Behno Handbag Review

Some people spend a lifetime (and a lot of money) on finding the best handbag. Quality leather purses, handbags, and clutches can be hard to come by in a world where fast fashion is at our fingertips. But when you skimp on quality you’ll end up spending more in the long run.

As someone who typically thrifts vintage handbags, I know what I like and need from certain bags, which is why I was excited to try out Behno handbags. The brand sent me their Simone Double Base Crossbody to test for a few weeks, and spoiler alert: Behno delivers.

What is Behno?

Founded by Shivam Punjya, along with the support of Bollywood star Katrina Kaif, Behno offers handbags, wallets, and apparel in some of the most unique shapes we’ve seen in a long time. As we celebrate the contributions of diverse designers and individuals throughout AAPI month (and beyond), it’s important to spotlight AAPI-owned brands that strive to deliver quality products while trying to make a difference in how fashion and the environment co-exist.

When it comes to slow fashion, Behno’s focus on its environmental impact and sustainable practices give them a leg up on the competition. With an extensive Ethics Philosophy that includes ensuring worker benefits, living wages, and mobility that includes supporting women’s rights, providing healthcare, and family planning, Behno manages it all while striving to minimize its carbon footprint.

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What I liked about Behno handbags

The strap is generously proportioned

What I really liked about the Simone Crossbody was the strap, which is also the only thing that I didn’t like. While I appreciated that it was thick enough to actually find support on my shoulder and was comfortable to wear, I also found that it needed adjusting from time to time.

Too often, I find that bags are designed with skinny straps that can be hard to keep track of, causing a bag to slide off more easily. The convertible strap on this bag was about 2” thick with nicely punched holes that made switching the length easy. Adjustability ranges from 12-inches to 22-inches so you can wear the bag short under your shoulder or as a full crossbody that won’t feel constricting.

The eco-conscious packaging

Upon arrival, I was impressed with the attention to detail when it came to keeping the bag’s shape and integrity. Wrapped in recyclable cardboard and plastic as well as an archival textile bag, the packaging is thoughtful and eco-conscious. This immediately sets Behno apart from other brands that might skimp on details. After all, every package you receive should feel like a gift, shouldn’t it?

What I didn’t like

To clarify, it was hard to find something that I didn’t like about Behno’s bags. They’re made of high-quality leather with thoughtful designs that come in a variety of colors and leather finishes that make it easy to incorporate into your daily wear.

The strap is prone to slipping

While I loved the small details of the Simone Mini Crossbody (which I also tested, briefly), including its ability to swap between shoulder length and crossbody length at a moment’s notice, the strap happened to be the only thing that I had a hard time with. At times I found it a bit difficult to keep the strap taught when it was in shoulder bag-mode, and it would slide out of the keeper fairly often, causing me to readjust frequently.

While that was somewhat annoying, it wasn’t something that would keep me from using this bag. I had the same issue with the Simone Double Base but because the strap is a bit skinnier, it was less noticeable.

Another thing worth noting is that when used as a crossbody, the Simone Double Base would sometimes swing around and the strap would get twisted easily. I imagine that the small D-rings that attach the strap to the bag might just be the culprit. That being said, this doesn’t take anything away from the bag’s overall appeal and it certainly didn’t stop me from reaching for it every time I left the house.

Is this a practical handbag?

I loved the clasp on these bags and while I was concerned that I might have constant dump outs due to the shape of the bag, it was constructed so well that I didn’t have a single accident during use. Not only that, but the clasp was easy to use and it worked on the first try every time.

You can expect stand-out designs that are easy to wear dressed up or down when you order a Behno bag and the construction quality leaves nothing to be desired, with nary a stray thread in sight.

The Simone Mini Crossbody and the Simone Double Base both have a small profile, but the use of compartments ranging from envelope slit to magnetic closure means that I never had any issues with space—which is saying a lot coming from a girl who used to carry a tote everywhere.

Made of Italian pebble leather and a cotton twill lining, the Simone Mini comes equipped with two interior cardholders, a center pouch with a drawstring compartment, a deep interior flap magnetic pocket that made me feel like I had a secure secret pocket, two interior drop pockets, and one exterior drop pocket that easily fits a phone.

The Simone Double Base bag is smaller and cooler with its offset base, yet still has plenty of room inside for all your necessities. What makes this bag even cooler is that the strap is removable with almost no effort whatsoever, giving you the option to use it as a sleek clutch. Made from supple napa leather with a cotton twill lining, the bag is soft and supple with no imperfections. All-in-all, stunning is the word that comes to mind.

Fashion ethics: Behno’s Ethical Philosophy

Where Behno shines is their transparency around who they are and their mission. The brand’s ethical philosophy is detailed and gives you information on everything from their multiple philanthropic contributions to organizations like the National Down Syndrome Society, to how they source the leathers used in their bags and accessories.

According to Behno’s website, they really want to focus on redefining sustainability in the fashion arena, which is a big deal considering how damaging fast fashion is. When you pay for a quality leather bag, you’re also ensuring that employees are getting fair wages and safe places to work. Behno’s bottom-up approach to business ensures that garment workers and artisans are involved in the conversations that affect people’s livelihoods.

The brand even founded its own Garment Worker Project, a photography exhibition with intimate portraits of the workers that build the fashion world. By telling their stories, Behno hopes to shed light on the importance of supporting one’s community and enhancing understanding of where garments are coming from.

Are Behno handbags worth it?

Absolutely!

From smaller leather pouches to large convertible saddle bags in colors like bone, navy, and tomato red, you can expect to pay more than you would for fast fashion. Although a bag from Behno can run anywhere from $55 to $995, there are so many styles to choose from that finding one within your budget shouldn’t be hard. That being said, what you’re paying for is an extremely high-quality handbag that supports the people involved in making it, and it’s hard to put a price on humanity. We should all take a second to think about our individual impact on the environment and try to support sustainable brands and ethical fashion whenever possible.

I’ll definitely be adding Behno to my lists of brands to watch and I’m not sure I’ll ever forget how nice it was to carry the Simone Mini for a few weeks.

Shop handbags at Behno

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