When Chloe launched the Faye Mini Backpack, it was love at first sight.  There was something about its minimal aesthetic that I found irresistible.  And yet, I hesitated to take the plunge.  You see, even though, I love the shape and the look of the Chloe Faye, I have mixed feelings toward suede.  It’s not because I don’t think they are beautiful.  On the contrary, I find them to look very elegant.  Even still, I couldn’t deny the fact that suede leather is not as forgiving to damage and stains.  So, from a practicality standpoint, I convinced myself that this bag didn’t align with my lifestyle.  Fast forward to October 2021 and the bag has made its way into my handbag collection.  Now that I’ve owned this bag for well over two years, I wanted to share an honest review on the pros and cons about the Chloe Faye Mini Backpack.  

Why I bought this bag

I have been seriously contemplating selling my Fendi camera bag for some time and ultimately, decided to let her go.  I didn’t reach for her as much as I thought I would and sadly, I’ve concluded that we’ve just grown apart. #dramatic So, I sold my Fendi camera bag on Fashionphile and seeing the Chloe Faye Mini Backpack was at a fraction of the price, I felt it was a good way to test the waters and bought the bag with the credit.  

Size

First, let’s talk about the size.  

The Chloe Faye Mini Backpack comes in three sizes – mini, small and medium and what I am featuring on the blog is the mini size.  At 8” W x 7” H x 3.5” D, it’s spacious enough to fit all my everyday basics.  I usually carry my phone, a card case or wallet, a pack of gum, lip gloss and still have room to spare.  On top of that, the bag has two side zippers that open and close all the way down, allowing the bag to open wide.  So, you have the option of extra space when you need it.  

In terms of the interior of the bag, there is a magnetic closure underneath the flap that opens to one main compartment.  Inside, it is lined in a light-colored cotton twill and there’s a small interior pocket.  It’s a great spot for loose cash, or receipts.  

Functionality

There are some bags that are simply easy to wear, and the Chloe Faye is one of those bags.  It’s a backpack but it also comes with a shorter removable strap so you can carry it as a shoulder bag or as a top handle.  Day to day, I tend to carry mine over my shoulders as a backpack but occasionally, I hold it via the top handle for when I want to look a little more put together.   

Additionally, though the bag looks like it could be heavy due to the suede flap top and hardware, it is not.  In fact, this bag is quite light and airy to carry.  Even when it’s full, it doesn’t get weighed down. 

What’s more, the magnetic clasp on the Chloe Faye Mini Backpack is easy to secure.  It locks into place, and when you pull up the gold loop it unclicks seamlessly.  The magnetic closure is also very strong, and I have had no issues with it opening unexpectedly during wear.  

Color

The Chloe Faye Mini Backpack comes in many beautiful colors options that made making a final decision a tough one.  However, after watching many review videos, I ultimately went with black and couldn’t be happier with my choice.  Not only does it put my mind at ease when it comes to stains and scratches but what I love about the black color is that it works perfectly year-round.  I also like that it perfectly complements any outfit – both dressy and casual looks.    

Durability

As I mentioned above, I bought this bag preowned, so it came with a few scratches and a little stain on the interior (as seen on the picture below).  Aside from that, the quality of my Chloe Faye Mini Backpack has exceeded my expectations.  The leather is sturdy, smooth and has held up well.   Also, all the stitching is in place and the hardware is durable too.  No huge scratches or discoloration.  The suede, on the other hand, is much more high maintenance and upon close inspection, there is sign of wear on the bottom quarter of the flap.  Otherwise, I’d say this bag is fairing really well.  

In addition, a huge pro of the Chloe Faye Mini Backpack durability is it has minimal branding.  While the brand name is debossed on the front bottom of the suede flap, it has no flashy logos or monograms.  #mykindofbag

Drawbacks

I love this bag and am so happy with my decision to purchase it, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a few issues that I have encountered when using this bag.  These items are not a deal breaker for me, but something to be mindful of if you are interested in owning this bag.  

Chain

The first downside is the chain on the front of the bag.  It moves around and rattles with every step you take which makes it a noisy bag.  But that can be easily fixed.  I just unhook the chain from the front of the bag and clip it on the side or tuck it in inside.  

Suede

The other drawback is the suede flap.  I do love the look it gives but it is delicate and scratch easily.  So, when carrying this bag, I do have to be mindful of my nails or any sharp objects, like keys, which can be a bit of a hassle.  If you are one to notice every scratch on your bag, then I would recommend going for a darker color like I did.  

Opening

Lastly, the top opening is a bit smaller and fairly stiff which makes going in and out of the bag on the go a bit difficult.  It doesn’t bother me as I don’t carry much daily, but I wanted to point out if this is something important to you.  

Final Thoughts

Before I received my bag, I was not sure about my purchase. But, after trying it out, I have no regrets buying it.  The more I carry it, the more I fall in love with the Chloe Faye Mini Backpack. For me, this bag works.  It’s laid-back, easily wearable, and has a simplistic design that is perfect for my minimalistic lifestyle. 

While Chloe discontinued the mini backpack, you can still score it on secondhand sites like Fashionphile and Poshmark.  But I know that not everyone has the luxury of spending a small fortune on a bag.  So, if you prefer an affordable option, I found a similar bag on Lulus.  

Do any of you own a Chloe Faye? What are your thoughts on this bag?

For more handbag reviews:

Alexander Wang Mini Rockie Bag

Coach Willow Camera Bag 

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  

**Shopstyle currently doesn’t support the Fashionphile and Poshmark website. Therefore, I am unable to include a shopping widget in my post below. However, if you want the exact style, click the links above. Additionally, Fashionphile and Poshmark has many different colors and sizes of this backpack available so I have put together a list on the liketoknow.it app that you can check out for more options.