So like I mentioned a couple times before (here and here), I bought this Valextra Bucket Bag for myself as a birthday present. I didn’t think I was the big bucket bag kind of person but seeing the resurgence in popularity of the Celine Sangle bag and the fact that I have a toddler now made me want try out a big bucket bag again. Since I had the Sangle before (Celine Sangle review here) and ended up selling it, I knew the Sangle wasn’t for me. I thought about getting it in the smaller size but I didn’t love it. But when I saw this Valextra Bucket bag I knew it was exactly what I’ve been looking for.
As I mentioned, I sold the Celine Sangle after owning it about a year. In the end I decided to sell it because 1) it was too dang heavy (it’s made of a double leather construction) and 2) I kept putting my phone in one of the four outer pockets but I could never remember which, so I would end up checking every single pocket (which got to be annoying). And at the time I didn’t have a kid so I didn’t really need to be carrying such a large bag. But fast forward a couple years, and now with a toddler I wish I had a bigger bag like the Sangle.
Well, after using this Valextra bucket bag for several months I have to say I love it and I’m so glad I have this one over the Sangle. I love how light it is (weighing 1lb. 6 oz) and the fact that there’s only one outer pocket that’s just for my phone. Inside, there’s nothing but a ring to clip your keys to. I do wish it had a flat pocket inside for my cardcase but I can deal. I end up putting most of my things into different smaller bags to be able to organize it all. I think I might need to eventually get a bag organizer but we’ll see.
Overall the bag is very well made and the leather quality is divine (as you would expect from Valextra, the “Hermes of Italy”). The bag is made from Valextra’s signature “martellato” calfskin and like all their bags lined with suede. Each bag is made by one Italian master craftsman and their serial number is stamped in gold on the outer pocket. I love that the shoulder straps are fully adjustable. The Sangle straps are not, so I found that it wasn’t long enough for me to stick my hand into the bag while it was still on my shoulder. I would have to take the bag off my shoulder and hold the strap in one hand while I reached in with the other. I don’t have to do that with this Valextra bucket bag and it makes it so much more convenient. The strap can also be adjusted so that I can wear it as a high crossbody bag, but it’s a tad awkward worn that way.
I purchased the regular size of this bucket bag (now called the medium size), which measures 12.2"H x 9.1"W x 5.9"D. As you can see it’s quite tall and could fit a lot of things, including my 13” laptop. This bucket bag also comes in a smaller size (now called the mini) that measures 5.1"H x 9.8"W x 7.5"D (and costs $1550). I mainly chose the larger bag because I wasn’t sure if the smaller bucket bag could fit my phone in the front pocket.
Even though it’s a fully open bag (there’s no clasp to close it), I have no problems with things falling out. Even when the bag falls over, things don’t spill out since the walls of the bag are so high. (FYI the Celine Sangle comes with a clasp that’s impossible to use and I don’t think most people use it). Also I have no problems with this bag staying on my shoulder, though I’ve heard that if you are more narrow shouldered that could be a problem. I would say the only negative thing to this bag is that they chose to use shiny leather edging (it’s their signature hand-finished Costa lacquered edges). It’s the first time I’ve ever seen leather edging (which is used to seal the edges of the leather) that’s shiny and it kind of stands out. But that’s a minor thing I can live with since the bag functions well and looks great overall.
I purchased this contrast pocket bucket bag from Matches.com (I highly recommend them, they ship fast and their packaging is gorgeous—feels like a true luxury). Unfortunately this particular one is no longer in stock, but they do have a solid colored bucket bag in the small size. Farfetch carries the Valextra bucket bag in a variety of sizes and colors. And Bergdorf Goodman carries the mini size in a variety of colors.
Overall I’m really happy with this bag purchase. And considering that the Celine sangle retails for $2400, this Valextra version is a better value at $1650 (it looks like they raised the price now to $1790). I plan to use this bag for a very long time, so I’ll update this blog post to let you know how this bag wears.
{April 2022 Update: This Valextra bucket bag is now sold at Net-a-porter, Bergdorfs, and Neiman’s, and the medium now goes for $1990 while the mini (which is sometimes not called the mini but is the regular size) is now $1395-$1750. As for a wear update, I’ve used this bag quite a bit and there is some softening of the corners (such that when it’s sitting on the ground the bag concaves in just a bit right above the corner). I don’t mind it much since it’s a daily utility bag for me. I carry it crossbody, but shortened and it tucks right under my arm. I use a Samora felt bag organizer (originally intended for my Hermes Evelyne III) and I never fumble for anything. I love that I can carry all my essentials—along with my kid’s essentials, in a stylish bag that still gets compliments a year later.}
{September 2023 Update: My love for this Valextra bag is still going strong even though I don’t use it as often now that my daughter is 4 (and thus needs less things for me to carry). In May 2022, I ranked it as my number 2 favorite bag after my Celine Soft Cube bag. I also took a look at the current prices for this medium Valextra bucket bag and see that it’s gone up to $2450 at Valextra.com, while Bergdorf’s still has one priced at $2150. And the mini—now called the small bucket bag— is now priced at $1890-$1980.}