If you’re a longtime bag lover or have even a passing interest in Hermès, you’ve probably seen plenty of photos of the brand’s bags with colorful scarves wrapped around the handles. Hermès makes a silk design, the Twilly, specifically for that purpose (although it’s also used for other things), and Birkin aficionados in particular have long used it as a way to customize their bags while protecting the handles from wear, discoloration and oil absorption.
The practice has spread from Hermès to other brands, especially those with a silks program of their own and a client base that overlaps with Hermès, but the scarves and bags have always been sold separately–picking colors and a print was up to the taste of the buyer, in order to make an iconic bag feel more like a piece of personal style. Until now, that is; this spring, Saint Laurent is offering a couple of its popular Sac de Jour Totes with pre-wrapped scarf handles.
The SDJ was one of the first and most notable among a recent round of bags from across the market that shoppers have compared to the Birkin; whether those comparisons are favorable or unfavorable depends largely on the person offering them. Instead of resisting those comparisons, though, Saint Laurent seems to be embracing them–Birkins are easily the bag most often spotted with wrapped handles, and now, with this bag, you don’t even have to wrap them yourself.
I suppose it’s a nice option to have if you like the look of wrapped handles but don’t want to buy anything extra, but in my mind, it removes the fun of personalization from the process, which is the only reason I’d wrap my handles in the first place. Also, the wrapped handles increase the bag’s price $140 for the Baby version; and Hermès Twilly, on the other hand, will set you back about $160 and can be used for other things. (If you’re interested in wrapping your favorite bag’s handles, this video demonstrates some popular methods.)
Check out sizes, colors and prices below.
Saint Laurent Baby Sac de Jour
$2,790 via farfetch.com
Saint Laurent Baby Sac de Jour
$2,790 via farfetch.com
Saint Laurent Small Sac de Jour
$2,990 via farfetch.com
It’s a great way to personalize your bag…but I agree that you should purchase your own scarf setting your bag apart from all others.
I’m more interested in how the bag is using black hw but I was hoping you’d tell me that they were also selling them a la carte. Shame.
Never liked the scarf on the handle look, it’s very old lady-ish to me
Same here. Fussy and prudish – and expensive. Price for SDJ increases $140 for what looks like very cheap fabric. For Hermes you’d have to buy TWO Twillys setting you back $320.
Obviously I’m not the buyer they are marketing these to.
Yes! I never got the appeal. Functional to protect handles? Ok. But the style screams dated and fussy. Blech.
Never liked the whole “charms” thing either. Especially things like the fur balls or the stuffed animals hanging off the bags. It’s very 12-year-old-girl-ish to me
Totally agree
Same here.
Pass. The scarves look kinda cheap and messy.
I don’t find these scarves in particular aesthetically pleasing, so I would definitely pass. I like the SDJ, and I like seeing ladies wrap colorful silk scarves around their bag handles, but these are not for me. I also agree that choosing one’s own scarf and injecting personal style into the look of a bag is much more appealing.
My girl didn’t like the scarfs on the top handle either, kinda looks childish too. Not fashionable if you ask me. See recommended top handle bags my girl really likes – http://fashionwomenbags.com/
Never understood the wrapping trend. What happens after the wrapping gets dirty or worn out? Same with dangly bag charms trend either. Especially if the bag already comes with ornate zipper pulls or clochettes, that’s too many dangly dangles. And don’t get me started on the multi charm bag charms.
How come the Baby SDJ has an internal zipped compartment on the pictures on FarFetch? I thought this was only in the Small size, is it a new feature?
Yes, along with a new adjustable strap as well
I agree that it takes away from the personalization of it all. However I’m not sure why everyone is hating on fun bag embellishment. I love bringing some flare and my own personality to a classic bag by changing up the charms, etc!
I appreciate the idea of protecting the handles, but I almost never wrap or tie scarves to my bags. Buying with one attached does take away the fun in finding a scarf you really love
Xo,
Miki
http://mikialamode.com
I just got one with handle scarf. Looks nice, not cheap at all. I agree the price increase for more than $100 is not appeal….but if you come across a sale, it worth to look at it.
don’t care for the scarfs on handles weather they are self attached or buy a handbag maker. they seem tacky to me.