When Lo & Sons first debuted their crescent bag, the Aoyama, I immediately fell in love. But I resisted the urge to buy it right away, telling myself to think it over. Well, I’ve been thinking over it for two years now, so I finally went for it. I’m happy to report it is worth the wait. I love this bag! Here’s a detailed look at the Aoyama bag after using it for six months.
What’s appealing to me about the Aoyama is that it’s like an upscale version of a crescent bag that I use on a regular basis. (Review of that bag here.) I knew that this particular form — a crescent bag that could be worn crossbody — works well for my daily life as well as for travel.
Lo & Sons introduced the Aoyama in 2024, and earlier this year, they released the Aoyama 2 with a few improvements. I’m reviewing the Aoyama 2 in this post, but will note the differences between the two versions.
Lo & Sons gifted this bag to me and this post contains affiliate links. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, I decide what to write about and all opinions are my own. Thanks for the support.
Luxe Materials
The Aoyama comes in sheepskin leather or nylon. I opted for the leather, which feels super soft and supple. It’s also incredibly lightweight. It comes in black (with gold or gunmetal hardware), cognac, ivory, olive green, and a recently-released dark chocolate brown. (The chocolate brown is so good for fall. If the brown was available six months ago, I probably would have went with that.) The leather is giving, so the bag has some slouch to it, giving it an effortless vibe.
The nylon version manages to strike an elegant look, too. Though I don’t own the Aoyama in nylon, I own another Lo & Sons bag in nylon, and can report that the nylon feels luxuriously smooth and has a sheen to it. You can see what the nylon looks like in my review of that other bag. The nylon is stiffer than the leather, so the nylon Aoyama has more structure to it.
Other materials include a recycled polyester lining (with Lo & Sons’ signature hummingbird print) and elevated hardware. The first version of the Aoyama sported a closed-loop nylon webbing strap with the name of the brand repeated in the same tone. Lo & Sons upgraded to a leather strap in the Aoyama 2, which does away with branding — a good move, especially for those of us who don’t love conspicuous branding. Because the new strap is leather, the bag is a touch heavier than the original Aoyama, but only by 2 ounces. (The original was only 10.08 oz.)
Sizing
The Lo & Sons Aoyama and Baggu Medium Crescent Bag are similarly sized.
Size: At 9.75″ x 14.5″ x 2.36″ deep, the Aoyama is a medium size that works well for daily use. It’s quite roomy and can fit everything I need for my day. But it doesn’t look bulky, even when filled up. It’s similar in size to the Baggu Medium Crescent Bag, though the Baggu is deeper at 4 inches. I’m petite (just a bit under 5’4″) and though the bag carries a lot, it doesn’t overwhelm me.
Weight: A heavy bag is a deal breaker for me. At 12.3 oz, the leather Aoyama is less than a pound! I was so surprised to see a leather bag so light. The nylon version of the Aoyama is a tiny bit lighter at 11.5 oz.
Thoughtful Organization
Lo & Sons has never disappointed me when it comes to organization. It’s clear that someone put a lot of thought into it.
Lo & Sons has never disappointed me when it comes to organization. It’s clear that someone put a lot of thought into it. The main closure to the bag is an 11″ zipper, which opens wide, making it easy to view your contents.
Inside on one side are three webbing pockets — the one in the middle is skinny, perfect for a pen. On the opposite side is a zippered pocket with three card slots inside, and a large webbed pocket that can fit a phone. There’s also a handy key leash. The Aoyama 2 has an elastic key leash, whereas the original had a non-stretchy one.
Yay for pockets!
There’s also a zippered compartment at the side of the exterior, another good spot to stash your phone or something that you reach for often.
The handy side pocket.
Even though the bag is roomy, I don’t have problems finding what I need due to the organization as well as the light-colored lining.
What Fits in the Aoyama
All the things I carry on a typical day fit in the Aoyama.
How much can fit in the Aoyama? All of this! I can comfortably fit my wallet, phone, sunglasses case, a pouch with all sorts of little stuff, a book, a notebook and pen, phone charger and cable, whistle, reusable bag, and a water bottle. I usually carry a smaller water bottle with me, but the Aoyama can accommodate a full-sized water bottle. (Video coming soon showing how all this stuff fits.)
A Smart Modular Strap System
The modular strap design means you can quickly change how to carry the bag, converting it into one of three modes. The strap comes in two pieces, which clip into each other and the sides of the bag. The main strap drop length is 10-17″. Adding the extender piece brings the total length to 19-24.5″.
The strap come in two parts for maximal convertibility.
The clips are made of plastic. While not the most elegant material, they are slim and ilghtweight.
Ways to Wear the Aoyama
Mode 1: Crossbody
This is the way I usually wear the Aoyama because I’m a practical gal. I walk everywhere or take the subway and wearing it as a crossbody allows me to be hands-free.
Mode 2: Shoulder Bag
The Aoyama sits comfortably on the shoulder. Also wearing: Sweater Tank c/o [review]
Adjust the strap (or take out one segment of it) and it converts to a comfortable shoulder bag.
Mode 3: Dumpling
I think this handheld look is so cute.
OK, Lo & Sons calls this mode handheld purse, but I call it a cute dumpling of a bag. This is what you get when you remove all the straps and click the sides of the bag together. Though I rarely use it this way, I love that I have this option for when I’m feeling fancier. It is such a chic look!
How the Aoyama Has Held Up During Travel & Everyday Use
I’ve worn this bag in three seasons and it goes with everything. Also wearing: Linen Dress c/o [review]
I’ve used this bag for six months, and so far, so good. While I don’t throw it around carelessly, I don’t baby it either, and six months in, it looks great. (It probably helps that my bag is black. The ivory would show wear quicker.)
I took the Aoyama on a week-long trip and loved how versatile it was. Being able to convert it between three modes — each of them functional — does make it feel like three bags in one. That makes it a space-saver for travel.
Lo & Sons excels at making pleasingly-shaped bags that are also practical.
I’m not usually one to gush about a bag — OK, maybe that is not true — but I think this might be the perfect bag for me?! It holds a lot but isn’t bulky, has the right amount of pockets, and keeps things organized and easy to find. Plus it’s comfortable, easy to carry, and of excellent quality. And I love the way it looks with its slouchy, minimalist style. Lo & Sons excels at making pleasingly-shaped bags that are also practical.
So, if you are like me, and have been eyeing this bag for a while, I heartily say: Go for it!
If you found this review useful, please consider shopping through my link. Thank you!
