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A bit of backstory…
The Celine Classic Box bag has a simple, yet sophisticated design that is sure to make any outfit look more put together. Its structured box shape has been around since the 1970s and was redesigned after Phoebe Philo became the new creative director of the brand in 2008. The bag is very minimalist and has no visible branding on the outside. The price tag for the original depends on the type of leather and the size, with the popular smooth calfskin leather ranging around $3000-$4000.
Feedback from the community…
I’ve watched a lot of videos of people reviewing the authentic version of this bag and their opinions were kind of mixed. There were those who regretted their splurge because the calfskin leather was too soft and scratched very easily. There were also issues with the sharp and square metallic strap loops that dug into their shoulders or scratched the edges of their bag. Someone even recalled the horror story of being caught in the rain and getting their bag slightly wet – causing it to stain from the water.
On the other hand, there was praise over the aesthetic of the bag, the softness of the leather, how it matched with everything and was a “timeless classic” and a wardrobe staple.
Is anything really ever timeless?
Personally, I think “timeless classic” is a term being aggressively marketed in light of Marie Kondo, minimalism, and the ongoing “capsule wardrobe” trend. Aside from white crew neck t-shirts, black umbrellas, and work slacks (and even those change based on rise, inseam, leg width, pleating, drape, etc.) it’s hard to find apparel and accessories that withstand the test of time.
But for now, I do concede that this design is really nice, plus it’s been around for a while. That’s why I was pretty stoked when I saw the dupe on AliExpress in a bunch of colors and sizes. (pictured below).
On to the review of the Celine Box Bag Dupe!!!
Here is the link for the grainy liege leather style that I bought and here is the link for the same bag in the “shiny” leather version from the same seller.
I ordered the medium sized “apricot/grey” color. If I were to describe the color, it would be almost a grey beige with taupe. I included some photos of my bag below. The bag took around three weeks to be delivered. It arrived in a stiff box, safe and sound.
The exterior
The texture of this bag in particular feels smooth but also a little grainy. It’s supposed to be an imitation of the liege calfskin leather style box bag. The stitches are all very neat, and there are no loose threads. Sometimes these types of bags come with a chemical odor, however this one, thankfully, did not. You can immediately tell just by touch that this bag is going to be a hard-wearing tank, and potentially a lethal weapon if you swing it at someone…
In terms of quality for the price, I would say it is a solid 8 or 9 out of 10. I ding one point off for just how rigid and stiff it is. The seller claims that this bag is made from genuine cow leather, but I reserve the right to be a little skeptical. The straps are also stiff, and if you store them incorrectly, they will get “bent.” Regardless though, the construction isn’t cheap feeling or looking by any means. I’ve had this bag for over one year now as of writing this review, and the bag has not peeled or cracked from storage or use. I did however get some faint scratches on the hardware, though.
The closure is plated with brushed rose gold hardware. It is very sturdy and smooth with the thick metal hinge. The bag is very structured and stiff. But despite its seemingly moderate size, it actually can’t fit much inside other than your phone, wallet, keys, and maybe a thin notebook/iPad Mini and some lipstick. If you stuff the bag too much, you will not be able to get the clasp shut. It will also look very pudgy… fair warning.
The strap and buckle
The strap is entirely removable. Plus, you can adjust it to three different lengths with the buckle. That means this bag can be worn cross body, off the shoulder, under the arm, and as a clutch.
This square buckle mechanism pulls apart from the bottom. That’s what lets you adjust the length of the strap. There are pre-made holes and you slide the strap and snap the buckle over the hole. When worn on your bare shoulder, this buckle can dig into your skin. This is also an issue with the authentic box bag as well. You can adjust this by rotating the strap a bit, so that these pieces aren’t near your shoulder though.
The interior and profile
The inside is lined with a slightly softer, more flexible, and less grainy material. There are three sections, the third of which has a zipper. Because of these sections, it limits the width of items you could insert inside. I personally find them unnecessary in such a small bag. The zippered section is darn near impossible to reach and use. It is good for if you wanted to securely store away something flat, otherwise I mainly use the first two sections. Maybe over the course of time and with heavy use, the inside will soften and be easier to access. The layout of the real Celine box bag is slightly different to this one but it still has sections.
Once again the stitching inside is also nice and neat.
The bag has a thin profile with nice and even glazing applied to the edges. Similar with the underside as well. It is able to stand on it’s own without falling over.
Mod shots and final thoughts
Here are some photos of me wearing the bag. I think it’s really cute and versatile in this color.
I think this dupe delivers the same low key unbranded aesthetic, and doesn’t cost 2 months of rent. I don’t feel guilty getting it wet, dirty, or damaged. Also, it highlights some key downsides that the real bag has, namely the strap buckles and the small compartments inside. You get to see if the style works for you and your lifestyle without the financial burden. That’s good enough for me. What are your thoughts?
Thank you, so helpful!