I’ve always been a fan of Mansur Gavriel’s understated-yet-quirky luxury aesthetic. When the brand launched back in 2012, I tried (unsuccessfully) to snag one of their coveted bucket bags, but they’d notoriously sell out minutes after they were dropped. I finally got my hands on a secondhand black bucket bag with a silver lining about four years ago, and boy did I get my money’s worth. I just retired the bucket from my wardrobe last summer… it’s now in the hands of my college-aged little sister, likely meeting its demise at some beer-soaked frat party. RIP.
Mansur Gavriel is still going strong, consistently releasing new fashionable, yet timeless high-quality accessories, of course, most notably handbags. They recently restocked the editor-favorite Mini Cloud Clutch — and I’m crossing my fingers they restock more colorways of the Candy Bag — it’s truly the perfect 90s glam-inspired accessory. And just this month, Mansur released a brand new style: The Lilium Bag. As a lifelong quality over quantity proponent, I thought it was my duty to put my fancy girl-taste meter to the test *cue #materialgirl TikTok* to determine if the luxury accessory brand’s new style is worth the steep price tag.
The Lilium Bag, $745
The Lilium Bag is Mansur Gavriel’s evolution of their signature bucket-style. In my opinion, if a croissant bag had a chic cousin, this baby would be it. Although Mansur wasn’t inspired by this elite crescent-shaped pastry, the shape was inspired by a lily. It features a drawstring that gathers the bag at its opening — kind of like the bud of a flower — and has a curved silhouette that is meant to rest against your body comfortably. It’s made with a combination of durable brushed and soft Italian calf leathers, comes in two sizes: standard and large, and five colors: black/flamma, caramel, mint, dahlia, and bianca.
Did I Like It?
I’m always on the hunt for just the right everyday bag, so I’ve used my long-standing “perfect purse” requirements to analyze the Lilium: must have a crossbody option so I can roam hands-free, be roomy enough to fit a book (because who knows when you’ll get stuck underground between subway stops without cell service), and must be somewhat classic in shape so I’m confident it won’t go out of style in a year…I’m not a trendy purchaser especially when it comes to anything that’s a wardrobe investment piece.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did. It checks all of my boxes. Most notably, the crossbody strap is superior. I’m very petite, so usually, bags with long straps hang awkwardly low on my frame, but this strap can adjust to be pretty short, so it rests on my side at just the height I prefer. I may be a rule-breaker, but I really like the bag without cinching the opening (shown above scrunching it closed vs. without). It made several trips on public transport secure against my body, fit all of my essentials (book, keys, wallet, sunglasses), and added bonus is that it looks like two completely different purses? If you’re in need of something roomier that can fit a full 13′ laptop(!) the Large Lilium may be more appropriate.
Is It Worth It?
This is where the almost $750 price tag comes into play…If you’re in the market for a true investment, and this style suits your needs, I’d say it’s worth the cost. Unlike their classic bucket bag which is very structures and takes a bit of time to break-in, the leather on the Lilium feels soft, and supple, while the durable leather on the bottom of the bag helps to keep its shape and makes me believe it’ll last for years to come.
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