I’ve Tested Dozens of Designer Bags—But This Elegant Tote Always Wins Me the Most Compliments

By Swedan MargenOctober 15, 2025

As somewhat of a handbag collector, I'm often asked what my favourite bag is. The fact is that it's not that simple. To me, different handbags serve different purposes. For an evening out, it's my Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 that keeps my small essentials together, but when heading to a sunny destination, I rely on my Loewe basket bag, which can be filled to the brim with everything and anything I might need on the flight as well as when heading to the beach. But one bag has come to the fore as my most used, and most complimented, and that's my Polène Cyme bag.

Woman wears green trench and carries black bag — Shopping editor, Florrie, carries the Polène Cyme bag in textured black.

Polène first burst onto the scene in 2016 with a clear aesthetic centred around high-quality styles in classic silhouettes that have a distinctly high-end look. Quickly, it became a favourite of fashion people and celebrities, even featuring on the arm of Kate Middleton. The bags themselves are understated, with simple gold-embossed branding subtly placed amongst the smooth leather accessories. Whilst I could while away the day sharing the best Polène bags with you, and I previously have, it's the Cyme that deserves a little time in the spotlight.

Woman wears white dress, straw hat and white shoes, and has tan bag

The Cyme is a perfect example of Polène's design prowess. It features a bold silhouette, thoughtful design details and exquisite fabrics, which all come together to create one seriously chic and practical bag. The hexagonal shape gives structure to the tote, whilst the magnetic sides allow the wearer to manipulate the shape and expand the sides when extra room is needed, whilst still keeping the elegant look of the bag when at maximum capacity.

Open bag with cap, perfume, makeup inside

What draws the fashion set to Polène's designs is the thoughtful details in every bag. For the Cyme, the double straps cemented it as my most-used bag. Featuring both long and short straps that are directly attached, I often find myself moving between the two on a day out, carrying in hand at one minute, and swiftly switching to a shoulder bag once my coffee order has arrived. It's smart, it's practical, and it shows that the brand doesn't just create beautiful bags, but really considers the wearer.

The Cyme is available in two sizes, the mini and the original, and a series of shades, including new palette editions for autumn/winter 2025. What's more, all the shades come in both sizes, so you won't have to adjust your choice due to the palette. I have the original size, which comfortably holds my laptop for work every day, plus plenty of extras, and I'll admit I'm eyeing up the mini version too.

Keep scrolling to shop the Polène Cyme Bag and shop more elegant tote bags we adore.