If I were on a game show, my special subject would be handbags. Designer, high-street, vintage, new—handbags are kind of my thing. So, when I come to tell you about a brand that embodies everything we fashion people are looking for in a handbag right now—think timeless, quiet luxury that is incredibly versatile and won’t require a second mortgage—you can rest assured I’ve got the knowledge to back it up. If you needed even more proof, this particular brand takes pride of place in my own handbag wardrobe. The brand in question? Polène.
Parisian brand Polène first burst onto the scene in 2016, offering high-quality styles in an array of beautiful shapes that have since been spotted on the arms of everyone from Kate Middleton to our favourite fashion people. With so many styles out there, it takes a particularly special brand to set itself apart and end up in the arsenal of many of our editors. What sets this brand apart is the sculptural design, thoughtful details like various straps for new ways to wear, and all in an array of colours to suit all styles.
Here’s how the fashion set is styling their Polène bags.
Jeannine carries the Numero Dix.
Lena wears the Cyme (Numero Douze).
Eni wears the Numero Neuf.
Andrea carries the Numero Dix.
Rachel carries the Numero Neuf.
Rosie wears the Numero Un. Without further ado, let’s explore the best bags on offer by Polène.
This is the particular style that I’ve added to my collection. Aside from the attractive half-moon shape, the Dix has a lot of thoughtful features that make it a clever bag to invest in. Firstly, the strap is adjustable to allow for a shoulder bag or crossbody style, with leather tab details that keep the ends of the straps snug to the shape of the bag to maintain the silhouette.
The next bag on my wish list is the Polène Numéro Huit. The brand’s signature bucket bag has a striking curved silhouette that sets it apart from all other buckets around. The true craftsmanship of the brand is demonstrated through the smooth curved design, with knot details on the straps adding a relaxed feel. The bag features a top handle for simple toting around, as well as a longer strap for hands-free wear.
There’s no higher praise for a brand than being spotted on the arm of a princess, and Kate Middleton has been spotted wearing her Numéro Sept on various occasions. It’s no surprise that the Princess of Wales would opt for this style. Classic, structured and undeniably timeless, the Sept is an understated style that exudes quiet luxury from every angle. The hard part is choosing which shade to go for.
Also known as the Cyme, this style is everything you want from a holdall. A large base with plenty of room for everything you could need makes this the perfect partner whether you’re headed to the office or on a day at the beach. The silhouette again embraces the theme of versatility as it naturally sits as a basket silhouette, but the magnetic sides allow the shape to be amended to create a more hexagonal shape. It also comes in a small and large size.
There’s a lot to love about the Neuf. The supple leather is formed into a relaxed, almost organic shape giving a unique softness to the style. Even the handles are created to reflect the fluidity of the shape, adding to the overall expensive look of the bag. Again, Polène offers multiple ways to wear it with a removable strap, but I’m particularly into the grained leather and centre seam that show off the precision and quality of the bag.
The Numero Un exemplifies Polène’s thoughtfulness throughout the design process of each bag. The silhouette offers both structured aspects through the handle and flap, with a softer body to the bag that makes it wearable for every day. Again, this style offers multiple style options, from the top handle to the added strap which can be worn over one shoulder or draped crossbody. The interior zip pockets keep your essentials to hand, whilst the size allows for you to add in extras (I’d suggest an umbrella, knowing the British weather).
Up next, 12 Fashion People Who Were Doing Quiet Luxury Before It Was a Thing