I was first introduced to Phillip Lim when I heard about his much anticipated collaboration with Target 2 years ago. I recall looking through the Phillip Lim X Target collection and obsessing over the yellow and grey mini bags which were a dupe for Phillip Lim’s famous Pashli Mini Satchel. The bag was sold out everywhere but I was able to find it in grey at a Target in the middle of nowhere in Indiana during a work trip. I was so stoked, I bought it and wore it everyday until it fell apart, literally! I loved that it had a detachable strap which enabled me to wear it as a crossbody or tote bag. I also loved the side zipper which allowed me to unzip and expand the sides to create extra space; it was truly a versatile bag and I loved that!
After that bag died, I started to research the non-Target collabo version but just couldn’t pull the trigger on the purchase due to it’s luxury pricetag but have always yearned for a similar bag. I wanted someth
ing that was compact and had a zippered top so my belongings didn’t fall out, zippered expandable sides for added space when needed, and detachable strap so I could wear it as a crossbody or shoulder bag so I was extremely stoked when I found Rebecca Minkoff’s Side Zip MAB tote bag! This bag was very reminiscent of Phillip Lim’s Pashli Satchel but for 1/3 the price! I love Rebecca Minkoff bags, the quality is awesome with their genuine and supple leather and quality hardware…you can tell a lot about the quality of a handbag based on it’s zippers.
Like Phillip Lim’s Pashli Satchel which is available in 2 sizes: the Phillip Lim Pashli Medium Satchel (10″H x 12.5″W x 4″D) and the Phillip Lim Pashli Mini Satchel(6.5″H x 8.5″W x 3″D); the Rebecca Minkoff Side Zip MAB Tote also has 2 size options: the Rebecca Minkoff Medium Side Zip MAB Tote (11.5″ H x 14″ W x 3.755″ D) and the Rebecca Minkoff Side Zip MAB Tote Mini (8″ H x 7.25 W x 3.5″ D). Stylistically, the Rebecca Minkoff Side Zip MAB tote is very similar to Phillip Lim’s Pashli bag…they both are squarish i
n shape, have zippered expandable sides and top handles. The Rebecca Minkoff Side Zip MAB tote has a front flap pocket which is reminiscent of the Pashli’s top flap which has a push-lock closure. Phillip Lim’s Pashli top flap is fashionable but not quite as functional, the bag is a bit inconvenient in that the top flap is between the two top handles and you have take off the bag to open it to get to it’s contents. The Rebecca Minkoff Side Zip MAB tote on the other hand does not have this problem, you can easy get to it’s contents by simply unzipping the bag & you don’t even have to remove the bag to do that! So when it comes to the comparison for the 2 bags, I’d have to say that the Rebecca Minkoff Side Zip MAB has Phillip Lim’s Pashli beat; not only is it 1/3 the price of the Phillip Lim’s Pashli Satchel but it is more functional and just as stylish!
Rebecca Minkoff Side Zip MAB Tote Mini
Available Colors:
“Cherry”/Red buy here
Black buy here
“Latte”/Light Tan buy here
Rebecca Minkoff Medium Side Zip MAB Tote
Available Colors:
Black buy here
“Putty”/Off White buy here
“Almond”/Tan buy here