The Weekender is made from crafted lambskin for a vintage feel, brass hardware, handmade handles with a 4.3 inch drop, textile lining and an interior zip pocket with the awe-inspiring Balenciaga plaque – all that weighing just about 1kg/2.5lbs. This is certainly a modern city bag that has ‘attitude’ written all over it. The hardware on the Weekender is a little different than on the other bags, the hardware is smaller than on most of the B. creations. It is kind of refreshing and certainly serves a purpose – this bag is more of a girly, feminine bag, as it’s also somewhat big – 21” x 9” x 15”. Although you probably won’t need a laptop in a weekend, the bag will take in that – and much more – because of the sizable dimensions of the bag.

The vibrant colors of this collection add a certain rock’n'roll feeling to the Weekender which already screams independence and freedom. For it is an everyday bag (unless you really get it for weekends only), you have to take care of it; especially if you’re new to handling handbags. This includes protecting it with a conditioner and cleaning it once in a while – but a bag lady certainly doesn’t need to be reminded to do all that! The title implies the purpose of this bag – made for weekend getaways. The removable hand mirror suits anything really nice, especially if you are in a hurry to add that final touch of makeup.

It retails for a little less than seventeen hundred, but the price accounts for the quality, the fact that you can use the Weekender for a few years at most, and the fact that it would be almost impossible for someone to ‘outsnob’ you, hence this fabulous bag isn’t really the type that someone can look down on. The only downside is the price, but it’s a designer bag – what else can you expect from it? Besides, if money isn’t a concern for you, you can get yourself a custom made crocodile skin Weekender, which retails for, tadaa, $22,500.

The bag is one of the cheapest Balenciaga offers; it costs a little more than eight hundred at most. The bag is made from crafted lambskin and has all the usual B. bag has to offer – the usual aged brass hardware, top zip closure, hand stitched handles with ~9″, a front zip pocket, a leather framed hand mirror, fine textile lining which can be seen when you open the bag, and of course the Balenciaga tag, embossed in leather. The bag’s dimensions are 14.2″ x 14.2″ x 5.1″.

So much for the functionality; the design is just fab. The leather is shiny and awesome, but the stitches on the handles both feel and look great. As for the hardware, there’s not too much of it, but too much hardware has always been a problem of B.’s bags, at least some think so, so the lack of additional hardware is forgiven to B… just this once. The black bag is a little scary; the black variation of the Day Bag reminds us of the vintage black lady bags that were so popular in the end nineties. The charcoal gray and maldives suit the Day Bag the most, but if you want something extraordinary, you can take a look at the Storm/Mandarin variations of this shoulder bag. The bottom line: there are plenty of colors to choose from, and some of them are nice even on their own, no matter what you wear.

The only downside of the Day Bag is the lack of inner pockets. The round form flashes images of unsorted stuff in the bag, and embarrassing moments when we search for our wallets for five minutes. However, this could as well make you a more disciplined person who could take care of herself better, besides, this problem is present in almost every bag with a round shape.

The Work Bag is an interesting mix of style and functionality. It’s made from lambskin leather, it’s quite large – you can easily put a laptop in it. To be more precise, the bag is 18″ x 12″ x 6″, the size makes it suit for both a work bag, or, you can take it with you wherever you travel. The handles are with a 5.1″ drop which makes it easy for carrying on shoulder, unless you have a chubby upper arm. It comes in eight different colors, but they’re kind of hard to choose from, that’s why, if you aren’t sure about the color that rules the trend at the moment, just get one that suits your style the best.

The thing you’ll love the most from this handbag is the vintage lambskin, as it matches with the brass hardware swiftly and creates a classical aura. The mirror in the bag, framed in leather, makes the bag a fab choice for those who love to carry everything needed with them. The textile lining of this bag is also top-notch – you can see it right away when you open your Work Bag with the top zip closure. There’s also a front zip pocket and an interior zip pocket with the famous Balenciaga’s engraved plaque.

The only downside to this bag could be the lack of a detachable shoulder strap for easier carrying, and maybe the drop of the handles should be a little larger, but it’s light (only 1.81 lbs!) so you can carry it on the shoulder forever, unless you pile it with stuff you don’t really need (but we all do that, that’s why this could possibly be a big con to the Work bag). Overall, the Work Bag is a nice pick, both for its longevity and the fact that it’s just so damn nice. Just remember to follow the trends and choose the right color for the upcoming autumn!

Now for the actual things that the Part Time has to offer. The Part Time bag is dressed in distressed goatskin for an ultra chic, slouchy look that everyone loves in these bags; it also wears the goldtone hardware that differs on each model. As for the rest of the usual parametres, they’re right here: the bag is equipped with gold plated metal hardware, the top zip can be closed, the handles are 6.7″ (easy for carrying on the shoulder), it has a removable shoulder strap with a 9.8″ drop, a front zip pocket and a leather framed hand mirror for those of you who prefer to always have a mirror with you. When you open the fine zip, you can see the top-notch textile lining and an interior zip pocket with the Balenciaga embossed tag. It’s 16″ x 6″ x 9″, weighs 3.2lbs (definitely a downer! It’s quite heavy, if you ask me!) and, as all Balenciaga’s bags, is made in Italy.

