I tested the celeb-loved Freja bags for over 2 years to see if the vegan leather actually holds up

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Samantha Crozier/Business Insider

If your Instagram feed is anything like mine, then you've seen these bags from Freja everywhere. Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Katie Holmes, and Hailey Bieber have all been spotted with purses from the brand. And the tempting ads are all over instagram.

The bags hit on all the current trends with staying power — their work totes are described everywhere as the epitome of the oft-overused "quiet luxury" aesthetic. And their handbags borrow from the silhouettes of the '90s with their elongated shapes and baguette-like clean lines. 

During this year's New York Fashion Week, it was absolutely clear that the East-West silhouette — epitomized by the Freja's Caroline Bag and Mini Chrystie Bag — was the hottest handbag type. The long, pencil-case-looking purses were everywhere. You can get versions that cost over a thousand dollars from Miu Miu or Khaite, but our favorites are from Freja.

Freja's vegan leather quality

It's fair to be skeptical of vegan leather. After all, this is essentially the material we used to call pleather, and a more appealing name doesn't automatically solve the peeling, cracking, and plasticky feel that cheaper faux leather can develop.

Freja's material is better than most I've tried, but I wouldn't say it feels exactly like the real thing. It's noticeably stiffer, doesn't have quite the same buttery feel, and won't develop the rich patina that makes a full-grain leather bag look even better with age.

The illusion also seems more convincing in darker shades. My most-used bag is the Mini Chrystie in Espresso, and I'd personally recommend one of Freja's deeper colors; I've seen complaints about color transfer on the white bags, and the lighter material tends to look a little less leather-like.

Here are my thoughts on three of Freja's most popular styles. And if you're interested in more of our bag coverage, check out our articles on the best purse brands, the best work bags for women, and the best tote bags.

Two-year testing update

Samantha Crozier/Business Insider

I first tested these bags two years ago, and they've held up remarkably well. I've continued using them ever since, especially the Mini Chrystie, and they still look great with no peeling or major deterioration.

As you can see, the vegan leather looks great two years later — no peeling, discoloration, or excessive wear. I wouldn't say that I use this bag every day, so I haven't put it through extreme conditions like getting soaked with rain, but I do use it a fair amount. It's a go-to going-out purse for me on nights when I only need a wallet, my phone, my keys, and a few small cosmetics.

The strap did get a little wonky, but I didn't expect it to stay bolt upright like in the first picture. You can probably avoid this by storing it super carefully, but that's not always feasible.

Freja's material may not fully replicate leather, but its durability has impressed me much more than I expected.

Freja Caroline bag review

Samantha Crozier

Pros: The Caroline Bag has a roomy East-West shape that fits plenty of everyday essentials while still looking sleek. Its vegan material feels convincingly like leather, wipes clean easily, and works with everything from office outfits to evening looks.

Cons: The flap does not have a magnetic or secure closure, so it can lift or leave gaps when the bag is overstuffed. That may make your belongings feel less secure, especially in crowded places.

Of all of Freja's bags, this was the one that I was most excited to try. There have been tons of celebrities spotted with it, including Hailey Bieber and Katie Holmes. Plus, I was particularly attracted to the elongated shape of the Caroline bag since East-West bags are both super trendy right now and notoriously roomy. 

Here is the Caroline bag filled with everything I usually need and more. It fits a sunglasses case, wallet, mini perfume, claw clip, blush, and lipstick.

Samantha Crozier

Some of the features of the Caroline Bag that I love are:

• The material feels just like leather even though it's vegan. It's also easy to spot clean — I got makeup on it and wiped it away easily with a little water and a touch of dish soap.
• The two long handles make it easy to sling the bag on your shoulder and there's a snap to keep them together so one handle isn't constantly slipping off.
• It's so versatile that I can wear it to work or out at night. Seriously, you can fit a ton in this, and it works with nearly every outfit, from a long beachy maxi dress to a tailored suit. 

The only issue I have with this bag is that it doesn't have a magnetic closure. The flap isn't secured, so it won't close if it's even slightly overstuffed. This usually isn't an issue for me since the bag holds so much that I rarely need to overstuff it. But the gaps can pose a security risk, so it's something that you should consider before buying. 

