If you‘re in the market for a stylish, well-made handbag that also supports a good cause, look no further than The Sak. This iconic brand has been crafting beautiful bohemian bags since 1989, when childhood friends Mark Talucci and Todd Elliott founded the company after falling in love with artisan-made treasures during their world travels.
Over three decades later, The Sak is still going strong, offering a wide range of covetable crochet, leather, and printed bags that strike the perfect balance between laidback and luxe. But The Sak is about more than just fashion – it‘s also deeply committed to making a positive impact through ethical production practices and charitable giving.
In this comprehensive review, we‘ll take a closer look at The Sak‘s brand history, best-selling handbag styles, customer reviews, and more to help you decide if a Sak bag deserves a spot in your wardrobe. Let‘s dive in!
About The Sak Brand
The Sak‘s journey began when Mark Talucci and Todd Elliott quit their corporate jobs to travel the globe in search of unique handcrafted goods. During a trip to Bali, Indonesia, they discovered a rattan and leather bag made from a repurposed sleeping mat by local artisans. This fateful find became the inspiration for their line of laid-back, environmentally conscious bags.
The Sak hit it big in the 1990s when the brand released its now-famous crochet bags that perfectly captured the decade‘s bohemian spirit. The Sak‘s "120 Hobo" quickly became one of the most iconic It-bags of the era. To this day, crochet remains a signature of the brand, though The Sak has since expanded to include a variety of fabrics and designs.
In addition to its mainline collection, The Sak also has a sister brand called Sakroots that‘s known for its playful prints and nature-inspired motifs. Both brands share a commitment to socially responsible business practices and donate a portion of proceeds to charitable causes.
Some key facts about The Sak:
- Donates to charities including The Bali Village Artisan Fund and America SCORES
- Uses eco-friendly and cruelty-free materials like PETA-approved vegan leather
- Crochet bags are handmade by female artisans in Bali using traditional techniques
- Frequently featured in major fashion magazines like Cosmopolitan and InStyle
- Celebrity fans include Jessica Alba, Vanessa Hudgens, and Sarah Michelle Gellar
The Sak Handbag Collections
The Sak offers several different handbag collections to suit a variety of styles and needs. Here‘s a quick overview of the brand‘s main bag categories:
Crochet Bags: The Sak‘s calling card, these intricately crocheted bags are handmade by Balinese artisans and feature The Sak‘s signature wooden beads and tassels. Bestselling crochet styles include the 120 Hobo, Sequoia Hobo, and Silverwood Tote.
Leather Bags: In addition to crochet, The Sak also makes beautiful bags from buttery soft, pebbled leather. Popular leather options range from the minimalist Iris Crossbody to the spacious Heritage Tote to the convertible Ventura Backpack.
Fabric Bags: For a more lightweight, casual look, check out The Sak‘s nylon bags. These durable designs come in solid colors and pretty patterns and often feature webbed straps and front zipper pockets. The Fiona Crossbody is a versatile favorite.
Sakroots Bags: The Sak‘s bohemian-inspired sister line is known for its vibrant, artsy prints depicting florals, peacock feathers, and more. Sakroots bags run the gamut from small wristlets to oversized totes, but all share the brand‘s free-spirited DNA.
Bestselling Sak Bags to Shop
So which Sak bag should you choose? Here are some of the brand‘s most popular and highly rated designs:
The Sak Sequoia Hobo: If you want the quintessential Sak look, go for this classic crocheted hobo. It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns and has a slouchy, relaxed silhouette that‘s perfect for everyday wear. Plus, it‘s roomy enough to hold all your essentials.
The Sak Ventura Backpack: For a trendy take on a crochet bag, try this convertible backpack. This boho bag can be worn as a shoulder bag or backpack and features intricate crochet overlays, whipstitched trim, and plenty of pockets. Great for festival season!
The Sak Iris Leather Crossbody: Made from luxe pebbled leather, this sleek crossbody is an elevated alternative to The Sak‘s signature crochet. It has built-in card slots and can fit a large smartphone, making it perfect for travel and nights out.
The Sak Fiona Flap Crossbody: Another great leather option, this simple satchel comes in a variety of fun colors and features a magnetic closure for easy access to your belongings. There‘s also an adjustable crossbody strap for comfortable all-day wear.
