Celine Nano Luggage Bag Review

 

Have you been eyeing the Celine Nano Luggage Bag? Are you considering buying this bag? I am here for an in-depth review of this bag. Here is the link to the bag. So if you’re interested, stick around.

 

 

 

 

If you are a millennial, you probably spent your 20’s watching every celebrity holding a Celine luggage bag in every possible size, leather type and color combination. When it came out in 2010 and for the many years that followed, it was the IT bag and everyone who was anyone had it.

My Celine sales associate in Florence, Italy said it best. If this bag loses its gold embossed Celine Paris logo, it is still recognizable. Few bags have that level of recognition, I agree. I have had this bag for more than a year now and I want to tell you my honest opinion about it.

 

 

This blog post is my review of the Celine Nano Luggage Bag. I hope it helps you!

 

 

This model is an Old Céline model, it was created by the former creative director for the house of Celine, Phoebe Philo. All of her designs are slowly being phased out, especially now that she has her own namesake brand. I talk about her in this blog post. So, if you want to purchase this bag straight from the store and not the second-hand market, consider yourself warned. Go do it now.

 

 

When I was growing up, all the celebrities who made it, had it. It is still very recognizable, and for some of us who grew up in that era, it feels very nostalgic.

 

 

MODEL

Of course, you have to like the look of this bag, which is a personal choice. I was more fond of the larger sizes many years ago when it first came out – currently widely available on the second hand market, they are also very heavy. One day I might just ignore that fact and pull the trigger – never say never when it comes to bags. Owning the nano size for me pays homage to that era, and I don’t think I will ever sell my bag. It has sentimental value. There was a time I saw the robot face (the handles’ anchor as eyes and zipper as mouth) and it threw me off a bit – you’re welcome, if this is your first time seeing the robot face! But I actually don’t see it anymore or it doesn’t bother me, and I think the model is overall very unique.
It also has a little leather piece on the top part of the back of the bag, it is meant to be a place for you to rest your sunglasses – talk about women designing for women. This is meant to be used only when your bag is resting on a surface (not worn). Please do not use this feature when you’re wearing the bag, you will ruin your sunglasses and scratch the back of your bag.

 

 

PRICE

The current retail price of this bag is 2800 USD plus tax, so a little more than 3000 USD in New York City. However, if you happen to be in Europe, depending on the conversion rate and of course, and the tax refund, you might be able to score this bag at 30% lower than the US price. It currently retails for 2200 EUR (tax included), if say you bought it in Paris – you will get 12% back, making the price roughly 2000 USD if the conversion is one to one. I will talk about luxury item shopping in Europe very soon on this blog, stay tuned.

 

 

The Celine Nano Luggage Bag from all sides.

 

 

LEATHER & HARDWARE

At the peak of this bag’s popularity, it came in many leather types and colors. The robot face I referenced earlier really comes to life when different colors are used. It is less obvious when the entire bag is in one color. I really think the ones in different colors look very vintage and truly pay homage to that luggage bag era. But of the single toned bags, the smooth leather in black is my favorite, and is the one I own. It looks very chic. The pebbled version is great for everyday use, but it no longer comes with gold hardware, just silver.

The smooth leather and gold hardware combination is the variation that is probably the most difficult to find. All of the old Céline gold hardware bags are made with brass, they do not peel, and do not change color. They look so chic and are such high quality. While the pebbled version is known to be difficult to scratch, I didn’t find the smooth leather as fragile as I thought it would be. The smooth leather looks very chic and it keeps its shape better than the pebbled leather version. I always use a bag protector, besides keeping the inside of your bag in pristine condition, it also helps keep the shape of your bag, especially if you own the pebbled version. Those are known to slouch after a while.

 

 

TOP HANDLE & CROSSBODY STRAP

The fact that it has top handles and a crossbody strap does it for me. I love having options. I can’t commit to a bag with top handles alone. I have plenty of bags with cross body straps alone for everyday use, but having the top handles adds a chic element to this bag. Because of that and its size it can be the perfect day to night bag. You can go shopping and end your day at a nice restaurant with this bag and you wouldn’t feel underdressed.

The crossbody strap – this is probably the only con about this bag. Almost everyone I know who owns this bag says the same thing. Unfortunately, the strap is not adjustable. So, if you are petite, the bag might fall below your hip level, which can be unflattering or uncomfortable. It can also be difficult to wear on your shoulder. You could use another bag’s strap or buy a Celine strap – they sell many different straps. But it’s an additional expense.

Please know that if you do get it professionally cut and shortened, you will lose Celine’s warranty for any future maintenance.

 

 

Essentials that fit comfortably in my bag.

 

 

LEATHER INTERIOR: ROOMY INSIDE

While it is a nano size bag, it can take a lot more on the inside than you would expect. I think that’s primarily because of it’s shape and lack of compartments. The little wings on the side, provide some flexibility too. The interior is all leather, with a single deep side pocket. I use a Samorga bag protector, so I don’t use the side pocket as it hides behind the protector. I highly recommend using a bag protector to protect the inside of your bag from any product spillage or scratches. But do know that it will take a little bit of space. While I am able to put in this bag all of my essentials, I notice that those who do not use a bag protector are able to carry more.

 

 

ZIPPER

As you can see this bag has a zipper, while I don’t always zip this bag when I am using it. There are times when you want to zip your bag, if you’re in a very crowded space (NYC Subways) or somewhere else. I like knowing that I can zip it and my belongings will be secure.

 

 

The Celine Nano Luggage Bag with the Samorga Insert.

 

 

RESALE VALUE & SECOND-HAND MARKET

While it might be a completely different experience to go to the luxury boutique and buy a bag, you have to ask yourself the question – how much more you’re paying for that experience (i.e. the glass of champagne) – and the brand spanking new bag? While I am a victim of this myself, I am here to tell you that it is a very smart choice to buy this bag from the second-hand market. Celine bags in general do not keep their resale value very well, unlike Chanel and Hermès. This hasn’t stopped me from buying their bags. You could think about this as an advantage and start looking at the second-hand retailers. You might have to wait a little bit longer to see a certain color combination or the smooth leather come up in great condition – but I assure you there are plenty of great bags online each time I have checked.

 

 

This is my honest review of the Celine Nano Luggage Bag. My only Con is the strap as it is not adjustable. Do you have this bag, what do you think about it?

 

 

This blog post is my review of the Celine Nano Luggage Bag. If you’re considering buying this bag, I hope this helped you make a decision.

 

 

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and reading.

 

See you next week,

Girl on the Upper East Side

 

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