Men’s Dior Saddle Bag Review and Styling Ideas

Dior is on fire. Since the SS19 show when Kim Jones introduced his first menswear collection with the house, Dior has been the “it” brand in luxury menswear. Other brand favorites include the Dior Oblique Sneaker, the revamped jewelry collections from the mind of by Yoon Ahn, and the many collaborations with the most hyped artist at the moment. If there is one item that’s been the most talked-about from the brand, it would be the revamped Saddle bag.

The Saddle bag is a signature to the Dior brand. Introduced by John Galliano in Dior Woman’s 1999 Runway Show, the now famous bag was worn by everyone. I, like the rest of the #FashionBruh’s out there, was thrilled that the guys now had our own unique version of this woman’s classic. While having many of the same features, there are a few key differences in the men’s version. First is the strap detail. The rollercoaster-style buckle is a collaboration with Matthew Williams of Alyx and is a unique feature to the men’s rendition of the classic. Another change made for the men’s bag is the structure. While the classic shape has been maintained, the men’s version has a bit less structural bones and is just a piece of leather in the saddle shape. While I was happy to get my hands on this fan favorite, for an awesome price, I wanted to share both the pros and cons.

PROS

One nice thing about this bag is that there are so many different styles and colors. Since I’m a bit scared of colors, I went with a solid black with silver hardware. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, try a contrast stitch, blue, or ombre version! The Alyx buckle is a feature of the men’s Dior Saddle that I think is really special. It gives the bag that masculine and edgy vibe. Having this bag slung across the body also just screams “fashion” and will make you the envy of any design lover. Kim Jones' version of the saddle is the “it” bag right now, and that is a pro in itself.

CONS

If I had to pick the most prominent con to this bag, it would be the structure. This is one of the things that deterred me most from initially buying it when it first launched. As mentioned, the structure is not as strong as the woman’s version. I like my bags to have harder edges and structure, so the soft leather in this bag was a bit of an adjustment for me. As you might guess, another con is the size. Even though the bag looks pretty large from the outside, the saddle shape makes it fight less than you might think. If I play a bit of Tetris, I can fit my AirPods, glasses, wallet, and iPhone X in the bag. These are typically all I need in a day, but if you are someone who likes to carry a bit more, I’d keep the limited space in mind when you purchase. Lastly, let’s talk about the price. We all know that Dior knows they are the s*** right now, and their prices reflect that. If you want to pick up a brand-new version of the men’s Saddle bag, get ready to cough up at least $2,700 USD.

Final Thoughts

Dior is Dior. It seems that whatever they put out, people are going to flock to purchase. This is definitely what happened when Mr. Kim Jones reintroduced the Saddle bag in the SS19 Men’s Collection. I think that the bag is definitely a great piece, and if you’re a luxury lover it is something that you’d want to have in your collection. Considering the practicality and price, my recommendation would be to look for pre-loved versions of the bag. Much of the MSRP is based on “hype” and demand. Try checking The RealReal, StockX, or verified sellers on eBay. I got mine this way and, even while not getting SO MUCH use out of it, I’m happy with it because I didn’t spend an arm and a leg. That said if you are looking for a more seasonal version of the bag, paying the full retail price is fair. Some of the details, colors, and designs of the seasonal versions are spectacular, and the $2,700 price tag is a bit more warranted. All-in-all I think Kim Jones has done for Dior Menswear what Maria Grazia Chiuri has done for Womenswear; mix classic elements of the classic brand with modern touches to entice a young audience. Say what you want about the brand, but you’ll most likely continue to find me at the checkout counter!