The Lady Dior is a bag I’ve wanted for years, although it wasn’t actually the first bag at the top of my wishlist. That was always the Chanel Classic Flap, so when it finally came to buying one of my dream bags, Chanel came first. The Lady Dior was still a bag I hoped to add to my collection one day, but I wasn’t sure which size or colour I would eventually choose. That all changed when we were on holiday in Monte Carlo and it was rather spontaneous.
I hadn’t gone shopping that day with the intention of buying a handbag. I was dining at Le Louis XV with my family and we popped into Dior as it’s round the corner, just to have a look. There were so many options in the store but fell in love when I saw the Lady Dior in the sky blue lambskin leather.
The Lady Dior has been around since 1994 and has become one of Dior’s most recognisable designs. Originally called the “Chouchou”, the bag was later renamed the Lady Dior after Princess Diana was famously seen carrying one during a visit to Paris. It’s now one of those handbags that is instantly recognisable thanks to its structured shape, cannage stitching, top handles and charms.
I’ve always loved the proportions of the bag and for me the small size was the perfect choice. It still has that beautiful structured shape without feeling too big or overly formal, and it works just as well for an evening out as it does for lunch or a day out when I’m doing a little shopping. It also fits everything I realistically need. My phone, cardholder, keys, hand gel and a few other small essentials all fit inside without a problem.
Why I Chose the Sky Blue Colour
I absolutely love the colour and I’m really glad I didn’t play it safe. I love it with white and cream outfits, particularly in summer, and it looks lovely with denim too.
I think if this had been my first luxury handbag I would have been tempted to choose something more neutral. When you’re spending this much on a handbag, black can feel like the sensible choice because it goes with everything and is unlikely to date. However, I already had my Chanel Classic Flap in black, I didn’t need the Lady Dior to do the same thing so I could just choose the one I loved the most.
Personalising My Lady Dior with My ABCDior
One of my favourite parts of buying the bag was being able to personalise it with Dior’s My ABCDior service. I chose three charms: Dior, a dragonfly and a bird. I didn’t want to add too much or make the strap look overly busy, but I’m really happy with the combination I chose. The leather the charms are on pops off, so if you’re wearing this bag to a formal occasion you can easily remove them.
The Lady Dior is such an instantly recognisable handbag that I really liked the idea of adding a few details that I’d chosen myself. The charms are only a small part of the bag, but they make it feel much more personal and give mine a slightly different look.
Lambskin Leather
If there’s one thing that makes me a little more careful about using my Lady Dior, it’s the lambskin. It feels beautiful and is part of what makes the bag look so luxurious, but it’s delicate. I’m much more conscious about where I take this bag compared with some of my others because I worry about scratching the leather or damaging it. The combination of the delicate lambskin and the pale blue colour means I really wouldn’t want to get caught in the rain with it.
Lady Dior vs Chanel Classic Flap
As these were both bags I’d wanted for such a long time, I think it’s natural that I compare my Lady Dior with my Chanel Classic Flap. If I could only have bought one, the Chanel would still have come first. The Classic Flap was always the dream bag for me and I’d wanted one for years, so finally buying it was a huge moment. I’m still very happy that I chose it first. I purchased it in caviar leather so it’s quite durable and there’s so issue taking it in the rain, which is why I didn’t mind the Lady Dior being in the more delicate lambskin.
It also meant I could choose it in the blue as if this was the bag I purchased instead of my Chanel, I probably would have bought it in black. They’re also very different bags to wear so I don’t feel that one replaces the other, I’m really happy that I own both.
Is the Lady Dior Worth It?
Whether a Lady Dior is worth the money is obviously a very personal question. It’s an expensive handbag and realistically, there are much more practical bags available for considerably less. However, I already have lovely practical bags so I’m in a position where I can purchase others more for fun.
I love the small size, I love the shade of blue, and I’m really glad I didn’t talk myself into buying a more neutral colour or different leather just because it would have been more wearable. It’s not my most practical handbag, and it’s definitely not the one I’d choose when rain is forecast, but it is one of the prettiest bags I own. Every time I wear it I have such a good feeling, I really love it and have no regrets.
Rebecca x
