*This item was a gift but all opinions here are my own.
When Veronika the founder of Verlein, a Prague-based brand that makes bags, asked if I wanted to collaborate, I was at first hesitant because you know how picky I am about my bags. But I decided to take a chance because not only did I find their Ana Crossbody to be a gorgeous classical bag, but I also really liked how their ethical manufacturing and sustainability standards are baked into their company ethos yet not trumpeted in their marketing.
All their bags are made in small family factories in Ubrique, Spain, much like another notable Parisian bag I’ve reviewed here. And what I know about Ubrique is that all bag makers are paid well there since it is their number one industry, thus there is a high level social protection for them. (This article about Ubrique that I found through the Verlein FAQ section details everything about this town). Verlein’s leathers are sourced from Italy, where their tanneries are accredited by third parties in upholding standards when it comes to sustainability and social responsibilities (read about that here). I very much appreciate the transparency of their production and sourcing. I also appreciate the fact that they didn’t use any plastic in their packaging, and the bag came beautifully nestled in a tissue paper in a box. In fact, unwrapping the bag from Verlein was akin to unwrapping a bag from Chanel (sans the ribbon and fake flower). But yes, it was that luxuriously packaged.
As for the actual bag itself, I love it. This croc embossed leather is the best I’ve seen hands down (though I should qualify that by saying I’m not a croc embossed leather connoisseur). But I love that this leather is matte (the only other croc embossed bag I have is in patent leather and now I see how tacky that one is compared to this one). I’ve owned a Mansur Gavriel crossbody similar in size and shape like this one, which I loved until the straps started to flake. And I can tell this Verlein one won’t have this problem because the straps are much thicker than the MG one. The leather of this Verlein crossbody is overall thicker and sturdier, thus it holds its shape even when empty. And yet Mansur Gavriel charges $695 for their crossbody while Verlein’s Ana bags go for $380 (this special croc embossed one is $390). It’s about half the price for a much better product in my opinion.
I also appreciate the details on this bag that I usually only see on high-end designer bags. The hardware is minimal but sturdy and embossed with their name. Inside the bag there is a flat pocket that can fit your phone as well as a zippered pocket where I normally would stash my card case. The zipper pull for that pocket is also croc embossed and comes with a tiny gold V. I have yet to see a mid-tier bag put that kind of detail on their zippers. And there is also a small key ring where you can clip your keys so they don’t get lost at the bottom. There’s also a flat pocket outside of the main compartment, which is also a really convenient place to stash your phone. Love how this fairly small bag has three pockets!
This particular croc bag is all black, including the underside of the flap. But if you choose to get the pebbled leather versions, the underside is a fun contrasting color in suede (again what a great detail to see that flash of color when you open the bag). The interior is lined with grosgrain fabric, which is also a step up from the usual cotton canvas. You can see grosgrain fabric interiors in bags from Prada or seasonal Chanel ones (though those are a bit thicker and usually have their logos weaved in). And finally the leather edging and embossed details are neat with no irregularities (a minor detail but a pet peeve of mine when it’s not done well).
As to what fits in the bag? Pretty much only the essentials and sunglasses. But if you’re going for errands or you’re one to just carry the essentials anyway, this bag is the perfect size. There is also a mini Ana crossbody if you usually carry less.
Overall I’m very impressed by the quality of Verlein’s bag and the craftsmanship and ethics behind the brand. I love supporting smaller brands that make excellent bags because tbh I think the some of the major designers out there are overrated and they’re just banking on their names. Brands like Verlein just go to show that you can make a high-quality, designer-like brands without charging an arm and a leg.
{Edit: Thanks Melissa for reminding me to talk about the weight of this bag. It’s a fairly lightweight bag due to it’s smaller size and the fact that it uses a cloth interior (as opposed to leather, which would make the bag weigh more). I also think having a thick and sturdy shoulder strap helps to distribute what weight there is, so it doesn’t feel heavy at all).
{February 2022 Update: I’ve been using this bag for almost a year now and I just wanted to update this post to tell you guys I still love it. It’s mostly my farmer’s market bag because it’s so compact, light, and easy to use. I also get compliments on this bag all the time. And even after weekly use the bag looks as good as they day I got it!}