The Good

• Design-forward and eye-catching
  • “The designs are just as beautiful in person as they are in photos, especially the Huit.” (28 upvotes) “
  • I’m always so surprised by the Polene bad reviews… I have nearly every bag from them and have never had a bad experience, customer service or quality wise!” (47 upvotes)
• Some bags age well
  • “I have this one in tan. Bought it over 5 y ago. It’s a very nice bag. Looks brand new.” (22 upvotes)
  • “I live in Paris and own two Polene bags… only wear and tear on the edge glazing after multiple years of use.” (38 upvotes)

The Not So Good

• Leather quality under scrutiny “This is ridiculous for how much it costs. This isn’t full grain, not even top grain leather.” (165 upvotes) “The rough texture visible beneath the peeling layer suggests it’s unlikely to be top-grain or full-grain leather.” (205 upvotes)
• Durability issues cropping up “I was standing in line at Target and it just snapped 😂” (39 upvotes) “This is the 3rd Polene quality foul I’ve seen recently.” (85 upvotes)
• Customer service frustrations “Polene took nearly 2 weeks to respond… said the creases are part of the craftsmanship.” (17 upvotes) “Their customer service has been less than great.” (19 upvotes)
  

How It Compares

• Nicer than fast fashion, but not luxury “The bags are decent quality for the (euro) price… better than Massimo Dutti or DeMellier, but not Longchamp.” (28 upvotes)
• Other brands suggested “Strathberry, Longchamp, Cuyana, Madewell, A.P.C., Dagne Dover… all come up as better quality picks.” (56 upvotes)

Worth the Price?

• Value slipping with higher prices “This bag probably cost less than $50 to make.” (165 upvotes) “Numero Un went from $420 → $580. That’s a huge jump.” (30 upvotes)
• The ‘Polene lottery’ is real “The quality is very hit or miss… and you don’t want to pay $50 to ship it back to France.” (29 upvotes)

Final Verdict

Polene’s aesthetic is what draws people in – soft curves, minimalist shapes, and that French flair. But under the surface, Reddit users report a mixed bag: inconsistent leather, hardware issues, and weak customer support. Some bags hold up beautifully. Others break at the seams – literally.

For buyers chasing the look, Polene might still be worth a shot, as one user put it: “Their designs are lovely,”.

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