Outfit Details

Sweater Zara | Pants Sandro | Sneakers Veja | Bag SINBONO (c/o)

SINBONO uses a material called apple leather, a lesser-known alternative to leather that I was eager to test out. To combat the environmental effects of manufacturing, they’ve taken to planting a tree for every product sold with the help of One Tree Planted. It’s not a substitute for being eco-conscious, but brands get brownie points for trying all the same.

Editor’s note: Numbers vary but it generally takes 700+ trees to be planted per year to offset the carbon emissions from one average American.

Outfit Details

Shacket H&M | Shorts Nike | Sneakers Veja | Cap Future Classics | Bag SINBONO (c/o)

Aesthetics

The Vienna takes on the shape of a small dumpling bag, plump with soft curves that meet at the top handle.

The texture of the vegan leather came as a pleasant surprise. It’s soft and buttery with a subtle grain, perhaps a little too buttery to pass off as genuine leather. It barely creases where the material folds over at the zipper and you wouldn’t be able to tell it’s not genuine leather unless you scrutinise it up close.

All of the Vienna bags come in matching gold-toned hardware for the zipper and detachable chain. The hue is a little yellower than what I prefer, but it doesn’t stand out much from the black bag so it’s not a deal-breaker.

Usability and Functionality

While I expected the Vienna to be a chic small bag, it turned out to hold more than it looks. Standing at 7.08'' W x 4.72'' D x 7.08'' H (18cm x 12cm x 18cm), the bag depth gives it a slightly boxy silhouette and I’ve been able to fit in all my daily necessities, save for my Kindle. The bag turned out to be incredibly light – even after stuffing it with a generous stash of cosmetics. It also comes with a shallow inner pocket for cards.

The 3.15'' (8cm) handle drop nestles comfortably into the crook of my arm and a magnetic clasp at the top releases the handle for easy access. My optimal crossbody strap length is around 50cm, so the 20.07'' (51cm) golden chain that comes with the bag fits the bill perfectly.

If you like Vienna's silhouette but are looking for a roomier bag, SINBONO now has two added options: the medium, essentially a sized up version of the regular with a crossbody chain, and the shoulder bag which comes with a detachable chain that can be removed for a different look.

SINBONO Vienna Collection

Quality and Construction

SINBONO’s vegan leather uses apple leather, a bio-based material combining reclaimed apple skins with a lower amount of polyurethane (PU) than regular faux leather. The resulting fabric is soft to touch but still durable with high water-resistant properties. As for the faux suede lining, it’s made from 100% recycled PET bottles and not a stitch was out of place.

It was drizzling the day we went out so it was the perfect time for a test run. I’m not the best when it comes to babying my bags, so I love that I could wipe down the bag with no pesky stains or tell-tale water marks. Minimal maintenance, checked. I still recommend storing it in the dust bag it comes with though.

SINBONO Vienna Crossbody Bags

Outfit Details

Top H&M | Pants Takiya | Sneakers Veja | Bag SINBONO (c/o)

Staying Power

My only peeve with affordable bags is that most of them are dupes of designer labels and you’ll eventually run into someone carrying the version of the bag that costs 10x more. 

Unless you’re born with a silver teaspoon in your mouth, we’ve all owned dupes at a point. But I love that SINBONO’s Vienna bag carries a unique silhouette I’ve never seen elsewhere (someone please let me know if it’s a dupe though)! The only branding it has is the subtle gold embossing below the zipper, and even that is done quite tastefully in the brand’s logo with a sans serif font.

I picked the Vienna for its clean lines and staple colour which make it a minimalist addition to capsule wardrobes. They’ve just released fresh colours for spring, so if you’re looking to incorporate some fun colours without breaking the bank, this could be it!

Apple Leather Bags

Looking for a discount on my SINBONO favourites?

Simply follow any of the links in this blog post and enter code

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A special thank you to SINBONO for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

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