Polene Number One Nano Bag Review

Completing my trifecta of reviews on the Polene number one bag series, today I’m honing in on the nano style; a recent addition to my wardrobe. I’ve called this out a few times, but a smaller mini bag has become a major essential for me. Ironic, since I’m a new mum. But, I find I love the convenience of having the core essentials – phone, wallet, keys and lip balm – right at my finger tips. 

Wearing buffalo check jumper (similar option here or also here or cardigan alternative); J.ING leatherette skirt; & Other Stories wool shirt; Midas boots; Polene Number One Nano bag; Missoma earrings; Muru Jewellery toggle necklace

I’ve been using the Polene Number One Nano bag on and off for the past couple of months, so wanted to finally share my thoughts on the size, how it’s worn so far, and what fits inside. I’ll also be sharing a side-by-side with the regular number one bag, in addition to close ups of the leather.

QUICK FACTS

Price: $260-300 USD
The Polene Number One Nano is available in twelve colours: noir, burgundy, terracotta, camel, sauge, black trio, black textured leather, burgundy textured leather, cognac textured leather, tangerine textured leather, bleu textured leather, and chalk textured leather
Made in: Spain
Fabric: Full-grained calf leather and suede calf leather
Dimensions: 22cm tall, 17cm wide, and 9cm deep
Care: Avoid contact with water, and when not worn, keep away from light and moisture. A clear nourishing milk or cream can be applied to the grained leather up to three times per year

SIZE

The first thing we have to talk about is the size. The nano is slightly taller and narrower than the mini, but the overall dimensions are effectively the same. One thing there’s no disguising is that yes, it is a “small” bag. While it won’t fit your laptop (or a notebook, for that matter), it works well if all you need are the essentials. I find I can effortlessly tuck the following items inside; iPhone 11 Pro Max, keys, cardholder, lip balm, a small fragrance, headphones, hair scrunchie, and sunglasses in a soft case. 

If you’re looking at the side-by-side, you’ll notice that the regular sized Number One bag is almost twice the wide, and 1.5 times the height. I’d recommend that as an alternative if you love this style, but want something that has more capacity.

The leather strap is adjustable too, and I’m wearing it on one of the longer lengths.

QUALITY

One thing I’ve come to expect with Polene bags is the quality. Their leather goods are beautifully crafted with high spec materials, and it shows. Depending on the your colour choice – I’m wearing the burgundy textured leather above – the bag will be made of a textured, smooth or suede leather. I’d argue that finish is personal preference, though I do think that pebbled or textured leathers tend to be more hard wearing and less prone to scratches. I have the number seven mini bag in the smooth leather, and while it’s thick and sturdy, it does feel a little more delicate from a superficial standpoint. Above I’ve included a side by side of the pebbled leather, textured leather, and smooth leather for comparison.

The weight of the textured leather seems marginally thinner than the pebbled leather (on my number one bag), so over time there will be some creasing at high traffic areas like the front flap. I don’t expect the overall shape or structure of the bag will experience any loss in integrity. But as to be expected with any purchase you use a lot, over time, it will start to look a little lived in – or loved. 

DESIGN

Unlike the mini, the Polene Number One Nano is a ‘micro’ take on the original style. Every element is mirrored on a smaller scale. The top handle, the pinched facade, the half moon closure, the feet at the base, and the long cross body strap. Even the interior has the same cotton twill lining.

The feet at the base are fantastic as again, they help to protect the undercarriage of the bag, especially if you’re putting it down on a hard or rough surface.

There’s a small inner pocket which doesn’t fit much more than a card inside, which might be handy if you want to put a travel card or ID there for easy access. Otherwise it is just one open compartment, so in order to find things effectively, you do need to arrange them just so.

POLENE NUMBER ONE NANO BAG FINAL THOUGHTS

Honestly, there’s not much I don’t love about this bag. I almost always go for black or neutral-toned bags, that the burgundy textured leather has been a refreshing change. I’ve been wearing monochrome outfits a lot lately, and the Polene Number One Nano has been the perfect finishing touch. 

The style is designated as a day bag, and I’d agree with that. Where the Mini is the perfect option for evening (that chain strap feels a little like jewellery), the top handle and leather strap add more of a casual vibe. Essentially, what I’d be looking for in a run-around kind of bag.

It neatly fits in all my essentials, though I tend to stack them as tightly as a Tetris grid. It can be a little lacking if you want to carry a book with you. Probably a good thing I’ve been listening to my latest reads using audiobooks the past couple months. While it’s wide enough to fit an iPhone 11 Pro Max, it won’t fit a continental style wallet. A smaller zippy purse would be fine, though.

You can access the bag rather easily with the one hand, though closing it the same way does take some dexterity and coordination! I appreciate the snaps at the opening. When undone they give you a bit more room to reach around for your belongings. Plus, the bag still closes if you choose to leave these loose.

Wear and tear has been minimal. Not a single scratch or mark to the leather. Plus, I’m not at all worried about a little rainfall getting to it. It’s one of the perks of textured leathers – even if does feel a little more casual than the smooth leather alternative. I expect after years of constant use, I may see some wear to the glazing near the opening. This strikes me as the only weak point of the bag; but at this point, I haven’t had a chance to fully test that theory.

If you’re after a casual day bag, then you really can’t go wrong with this option. Keeping in mind, you’ll want to keep your daily essentials tightly edited. It’s functional, has a beautiful design, and can be worn on the shoulder, cross body, or as a top handle if you prefer. It doesn’t feel flashy, but you do get good value for money. It’s well crafted, has good design, and overall it does have a luxury feel to it.

I hope that gives you a bit of insight into the Polene Number One Nano Bag, and if you’ve got any other questions I may have missed in this review, please drop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them! x