Breaking down Taylor Swift’s favourite bag AUPEN: Is the price worth the quality?
Seen on seemingly every It girl from Taylor, Kylie, Hailey to Emily Blunt and Jennifer Lawrence – we reviewed AUPEN and here’s our unbiased take.
Being a hedge fund manager with a love for yachting, I’m constantly on the go. That’s why I prioritize high quality purchases that effortlessly fit into my lifestyle and wardrobe. AUPEN caught my eye after celebs like Taylor Swift, Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lawrence, and Selena Gomez were seen carrying their bags for casual days, glamorous red-carpet events and afterparties. I hadn’t seen a quiet luxury label rise in popularity so quickly in the fashion world since Khaite and the recent revival of The Row. Despite the initial hype around AUPEN last year, I was on the fence when it came to the check out. I loved the designs, but I’m not into vegan PU bags because the material does not survive humidity. The Nirvana was sitting in my cart for months. After learning about their transition to real leather while not increasing their prices, I finally checked out my cart. Here is my review of the bags I got – Nirvana, Fearless Re-Edition and Purpose.
Everything you need to know about AUPEN:
Nirvana Noir & Nirvana Snow, $340
Purpose Noir & Purpose Snow, $180
In terms of functionality, Nirvana and Fearless Re-Edition both deserve a big tick. They’re roughly the same size and can fit my daily essentials like my two phones (one is for work, another is personal), cardholder, power bank, and makeup. Nirvana is a more feminine bag, with its braided strap and gold charm, adding an edge to basic outfits. However, I like the Fearless Re-Edition a little more since my personal style is more Khaite/Bottega and less Jacquemus/Cult Gaia. It's the little black shoulder bag that everyone needs because it goes with everything. Arguably the best part about AUPEN’s bags is that they’re low maintenance and fuss-free. Since my yachting hobby takes me out to sea, I want to focus on relaxing with my friends, and not babying my bag or worrying about water damage. The Fearless Re-Edition has been through the ringer with me, and the supple calfskin leather has come out unscathed every time.
The final bag I bought was the Purpose. It’s more structured than Nirvana and Fearless Re-Edition so it fits a bit less. (I recently found out they’ve dropped Purpose Deluxe. New review pending?) As someone who looks for bags that can suit any occasion, she’s more of a clubbing bag to me, although I like the glossier leather shine of the Purpose. Not to mention the color range for Purpose is limited. I would’ve also loved Patent leather versions of the Purpose since this is an edgier party bag.
In the meantime, check out how influencers are styling their AUPEN bags.
