See by Chloe Bag Review: The Hana vs The Mara

 So many of the See by Chloe bags are on sale in the UK! I have been hankering after one of these for some time now, specifically the Hana or the Mara. I need a crossbody bag, big enough for phone, keys, wallet and that's it. I want to forget I have it on when I wear it, so it needs to be intuitive. It needs to be a shade that GWE: Goes with Everything. 

And it has to be saddle. I just love the silhouette of a saddle bag. Perhaps I was a horse rider or a horse in a past life. Perhaps it's the efficiency of the cut, the juxtapositional harmony of the sinuous curve that meets the leavened top.  I haven't made up my mind so ordered both. I will return one. I am veering towards the Mara atm. To help decide I will rate them based on features I find important. 

No. 1 Size 

So annoyingly, the Hanas and Maras come in a range of sizes, even if they fall in the category of "medium" or "regular". For example, the Hana comes in mini, small and large. The small is medium. I am going for the medium sizes, not the mini, which I think would look ridiculous on me (the tiny bag trend is a vacuous capitalist joke, charging a premium for an impractical accessory). 

Here are the range of measures

Widths: Range from 6 inches to 9inches/23cm 

Lengths: 5inches to 7.5inches/19.3cm 

Depths: 2.9inches to 3.5inches/9.3cm

Hana: 1

Mara: 1 

Hana Small

Hana Mini

Mara Medium

Mara Mini

2. The strap is adjustable and detachable on the both. With some "shoulder" bags and others labelled as "crossbody" bags.

3. Construction and Functionality 

Now the point of difference is the construction. The Hana has 3 compartments, the Mara has one. This affects the shape with the Hana's side profile an accordion of folded pouches. The Mara on the side is a wedge. The simplicity of the Mara wins over the Hana in aesthetics. However, if you like having compartments and the organisational functionality they provide, then you may prefer the Hana. I prefer a space that I can adapt to my needs. I may want to put bottle of hand sanitiser, or bundle a scarf in my bag. For that, Mara's cavity wins.  

Hana: 0

Mara: 1

4. Design 

Whilst both the Hana and Mara are totemic examples of Chloe's bohemian/equestrian aesthetic, they inhabit different style zones. The Hana's symmetrical stitched paneling is stylish, yet unassuming, pleasing to the eye, yet will not compete with the other accessories you may be wearing. It is a nod to the boheme, the 70s hippy with many versions mixing suede and leather. It is tactile, intricate, yet minimalist. 

The Mara is simpler, yet bolder, with the thick bold ring in the centre of the flap commanding attention. It is feminine, yet utilitarian. Minimalist, yet adorned in the typical Chloe manner that makes the hardware a stylistic feature that elevates it above the mundanity of a typical saddle bag. 

I have to say I am torn between the two. 

5. Value for Money 

What I like about the See by Chloe range is that it makes the Chloe aesthetic more accessible and represents true value for money. The bags are made in Italy, and at full RRP range in price according to size, materials and design. When on sale, these bags are a true bargain, often retailing for at least 30% below the RRP. 

Considering that most bags will mark and weather, I don't see yet why I should shell out £1000+ for a premium bag whose hardware will tarnish and leather scuff in the same way as all leather bags (and I have seen enough preloved bags to know this). 

Whilst the Maras are more expensive, (for reasons unbeknownst to me considering they have a simpler design, perhaps that inner ring is pricey?) to me they bridge the See by Chloe and premium Chloe lines. The design does not say "cheaper" in the typical way that many diffusion lines do, say for instance Love by Moschino. They are bags in their own right, and should be cherished as such. 

Where to buy: 

Good UK sales on at trusted sites, no replicas:

John Lewis

Matches

MyTheresa

Net-a-Porter