Recently I shared how Italic was changing its business model from a membership-only service to an open marketplace. Product accessibility is great and all, but I wanted to dive in deeper today to talk about the quality of products available on the new Italic marketplace.
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Last month Italic sent two samples from their women’s accessories line, the Layla Leather Belt Bag (no longer available) and the Sasha Round Acetate Sunglasses. I’ve been wearing them all over Charlotte (and San Francisco, for the sunglasses) since they arrived, and now that I’ve had some time to style and formulate my thoughts on each item, I thought I’d share a mini-review.
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Like all Italic products, neither item has any obvious branding when worn, yet both products are manufactured by factories that have produced items for big-name luxury brands in the past. The pricing for both items is not at all in line with what those luxury labels charge, so let’s dive in and talk about the quality and function of these two pieces since neither has a brand name to hide behind:
LAYLA LEATHER BELT BAG | $55
First Impressions of the Layla Leather Belt Bag
I’ll be honest, I was a tad disappointed when I received this bag in Sky Blue instead of my first color choice, Saddle, but the gorgeous baby blue color has grown on me. Not enough to change my neutral ways, of course, but enough to appreciate how it stands out in a lovely, complementary fashion.
Even though I’m used to carrying a smaller bag, this bag shocked me a bit with its tiny size. It’s only 4″ x 6″ x 2″, which means that it’s really only intended to carry the essentials (which I guess could be a stack of 4″ x 6″ photo prints, if that’s your thing). Once I let go of the fact that I probably don’t need to carry snack bars and tissues with me at all times, it was easier to envision how this bag would fit into my daily life.
Layla Leather Belt Bag Quality
The outer leather is a beautiful, buttery smooth Napa leather with gold-tone hardware. Despite its size, the bag has two zipper pulls, which as a person who likes to push the limits of things, I am always a champion of. The inside fabric is cotton, which I also celebrate (I can’t be the only one who finds it frustrating when nice bags have synthetic lining), and it has just one slim slip pocket inside.
The product only comes in one size, with a fastening range of 24″-37″ for the belt holes, which frankly, isn’t that size-inclusive. The belt is surprisingly stiff for being so narrow; the belt on the bag I received wants to fold itself back up the way it was packaged for shipping. Another thing I noticed, which may not be a deal-breaker but is worth mentioning, is that one of the two belt loops is unattached, making it easy to lose (side note, my cat was very excited about this feature).
Overall, the bag feels much more well-constructed and expensive than the belt. As with all light-colored bags, there is a possibility of color transfer between darker garments and light leather (denim is a notorious culprit!). I’ve had zero issues with color transfer between my clothing and the belt bag in either direction, but it would be worth possibly avoiding garments that are supersaturated with dye.
Function of the Layla Leather Belt Bag
The belt and the bag can be entirely separated, which means that technically, it’s a bag, a belt, and a belt bag all in one. I love this for travel, as it means you can hold your toiletries in this bag in transit, but also use it as a functional hands-free carryall in the middle of your trip or as a clutch for a night out. What I typically carry in it is a day’s (or evening’s) worth of absolute musts: cell phone, hand sanitizer, a mask, lip balm or lipstick, my ID, cash, and credit cards. The slip pocket is perfect for holding the last three items and keeping everything organized.
I should note that I currently use a Samsung Galaxy S10, and it can be a bit of a hassle to get it in and out of the bag; I’d say that’s the largest phone you could carry in the Layla Belt Bag. The bag’s small size is definitely an overall advantage, though – it’s so light that I forget I’m wearing it. I’ve primarily enjoyed wearing it at the belt loops like a belt, but also have worn it like the cool kids across my chest (while being mindful not to get in the boob-sling-zone, of course).
Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand
Is the Layla Leather Belt Bag worth it?
Maybe. For me, the largest issue with this bag is the belt size. I can wear it comfortably across my hips, waist, and torso, but that may not work for everyone (which is a real shame!). Having tried on other leather belt bags at a similar price point, such as the one Madewell used to offer, I can say that the overall quality of this one blows the others out of the water. It is definitely a minimal style that skews more dressy than some other casual belt bags on the market; that aligns with my overall personal style, but may not fit in as well in other wardrobes. I would love to see this bag offered in more colors, especially black.
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SASHA OVERSIZED ACETATE POLARIZED SUNGLASSES | $30 $75
First Impressions of the Sasha Oversized Acetate Polarized Sunglasses
Opening the magnetic leather sunglasses case, I was a bit startled by the size of these frames. I knew they would be larger than my usual go-to sunnies (these and these), but the Italic frames looked so large in the case that I was afraid they would overwhelm my slightly narrow face. (I do own one larger pair of sunglasses, but I don’t reach for it often as it can add more drama to an outfit than I usually aim for). Once on, though, they hit that Goldilocks spot for me: not too big and not too small. The sunglasses case and inner arm of the sunglasses read “MADE FOR ITALIC”, but there is zero visible branding on the front or outer arms of the sunglasses. The sides are entirely black, and the only markings on the front are two reflective silver rivets on each end piece. Personally, I appreciate going logo-free and not being a walking advertisement.
Sasha Oversized Acetate Polarized Sunglasses Quality
The frames are made of Mazzucchelli acetate, the lenses are Zeiss OM15 (however my pair does not have the Zeiss laser engraved logo), and the hinges are OBE. The non-polarized lenses on the black pair I received are a tad darker than the ones on the tortoiseshell pair, with a Visible Light Transmission rate of 12.71%. This rating is sufficient for a sunny day but also lets in enough light to see the wearer’s eyes behind the lenses.
The acetate frames are neither light nor heavy; I can tell that they are sitting atop my nose, but they’ve yet to feel uncomfortable after hours of wear. The hinges are incredibly sturdy as well, with the screws holding everything in place securely. Size-wise, the measurements printed on my black pair are 53-20-145 (slightly different than the 52-21-155 posted online).
Function of the Sasha Oversized Acetate Polarized Sunglasses
The shape is a classic, and pairs well with most of my wardrobe. The frames fit my head securely, without sliding down my nose or off the top of my head; I also don’t experience any bumping of my cheeks or eyelashes on the frame, as I often do with sunglasses. While the case is well-suited for storing and protecting the sunglasses, it is a bit bulky for minimalist travel. A cleaning cloth is provided, though, and you could consider carefully wrapping the frames in it if needed (I typically just clip the sunglasses atop my shirt when traveling, and leave bulky cases behind).
Are the Sasha Oversized Acetate Polarized Sunglasses worth it?
It’s a wholehearted yes for me. The style is timeless, and it pairs just as well with a tee and ripped jeans as it does with an LBD. I like to avoid traveling with expensive items or pieces that have conspicuous branding for peace of mind, and this pair of sunglasses ticks both of those boxes for me. While I’d be a bit bummed if this pair ended up lost, broken, or stolen, the $30 $45 $75 price tag makes it not too much of a burden for me to replace if needed (or even have an excuse to try one of their other styles, also priced at $30 $45 $75).
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Do you prefer to wear logos and labels? Or are you drawn to items that are a bit more understated?
