Is the Demellier New York Shoulder Bag Worth It? Our Honest Review After Buying It

Curious if the the New York Shoulder Bag is as good as the original New York Bag? Then you’re in the right place. As you may know, the New York Bag by Demellier was a fan-favorite and incredibly trendy. The best part, it came at a reasonable mid-luxury pricepoint. Most of us want a bag that is elevated, functional, and high quality and the New York Bag was that. Now keep reading to find out if its cousin, the Demellier New York Shoulder Bag meets our expectations. Spoiler Alert: it does.

If you did not know, Demellier designs each piece in London and each bag is handcrafted in Spain.

At Stylishly Grounded, we review every piece through a quality and practicality lens. We feel a bag isn’t truly worth the investment if it isn’t beautiful and functional.

We carried the New York Shoulder Bag through real days in the city to see if it delivers on both polish and function. Keep reading to learn why it earns our SG stamp of approval.

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links.


TL;DR: Why It’s Worth It

Price: The price point doesn’t break the bank. It is under $500 and the leather feels like it is high-quality. And there is no need to shell out $3,000 for a luxury bag.

Design: We love the east west silhouette, the structure (it doesn’t tip over). The pebbled leather is durable.

Function: The shoulder strap doesn’t slip and there is plenty of space.

SG Verdict: A must-buy due to unique shape, function, attractiveness, zipper, durability, and it being great for daily wear.

Shop the Demellier New York Shoulder Bag now

You can also shop it at any of the retailers below,

Burgundy

*hot item!*

First Impressions of the Demellier New York Shoulder Bag

From the moment we unboxed it, the New York Shoulder Bag struck the perfect balance: structured enough to look refined, yet relaxed enough to wear every day. The east-west silhouette feels modern and elegant, and the long strap actually works over bulkier layers (no awkward slipping, even over a winter coat).

We wore it across an entire day in New York — brunch, happy hour, and dinner — and never once had to fuss with it. That’s the kind of detail that makes a bag instantly SG-approved.

Visually, the horizontal, east-west-style silhouette is trending right now.

Color Note: We ordered the green shade expecting something deeper, either a forest green or an olive. What arrived was more of a muted, earthy green with warm yellow-gold undertones. Think antique brass meets moss. It’s an uncommon tone, not quite sage, not olive, not forest, which makes it unique. If you love it, grab it in green!


Functionality: Is the Demellier Bag Practical for Daily Wear?

What impressed us most was the functionality. The wide, low-profile shape means you can see everything at a glance. There is no endless rummaging for keys or lip gloss. The zipper glides smoothly and keeps contents secure, making it equally at home on city streets or while traveling.

This isn’t a work tote (it won’t fit a laptop), but it’s an ideal everyday companion: polished enough for dinner, practical enough for errands, and versatile enough to transition with your outfit.

What Fits in The Bag?

It comfortably holds: an iPhone, Slim charger with 2-3 in charging cable, a 3.5 x 2.5 inch wallet, hand sanitizer, lotion, beauty essentials (Eye liner, concealer, Lip Liner), pen, purse hook, mini perfume and Powerbeats headphones. In short, all your necessities fit neatly and are easy to reach.


Improvements: What Could Be Better

There’s only one feature we wish would have been included: metal feet to protect the bottom.

That said, the pebbled leather is sturdy and resilient, the structure keeps its shape, and the minimal design outweighs these small misses. None of these are deal-breakers; they’re simply worth noting for those who love hyper-functional extras.


Price Point: Is the Demellier New York Shoulder Bag Worth the Price?

Absolutely.

Is it stylish? Yes. ✓ Functional? Yes (love the zipper) ✓ On-trend? Yes. ✓ Affordable and better than paying $3000? Of course. ✓ SG-Approved? Yes. ✓

Similar designer silhouettes can run anywhere between $1,500 and $4,500.


Pros and Cons of the Demellier New York Shoulder Bag

Pros:

  • Zipper closure: Keeps everything secure and in place
  • Structured silhouette: Looks refined and won’t tip over
  • Price: Luxurious feel without the $1,500+ markup
  • Strap drop: Actually works over layers or jackets
  • No loud branding: Understated elegance, always a win

Cons:

  • No metal feet: Increases risk of scuffing on lighter colors
  • Color expectations: The green is unique, but not what we anticipated (check swatches closely)

Buy It If / Skip It If

Buy It If:

  • You want a polished, elevated everyday bag
  • You’re want to add a east west bag to your wardrobe
  • You appreciate subtle design, clean lines, and secure closures
  • You prefer understated luxury over loud branding
  • You want something that’ll fit a lot.

Skip it If:

  • You need something large enough for a laptop or planner
  • You want a cross body bag

And try the regular New York bag instead!


Alternatives You May Love

If the New York Shoulder Bag isn’t the perfect fit, here are some polished alternatives:


The Stylishly Grounded Takeaway

Final Verdict: Is This Bag SG Approved?

Absolutely.
The Demellier New York Shoulder Bag is functional and chic! Bonus: we have received a plethora of compliments we got on it. If you are ready to make a purchase, you can shop it using the link below.


Next Steps

1. Want to discover which handbags are worth it?
Browse our Handbag Edit

2. Mid-luxury doesn’t stop at bags.
Explore our favorite mid-luxury shoe brands

3. Follow us on social media.
Instagram
Tiktok
Pinterest



Why Trust Stylishly Grounded

Stylishly Grounded is dedicated to providing honest, well-researched recommendations for footwear that blends comfort and style. Our editorial choices are guided by our mission to help readers find high-quality, wearable shoes that truly fit their needs. We are committed to curating content that prioritizes thoughtful insight and practical value, ensuring every selection aligns with the preferences and lifestyles of our audience. Transparency and trust are at the core of everything we do, and any future collaborations will always be clearly disclosed.


Polished Comfort, Perfectly Curated.

Get exclusive updates on the latest low-heeled, chic shoe trends and timeless favorites delivered straight to your inbox.

Scroll to Top