So much for the technicalities. Or not. The bag currently retails in only four colors; still, it’s easy to find one that suits you on the internet or, in rare cases, in stores. I actually miss the noir color from their official store – they could’ve at least let it stay there… for the view although they don’t make noir colored Part Times anymore.

Although the Part Time was made for the ‘05 spring/summer collection, it’s still a nice bag to collect, and it’s definitely a top pick – a chic looking bag, ultra feminine and sharp around the edges, making it more straightforward and attractive. If you want to try something new from the big B, this could as well be your choice. And even if you just need a good bag, the new colors certainly are fashionable – Balenciaga never lets down.

As for the specifics, the bag is as heavily equipped as an astronaut landing on the moon, while weighing only 1.3lbs or around 0.6kg. It is made from soft vintage lambskin, the hardware on them is brass and (as all the other bags) it’s equipped with a top zip closure. The hand stitched handle drops are somewhat short – only 4.3″, but this accounts for the fact that the bag is not exactly the type which you’ll carry on your shoulders all the time. It also has a front zip pocket, leather strings on zips, a leather framed hand mirror, and on top of all that, the City Bag accounts for its authenticity by being a proud wearer of the Balenciaga engraved plaque. The dimensions of the bag are as follows : 15” x 3.5′ x 10”.

The bag should be a perfect match for everyone, hence the innovative colors which make the bag more compatible for the average wearer, and the witty hardware that, with a little stretched imagination, creates an interesting looking face. Furthermore, the bag is great to feel, and if you can add a perfume to that, everyone will be flattered for witnessing your bag in person.

The bag currently sells in seven colors, but if you see a color other than black that you really like, go ahead and get it before it gets out of stock. The thing is that Balenciaga changes colors each year, with the exception of black which is released each year. The bag retails for about fourteen hundred, but you can get it cheaper used (and on top of it, the bag will last for years, not months, so no worries!), and chances are that the bag will be a fine companion in many adventures, city venues and business meetings that need you to leave the right impression.

The bag stands out with its unusual color combination in the caramel version, but the other ten colors are fine/interesting too. My pick, besides the caramel would be either white or autumn, hence the upcoming autumn and the cuteness of white. The eye-catching bag goes well with everything and is as chic as unique and it is tempting to purchase one for each season… although that’s not quite plausible in these times. If you don’t have the means to supply yourself with bags like these each season, the white, black and storm (a shade of blue) would suit you fine for all-year usage.

The lambskin bag wears the classic brass hardware that’s ever-present on B. bags; the handles are 4″; the First Bag also comes with a removable 7.5″ shoulder strap, a front zip pocket and a leather framed mirror for those who don’t want to carry excessive luggage. The bag is 13″ x 2″ x 6″; fitting a laptop in there would be problematic, but it’s unlikely that you’ll fill the bag with something so that it becomes full. There’s also an interior zip pocket with the Balenciaga engraved plaque in the bag.

Although it’s a distinct bag, it isn’t too costly, retailing for a little less than twelve hundred – for example, the Ciant City is seventeen hundred, but the Giant Work – eighteen hundred and a little more. You can get them used though, but these are the market facts. For a Balenciaga bag, the First Bag is certainly a more budget one than most of the other ones.

The bag is good for everyday use, wears the signature hardware that makes everyone recognize B. bags from a great distance and makes a perfect everyday bag. One thing you’ll notice right away is the interesting leather strings on the zips – they look cute! And as a side note, Nicole Richie would know what to get – her cute Pebble/Maldives First Bag perfectly matched the blue jeans, light top and even her haircut.

This bag is made from lambskin, softly crafted for a vintage look; palladium plated metal hardware; hand stitched handles with a 4.3″ drop; a removable shoulder strap; a leather framed hand mirror; textile lining; it’s 15″ x 3.5′ x 10″ and weighs only about 1kg or 2.5lbs. For all that, Balenciaga ask you about fifteen hundred. The best price/quality ripoff costs $52 or about 30 times cheaper. We’ve got ourselves a question – is the bag really 30 times better than the ripoff? And it’s tough to answer.

If you want to feel like a celebrity, this bag is for you. The famous Italian giant’s – Balenciaga’s – bags have been used by celebrities for decades (Kylie Minogue; Nicole Kidman, etc.) and seem to never lose their charm. While this particular bag has a somewhat techy background (all the fancy metal buttons and the zippers), it’s certainly a good pick, that is, if choosing a model from the vast supply of Giant City bag variations is possible at all.

If you’re looking for a modern, nice and branded handbag, this one’s for you. The functionality and the design of it is nothing, compared to other people’s reaction to you. Although some of the looks you’ll have on you will be envious, most of them will give you a weird sense of someone else respecting you just for making good choices when buying things. Superficial, but effective, nevertheless.

Let’s get to the point already. The criteria from which to make your choice is obvious just by looking at the price of the Balenciaga Giant City. If you’ve got your eyes on the bag but don’t earn over 50 grand a year, I sincerely doubt that you need the bag. If you’re leading a good life and want an exclusive, stylish bag that you know isn’t fake (and is clearly worth the price you pay for it!), you can purchase the City model. If not, you’re better off with a cheaper bag or a replica.