Review: Do I Regret the Stella McCartney Falabella Bag?
Photocredit: Shutterstock
Stella McCartney launched the Falabella Handbag in 2009 and an icon was born. I feel for Stella because SO many high street brands replicated it (badly) and there are a lot of not very nice looking Stella imitations out there in the world. Stella McCartney even filed papers to sue Steve Madden in October 2015 because she felt he was producing a ‘poorly made knock off; which from looking at the pictures - is exactly what it looked like. (Sorry to anyone that bought one)
This is the first luxury designer (I am not counting DKNY or Michael Kors) handbag I ever bought. It was 2016 and the first summer I moved to London. I was walking down the Kings Road and I saw this shop...it wasn’t a boutique, it wasn’t an outlet, it was sort of a charity shop- but it looked fancy, I cannot remember the name.. was it Loved? PreLoved? Help a girl out if you can! It was a pop-up. It had Burberry Trench Coats in the window, and Mulberry handbags. But not full price…discounted….I went in and I was immediately in heaven…this shop opened up a whole new world to me…luxury designer fashion.. but second hand - this was a way it could actually be accessible to me. Until this point I would never have been able to afford anything premium designer… [Bicester Village outlet was still too expensive] and now I could (just about afford it) it was exciting. and then I saw it…the bag I had seen everywhere and that I had been obsessed with for years… a Stella McCartney black Falabella Handbag…shaggy deer, faux suede - pristine condition. It was £220. This was big, big money for me…. But I couldn’t believe it…I could not believe it I was so excited. This bag was currently in Harrods for £800 (2016 prices) I must have stayed in the shop for 30 minutes, touching it and standing in front of the mirror with it,
I bought it, they gave it to me in a dark green shopping bag - which also made it feel luxe and then I ran home like I had a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Golden Ticket in my hand to show my sister.
Yes this bag is iconic, Yes it is a classic, Yes I think the (older) season bags are beautifully crafted and well-made, and Yes, you can get incredible value on the preloved market.
What does she fit?
She fits more than she can carry. This is my warning to you. The material is not leather or coated canvas, its strong but do not overload this bag. You can fit a lot more in than I am demonstrating - but please don’t.
Mac Laptop + Charger - fits perfectly
Sunglasses, hairbrush, airpods, keys
If my makeup bag was not broken and looking sorry for itself I would have added to the photo.
But, would I recommend you buy this bag?
No I would not. Why?
This is the issue I have… and it is a design flaw.
The older styles look better than the newer season designs; and one of the reasons the earlier bags are so beautiful is due to the extra thick, heavy shoulder chain, (it has got thinner in recent years and I think as a result looks cheaper). But, the problem is this shoulder strap does not stay up, it falls off your shoulder all day long. I am not exaggerating, you have to hold the strap on your shoulder all the time, it’s because of this I never EVER use this bag, Honestly, if you put this bag on your shoulder and hold a coffee in the same hand…. the bag will fall, it will jolt you and you will spill your coffee on yourself. These are facts (for me).
I am almost certain that Stella will have rectified this over the years - but I just don’t like the new styles as much… I dislike the three chains, and the faux leather material, so I am very torn as to what to tell you to do… buy vintage, but you will have to hold the bag on your shoulder, or buy a newer model but it doesn’t look as good?
BUT, if you cannot be talked out of buying a Falabella (it is a very nice bag - I get it) and really want to know how to spot if the one you have your eye on is counterfeit or authentic then please click the link
PROS
Vegan
Iconic ‘IT’ bag status
Beautiful design
Lightweight
Great resale value
It fits so much in
CONS
Heavily counterfeited and duped
The later styles and designs not as luxe looking
The later styles not as well made
The shoulder chain does not stay on your shoulder [biggest con]
Summary:
I like having this bag in my wardrobe, she’s an IT girl. But, I am afraid this bag is a no from me - unless you have money to burn, and will only use it on the odd occasion.
Love Alice xx
