I poked fun once at the Celine IT bag with the robot face that had a few of us giggling over it. I still don’t feel it, apologies to all fans out there. But at about the same time, I came across a similar sort of design by Celine, except with much smoother, sleeker lines. The Celine Trapeze bag. I liked the simplicity of the design, the understatedness of it all. I didn’t feel the flappy ear action (which can be tucked in) so I didn’t bother to properly check it out. And then, I recently stumbled on a version that looks similar but isn’t.
Top: Celine Trapeze Tote Bottom: DvF 440 Top Handle Satchel
When I first saw the DvF version at the bottom, I immediately thought of the Celine Trapeze. Personally I thought it looks really similar, especially when you see it on its own, not right next to a Celine of course. Naturally, there is a price difference, hence this edition of the Save & Splurge series 😀
Save: DvF 440 Top Handle Satchel – US$545 (small) / US$645 (large)
I first saw this one on the Purseblog Instagram account and was struck by the similarity to the Celine Trapeze tote. Apparently, most people thought the same too. It has the same smooth large flap at the front, the same colour blocking theme, the same flappy ear action at the side, albeit not as large, and the same top handle.
Having not seen these in person, I can’t quite tell how they feel but the leather looks softer and the bag, not as structured. I suppose it does make a fair alternative to the Trapeze bag for someone who would rather not pay the Celine asking price. I believe there’s a DvF (Diane von Furstenberg, who is famous for her wrap dresses) boutique somewhere in the city but I’m not sure what exactly is carried in there. It might be a good time to go hunt it down and take a look if only to satisfy my curiousity 😀
Splurge: Celine Trapeze Tote – from US$2xxx
I can’t seem to find the exact prices for the Celine Trapeze Tote (locally its RM7,200) but story has it prices have just gone up again. Madness. Anyway, I didn’t like the Luggage Tote, but I do like the simple elegant design of the Trapeze Tote, especially that large smooth flap down the front. With the “ears” tucked in, the bag looks like a simple elegant box and I love that. With the “ears” extended, it looks a bit flappy, but I suppose it does add to the charm.
I played around with this in the Celine boutique one day just for the fun of it, and its a very well made piece, as most Celine bags are (I’m still kicking myself for not getting a beautiful teal deerskin Boogie bag that was on sale many years ago. Then again, I couldn’t have afforded it back then and didn’t want to end up having to boil it for my supper) The bag feels quite structured around the main frame with the only soft things about it being the side flaps, which can be folded in. I think its a lovely little thing, and although it comes in many colour blocking colours, I’d go for it in a more neutral palette just so it stands the test of time.
My Pick
Of the two, my pick is the Celine Trapeze Tote, because to me it just looks better. The lines are smoother and I like the more structured look in the middle of the bag. Practically though, I’d do the DvF. It looks fairly well made and in fashion, and if you get rid of that hang tag, it would look even better. Your wallet will also heave a sigh of relief 🙂
Does the Celine Trapeze Tote appeal to you? Do you have one? 😀
I love Celine but their prices are astronomical. I have one of their now discontinued Boogie Bags and I do love it but I also sort of regret not splurging on it in leather. Still, life is too short for regrets 😀
Paris B
Save and Splurge is where I show you similar items by different brands that I have tried. They may not work quite the same way, but it’ll offer you options for your wallet for a similar effect/product. Do note however, that it is based on products I have tried, so whilst there are many save and splurge options out there, these are my views and choices. You can find more under the category of Challenges.
I would definitely pick the Celine Trapeze. It’s gorgeous and one of a kind, and irreplaceable. I own the Celine luggage tote and I find Trapeze a more groomed-work-formal version of the luggage.
I do tend to agree. The Celine luggage looks more “fun” but I still find the flappy side wings a bit distracting 🙂
I’ve been seeing bags with similar silhouettes around too (don’t ask me which brands). Fortunately, neither of those bags don’t do anything for me 😀
That’s just me.
Not an instant love for me either. I would prefer if the side wings were easier to fold inwards but as it turns out, its really too stiff to. Ah well, next 🙂
I like the DvF better, but it’s not a shape that I really love.
The DvF looks more pliable, and I think that leather won’t scratch as easily as the Celine.
I have the Trapeze 😉 You should get it so we can be bag twinsies 😉 I ADORE the Trapeze because it’s so sleek and well made. It’s also fully-lined in leather (Chanel lines their bags with cheapish canvas for non-classic flaps and it irks me to no end) and for a designer, it’s really reasonable. I’ve attempted to tuck the gussets in but it ended up looking a little strange with the zip stuck out >< I'd say leave the gussets out. It's one of the many quirks of the Celine bag. One down point to this is the leather – it's very easily-scratched 🙁 I have quite a few all over 🙁
Because I own this, I'm not in the right position to judge which one I would take. It would be the Trapeze handsdown. Simply because it's one of a kind and it was the one that started the trend.
(GET IT SO WE CAN BE TWINSIES!)
hahaha I went and played with it, but I wasn’t feeling the rather large base, nor the leather, which I have to agree with you scratches easily. The ones in store looked quite beaten up, except for the snakeskin one but that just gives me the creeps! 😛 Sorry, let’s find another bag to be twinsies for 😉
Oh and it comes with a removable shoulder strap – massive winner in my books because you can carry it on your hands or your shoulder. GET IT! (enabler mode turned on gaogao)
I agree, the Celine looks cleaner and more classic. That said, I wouldn’t pay Celine prices!
Celine prices seem to have shot through the roof recently. They were relatively more affordable a few years back, that’s for sure. Now, I think I’d probably go look at Chanel 😉
I like the Celine but like others have said, wouldn’t pay the price for it.
It is very pricey 🙂
good taste 🙂 i dont have any yet… would love to have them too 🙂
Haha I don’t have either too! 😀
I like your choice 🙂
I do too, too bad my wallet doesn’t like it as much hehe…
Ive seen ladies carrying Celine one and it looks amazing. They have similar bag but without the ears on longer strap, its different shape.
Celine quality is not the same as chanel or hermes but their prices are more reasonable and so ‘trendy’ right now. On the other hand their leather is usually smooth without grains and even in shop new bags have scratches which for me is big turn off.
Hmm I like the sound of the one that looks like the Trapeze but without the ears 😀 You are right about the leather though. The one in the store looked scratched especially on that front flap where its so lovely and smooth, that I was quite turned off too. Perhaps it was a good thing I didn’t buy that leather boogie bag after all 😉
To be honest, the quality of Chanel bags has dropped by quite a bit for the past few years. I am guessing that the new Celine bags in shops have scratches because they have been mishandled by sales assistants or customers. I notice the sales assistants do not use gloves when handling the bags. I have spotted scratches on bags in Prada and Louis Vuitton as well.