Prada Lux Saffiano BN1874 Review + Authenticate your Prada Lux Saffiano BN1874!

I opted for Lux Saffiano because I realized that all my bags are too slouchy and casual. I needed a formal- looking bag that I can take with me to meetings and semi- formal occasions-the IT formal bag for me will always be a Chanel Quilted Flap, but no budget for that yet haha so I figured that this bag will be perfect for now. Prada is my go-to brand if I need anything that looks elegant and timeless-they're experts at that so I knew my money will be well spent.

Photo Credits: bragmybag.com

Following the success of the Prada Tessuto and Nappa Gaufre' line is the Lux Saffiano range. The former style is casually cool and chic so Prada thought of releasing an extreme counterpart sometime in 2011 (thanks for the correction, Gem)-one that is structured, solid, clean, and basic but a total eye (and arm) candy and out came Lux Saffiano.

Lux Saffiano and all of Prada's leathergoods for that matter come in GHW or Gold Hardware, meaning all the metal parts on the bag are colored in Gold, but recently, they came out with SHW or Steel Hardware for the lighter colors such as Marble. Lux Saffiano comes in small, medium, and large sizes and in tons of styles (double zipper, no zipper, full zipper, etc.). I got Bluette, this dark shade of blue with a hint of purple because I find it gorgeous just like that! Popular colors are Black, Caramel, and Argilla. Aside from these colors, I find it equally fabulous in the colors Cameo, Fuoco, and Dark Green. Initially, I wanted Argilla, but the color and the bag just disappears on me!

I got this bag in David Jones Mall in Sydney, Australia. Back then, it was a fresh release so value was P74,000.00+ in pesos and minus Tourist Tax, I got it at around P67,000.00++ only. Locally, Lux Saffianos start at P68,000.00+ depending on the style and size. This bag, if I'm not mistaken, retails at P96,000.00+ in Prada Greenbelt 4.

Please bear in mind that this authentication post is intended for this particular style and color only. Other Lux Saffiano styles bear different features.

Lux Saffiano's leather is made with dyed Calf leather. It feels super tough and needs very minimal cleaning: it attracts a lot of lint and a few dust particles, but I just wipe 'em off with microfiber cloth and the bag's fresh again. The bag will soften overtime (as I've seen on the Lux Saffiano of my friend), but the bag will still retain its shape somehow. My issue with the leather material is that the dye chips easily. (I got a small chip at the back) There are even cases wherein the bag chips continuously on its own so before purchasing one, check its body thoroughly: the square markings should remain intact, the exterior should feel smooth, and you shouldn't see any cracks on the surface of the leather.

The leather of Lux Saffiano has tiny, irregularly- shaped square markings. It has a bit of texture to it, but overall, it's very smooth and has a hint of sheen. It emits this strong leathery smell and I love it! :) Oh, this bag has a bit of weight too. Fake Lux Saffianos are made with a rubbery kind of material with uniform square markings. If your bag or the one you're eyeing has uniform square markings, feels significantly gritty, feels super light, and smells like rubber (or has no smell), BEWARE!

Be a Prada Lux Saffiano BN1874 connoisseur after the jump!

BN1874 was released in the latter part of 2013. It's a decent, medium- sized bag. It looks so simple, but classy and it perfectly suits my fashion taste. :) This bag looks so luxe despite its simplicity and you really can't help but admire it. Its clean style makes it a versatile bag as well.

I will always be a fan of long straps and I love that this bag has one! It doubles as a body bag and a top-handle bag. If the one you have or you're currently eyeing doesn't have one, BEWARE!

The entire bag is joined on the sides, thus you will see two long lines on the left and right sides of the bag. If your bag or the one you're eyeing doesn't have it, BEWARE!

Here's the logo. It's located at center part of the bag's exterior, right underneath the rim. The logo is atop a triangular patch of leather and the leather is atop a metal plate. If your bag or the bag you're eyeing does not look like this and the logo is placed off center, BEWARE!

Handles are pretty solid and they can stand on their own. Lux Saffianos feature clean, tone-on-tone stitching too so if your bag is Black, the stitch should be in Black as well. If your bag or the one you're eyeing has flimsy- looking and short handles, stitch is different from the color of the bag (and is uneven and crooked too), BEWARE!

Here's the strap. It is adjustable and bears a gold buckle. The strap is also a lil' stiff and solid, just like the handles. If the strap of your bag or the one you're eyeing does not have a gold buckle or isn't adjustable, BEWARE!

The strap comes with two automatic clamps in gold and the word PRADA is engraved on the middle. It's pretty much like the ones on Tessuto Gaufre'.

