I’ve owed you all a Purseonals for quite some time, and although it’s been a while, I think this particular Purseonal is worth the wait. I fell in love with Gucci all over again this fall and winter, so much so that my current go-to bag is my Gucci Lady Stirrup Top Handle Bag. Finished in the perfect burgundy hue, this bag combines a structured ladylike design with touches of classic Gucci that are familiar and well-loved. At lunch recently, someone asked me what my favorite bag is at the moment; I must say it’s this Gucci bag. So let me get into the details for you all!
Here is how my Gucci Lady Stirrup Top Handle Bag scores in our PurseBlog Purseonals ratings:
Aesthetics
Like I said above, the bag is simply stunning. From the moment I laid my eyes on it, I knew I wanted to have it. The Gucci Stirrup is inspired by an iconic model, and while the Stirrup bags come in a range of soft styles as well, the structured frame version caught my eye immediately.
The color of this bag is amazing, with a bit of an ombre touch at the far edges of the bag and darker stitching – everything about it just pops. Another aspect of the design that I adore is the studs at the top of the frame, which is an on-trend addition without being overboard. Everything about this bag screams ladylike, which is why the name is so fitting.
The reality of the situation is that the majority of handbags tend to look similar to each other, and it’s the ones that stand out that always catch my attention. It seems like everyone that has seen me carrying this bag has complimented me, and I look forward to using it for years to come.
Usability + Functionality
While this design doesn’t have a shoulder strap, this bag is more practical than even I imagined. The framed top can be easily opened by pinching the sides of the top clasp, and the bag opens fully to a spacious interior. I also love the addition of the front pocket that features a flap top with a leather slide closure. These two main storage areas are accessible apart from one another, which adds to the bag’s functionality.
I like to think of this bag as my Mary Poppins bag because it’s much larger than it seems. The dimensions aren’t overly bulky, but they allow for carrying tons of items. The inside of the bag has a few pockets – one zip and two open – which help separate things as well. It can be a little tricky to find things in the main compartment (items hide in nooks of the interior, and an interior flap gets in the way a little when searching), but overall, this bag is great when it comes to usability and functionality.
Quality + Construction
This bag is impeccably crafted and the materials used are premium, but my issue comes to the finish of leather on this bag. Hard box leather is both a blessing and a curse – it’s sturdy and beautiful, but also shows scratches easily. I am known to baby my bags, and this lovely bag is no exception, but even with how gently I treat it, some scratches have shown. Over time, the wear will even out and will leave the bag looking like it’s been equally loved all over, but in the beginning stages it stands out. It might be because of my type-A personality, but having a bag show any disturbance is a personal pet peeve.
Otherwise, the quality of this bag is stunning, with no detail left unaccounted for and every material chosen with care. The construction is also superb; in fact, this bag is so beautifully constructed that it’s reinvigorated my love for Gucci. Craftsmanship is key, of course, and this bag goes back to the brand’s basics and showcases the beauty that goes into making a fine leather bag.
Price + Value
I apologize to my lovely Lady, because she is such a stunning bag, but her price is on the high side. I’ve become acquainted with luxury goods and their prices, but some bags still confuse me a bit, and this happens to be one of them. While I understand the craftsmanship needs to be taken into account along with the materials, a $4,650 price tag usually comes with some sort of exotic skin.
Don’t get me wrong; I appreciate every detail of this bag, but I can’t say everyone else will see that when they see this price tag.
Staying Power
I fell in love with this bag because of its “it” factor. The bag spoke to me, and it continues to speak to me to this day. The shape stands apart from other accessories on the market, and the color is not only highly sought-after for accessories right now, but it works well with an array of shades in one’s wardrobe. A ladylike structured silhouette will always find a place in my collection, and my go-to bag to fill this purpose right now is my Gucci Lady.
Overall Rating
This bag has everything I want in it – style, beauty, and grace. The more I carry it and the more I stare at it, the more I fall in love. I wish I found it sooner, but I am so thrilled to have it as part of my collection now. I will love this bag for years to come, and I believe 20 years from now, my daughter will as well. The bag also comes in beautiful blue leather and black suede versions.
