Could this just be the *best* affordable alternative to the Loewe Puzzle Bag? I’ve had this affordable alternative from Quince on solid rotation for close to three months now, and I have some thoughts…
Given the Loewe Puzzle Bag was permanent fixture on my wardrobe wishlist for over 6 years, I was curious to see how this would compare… And spoiler alert, I think this might be one of my best buys of 2024.
Let’s get into it…
Quince Italian Leather Patchwork Crossbody Review
Price: ~$230 AUD or $159.90 USD
Available in two colours: cognac and black
Country of manufacture: Dongguan, China in a Sedex certified factory
Fabric: 100% top-grain Italian leather with 100% cotton twill lining
Dimensions: 6″H x 9.7″W x 4″D; top handle has a 4″ drop and crossbody strap adjusts to 18.5″ – 21.25″ drop
Shop the Quince version HERE
Perhaps what I was most impressed with, was the leather quality. In my eyes, excellent value for the price; a textured/pebbled leather (which I love for greater durability than smooth calf leather), and the feel on the hand is similar to some of the bags I own which retail over $600. After three months I can see that the leather has started to soften in places but otherwise no visible signs of wear (especially if you were to go the extra mile and stuff it every night).
The magnetic closure makes it reasonably easy to get in and out of. It does give you a layer of security as it can be a little awkward to get in and out of (perhaps the most common complaint I’ve heard for the Loewe Puzzle Bag). But, it’s possible to do one-handed so perfect if you’re juggling a small child in one arm, and trying to pay with the other!
I like that the crossbody strap is detachable, and a good length. Some Quince bags tend to have overly generous straps so this one is perfect – Goldilocks would approve. It’s not too long, and not too short.
It’s a good size for everyday; I can easily fit a cardholder (though a larger wallet would work too), my iPhone Pro Mac, lip products, keys, tissues, a small drink bottle, and sunglasses. The less you stuff it, the more slouchy it looks at the top, getting that dipped appearance. Filling it up gives the back more of a structured presence.
And the thing I absolutely can not forget to mention… it has feet! And not just a leather scrap (as with this alternative), but metal feet in the same silver finish as the hardware. I’m not sure what the hardware is made from, but it’s got a nice shine to it. Overall the hardware has worn well; I can see some of the silver finish on the feet has worn off and there’s some copper peeking through, which can be used to better protect the hardware and provide more of a lustrous finish.
Where it differs from the Loewe Puzzle Bag
The second you see this bag, it’s immediately clear that it was heavily inspired by the Loewe Puzzle Bag, so I wanted to highlight the design differences that I’ve noticed.
- The ‘puzzle’ pattern on the front is reversed. One of the more subtle cues, but if you’re familiar with the original or have them side by side, it becomes immediately apparent
- It features a magnetic closure rather than a zip closure. Personally I think this makes it easier to get into, but I do feel it changes the structural shape at the top of the bag slightly, too.
- The sides are a flat panel, rather than being integrated into the piece-y puzzle design. I’ll talk more about this below, but this was a pretty big sticking point for me.
Final Thoughts
It wasn’t until recently that I looked into how a Loewe Puzzle Bag wears and tears over time. Something people neglect to discuss in online discourse about bags is that you need to be just as happy with how the bag looks the day you buy it, as you would when it’s been well loved for years. Basically, I think some consideration should be given to the aesthetic evolution of a bag over time.
This is a criteria I try to apply to every purchase, but it’s a much larger factor when considering something like the Loewe Puzzle Bag. Especially given the variation that I was after retails for around $6K (last I checked, anyway!).
What I was seeking out, beyond the design, was for the bag to hold its shape to some extent. And what I found was that it has the propensity to slouch all over, due to the puzzle piece design.
Intuition and general experience with how things wear and tear gave me confidence that the Quince version – which doesn’t have any seams at the side – would be more likely to hold its structure better over time. Even if from a design point of view, I have such a deep admiration for the original Puzzle bag.
And I guess the key question is….
Does this scratch the itch for me?
After almost three months of solid wear, I can say with certainty that it absolutely does. What it offers is the same vibe I was seeking from a Puzzle bag but at 1/27th of the price.
And this might go without saying, but there’s always going to be a ceiling when it comes to quality. Is the Puzzle bag 27 times better than the Quince version? In my opinion, no.
Given my general excitement to wear this bag, it tells me that I made the right choice. And here’s the key, when considering any expensive purchase. Ask yourself what you want out of that item. Certain elements you might never be able to find at a lower price point, maybe you just want to buy the brand item, or maybe buying the dupe doesn’t align with your values. At the end of the day, it’s your money, and you’re the one who has to wear it and live with that item in your closet.
Would I buy the Quince version again? Absolutely. If they bring back the merlot, I’d be enormously tempted as it looks gorgeous.
As for the Puzzle, I’ll never say never. If anything, I’d be more inclined to opt for a ‘mini’ size as they seem to hold their shape better. Or if the timing is right, maybe I’ll finally get my hands on one of the Studio Ghibli collaboration styles – those are the ones that always catch my eye!
You can shop the Quince Italian Leather Patchwork Crossbody HERE
