This Loewe bag is a favorite among fashion enthusiasts—I put it to the test to determine if it lives up to the hype.

      The first memory I have of the Loewe Puzzle bag will be etched in my mind forever. I was a newly minted university graduate, just 20 years old, starting my first full-time "grown-up" job at one of Sydney's top PR firms. The Spanish luxury brand, then under the creative direction of fashion designer Jonathan Anderson, was a client of the agency. When it was time to showcase their latest collection to the Australian market, I witnessed the showroom's stark white walls and vibrant pink floors transform into a temporary Casa Loewe, the term the brand uses for its flagship stores. Amid feathered headpieces, baroque-style heels, and bustle-like drop-waist dresses from the spring/summer 2020 collection, I spotted it—the Loewe Puzzle bag resting on a marble-like pedestal in all its splendor.

      The aforementioned showcase featured the first Puzzle bag I had ever seen in person. Although the Loewe Puzzle bag was still a relatively new design, it had taken on cult status, captivating every fashion enthusiast, even those just beginning their journey. This silhouette marked a new chapter for the craftsmanship-driven heritage brand. Under Anderson's creative vision, he ushered in a fresh era for Loewe, which became evident in his first spring/summer 2015 collection, introducing the very first iteration of the Puzzle bag, a significant milestone as it was also the first new Loewe bag since the 1980s.

      The initial designs featured a patchwork of suede, leather, and snake-effect cutouts, assembled like a puzzle—hence the name. A lot has changed in the decade since the Loewe Puzzle bag made its entrance. The brand's creative leadership has transitioned to Proenza Schouler founders Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, while Anderson is now at Dior. Yet, the Puzzle bag remains one of the most sought-after designer handbags in history. This is no small accomplishment, especially considering its desirability rivals that of the Hermès Birkin, established in 1971, or the Prada Galleria, introduced in 2007. Therefore, when I had the opportunity to review the Puzzle bag and explore its enduring appeal, I eagerly took the chance to finally bring home (at least momentarily) a bag that had been at the top of my wish list for five consecutive years.

      Is the Loewe Puzzle bag worth it? Will it retain its value? What makes it so popular? These are frequent questions I encounter as a fashion editor with a focus on luxury bags. Find all my answers below.

      Shop the Loewe Puzzle Bag:

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      Small Featherlight Puzzle Bag in Nappa Lambskin

      This is the exact bag I tested. It's easy to see why I fell for it.

      Pros: This is an exceptionally crafted bag. One might even argue it's the benchmark for luxury bags.

      Cons: Personally, I felt like Goldilocks with it; it was slightly too small for a work bag but also too large to be a compact purse that I could carry out effortlessly.

      A Comprehensive Review of the Loewe Puzzle Bag

      As I strolled through Bayswater in central London, I noticed the curious gazes of passersby. This was a rare sensation for me, and I attributed it to their envy as I carried my newest cherished item: the Loewe Puzzle bag. Earlier that week, my editor tasked me with a trial run of the bag to see if, ten years later, it still lived up to the hype. Naturally, I selected the latest model. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Loewe Puzzle bag, the brand launched the Featherlight Puzzle, a style "characterized by its unique geometric lines and cuboid shape, made from an innovative featherlight nappa lambskin," as stated in a press release.

      To accompany this launch, a campaign featuring Taylor Russell, star of Bones and All and a Loewe runway model, was shared, showcasing the bag's lightweight and supple feel while posing in wooded settings. However, in the bustling city, those qualities were the most prominent to me. Typically, I carry a lot—everything I might need and more—so my bags are rarely small. Yet, I was eager to exchange my oversized signature woven leather bag for the small Featherlight Puzzle.

      A fair warning: this size won’t accommodate your laptop or emotional support water bottle. However, it’s spacious enough for several lip glosses, a bottle of perfume, a digital camera, a La Bonne Brosse hairbrush, as well as my essentials like sunglasses and a wallet. How did I manage to fit it all? Simple. The Puzzle bag includes hidden pockets, one conveniently placed on the detachable leather luggage tag.

      I usually prefer going hands-free during the week, but on this occasion, I willingly traded up. My first stop was a pastry run to fuel up for a day filled with meetings and writing—just the glamorous escapades of magazine journalists! Slinging it in the