Bag Review: A Look Inside my Phillip Lim Pashli Mini Leather Satchel

After countless mentions of it on my blog, I don’t think it’s any surprise that I finally got the Phillip Lim Pashli Mini in Taupe! It was a Congratulations-on-Passing-my-Driving-test gift from hubby. (Sidenote: After years of thinking I could never do it…and being too scared to even try…I still can’t believe I passed my driving test!!!)

Phillip Lim Pashli Mini Review

The Pashli Mini comes in a wide range of colours – the black and jade versions are gorgeous, but I love the taupe one the best. It’s a light shade but dark enough that you don’t have to worry about color transfer. The pebbled leather material is very durable – it’s scratch resistant and has even survived being drenched in the rain!

Crystal Bloom Flower Necklace
Shirt: H&M, Necklace: eBay – search for “crystal blooms bib necklace” (similar from Baublebar), Jeans: Garage, Shoes: Old Navy (similar from Target), Bag: Pashli Mini

What Fits Inside the Pashli Mini

My favorite feature of the Pashli Mini is how light yet spacious it is. The dimensions are 7″H x 9″W x 3.5″D with additional interior space when the sides are unzipped. All my daily essentials fit comfortably inside (sunglasses, keys, wallet, iPhone, camera and makeup pouch).

The interior of the Phillip Lim Pashli Mini

Wearing the Pashli Mini

The Pashli Mini is the perfect hands-free crossbody bag. I never get any shoulder pain when I use it because the thick strap distributes the weight evenly. I love the structured shape, stand-up handles and flared out ‘wings’.

Outfit featuring Phillip Lim Pashli Mini
Shirt: Forever21 (similar from F21), Necklace: Aldo (similar), Jeans: Garage, Shoes: Old Navy (similar from Target), Bag: Pashli Mini

Disadvantages:

While I absolutely love my Pashli Mini, there are some factors to consider before deciding if this bag would work for you:

  • Shoulder strap – the 25″ shoulder strap is TOO long – after I adjusted the strap for my height (5’4″), there was a long length just sticking out. Right now I tuck the excess strap into the bag, but I might try looping it around the buckle so that it’s not in my way.
  • How often you open your bag – closing the push lock can be tricky (you need both hands to click it in
    place) and unfastening and refastening the button tab on the handles can
    be a chore. I don’t need to open my bag that frequently because I usually
    just slip my iPhone in and out of the side wings – but I do need some extra
    time to take out my wallet. I wouldn’t recommend this bag if you had to access your bag contents multiple times a day.
  • Scratched hardware – the brushed metal push lock closure gets marked easily – mine already has a few scratches. I don’t mind because I think it works with the rugged texture of the bag, but if it would bother you, I wouldn’t get this bag.

 

Mini Pashli Phillip Lim Bag

Hope this review was helpful if you were thinking about purchasing the Pashli mini yourself (ahemJessy!) Note for Canadian Readers – if you’re wondering where to buy a Pashli, we purchased mine from Holt Renfrew.

Similar (in appearance, not price) to the Pashli Mini is the Target Satchel from the Phillip Lim x Target collaboration, the dimensions are alike but the designs are different – the Target one is faux leather, with a top zip closure, and was a bargain at $35! Unfortunately they sold out so quickly that I never even got the chance to see them in person.

Liked this post? Read my other bag reviews here

Disclaimer: This bag was a gift from Hubby. Please don’t mind the “not for sale” watermarks – I’ve had to add them to some of my pictures after sweet blog readers have emailed me weblinks of my pictures being used on sketchy bag sale sites!

20 Comments

  1. Shopping Obsession
    April 21, 2014 / 2:17 am

    Very cute bag. I have the same color but bigger version. When I go shopping, I don't close the push lock. I just put the flap and tuck it in.

