MAISON de SABRÉ Review - Is This Quiet Luxury Bag Worth It?
Minimalist designs, personalization, and timeless everyday looks
This is my slouchy leather shoulder bag in Pecan Brown from MAISON de SABRÉ and its pet pear charm.
When I ordered the bag, I waffled a lot over which charm to get… the pear, the watermelon, the strawberry, the kiwi?? The options were all so cute, how could one decide. I ended up with the green pear because I though it would go nicely with the pecan brown color of my bag and turns out I have never been more correct and now I can’t stop telling everyone about it.
Not that I could have gone wrong, really. The sweet brown color of this bag would have gone with anything. It’s actually my first brown purse I’ve owned (that’s amazing, tbh) and I’m wondering how I went so long without it.
Anyway, that’s not important. The real question you want me to answer is if the MAISON de SABRÉ handbags are worth buying.
First off - I want to say that my idea of luxury is not about flaunting designer names and logos. That is, if I may be frank, tacky and tasteless.
One should move away from a name and towards designs you like, excellent craftsmanship, timeless and beautiful pieces that feel like you. MAISON de SABRÉ has quietly set itself into the affordable luxury corner and offers a refreshingly fun approach to handbag style.
Courtesy of Maison de Sabre website
What is MAISON de SABRÉ?
At first glance, ‘sabre’ seems French.
It’s not. But I certainly can’t fault them for juge-ing things up. The brand was launched in 2017 by brothers Omar and Zane Sabré in New Zealand, after getting the difficult news that their father was diagnosed with leukemia. They decided to take the risk and start a business together to pay for Zane’s dentistry school bills. Their target audience was millennials, combining old school craftsmanship with functionality and a bright personality; this is pretty apparent through their multi-colored options and rainbow range of fruit charms.
After all the bleakness we’ve experienced in our lives (an encouraging shout out to millennials,) at the very least we shouldn’t be further burdened with drab and heavy bags.
“We wanted to create a brand that we were incredibly proud of and that really expressed who we are,” Omar Sabré was quoted in this interview from 2020.
They are an affordable luxury leather goods brand, with a particular emphasis on their leather craftsmanship. Their phone cases have options to personalize them, and they have a great collection of the cutest bag charms.
The Designs
I recently got a well-known luxury leather bag from a brand name I shall leave unnamed. The first thing I noticed was how blocky and heavy it was. The leatherwork was very good, and the color was beautiful, but I found that the longer I carried it, the more annoying it became. This is when I realized that when it comes to my daily bags, I’m looking for a clean silhouette, lightweight, spacious, and comfortable to carry.
The MAISON de SABRÉ bags are surprisingly light. They’re comfortable, well-made and soft. The one I got is ‘slouchy’ but still maintains its shape when standing upright alone. (I can’t stand a slouchy bag that crumples in on itself.) It fits my phone, notebook, pens, makeup kit, passport, and other little knick-knacks without trouble.
Some quick facts about the bags:
Subtle and elegant branding
Versatile designs
large range of colors
Minimal and bold, no wild patterns
Soft, durable and flexible leather
Beautiful and meticulous stitching
It falls into quiet luxury. The brand isn’t flashy. I’ve actually never come across any blatant PR or influencer marketing. I think the bags just speak for themselves. They are pretty and just right for an elevated everyday style - the kind of looks that work in real life, not just on the instagram feed. (Though they absolutely look great in photos.)
Who should buy MAISON de SABRÉ?
Their charms, wallets, passport holders or phone cases (personalized-able) would make great gifts. They are good quality, polished, pretty and useful.
Or if you’re a first-time buyer into luxury bags, or someone who prefers understated pieces without the obvious brand name, MAISON de SABRÉ would be perfect for you.
For those who love to make their bags cute, you can collect their charms. There are so many and are genuinely the sweetest things. I especially like how they’re all made with the same material and have equivalent quality, plus in complimenting colors so they’ll look good with any bag.
Courtesy of Maison de Sabre website
Best MAISON de SABRÉ bags to Consider
For every day use - The Soft Hobo
This is the one I have. I’ve found it to be very useful for carrying just what I need when I’m out with friends, running errands, or for holding my phone and makeup when out for the evening. It’s light, pretty, elevated for a casual, put together look. Like I said before, each bag comes in a variety of colors, so just pick your flavor!
For the over prepared - The Large Palais
Where the small hobo lacks in size and space, the Large Palais has in abundance.
It has a structured base to support what you’re holding inside and maintain its shape. It can fit a 14" laptop, 13" iPad Pro and iPhone Pro Max in one carry. It’s spacious, has lovely gold clasps and zippers, and is comfortable to carry. As a frequent traveler, I’m upgrading from that free Victoria Secret gym bag I won in 9th grade to this, and I am very happy about it.
For the remote worker - The Laptop Bag
This bag is the remote worker’s ultimate item. As someone who is no stranger to popping up in cafes to bang out some writing throughout the day, I am always cautious about the bag I put my laptop into. The MAISON de SABRÉ laptop bag has extra padding in all the right places, has handles and a shoulder strap, and extra pockets to slip in pens, notebooks or other miscellaneous needs for the writer in you.
For your mom who takes a lot of pictures - The Zipped Phone Pouch
My mom is an avid photographer, particularly at the most random times, but I’m always glad to look back at all the photos she’s taken. This zipped photo pouch is convenient and comfortable to carry, with a magnetic flap for easy access. It’s compatible for sizes up to the iPhone 16 Pro Max and comparable devices, plus your wallet, passport, keys and other small essentials.
Is MAISON de SABRÉ Worth It?
Pros:
minimalist design
easy everyday styling
accessible luxury price point
chic and elegant look
personalization options for some items
cute bag charms for individuality
Cons:
it’s not a heritage luxury brand. To me, that is not a con. But it won’t have that same resale value for ‘vintage’ items.
Less recognizable as a brand.
My MAISON de SABRÉ bag has quickly become a regularly used item for me. That’s how I know a bag is right for my closet and needs. (I previously had a beautiful red Ralph Lauren bag for years and barely used it. I donated it when we moved to a new place because I knew it was time to let it go and let someone else find use for it.)
If you’re interested in looking for your own bag, you can check out the MAISON de SABRÉ shop here.
