Celine 16 Small in Natural Calfskin from nonTS Dawn - Pomegranate Factory

Searching for the perfect, posh, Parisienne accessory? Looking for the understated bag that oozes sophistication but won’t attract unwanted attention? Want to bring your love of reps to the workplace, but don’t want your bosses to think they’re paying you too much??? These were all questions I was asking myself, and the Celine 16 answered!!

Like many of you, I found RepLadies during quarantine and spent the first couple months frantically fulfilling every luxury desire of my dreams. After amassing several LV’s, Chanels, and a Birkin, and I realized there was no way I could show up to my conservative corporate office carrying a Chanel without my bosses thinking I’m 1) overpaid, 2) making extremely fiscally irresponsible decisions that would inevitably impair my workplace decision making, or 3) committing fraud to fund my sudden influx of thousands of dollars of luxury goods. This is why I had my eye on Celine - it’s very much an IYKYK bag with classy, understated branding.

I got this bag only last week but I’ve been obsessed with it ever since it landed on my doorstep. I didn’t see many reviews for the small 16, so I wanted to write this to help contribute to this amazing community!

Disclosure:

I received nonTS Dawn’s standard RepLadies discount (either 10% or 15%, not sure - when I asked for the price, she gave me the already discounted amount). She does not know I am posting a review.

  • Factory: Pomegranate Factory
  • Seller’s name: nonTS Dawn
  • Seller’s contact info
  • TOTAL PAID: $262 + $35 = $297 USD
    • Bag: 1680 CNY including discount / $262 USD via PayPal FF
    • Shipping: 220 CNY / $35 USD via FedEx
  • Order timeline
    • May 7th: reached out to nonTS Dawn on Whatsapp with factory photo, asked price. Received response within an hour, paid the next day.
    • May 11th: Asked if Dawn could add a Louis Vuitton wallet to my order; she said yes. She included it for no additional shipping cost because it fit in the same box. Paid the same day.
    • May 16th: received PSPs for both the bag and wallet. I think PSPs for the bag only would’ve come earlier, had I not asked to add the wallet.
    • May 18th: received tracking info
    • May 25th: picked up at FedEx Dubai
    • May 28th: at my local FedEx but held for future delivery :(
    • June 2nd: delivered!!

Photos

Disclosure: I haven’t actually seen any Celine bag in real life! All my thoughts below are based off photos and reviews I’ve read of the auth.

Quality - 9/10

  • Celine bags are supposed to have amazing leather, but this leather felt dry when it arrived. After conditioning with Apple conditioner and leather honey, it’s now super soft and doesn’t feel dry at all! I wouldn’t say it feels luscious, but the leather honey definitely helped to soften it up. There are some creased/wrinkled leather spots on the bag, especially around the back of the flap, but nothing too noticeable (see pics). I feel like the leather feel is probably the biggest callout. However, since Celine is generally unknown in my area, this doesn’t make me any less confident to wear this bag out. Given this bag comes in at just 7% of the auth ($297 vs $4,250), I wasn’t expecting auth-level leather, so it doesn’t affect my overall satisfaction with the bag. (-.75)
  • The inside leather is super soft and buttery feeling.
  • No fufu smell at all - it has a very pleasant flowery/leathery smell.
  • Main clasp is super smooth and feels substantial. Hardware has a nice weight to it. Inside zipper is smooth.
  • Clasps on both straps are substantial. They are perfectly springy and don’t catch.
  • The gold tone seems to already be rubbing off on the bottom of the feet, and I have only set it on smooth surfaces over the week that I’ve had it - on tops of tables, chairs, etc. I haven’t set it on the ground or any rough/uneven surfaces. I feel like if I rubbed hard enough on the feet, the gold would completely come off. (-0.25)
  • Stitching on the bag is clean and even; stitching on the interior of the leather strap is a little bit sloppier - not necessarily the stitching thread itself, but you can see where the leather is a little uneven from the needle. This is so minor it doesn’t bother me, so I’m not taking off any points.
  • Gold foil stamping on the canvas strap is nice and clean. Stamping on the interior of the bag is a blind stamp, but is still very crisp.

Accuracy - 9/10

  • Length and width are both off by 0.25”. My bag measures 9.25” x 7.25” x 4” ; auth measures 9” x 7” x 4” according to the website. This is super minor and doesn’t bother me at all, but I’ll take off a quarter point since it’s not an exact match. (-0.25)
  • I mentioned leather quality above - here I’ll talk about the leather look. This bag’s leather has a light sheen to it, but I wouldn’t call it shiny. In photos, it looks like the auth might have a little more sheen? A second coat of leather honey may help. (-0.25)
  • Stamp on the main clasp looks like it might not be as deep as the auth. (-0.25)
  • Canvas strap (without clasps) measures 34” but per the website, should measure 31”. Width is correct. (-0.25)
  • “CELINE” is stamped on the hardware in various places - on the clasps, on the clasp connectors (idk if this is the right term? haha), and “CELINE PARIS” on each of the feet. I can’t find an auth photo to compare.
  • There is a blind “CELINE PARIS” stamp on the front of the bag under the flap, along with “16,” and “MADE IN ITALY,” and what looks like a serial number “00261” stamped in the interior lining.
  • The bag has a zippered interior pocket in the middle, along with a slim pocket on the backside of the interior, and a small front pocket/compartment on the front under the flap.
  • Color and piping look good to me, as well as the gold tone of the hardware. Celine has released the Small 16 in multiple colors, so even if this wasn’t an exact color match, it wouldn’t be calloutable to me.
  • Leather strap, clochette, keys, and lock all look good.

