Cuyana Half Moon Mini Bag Review

If you’ve been following my seasonal updates, you’ll probably know that I’ve been tracking my wardrobe wear count. How often I wear each item in my closet, and my shoes. Bags were one thing I didn’t think to include, but hand on heart if you asked me what my top five most worn were, this Cuyana Half Moon Mini Bag would definitely make the cut.

Wearing Mott & Bow cashmere sweater, Mother Denim skinny jeans, Grana cocoon coat, Everlane editor pumps, Cuyana half moon mini bag, Missoma Interstellar necklace, Acne Studios canada scarf

I’ve had the Cuyana Half Moon Mini Bag on rotation for the past six months now, so I thought I’d share a run down on the style, how it’s worn, and whether I think it’s worth the money.

QUICK FACTS

Price: $395 USD for the mock croc leather, or $245 USD for the full grain leather
Available in 7 colours: black or white croc embossed; or black, blood orange, caramel, forest and stone in the full grain leather
Made in: Italy
Fabric: Italian full grain leather
Care: For light cleaning, wipe with a damp cloth. For more serious cleaning, contact a leather care professional. Always store full stuffed in its dust bag.

SIZE

This is what I’d call an essentials bag; it holds all the necessities, but not much else. Dimensions wise, it’s 5.3” high, by 8.25” long and 1.58” deep. In mine, I fit a small card wallet (I use this one from Mon Purse), a Louis Vuitton 6 key holder, my car key, iPhone 8 Plus, a lip balm and lipstick, and my bluetooth headphones. There’s usually a small amount of space leftover, and if I’m smart about how I pack the bag, I can also squeeze my sunglasses on top.

QUALITY

I’ve mentioned previously how impressed I’ve been with Cuyana’s leather quality, and this bag is no different. Unlike the original grainy leather, the croc-embossed version comes with a premium price tag, and the thick sturdy leather to match. There’s a slight gloss to the leather which catches and reflects the light brilliantly, and it has a lot of structure. It’s stiff, and even after wearing it repeatedly for much of the year, it’s yet to lose its shape. The magnetic closure is convenient for access and hasn’t lost any force.

Because my Cuyana Half Moon Mini Bag is in the croc leather, there is more of a smooth finish than you’ll find with the brand’s pebbled or grained leather bags. This does mean that small scratches will be more apparent. Aside from one small scratch at the front, I’ve not noticed any others on the bag, and it’s one I haven’t babied at all. Safe to say, it’s pretty hard wearing.

DESIGN

Geometrical-designs have been massively in vogue of late – particularly anything with a rounded edge. While that wasn’t what drew me to this style (in truth, it was the mock croc leather!), I love that it strikes somewhat of a balance between a vintage aesthetic with a modern feel at the same time.

I’ve worn the Cuyana Half Moon Mini Bag almost exclusively cross body since getting it. The bag can also be worn on your shoulder – which is handy! The strap is adjustable, and can be shortened so that it tucks in just under your arm. Great if you love options.

The interior of the bag is lined with cotton, and has a small logo embossed plate on the interior slip pocket. I appreciate that the branding is kept minimal and contained to the interior of the bag.

CUYANA HALF MOON MINI BAG FINAL THOUGHTS

This might be a little biased, as I’ve really enjoyed using my Cuyana Half Moon Mini Bag. Since going freelance, I’ve found myself slowly editing down my daily essentials, to the point where I often struggle to fill up a larger shoulder bag. Unless I’m toting around a book with me, that is.

Aesthetically, I love the way it looks. Yes, the silhouette and mock croc leather might be trendy right now, but the two work harmoniously together. The rounded edges of the bag naturally soften the “hard” look of the material.

The bag has also aged well. I’ve got one small scratch which may have been there from the get go. Even if not, I think that’s pretty good given I’ve not been delicate with this bag. I like my accessories to work for their place in my wardrobe. If they can handle a little bit of rough-housing now and then, that’s always a plus.

In terms of downsides, ultimately, it depends on what you’re looking for in a bag. If you want something small and compact that will fit a curated edit of daily essentials, then this is perfect. If you’re planning on toting around a book, hand cream or makeup essentials, then this won’t be the bag for you.

The other thing to keep in mind is whether it’ll date in your wardrobe. I’m a big fan of vintage-inspired bags; whether it’s the style or the materials used. They’re a part of my personal style, and something I see myself wearing for decades to come.

If price is your main consideration, I’d go for the full grain leather option. The price just is $150 USD (approx $220 AUD) between leathers, which honestly, I don’t think is fully justified based on my experience with their other bags. You’ll essentially get the same look, with more colour options. The only difference is that the grain leather will probably soften up a lot more than the mock croc leather.

Overall, I’ve really enjoyed using the Cuyana Half Moon Mini Bag. I’ve been happy with the way it’s worn – the leather has softened but held its shape – and it’s fast become a go-to when I want to carry something small.