Review: Ferragamo Miss Vara Bow Mini Bag vs. Chanel WOC

Outfits|April 14, 2013
FerragamoMissVaraBowBagvs.ChanelWOC-5
Ferragamo mini vara bow bag in corda/beige

I bought this cutie during Bloomingdale’s Friends and Family 20% off sale and wasn’t sure I was going to love it.  I’ve been wanting a taupe/beige color crossbody for a couple years now. I was going to get the half moon Chanel WOC in beige a long time ago but missed out and have since regretted it.  Maybe that happened for a reason because I love this one to pieces.

FerragamoMissVaraBowBagvs.ChanelWOC-8

Details:
– Saffiano leather
– grosgrain Vara bow
– chain shoulder strap
– fully lined
– one inside open pocket
– magnetic snap flap closure 
– Made in Italy
Measurements:
Width: 7 1/2″
Depth: 1 3/4″
Height: 5 1/4″
Strap drop: 23 1/4″
Weight: 11 oz.

FerragamoMissVaraBowBagvs.ChanelWOC-6

Many of you requested on Instagram to do a comparison review.  Here are the measurements of both so you can see the difference in size:

Ferragamo         Chanel             
Width:
7 1/2″
 7 1/2″
Depth:
1 3/4″
 1″ or 1 1/2″ stretched
Height:
5 1/4″
 5″ 
Strap Drop:
23 1/4″
 25″
I want to point out that the Ferragamo mini bag is not a WOC – meaning it does not have slots inside to act as a “wallet on chain”.  It’s simply a crossbody that I plan to double as a clutch (strap tucked inside).  The Chanel WOC is a wallet on chain/crossbody and can be used as a clutch. 
FerragamoMissVaraBowBagvs.ChanelWOC-7
PROS:  I love the corda (beige) color. The Saffiano leather is very nice and sturdy.  I like that the width is a bit bigger than the Chanel so it can hold a small coin purse (with credit cards and I.D.), cellphone and chap stick plus lipgloss/lipstick.  With the WOC, there is no need for a small coin purse since there are slots to hold your credit cards/license. The quality of the Ferragamo is extremely nice. It’s very well made and seems much more durable and not as fragile as my lambskin WOC.

FerragamovsChanelInterior
FerragamoMissVaraBowBagvs.ChanelWOC
CONS: The chain can’t be tucked perfectly inside like the Chanel WOC when wearing as a clutch.  I can’t figure out a way to shorten the strap so that it hits me at my lower hips. If I loop it inside once, then it becomes too short but can be worn as a shoulder purse. This is a big deal for me since I like to wear it as a crossbody the majority of the time.

FerragamoMissVaraBowBagvs.ChanelWOC-2
(I’m holding up the chain to the length that I like)

As you can see, the additional 1 3/4″ length in the Chanel WOC allows me to wear it at the perfect length as a crossbody. It makes that big of a difference!

FerragamoMissVaraBowBagvs.ChanelWOC-3

I adore the iconic grosgrain bow and in full disclosure, I probably had both sales and bow goggles on when making this purchase but have no regrets 🙂

Ferragamo
Chanel
Weight
11 oz. 
unsure but guessing around 6-8 oz.
Pockets
one inside open pocket
credit card slots, exterior back pocket and
inside zipper pocket
Closure
magnetic snap flap closure 
snap flap closure
Strap
chain strap
chain and leather intertwined strap
Leather
Saffiano 
Lambskin
Origin
made in Italy
made in France
(some are made in Spain and Italy)
Price
$595
$1,575 (when I bought it),
now $1,775



I’m not 100% sure about the weight of the Chanel but I’m guessing it’s around 6-8 oz. (it’s much lighter than the Ferragamo mini bag). If anyone knows the exact weight, please let me know.

FerragamoMiniBagvs.ChanelWOC02

Basically in a nut shell, the sizes are very similar to each other. The differences I noticed was the interior (credit card slots vs. one big compartment), strap length and price point ($1,180 difference).  I think if you are looking for a nice quality designer crossbody, this Ferragamo Miss Vara mini bag is a great option. I was happy that I was able to take advantage of the 20% off – making it a total of $460.  At the rate of Chanel prices, you can get three of these Ferragamo Miss Vara mini’s for the price of one Chanel WOC. Crazy right? Don’t get me wrong, I still love my Chanel but this very comparable and 1/3 of the cost.
What are your thoughts on the Ferragamo Miss Vara Bow mini bag?

78 Comments
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  1. I love Miss Vara on you and I can’t believe it’s so similar in size to the Chanel WOC. It’s a plus that it’s saffiano leather too. I checked the other options you linked to and I really like the yellow one. The Clinique makeup bag is so adorable!

    Reply

  2. Maybe I’m bias, but I just LOVE saffiano leather. I have a prada saffiano and I can’t get over how great the leather feels! The valentino is so adorable. Chanel is great too, but I definitely like the valentino better 🙂

    Christy

    Sunny with a side of…

    Reply

  3. I have to agree with @whatjesswore:disqus on this one, for the price, I would get all the colors compared to the Chanel WOC, even though the WOC is a timeless classic. This post is making me want to get one myself because it’s just so cute. I love Miss Vara and can’t wait to see it in action!

    Petite Hues

    Reply

  4. This is super cute!! And it looks awesome on you 😀 I actually have a ferragamo small sized purse as well. It’s a bit larger than yours but I feel like I want something slightly smaller sometimes. This is perfect, and at that price point is so much more attractive than the Chanel even though which girl doesn’t like a Chanel 😛

    Reply

  5. Nice Ferragamo. But nothing beats owning a Chanel!! $1575 is an amazing deal.. I purchased mine for $1970CDN January 2013… =( BUT SO WORTH IT!!

    Reply

  8. hi, may I know how do you adjust your miss vara bag strap? I have also the bag and it’s too long for me the strap. thank yoiu ^^

    Reply

      • Hi, I have the miss vara bag as well but am unable to even get the chain past the hole to tie a knot under the flap. May I ask how you did it? Thanks!

        Reply

        • Sorry for the delay! Okay so I checked and I tied the knot on the top part of the chain for now but plan to get it professionally shortened. I started looking into that and I think it’s possible!

          Reply

          • Thanks for getting back to me! So the knot is above the flap? Let me know what kind of places would do shortening of straps. The bag is beautiful but it sucks that the strap is so petite unfriendly!

          • Yes! That’s how it was when I checked this morning – haven’t worn it in so long since having Milan – need more space lol

            I’ll keep you posted on what places do this..I’m thinking a cobbler may be able to.
            It totally sucks that they make the straps so dang long!

  9. hi do u have the problem of the miss vara bag’s magnetic snap is kind of hard to open??? or its happen to my bag?? thank you

    Reply

  10. I’m in love <3_<3
    Do you know from which website can i get it online ? I need the the one that has the exact size as yours

    Reply

  11. Hi, thanks for the wonderful review! I just received my ferregamo today and it was impossible to open-I felt as if it was going to break! Do you the same issue with yours? I had to unfortunately return mine!

    Reply

  13. What a nice review. I still think Ferragamo is such an underrated brand. I love both bags, I think each style has their own personality, but the WOC is much more expensive.

    Reply

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