Satisfaction - 10/10

Like I mentioned in my intro, I was looking for the perfect IYKYK bag to bring into work. I want to feel like I’m a rich bitch while not advertising any loud logos (I do love my mono LV and Chanel, just not in that setting!). I love the two interchangeable straps which I feel can make it either more casual or more dressy, but my current fave is the canvas strap. Also, the bag is surprisingly spacious for how compact it is! The multiple compartments are clutch because they help to organize my items. No additional bag organizer needed. Although the leather doesn’t blow me away, I think some more conditioning with leather honey will help, and it doesn’t bother me too much - I still love it!!!

Seller Communication and Service - 10/10

NonTS Dawn is amazing and is my new go to seller!! She is super friendly, responds quickly, and understands/writes in perfect english. She knows our factory names and provides PSPs before shipment. Her price was so good - she came in at $50 less than what a TS quoted me for the exact same bag!!! I really enjoyed my experience with Dawn and have already placed another order with her. Although I love our TS’s, I think it’s true that nonTS will work harder to earn your trust and provide competitive pricing. I’d recommend her to any and all RepLadies!

Comments

I love seeing cute bags that can actually fit a water bottle 😅 ⏤ by genericusername20211

├─ Yesss, I never leave my house without water so having it actually fit inside my bag is key!! ⏤ by cheese_fries

Thank you for this! I’ve been admiring this bag for a while now and umming and ahhing about getting it. How much can you fit in it? ⏤ by navypumps

├─ It’s super spacious! Here’s a WIMB: https://imgur.com/a/jqAIijI

I can fit:

  1. LV Zippy coin purse
  2. LV key cles (currently has my lipstick and spare hair ties in it)
  3. Sunglasses
  4. Keys
  5. Lip balm
  6. Mini face sunscreen
  7. Mini hand sanitizer
  8. Small hand cream
  9. 8 oz mini water bottle

My phone also fits but I was using it to take the pic. There is probably room for a little more too! ⏤ by cheese_fries

I already have a wallet on order from Dawn and I second what you said about her customer service. She’s very sweet and her English is fantastic. Reading this review is really repfluencing me and I’m considering getting this bag from her next ⏤ by GatherYourSkeletons

├─ Right? With some sellers I feel like I’m bothering them when I ask questions, but Dawn never gives off that vibe. This bag is great, you won’t regret it :) ⏤ by cheese_fries

Nice review! And so beautiful bag.. ⏤ by RuJinnn

├─ Thanks for reading! 😊 ⏤ by cheese_fries

I’ve always loved this bag. Yours is beautiful! ⏤ by Emme32

├─ Thank you!! I love it so much, I feel so elegant and classy carrying it 😅 ⏤ by cheese_fries

I did not know I needed this until today ⏤ by cetagood

├─ Perfect timing cause I saw that a couple TS’s had this bag in green on sale for 6/18, as well as the medium 16 in this color! I think it was Gary and Alisa, though you maybe could reach out to Dawn or any other TS and see if they have access to the same sale! ⏤ by cheese_fries

Oh I LOVE the double strap option! And your three reasons for needing a IYKYK bag are totally me right now 😂 ⏤ by jennyypandaaa

├─ I love love love the canvas strap! I haven’t even used the leather one yet but I like having the option hehe. I was so happy that the bag came with both - the auth canvas strap is sold separately and is $435 😱 ⏤ by cheese_fries

├── I was looking at your pictures again (because now I am obsessed with this bag) and I was thinking it would look so cute with a twilly on the top handle! ⏤ by jennyypandaaa

├─── You were right! I didn’t do a great job tying it but here she is with a twilly 😊 perfect for summer!!

https://imgur.com/a/JpuvAtu ⏤ by cheese_fries

├──── Omg you did a great job tying it! Ugh now I really want one! I’ve been looking at it ever since I saw yours but injuusttt got a purse! ⏤ by jennyypandaaa

Great review! I have some money saved to reward myself when I reach my goal weight and I’m going to buy this bag! Getting black in either small or medium. It’s gorgeous and elegant. ⏤ by oberstofsunshine

├─ Thank you! It’s so classy and a perfect pick as a bag to help motivate you 🤗 it’ll be gorgeous in black!! ⏤ by cheese_fries

THIS. IS. GORGEOUS!

I want. Thank you for posting your review! ⏤ by cherchezlisha ├─ Thanks for reading!! It really is a beautiful bag!! ⏤ by cheese_fries

Thanks for this! This is the next item on my wishlist. ⏤ by PleasantBuddha

├─ You’ll love it! Celine is definitely one of my new faves 🤗 ⏤ by cheese_fries

I think you are spot on!! I have purchased so many LV bags. Someone would think I’m very successful on only fans! Celine is a great choice. I should invest in some Celine bags. 😉 ⏤ by Welovecats42090

├─ Def don’t want my super corporate conservative coworkers to think I’m on only fans 🤣😂Celine is great for the office! ⏤ by cheese_fries