I bought this Saint Laurent patent leather clutch bag online last summer, mostly because I was tired of flimsy bags breaking on me all the time. You know how it is—I dropped my old one on a grocery run and it just fell apart, leaving my keys and wallet rolling around. So, I ordered it, clicked checkout, and waited for the delivery guy to show up.
The Unboxing and First Impressions
When the package arrived, I ripped it open like a kid at Christmas. The bag looked super shiny and fancy straight out of the box, and I thought, “Wow, this is worth the cash.” But right away, I noticed the patent leather felt a bit stiff and plasticky. I rubbed it with my fingers to see if it was scratchy, and nope, it seemed smooth. I stuffed it with my usual stuff—phone, wallet, lip balm—and took it out for a coffee run to test the carrying.
Daily Wear and Tear Testing
I used this thing every single day for like three months, tossing it around in all kinds of places. I threw it on my car seat during drives, dropped it on concrete while rushing to meetings, and even shoved it into crowded backpacks when traveling. On purpose, I dragged it across rough surfaces—think brick walls and park benches—to see how tough the finish was.
- Scratch Test: I deliberately scraped it with my keys a few times, and guess what? No real marks! Just some tiny scuffs that wiped off with a cloth.
- Weight Handling: Loaded it up heavy a couple of times—overstuffed with groceries and stuff. The zipper held up fine, no cracks or weird stretching.
- Weather Exposure: Got caught in rain once, water beaded right off the leather. Left it out in sun for hours, but no fading or peeling that I could spot.
But here’s the catch: after a while, the bottom corners started rubbing off at the edges, showing a little white underlayer. It wasn’t major, but it bugged me since I’d only had it a few weeks.
Long-Term Results and Final Thoughts
Kept using it for months, and honestly, it lasted better than I expected. The clutch didn’t fall apart or anything like my cheap ones used to. But by fall, the strap stitching felt loose when I tugged on it, like it might pop off soon. Overall, yeah, it’s durable for everyday messiness, but it ain’t bulletproof. If you’re rough like me, expect some signs of wear. I’d say go for it if you want style and sturdiness, just don’t treat it like a garbage bag.