The clamps have a rotating base too. If your bag or the one you're eyeing doesn't have a rotating base, the word PRADA is engraved off center and looks messy, and the gold tone looks rusty than vibrant, BEWARE!

The bag comes with a key ring and that bell- shaped leather serves as its cover. The ring feels thick. If your bag or the one you're eyeing does not have the key ring and bell- shaped leather hanging on the handles, BEWARE! Similarly, if it has the two, but the leather cover does not bear two prominent vertical stitching near the topmost area, BEWARE AS WELL!

On the rightmost side of the bag (bag's perspective) and near the handle base, you'll find a small slit. Actually, I don't know what it's for. Maybe a secret pocket? Maybe not because it's nearly impossible to fit something in that. Lux Saffianos have this, except the round styles.

Here's the base of the handle. The bag has four of these. If your bag or the one you're eyeing comes with round or square- shaped bases instead of bell- shaped ones, BEWARE!

Here's the base of the bag. I love that it comes with studs to prevent the leather from coming into contact with any surface.

Studs are in gold as well and the word PRADA is engraved on the top and bottom areas of the stud. If your bag or the one you're eyeing does not bear four studs at the base or if it has but you don't find the word PRADA engraved on them, BEWARE!

Time for a top shot! BN1874 has three compartments, but only one has a zipper. The two other compartments are sealed with their very own magnetic closures. The zippered compartment is roomy enough to store precious stuff such as wallets, cellphones, and jewelry. Obviously, if your bag or the bag you're eyeing has more than three compartments, only has one magnetic closure or worse, has more than one zippered compartment, BEWARE. No, RUN AWAY! :D

The front compartment has a big, square open pocket on the right side of the bag made from leather. If your bag or the one you're eyeing doesn't have this pocket, material is made from textile, has a zipper, and is smaller than this, BEWARE!

The back compartment is where you'll find the zippered pocket with a metal tag right underneath. Zipper lining is thick, the zipper pull is bell- shaped and has the word PRADA MILANO engraved on it. Notice that there's also a leather 'tongue' sticking out at the end of the zipper lining. If your bag or the one you're eyeing doesn't have a zippered pocket at the back compartment, there's no leather tongue, the tag is in leather or if it's in metal but placed off center, and the zipper pull has no engraving, BEWARE!

Lining is made with Prada's signature Jacquard lining. Click HERE to know how an authentic Prada Jacquard lining looks like.

On the zippered, middle compartment, the zipper lining is thick as well and much thicker than the zippered pocket on the back compartment.

Here's the inside of the zippered compartment.

Zipper pull is also bell- shaped, has the word PRADA MILANO on it and it's bigger than the one on the zippered pocket. For this style, the middle compartment is the ONLY part with a zipper closure. Otherwise, BEWARE!

Despite its semi- formal style, I find that I can use this bag even when I'm wearing casual outfits without looking off or trying hard. My only issue is it's a lil' heavy and I can't put a lot in it. Also, this is not the best bag to bring if you're commuting because it isn't something that you can just dump anywhere and lug around carelessly, unless you don't mind seeing a few chips on the leather! I've commuted with it for a few times and I got a few chips on the edges so never again. :p Commuting here in the Philippines could get pretty nasty as you have to transfer from one PUV to another, not to mention you have to deal with some commuters who just don't care if they hit you on the face, crush your toe, or squish your bag. :P That, and pickpockets too. Nevertheless, material is pretty good because the leather has been treated with a gloss- like substance to resist scratches. The chips on the edges, I got 'em from major bumps. Prada bags also have the sturdiest and mightiest stitching and even if I fill this bag to the brim at times, the stitches are still intact, and I don't feel that the bag's gonna fall apart.

The bag is structured so it's not that expandable, but you can fit in a good number of stuff such as an iPad mini, a large makeup kit, a long wallet, a mini umbrella, a phone, a small jewelry pouch, a 30ml perfume, and a calling card wallet. However, if you put everything I wrote in the bag, it will be really heavy so choose what you'll put in it wisely. If you can downsize, do so.

It's not my super favorite amongst my collection because it requires careful handling, but I still love it anyway because it looks so elegant and lady-like. This style is best for corporate gals because it is perfect for the professional setting, or anyone who wants a no-nonsense bag that's very simple yet posh. 

Hope you like this post!

Check out my other bag reviews:

Prada Tessuto Gauffre' BN1789M Nero

Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Neverfull MM

Balenciaga Classic City Red

Balenciaga Velo G12 Gold in Black
Givenchy Antigona Medium Metal Edge in Hazel

Givenchy Pandora Medium in Aube