Jacquemus Le Grand Bambino Review

When I first spotted the Jacquemus brand bags I fell in love with the sleek and structured design of Simon Porte’s creations. I was hesitant to purchase one as they seemed so teeny and who goes anywhere without their phone these days right? There was no way I was going to splurge on something that couldn’t even fit a lip gloss in.

After months of scrolling online I decided to take the plunge and invest in the new Le Grand Bambino style. Like the name suggests, it’s the larger (more grand) cousin of the Le Bambino. See the size comparison below. 

Ladies and gents, if you are looking for a moderate-sized luxury bag that’s affordable, super stylish and made in your favourite colour then look no further… here’s my honest review

Left to right: Le Petite Bambino, Le Bambino, Le Grand Bambino

STYLE & FUNCTIONALITY

The Le Grand bambino has a unique boxy style and crisp lines. It is rectangular in shape with a functional top handle and magnetic flap lock that gives it an ‘envelope’ look. The hard sides give the bag a sturdy rigid feel and this helps to keep your contents safe inside. What’s great is that this bag can stand up on its own, this means that it won’t fall over when you place it on a table or chair. Also the strength of the bag means that the sides don’t fall in and you can easily find your goodies inside.

My favourite feature is that the bag has a detachable shoulder strap which is also adjustable. A big tick for versatility. You can choose to wear it in different ways depending on your occasion and this is why I love it so much. Carry it by hand using the top handle like a clutch if wearing it with a formal dress, sling it across the body with the strap for during the day or double the strap over to wear it under your arm at a busy concert.

One of the most noticeable features of the Jacquemus bags are the iconic gold encrusted letters that sit at the lower right side of the bag. It’s classy in size and font doesn’t detract from the bold design of the bag. There are many copies out there and this is a gentle yet stylish reminder that you are wearing the real deal.

This bag is made of 100% smooth polished leather and is super soft to touch, so be careful if you have long nails or take your keys in and out a lot. With so many colours and leather finishes available (personally I wouldn’t recommend suede as marks show up easily) the choice is endless.

As soon as you unwrap your bag you will notice the leather on the exterior is of excellent quality. If you are a keen designer bag collector you will also recognise the level of care that has been taken in the overall construction of the bag. Little details instantly caught my eye and they combine seamlessly to create a polished piece worthy of the price tag.

These treasures include the following…

• The external card pocket – this doesn’t fit a phone but can be used for stashing little things without opening the flap
• Textured fabric used for the lined interior – the inside is as neat and tidy as the outside
• Embossed inner label – keeping in stead with other high quality labels
• Branding on the hardware of the strap – another sign of quality craftsmanship
• Attention to detail can be seen in the stitching – uniform and straight stitches are integral to high end brands. There was not a not a loose thread or an uneven stitch anywhere.

To see the full video of this bag in more detail and what fits inside check out my Instagram here or at www.instagram.com/adorncollection.hire/

SIZE

For me the Le Grand Bambino is the most practical bag size that Jacquemus has to offer. The minis are way too small even for special events and the new Bambinou is too big. This style of bag is quite robust and doesn’t sit on your body like a slouchy style bag (which is one thing I really like about my LV Multipochette). That being said this size is not too bulky and is quite comfortable to wear. The 23.5 cm length x 13 cm height gives you plenty of room for all your essentials plus a little more.

WHAT FITS INSIDE

When I go out I’m not the ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ in my bag type of person, especially now my kids are a little older, but I do need to ensure a few basic items can come along with me. These include lip gloss/lipstick, phone, keys, ID and maybe some touch up makeup. Sorry bag designers but if I can’t fit these things inside it’s going to be a hard no from me.

This size easily fits an iPhone 13 (old size iPhone pictured approx. 14.5 cm), sunglasses, keys with a keychain, ID or credit card, makeup pouch and there is still room for more. 

WHAT BOXES DOES IT TICK?

• 100% Leather
• Multifunctional
• Practical size
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Great range of colours
• High Quality materials and construction

THE FINAL WORD
Is this a bag I would buy as a busy Mum? Personally I would think about buying the Le Grand Bambino for myself in a colour I really love and that I know I’d get a lot of wear out of. Blue or green aren’t my everyday colours but for an event I’d definitely consider adding a pop of colour with these bags. They make an instant ‘streetwear’ statement and would take any outfit to that next level. Jacquemus is an affordable luxury alternative to high end brands that are charging more money for less quality. I believe the Jacquemus products have longevity and the second-hand demand will give you a decent return if you decide to move it on to another owner in the future.

This bag is definitely one to invest in if you know you will get the wear out of it, but before you invest in your own why not road test this bag at a fraction of the purchase price? Hire the Jacquemus Le Grand Bambini in BLUE or GREEN online at www.adornmillinery.com.au/bag-hire/