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 21, 2014 / 3:27 am

      Is your bag the same size as Reese Witherspoon's? I've seen pics of her carrying her bag with the flap tucked in too! For the pashli mini, I can tuck the flap in when I carry it by the handles – however, when I use the shoulder strap, I can't leave it unfastened as it tips over (and the contents could fall out) ;-( Just followed you on bloglovin by the way – you review a lot of the beauty products I want to try out 😉

  2. Daily Express
    April 21, 2014 / 4:11 am

    Excellent, detailed review on your bag and congrats on passing your driving test!! That's a pretty huge deal! I did get a Target Philip Lim bag (2 actually) and LOVED it (in the same color that you have). I've used it non-stop since October but just switched over last week to a white bag for Spring/summer. Glad you are loving yours though- the grey is so versatile. GinaOn the Daily Express

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 21, 2014 / 4:37 am

      You're so lucky to have gotten the Target Phillip Lim bags – they're SO cute! And their zip tops are actually more practical than the Pashli's pushlock fastening!I really do love mine though – I bought it to use now – but also for when we go on our summer trip – I think it'll be the perfect bag to take with me as it's light but fits all my essentials – and it'll match any outfit I wear <3

  3. Skylette from Sequins & Stilettos
    April 21, 2014 / 4:36 pm

    I'm actually completely amazed how much you can fit into that handbag! Congrats on passing your driving test!!Sequins&Stilettos

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 22, 2014 / 1:38 am

      LOL Skylette – it's one of the reasons I love it so much – it looks tiny but holds so much!

  4. Jessy T
    April 21, 2014 / 4:43 pm

    Congrats on passing your driver's test! The bag is super cute. When you close it, are their gaps on either side? jessydust.com

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 22, 2014 / 1:39 am

      Thanks Jessy 😉 There are gaps if the sides are unzipped and winged out – otherwise, there are no gaps 🙂

    • Jessy T
      April 22, 2014 / 6:56 pm

      That's what I was concerned about! I like how the bag looks unzipped, but the gaps bother me. I'm glad I experienced it firsthand with the Target version though. The gap on the actual Pashli looks a lot smaller than the Target one. I'm probably going to pass on the Pashli, but it certainly doesn't hurt to admire it on others. 😛

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 24, 2014 / 2:59 am

      Yeah – if you were lucky enough to get the Target version – there's no need to buy it twice LOL 😉

  5. Beautygirl24
    April 21, 2014 / 10:55 pm

    What a gorgeous, luxurious little bag! I absolutely love the color. Although you were torn between this and the Zara version, I think passing your test deserves the real thing 😉

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 22, 2014 / 1:42 am

      Awww thanks Noelle! Although the ZARA version was cute – I think the style and shape of the Pashli is one I'll always love (I have such a thing for mini bags LOL!) so it was a better choice to get my heart's desire than a close substitute 🙂 I think I made the right choice – because I completely ADORE my bag.

  6. Carylee
    April 22, 2014 / 2:42 am

    Definitely a gorgeous bag! I love that color so much, too! Awesome review, and now I want one! -_-Carylee | morepiecesofme.com

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 22, 2014 / 3:53 am

      Thanks Carylee…I'm crazy for Taupe..I know it's meant to be a bland color but I find it so pretty 😉

  7. Jen K
    April 24, 2014 / 2:30 am

    Thanks for the review! I've been debating between the Pashli mini and the medium myself…and whether to get black or taupe. 🙂 I just love the look of the bag, and I'm sure I'll love whatever I end up getting, but having a hard time being decisive and pulling the trigger!Jenwww.lifeunrefined.com

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 24, 2014 / 3:00 am

      I know what you mean – although I adored the taupe – I kept thinking I should wait for a red or a pink for a bright pop of color…and the black and the navy versions are gorgeous too…but my heart totally belonged to taupe 😉 Good luck with your decisions!

  8. Anonymous
    May 20, 2014 / 1:32 am

    Thanks for your review, the color is nice, I'm considering to buy one …

  9. ayme nicole
    January 12, 2015 / 3:10 pm

    Question! How do you wear your mini? Like, do you wear it out at night or as a day bag? I ask because I'm tempted to get it but I either wear large bags during the day to carry all my stuff to work or school OR at night, I wear a mini bag that carries just my cell and a lipgloss. Is the mini too bulky to take out at night, like a club or lounge?http://www.net-a-porter.com/us/en/product/463507#It's on sale for $417 which is great!

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      January 12, 2015 / 3:17 pm

      Hi Ayme – I use mine during the day – it fits a surprising amount of stuff in it for such a small bag – I think because of its boxy dimensions.While it's definitely pretty enough to use as a night bag, it might be a bit too big if you only need to carry a couple of things – hope that helps!

  10. Yanhearts♥
    July 28, 2017 / 2:23 pm

    One of my favourite bags.I think this is one of the the best colours for Pashli.Other great colours are cobalt and beige.xoxo,http://yanhearts.blogspot.com

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