pocket at the front; there is also an external slot pocket at the back of the bag, on the outside. The bag is closed via a magnetic snap on the flap, and features the standard interlaced YSL initials on the front in metal hardware, as well as a leather encased keyring on the side. The Sunset bag has an extremely sleek and elegant feel to it. It has a chain and leather shoulder strap, which is adjustable, thus allowing it to be worn in multiple ways – as a long shoulder bag, a crossbody bag, or doubled up as a shorter handbag. Carriers of the YSL Sunset have confirmed its high durability with no visible scratches after several months of use. It is worth keeping in mind, however, that the larger size of the bag can get pretty heavy due to the chain strap and the amount of items that the bag can hold – but that really depends on what you plan on carrying.

2) YSL SUNSET BAG AVAILABLE COLOURS AND MATERIALS.

When it comes to colours and materials, the Saint Laurent Sunset collection certainly has a lot to choose from. Aside from the classic smooth calfskin leather version, the Sunset bag has been released in a range of finishes and materials including shiny patent leather, velvet, metallic laminated and crocodile embossed. You can also take your pick when it comes to the metal finishing of the chain strap and YSL initial hardware. The YSL Sunset bag is available in an array of colours, from neutral black, white and beige to more playful colours like red and green. Personally, I chose a chic medium version in black crocodile embossed with edgy silver hardware, which perfectly matches with my go-to black and silver star sneakers.

3) YSL SIZES AND DIMESIONS.

The Saint Laurent Sunset bag is available in small, medium and large sizes. The dimensions of each version are as follows:

YSL Sunset Small: 19 cm x 13 cm x 9 cm - Strap drop: unfolded 51cm; folded: 28 cm

YSL Sunset Medium: 22 cm x 16 cm x 8 cm - Strap drop: unfolded: 51 cm; folded: 28 cm

YSL Sunset Large: 27 cm x 18 cm x 8 cm - Strap drop: unfolded: 42 cm; folded: 24 cm

Overall, the YSL Sunset is a great go-to bag. It’s got a beautiful design which will add a touch of chic to any outfit. It is versatile, stores a good amount of items and is a standard price for this kind of designer bag. I think it is definitely worth the investment!

GLAM DETAILS FOR POST-LOCKDOWN BUSINESS ATTIRE: 
THE CÉLINE MICRO BELT BAG.

Looking forward to going back to office, after this long period of remote work and social distancing, I'm finally here with my review on the Céline Micro Belt Bag in Caramel colour, whose style I've always loved as a go-to office bag. I had been eyeing it up for around 3 years or so, since I was sure about the most suitable size to choose, but not so much about the colour, which I wanted in a light, refreshing and versatile shade to be worn mainly during both transitional seasons and in Summer. 

1) The design and details: What has always attracted me to the Belt Bag style in the first place is purely the design and how classy, sleek, minimal this model looks, while still remaining beautiful and stylish. It's been part of the Céline collection for many years and will remain a classic as much as their Luggage bag. As you can see, it has a top handle and a large, cool flap closure with a hidden circular metal component which slots into the runner to secure it shut. Moreover, a zipped closure under the flap keeps everything secure inside. It also features an outer zipped pocket on the back of the bag, an inner flat, a slip pocket. Actually, the flap can be quite fiddly to open in a rush, but a lot of people tend to leave it just hanging over the strap, which is really cool too! The great, stylish touch remains the belt that is knotted across the front, purely for aesthetic design purposes. Also the branding is minimal, as it is with all Céline products, so it only has a little gold stamp on the front bottom location of the bag matching with the hardware metal.

2) The sizing: There are 3 different sizes in total, starting at the largest which is actually called the Mini, to the middle size of the Micro and the smallest size of the Nano, so if you love the design of this bag but think it's too small or too big, you can opt for another size instead. This micro version is  9" in length, 8" in height, and 5" in depth, so it's quite a decent size and holds enough office essentials, such as my LV Agenda Personal size and my IPad mini, besides the usual stuff one puts in a bag. Luckily, this can be worn also cross-body style, since it comes with a removable, adjustable strap with a 21" drop. For me the micro is ideal, as it's small enough to be worn on my body without being overwhelming, but it's big enough for me to carry a lot of extra items that I can't usually fit into smaller cross-body bags.

3) The leather: The Belt Bag is made of grained calfskin so it has that drummed, matte effect to it. It's a really sturdy leather and it's strong, but it can easily get scratched. I've noticed that it's quite delicate, even though it doesn't seem treated or as smooth as my Céline Luggage bag. It features a calfskin leather as well, as you can see, and that's more of a suède type inside, or the underside of the leather, if you will. Céline bags are crafted in the most luxurious skins. These leathers are natural and unique, of extremely high quality, but it's necessary to protect your purchase from both humidity and overexposure to direct lighting or sources of heat and avoid contact with liquid, grease, perfumes and cosmetics as well as keep it stored in the dust bag when it's not being used. I'm really delicate with my bags anyway, but since this doesn't have any metal feet on the bottom, I'm very careful where I place it too, so as to avoid scratching the bottom. Since it's a classic, it's always an investment piece as it can be sold for almost the same price you paid. If you know Céline and adore the quality as much as I do, you will appreciate this one. The craftsmanship is outstanding!

4) The colour: there are several perfect neutral colours available for this model, but the Caramel shade I chose is incredibly versatile and suited to literally everything I want to wear, whether it's warm or cool toned outfits! 

5) Ways to wear the bag: this bag is also versatile in how you wear it, that it works for any occasion, thanks to the detachable strap: 
Cross-body, so it sits securely on your front, or back, however you choose to make it sit. 
Draped off one shoulder, which is my favourite, being really easy and stylish. 
On the crook of your arm, which is also very easy and chic with both dresses and jeans.
Hand-carry, so you can easily hold it down by the side, in your hand by the top handle, like either a true office bag or a perfect travel bag.

With that being said, I wanted to make sure I did it justice, shared the right photos with you, and wrote as much as possible about it to help any of you who might be wanting to make the purchase. It's worth it, if you love designer bags, and one you'll reach for regularly! 
Anyway, if you have any questions about it, please, just leave me a comment below and I'll answer.