My Thoughts on Affordable Luxury + Mini Review

Luxury fashion typically means buying into designer labels that come with extra overpriced fees because you’re paying for the name brand, which doesn’t always promise better quality. Take brands like Chanel, Dior or Louis Vuitton for example. I’ve never spent over $1000 just for a handbag, and while I know that I’m into fashion and like to marvel at the design of certain handbag structures, I know what my standards are now and I’m also aware of what I need to prioritize within my budget.

Social media has been both a blessing and a curse when it comes to the fashion community and how new trends tend to pop up within its algorithms. One of the few trends that I felt like I was able to budget for before moving out was getting into affordable luxury, or “quiet luxury”. Handbags with no logos, or clothes that have more timeless features in their design and structure became a huge trend for a while as a push-back from any brands that are saturated with loud prints or flashy logos. In a way, you could say that “quiet luxury” was really just coming back to a simpler or more minimalist design form. This is how brands like Polene, Teddy Blake or Songmont have come about within influencer culture.

I honestly think that “quiet luxury”, or affordable luxury, can be considered a timeless trend regardless of who’s promoting it on Instagram or YouTube. I know that I’ve been able to acquire at least four different handbags within this trend, three of which are from the brand Polene. The quality of their products is honestly something that I could rave about for who knows how long because no matter how many times I use one of them, they’ll still stand the test of time and look amazing with barely any scratches! Another thing that I find myself appreciating about Polene’s products is how unique their designs are. One of the bags I bought from them looks like a dumpling; there are two different size options for this type of bag, and I decided to get the mini size in an off-white color. I’ve used it for special outings or family dinners, and honestly, I’d say this is the only evening bag that I need in my collection. It really just makes any outfit feel more put together and fun!



(Picture taken from official Polene Website. Bag name: Numero Neuf mini. Color: Chalk)

To wrap up this post, I’m going to say that while I still stand by knowing that fashion in any form is fun and while no one should judge anybody who decides to take part in it, I do realize that this is one outlet that comes with a heavy price (no pun intended). No one should go broke in the name of fashion, and if you can’t afford luxury brands or don’t see the value in them, then that’s okay. Different people are into different things and shouldn’t be patronized for making decisions that can benefit their sense of joy. So, wIthout going onto any other tangents here, I hope this post was informative and insightful to you if you’re looking to invest in the quiet luxury trend!