I have been loving doing designer product reviews this year since so many of you reach out and ask for my honest opinion on specific items. One item, that I’ve been getting asked about more frequently lately is my Givenchy Antigona bag. It always seems to be a popular piece as we head into the fall season. It’s one of my favorite bags in my closet so I’m happy to share my thoughts on it. I wanted to put together a full summary on the pros and cons of it because like any designer item, it has both.

Making a designer purchase is definitely something I think about a lot before taking the plunge – which is why you probably don’t see me carrying a lot of the super trendy bags and I’ll admit I can be late to the game on some designer pieces because I don’t always love them at first glance. With the Givenchy Antigona bag though I loved it as soon as I saw it. It had been on my wish list for years. I still remember when Miranda Kerr used to carry the bag everywhere (back in 2012) and I was obsessed with it. I still am to this day. I really believe this bag stands the test of time. I’ve had mine for a little over three years now – I got it right before we went on a cruise to Alaska and I carried it everywhere. I ended the trip without a scratch on it so I really believe in the durability of this bag.

Here’s my full review of the Givenchy Antigona bag and my answers to the most frequently asked questions…

Does It Scratch Easily? Which Version Is Better – Smooth or Grained?

The Givenchy Antigona bag comes in a variety of textures, but the two most popular ones are grained leather (goatskin) or smooth leather (calfskin). I went with the smooth leather version because I have the Celine Luggage Phantom tote in grained leather and it has never held its shape very well although I did buy it preowned so it already had some wear. If you want to see what the grained leather version of the Givenchy Antigona bag can look like after years of wear, click here. I also noticed that the grained leather doesn’t stay as clean over time. Grained leather tends to absorb color, dirt and grease more easily on my Celine bag. I went with a red color in that bag so all of those things wouldn’t be as visible in a black version though. Another reason I went with the smooth version was because I loved the glossy look and the way it reflects light. The main downside to the smooth version is that is scratches more easily, however, I have been able to avoid scratches for the most part. I do have a couple of very light scratches on my bag, but you can’t tell unless you really inspect it…and I mean REALLY inspect it. I do try to be careful with it when I travel. If I carry it on an airplane, I’ll put it inside the dust bag before I tuck it under the seat in front of me.

What Size Is Best?

I went with the medium version because I wanted this bag to be functional as a work bag in addition to an everyday bag. The medium size is a bit oversized for my 5’2″ frame (it measures 13.4″ x 11.4″ x 7.5″), but I prefer it that way. This bag is a statement bag so the bigger, the better, in my opinion. The oversized look of the bag was one of the main things I loved about it when I first saw those early images of Miranda Kerr with it. She always had it overstuffed as she toted the bag and her baby around NYC. She made it one chic mom bag!

I’ve read a lot of reviews on the various sizes (mini, small, medium) and it seems like the consensus is that the mini size is more difficult to zip and unzip because the zipper is quite large for the bag. I’d go for the small or medium size if you are looking to use this bag frequently.

Is It Heavy?

The bigger the size, the heavier it is. I personally don’t mind the weight of the medium size and I am not particularly strong. I love that I can fit so much into the bag. If I did fill it, it would be quite heavy, but I typically only fill it half to three-quarters of the way full and I can tote it around for hours on end.

Is It A Good Work Bag?

What I love most about this bag is that it’s very structured and polished looking. It’s a stunning bag for work and will instantly elevate your outfit. It’s important to note though that while the medium size is quite large, it still does not fit a laptop (at least not properly). I have on occasion, flipped my laptop vertically and stuck it in the bag unzipped, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Who Is It Not Right For?

While this bag is definitely among my favorites in my handbag collection, I can’t deny that it’s not a great bag for everyone. As I mentioned earlier, the smooth version can get scratched so if you are rough with your bags, that would not be a great option although the grained leather would be less prone to scratches. The bag may also not be for you if you’re looking for something to wear casually every day. I do use mine fairly often, but it’s not my bag of choice to run errands with. I find myself using this bag most often for work meetings, traveling or when I’m going out.

How To Keep It Clean

I haven’t taken any major precautions with this bag although there are leather protectant sprays that you can use (at your own risk since there’s differing opinions). I usually just wipe mine clean with a baby wipe or soft cloth as needed. You can read more about how I protect shoes and handbags here.

Does It Ever Go On Sale?

Luckily, the Givenchy Antigona is one of those bags that although it’s considered a classic in most retailers inventories, it is often included in gift card events at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue and very occasionally sale events like the SSENSE sale that happens a couple of times per year. You can typically find the bag up to 20% off retail during those events. I don’t see too many of the medium size versions of this bag pop up on the resale websites, but when they do, you can get them preowned for about 30-35% off retail.

Is It Worth The Cost? Would I Buy It Again?

I paid full price for my bag and I don’t regret one penny of it. The quality of this bag is amazing and it can definitely stand up to the other designer bags in my closet on that alone. I love the geometric lines of the bag which make it feel modern yet the structure of the tote feels classic and elegant. Whenever I carry this bag, I always get compliments even from people that aren’t interested in designer bags. It’s just such a unique bag, it’s really a showstopper.

Is It Still A Good Purchase / Investment In 2019?

I’ll admit I was a bit hesitant to purchase the Givenchy Antigona bag because I wasn’t sure that it was still in style back in 2016 (it initially launched in 2011) and yet here we are today discussing why I love this bag so much! Givenchy as a brand has been around since the 1950’s – who can forget Audrey Hepburn in that famous black Givenchy dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s! The Givenchy Antigona bag has become a classic according to most retailers – meaning it’s a style they always carry if they carry Givenchy bags so it’s definitely not going anywhere anytime soon. If you are truly evaluating if this bag is a good investment based on its resale value, the resale websites typically offer between 30-35% off MSRP. Considering you can score the bag for up to 20% off during sale periods, 30% for a preowned version is still quite high – and therefore it still has a good resale value. All in, this bag is a great purchase in my view!

xo, Maria

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