Freja Mini Chrystie bag review

The Mini Chrystie is a true East-West bag with an elongated shape and a '90s-inspired look.

Samantha Crozier

Pros: The Mini Chrystie looks tiny, but it fits a surprising amount. I had room for my phone, wallet, keys, lipstick, and even a granola bar, so it works just as well for daytime plans as it does for a night out. The vegan material also feels impressively close to soft, pebbled leather.

Cons: The open gaps along the sides make me a little nervous about smaller items slipping out. There is an interior snap for your keys, which helps, but I'd still be careful carrying anything loose.

The Mini Chrystie bag is a whimsically-shaped purse that makes a fantastic evening bag.

• Like all of Freja's bags, it is made of a vegan material that feels remarkably similar to buttery pebbled leather. Seriously, you wouldn't know the difference by touch.
• For how small it looks, it holds a ton. I took this bag on an evening out and had room for everything I needed and more. I put my phone, wallet, keys, and lipstick in it — plus,  I had enough room to fit a few more lipsticks and even a granola bar — all the essentials for a night out. 
• It's a surprisingly versatile size. At first, I thought this bag would be only an evening bag because of it's capacity. But I've started taking it on day outings that require a few more essentials (sunscreen, sunglasses), and it fits everything I need. 

Like the other two bags, I also think my only issue with these is security. There are gaps along the edges that I'd be nervous my keys might slip through if the bag didn't have an inner snap to keep your keys secured. 

Freja Paloma Tote review

I got the Paloma Tote in Latte, but they have other coffe-themed colors like Espresso and Cappuccino.

Samantha Crozier

Pros: The sculptural shape feels more special than a standard work tote, while still fitting a 16-inch laptop and plenty of small essentials. The thick straps, smooth hardware, and suede-like lining are also pluses.

Cons: The zipper doesn't fully close the top, so small items could slip out during travel. It also lacks metal feet, which may lead to more wear on the bottom.

Freja's Paloma Tote won the hard-earned top spot for best vegan leather work bag overall in our guide to the best work bags. Some of the reasons why we are obsessed with this bag are:

• The classic yet unique silhouette gives a little flair to your typical work bag. Freja has other work totes on their website, like the sleek Linea Tote, but they all have a chic but typical tote bag shape. The petal-like folds on this are stunning and make the bag a little roomier.
• It can fit a 16-inch laptop, so your MacBook Pro will absolutely fit in this.
• The hardware and lining are telltale signs of a high-quality bag. I absolutely love the marigold yellow lining, which feels exactly like suede but is really made from a vegan alternative. The gold hardware is also stunning, with a smooth zipper and strong magnetic closures on the outer slots.
• There are five inner pockets for your phone, chargers, pens, or anything small enough to tuck away. Of these, one has a zipper.
• The straps are thick enough not to dig into your shoulders even if you're toting a lot.

Though we love the Paloma Tote bag overall, there are a few drawbacks. First, this wouldn't be the best bag to double as a travel tote since the zipper doesn't go all the way across the bag. So if you stick it under the seat, you might run the risk of small items slipping out.

Second, this bag doesn't have metal feet on it, so I'm a little worried about the wear it may take after being placed on subway floors for too long. The Linea Tote does have feet, so you should check that one out if feet are important to you.

FAQs

Is Freja worth it?

Freja feels worth considering if you want a polished, minimalist bag that is trendy and recognizable. In my experience, the brand stands out most for its sleek design, structured shape, and versatility. The vegan leather is great for synthetic materials, but nothing beats the durability of real leather.

Who might want to skip it?

If you strongly prefer the feel and longevity of real leather, this bag may not be for you. The material feels good for vegan leather and looks polished, but it doesn't have quite the same richness, softness, or long-term appeal as genuine leather. You may also want to skip it if you need a large carryall, prefer a very slouchy shape, or want lots of interior organization.

Does the bag look as good in person as it does online?

In my opinion, yes. The shape and finish looked chic in person, and the design had the same clean, understated feel as it does in photos.

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