The Sak Silverwood Tote: For a summery take on the crochet trend, consider this slouchy open-top shopper. It‘s generously sized to fit a laptop, beach essentials, or your farmers market haul, and comes in eye-catching crochet patterns like Palm Leaf and Denim Static.
The Sak Heritage Leather Tote: If you need a more polished work bag, this leather tote has you covered. With a structured silhouette, accordion side pockets, and space for a 13-inch laptop, this tote is practical yet stylish.
What Customers Are Saying
The Sak bags have garnered thousands of glowing reviews from happy customers who praise the brand‘s quality, style, and functionality. On The Sak‘s website, most bags have a near-perfect rating of 4.5 or 5 stars.
Customers frequently comment on how well-made and durable The Sak‘s bags are, especially the crochet and leather designs. Many reviewers say they‘ve owned their Sak bags for years and that they still look great after regular use.
Fans of The Sak‘s crochet bags love the intricate, handcrafted details and say the thick yarn feels substantial and holds up well over time. The bags‘ unique patterns and color combinations also earn raves for being eye-catching yet easy to match with different outfits.
As for The Sak‘s leather bags, customers appreciate the soft, high-quality feel of the pebbled leather and the bags‘ streamlined yet practical designs. Several reviews also mention that the bags are lightweight and comfortable to carry, even when fully packed.
Of course, no product is perfect, and some customers have mentioned a few drawbacks to The Sak bags. The most common complaints are that some of the crochet bags can be a bit slouchy and lose their shape when empty, and that certain styles are too small to hold more than the bare essentials.
However, the vast majority of The Sak reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with customers saying they would gladly buy another Sak bag in the future. The brand seems to have a loyal following of repeat customers who collect multiple Sak bags in different styles and colors.
Is The Sak a Luxury Brand?
So where does The Sak fit into the handbag hierarchy? While The Sak is not technically a luxury brand, it does occupy a sweet spot between high street and high end.
The Sak‘s bags are priced accessibly in the $50 to $200 range, with a few of the larger leather bags reaching up to around $350. This puts The Sak on par with other "accessible luxury" handbag brands like Rebecca Minkoff, Tory Burch, and Coach.
However, what sets The Sak apart is its strong emphasis on handcraftsmanship, ethical production, and charitable giving. Many of the brand‘s bags are made by hand using traditional artisan techniques, and a portion of proceeds goes to support female entrepreneurs and education in developing countries.
This socially conscious business model allows The Sak to offer luxurious-feeling, beautifully made bags at a more attainable price point than traditional luxury brands. And judging from the glowing customer reviews, The Sak‘s balance of quality, style, and values seems to resonate with many shoppers.
The Final Verdict on The Sak
After carefully evaluating The Sak‘s handbag offerings, reading through pages of customer reviews, and considering the brand‘s overall ethos, we can confidently say that The Sak is a great choice for anyone in the market for a chic, well-crafted bag that makes you feel good inside and out.
The Sak truly stands out from the competition thanks to its iconic handmade crochet bags, durable and soft leather designs, and commitment to supporting artisans and important causes. The brand‘s bags strike the perfect balance between fashion and function, with eye-catching details and practical features like multiple pockets and adjustable straps.
While The Sak‘s price point may be higher than fast-fashion retailers, you‘re paying for beautiful handmade quality, premium and eco-friendly materials, and a business model that uplifts communities around the world. Plus, The Sak‘s bags are designed to last for years, making them a smart investment for your wardrobe.
We also love how The Sak offers a wide range of handbag styles, from small shoulder bags to oversized totes, in a variety of colors and patterns to suit any taste. Whether you‘re a boho babe who loves crochet or a city slicker in search of a chic leather carryall, you‘re sure to find a Sak bag that fits your lifestyle.
The only potential drawback to The Sak is that some of the smaller crossbody styles may not be spacious enough to hold more than the essentials. And if you prefer structured bags that hold their shape, the slouchy crochet designs may not be for you (though The Sak does offer plenty of other silhouettes made from leather and nylon).
Those minor quibbles aside, we wholeheartedly recommend The Sak to anyone looking for an ethical, stylish, and well-made handbag. With so many gorgeous options to choose from and thousands of glowing customer reviews, you really can‘t go wrong with a Sak bag!
So what are you waiting for? Head to The Sak website or your nearest retailer to find your perfect purse. Your wardrobe (and the world) will thank you.
