Polène Numéro Un Mini Review | www.girlmeetsgold.com

One of my most Frequently Asked Questions over on Instagram recently has been about the newest addition to my handbag collection: the Polene Numero Un Mini. I truly don’t think I’ve ever had more inquiries on one specific question. And with good reason—it’s a beautiful investment bag.

I want to begin by saying I’m very grateful to have received this bag gifted from Polène. However, this is in no way a sponsored review. I’ve had many of you ask for an update with my thoughts, so I wanted to dedicate this post to a review after using it for almost two months.

The Details:

Bag: Polene Numéro Un Mini

Price: $350 USD

Color: Camel. Available in 13+ additional colors, including burgundy, monochrome burgundy, terre de sienne, black, monochrome black, green, sand, camel, grey, monochrome pink, monochrome red, blue, peach, pastel blue, and pastel green

Hand-made in Spain

Twilled lining 100% cotton

Dimensions: 20.5cm tall, 18cm wide, and 9cm deep or roughly 8in tall x 7in wide x 3.5in deep

What are your thoughts on quality?

The quality is something I’m incredibly impressed with. While I don’t personally own any bags over the $400 price point, it truly blows away any other comparably-priced designer bag I own. The design is very thoughtful and the bag feels durable and not flimsy in any way. It’s structured and holds its shape well. The leather is soft-to-the-touch and I think the graining makes it more durable and practical. With nearly two months of wear, I have yet to notice any scratching or scuffs on the leather. I have, however, noticed subtle scratching on the metal clasp. Overall, the quality and attention to detail do not go unnoticed.

Is it heavy?

The bag itself has a really nice weight to it but it doesn’t feel heavy or weighed down on the shoulder.

Is the chain comfortable? Does it get caught in your hair?

The chain is comfortable and there really isn’t a way it could get caught in your hair. The links aren’t flimsy or open at their point of contact with one another. Again, the chain does have a weight to it but in a way that makes it feel substantial and durable.

Is the chain removable or adjustable?

Yes. The chain is fully (and very easily) removable. It can also be adjusted by knotting the chain on the inside. These photos feature the bag with the chain at its full-length. I’m 5’6” for reference.

How much does it hold?

If you typically reach for mini bags or cross-body styles for everyday, the Polene Mini is quite comparable. It comfortably fits my card case, keys, sunglasses with the case, iPhone 8 Plus, lip products and basic essentials.

It features an interior pocket that fits my card case for easy access, as well as a small exterior slip pocket for cards, receipts or small papers.

Is it difficult to fit your hand in the opening?

This is another design aspect I’m very impressed with. Polene truly thought of everything. If you look at the front of the bag, you can see how it cinches in to create its pouch-like shape. While I wouldn’t say it’s difficult to fit your hand in per se, this does make the opening smaller. However, there are snaps that allow you to “un-cinch” the front part and this opens the bag up quite a bit more. You can choose to leave them unsnapped and the bag shape only changes marginally, if at all.

Do you reserve this for special occasions? Is it too dressy for every day?

When I first received this bag, I had planned to almost exclusively save it for “special” occasions like dinner out, date night, events, etc. The rich tone combined with the hardware and chain strap definitely makes this an ideal day-to-night bag. It’s a great transitional style that feels polished paired with jeans for daytime and dressy enough for nighttime or special events, like a wedding for instance.

In terms of everyday wear, after using it for almost two months, I can tell it’s durable enough to also withstand more frequent rotation. However, it’s still a style I’m overall more thoughtful with!

Did you treat or weatherproof it?

I have not done this yet but I absolutely do plan to use a leather protectant this season and Polene strongly recommends this, as well. I personally haven’t experienced any color transfer issues or bleeding from new jeans, for example. However, this would really depend on your own garments and I would be a bit more careful if you were considering a lighter color like sand.

Final Thoughts

I really love the Polene Numero Un (Number One) Mini. Overall, the level of quality and attention to detail do not go unnoticed. For a mini bag, it easily holds your everyday necessities and a large smartphone. I find it to be fairly priced, exceeding comparably-priced designer bags in terms of quality and feel. It’s practical for both day and night, adding a polished feel to daytime looks and classic touch to evening wear. I haven’t experienced any color transfer but do consider color when purchasing, as some of the lighter colors (like sand/sable) may show bleeding from garments it rubs against. Either way, do use a leather protectant!

I hope this is helpful and, as always, thank you for stopping by! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with additional questions or anything I may have missed.

xo Tyler