Love at first sight exists. I know because I fell in love hard with the Form Bag when I first saw it announced on Everlane’s Instagram (pictured above). The bag, released in August, is made out of soft leather with an adjustable fabric strap in a 31-person factory in Prato, Italy. I went to the San Francisco store to check it out in person.
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The Form Bag – $235
Aesthetically, this is everything I want in a bag. It’s sleek and smooth without any loud logos or heavy hardware. There’s a subtle brand stamp near the bottom of the bag. While the Form Bag has structure and keeps its shape, it doesn’t feel too rigid. I find the shape simple and elegant. It comes in three colors: black, cognac, and dark green.
Inside there is one slip leather pocket. The closure at the top is magnetic, a pair of magnets on each end. I love the ease of the magnetic closure and how quickly you can pop the bag open or shut. However, a few folks on the Everlane site did complain that the magnets are not strong enough to keep the bag shut when worn crossbody.
Everlane Cotton Relaxed Tank [review] // Uniqlo Chambray Shirt // Uniqlo Joggers [review] // Everlane V Heel [review]
Everlane says this bag fits a 13″ laptop horizontally, but I think that might be without a sleeve because it seems like a really tight fit. The measurements are 13″ tall x 10.5″ wide x 5″. Yes, it’s 10.5″ wide but apparently can fit a 13″ laptop. (A 13″ Macbook Air is 12.8″ across). I’m a little confused by the math. I’m guessing that width measurement doesn’t include the gussets of the sides?
While the leather seems nice, I can’t speak to how well it would wear or stand up to daily abuse. The leather is smooth and soft, and I fear that it would be easy to scratch. One of the samples in store already had a scratch across the front, though it wasn’t too deep. The corners are reinforced with stitching, so that’s a good sign.
The strap is looped through each side of the bag instead of being stitched in place. Some people might think a fabric strap is a cop-out to using leather, but I like how easy it is to adjust it. You can wear it on your shoulder, as a crossbody, or carry it in hand. A fabric strap also weighs less than a leather one, which is a plus in my book.
As I mentioned in my review of Everlane’s Twill Zip and Pocket totes, keeping a bag as light as possible is important to me, and I’ve been waiting for the right lightweight leather bag to come along. I think this might be it! I was pleasantly surprised by how light the Form Bag was for a leather bag of its size. It feels like it weighs no more than a pound and a half. (Yes, I know what 1.5 lbs feels like.)
I can’t think of much I’d change with the design of this bag. Some feet would be nice. Perhaps a slightly wider width to accommodate a laptop sleeve (though that would change the shape and I do like the shape the way it is now.) And it sounds like the magnetic closures need to be stronger (or they need to add more of them). I’d love to see it in other colors like a red-brown and dark gray.
Size comparison: Twill Zip Tote vs Form Bag
Speaking of Everlane totes, this is how it compares size wise to my Twill Zip Tote: not as big, of course, but still a decent size that can hold a good amount. (The Twill Zip is 13.5” tall x 17″ wide x 3″ deep for reference.)
I’m smitten! And I think the $235 price tag is reasonable. As I did with the V Heel, I’m making myself wait before buying this to make sure that I really want it and still love it after I’ve thought about it. (It’s my new rule to reduce frivolous shopping). I also have a bad habit of buying handbags I never use. (Hello vintage handbags that are way too small to be practical and this AllSaints bag that I splurged on, but then barely ever use because it was a splurge. Ridiculous, I know.) If I do end up getting it, I’ll update this post.
UPDATE 12/7/18 – Everlane has added two more colors: burgundy and navy.
UPDATE 2/15/19 – Spring colors are here! The Form Bag is now available in ice and bone, plus they brought back the mini version, which had originally been a limited edition run. Also, it’s been five months since I first wrote this post and I still want this bag, so I’m buying it. Check back here for an updated review!
UPDATE 5/25/19 – Well, I finally did it. I ordered this bag. Check out part 2 of my review, where I write about what fits in it and how it’s held up.
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