Is Polène a good brand?
This really gets to the heart of things, no?
I think embedded within it are two questions.
First: Does Polène offer good value for money? This is a simple question with a complex answer. The guiding principle of designer handbags is that we are all, really, being a bit scammed: Let’s not forget that Italian prosecutors found that a Dior bag retailing for over $2700 costs $57. Though the $57 figure didn’t include costs for raw materials, it was otherwise made possible by the despicable practice of outsourcing production work to Italian factories and their irregular laborers, mostly migrants paid abysmal wages (around $2 per hour). A pox on their house.
Back to Polène. Polène bags are cool and well-enough made. They don’t retain (or increase!) their value like a true top-tier brand, but they hold up well enough. They are made of pleasing, durable materials (from Spanish and Italian tanneries), and they are all (reportedly) ethically fabricated in Ubrique, Spain. This video, from Tanner Leatherstein, takes a really in-depth look at how Polène bags are made — have a look:
Producing its handbags within the EU at least creates an environment in which worker safety should be prioritized and fair wages should be paid (though return to the previous paragraph for the unfortunate reality). Within the context that no handbag truly offers value for money, we can at least say that Polène bags offer value for money relative to their competition in the mid-luxury and luxury markets.
The second question is: Is Polène a good brand — in the sense of its actual branding, and its ability to communicate certain values or aspirations through its products and marketing? There the answer is clearly yes. Polènes bags are cool, cool people like them, its stores are gorgeous (if dimly lit!), and its visual marketing is stellar — maybe not as cool as they were a couple years ago, but no one is, etc. etc.
Is Polène a luxury brand?
No, compared to Hermès. Yes compared to H&M. Most would qualify Polène bags as mid-luxury, similar to Sézane, APC, Coach, Clare Vivier, etc.
Where to buy Polène bags in the U.S.A.?
American shoppers can purchase Polène bags online, at the New York City flagship (it’s 487 Broadway at Broome Street, in SoHo), via resale markets (with the advisory that you’ll have to be on the lookout for fakes), and of course in Paris, where shoppers will save about 30%.
Does Polène have sales?
Not yet, though they have offered free shipping in the run-up to Christmas.
How to pronounce Polène?
Poh-lenne. You can hear it in this video above loads of times.
Is Polène cheaper in Paris?
You bet it is. We sat down and did all the math, and you can find our data here.
Is Polène French?
It is: It was founded in 2016 by three siblings, Antoine, Mathieu, and Elsa Mothay, whose great-grandfather, Léon Legallais, founded the iconic Saint James, famous for its striped marinières.
Are Polène bags real leather?
They absolutely are, produced at tanneries in Spain and Italy.
Does Polène offer free shipping?
Not usually, outside of holiday promotions. It’s a flat fee of $20 for delivery to the U.S.
Is there a Polène store in London? Is there a Polène store in Italy?
Not yet — right now, only in New York’s SoHo and the Marais in Paris. London and Hamburg should see openings in 2025.
Are Polène bags worth it?
A philosophical question. If presenting a certain image is important to you, yes. If acquiring cool handbags is important to you, yes. (Primarily for the Numéro Dix!)
