REVIEW: Everlane’s Form Bag

Today I’m going to give you guys a full break down of my thoughts on Everlane’s recently-released Form Bag. In full disclosure, I have a standing relationship with the brand which allows me to test drive new items and report back to you guys. I received this bag as a gift from Everlane and, if you use my links to purchase it, I will make a small commission. If you ever have any question about my relationship with a brand, don’t hesitate to ask, down below in the comments, or in a private email. It’s important to me that nothing is hidden from you guys, and that you have the full picture of what’s going on with this blog.

The Form Bag is a very unique bag, and I almost passed on the chance to try it out, but at the last minute (and maybe under the influence of some FOMO) I decided to give it a shot. I honestly didn’t love the marketing photos I saw of it. It looked so structured, and the non-leather strap seemed weird to me. However, when the bag arrived, my whole perspective flipped. For me, it was one of those items I had to see in person to appreciate.

I decided to keep this Form Bag in my rotation because it’s one of the best examples of chic functionality I’ve come across.

THE TOP THREE

The top three things that I like about the Form Bag are the function, style and capacity.

FUNCTION // The bag functions smartly because the strap can easily be long or short. (The webbing is easer to adjust than leather.) It has a simple, clean drop which makes it extra easy to wear with dolman style tops, sweaters or jackets (which I happen to have a lot of). The magnetic closure is an unexpected bonus for me. I like that it keeps the bag closed and tidy-looking, but makes it incredibly easy to access anything inside the bag. It’s a lot less fussy than a zipper and more polished than an open top bag.

STYLE // The Form Bag is sleek and structured. It feels modern and fresh to me, particularly with the addition of the webbed strap, which is actually one of my favorite features now. The non-leather strap keeps the bag from feeling too serious, and lends a slightly sporty vibe. It’s hard to tell from the photos, but the strap is actually looped through the leather on the sides, instead of being sewn to the bag. This design detail makes the bag even better. Overall, I like that the Form Bag is unique, but not overly bold.

CAPACITY // This bag holds a ton of stuff, but still allows me to be hands free.

BAG SPECS:

10.5″ wide x 5″ deep x 13″ tall

Made from Italian leather (except for the strap) in Prato, Italy. Magnetic closure at top. Retail price: $235

How much do you have to baby it?

The leather on the Form Bag is really nice. I wouldn’t categorize this bag as ultra tough, but the leather seems like it will get better with age, like most leathers do. I did manage to put a few light scratches in the leather near the top with a jagged fingernail. I was pretty wary of that at first, but so far I only managed to do it once, and I’ve been using it a little more than a month now. I do worry about setting it on the ground since there are no feet on the bottom. When I am at a restaurant or somewhere outside, I try to sling my purse over my knee or the back of the chair to keep it off the ground. The longer I’ve had it, the braver I’ve gotten. At first I didn’t even want to set it down on the floor mat of my car. But I have, and it’s been buried a few times by my kids’ backpacks or other miscellaneous items, and it’s held up very well.

How much has it worn in since you started using it?

Not a ton, the leather on the Form Bag is really nice. Mine has started to gently break in on the sides, with the leather getting softer. (See example in the photo above.) However, the construction of the tote and magnetic closure mean its original shape has stayed intact nicely.

Things you don’t like about the Form Bag?

It does feel too structured for some outfits. For example, if I am wearing Kamm pants, and a structured jacket, I would prefer a smaller bag, or bag with curves or bend over the Form Bag. Sometimes it feels more utilitarian than cute. If my outfit is totally utilitarian (think: fleece and a baseball cap) then I would opt for a different bag. I wish the bottom of the bag had feet, but I know that wouldn’t be a good aesthetic choice because the bag is often worn high. But feet would make me feel a lot more comfortable setting this bag down on the ground.

Consider your proportions. If your items are more dainty or delicate, like a spring dress, this bag might be too overpowering. If you’re wearing jeans and boots, this bag might be just right. I like to wear the bag slung over my ivory trench jacket because it acts as a fastener to keep it closed. When slinging the bag, it usually works best worn in the back rather than the front. I like the strap longer when it’s slung, and shorter when I wear it on one shoulder.

Whew, I think that about covers it. Let me know if you have any questions about the Form Bag. Or, if you’ve tried it too, feel free to share your thoughts!

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