Pictured: gold chain cuff bracelet / bead bracelets / spring nail polish / Prada Cleo black size large /

The Prada Cleo is here! While not as hard to get as some other IT bags in recent years, the Prada Cleo does require a bit of searching, and a lot of patience, to obtain.

It took about one month for me to get my hands on my Prada Cleo. I initially ordered one in white, but after two weeks, the retailer cancelled my order stating they miscalculated stock levels. <sigh> Back to the web searches! I finally found one in the larger size, in black. While I initially wanted one in white, the cancellation made me rethink my choice, and I decided to go for a more 1990s color; black. After all, the Prada Cleo is inspired by Prada’s famous IT bags of the 1990s; and I am here for it!

If you lived through the 1990s like I did, you may remember it wasn’t patent leather we saw all over the place, it was abrasivato finishes, and spazzolato finishes, which dominated the streets. Patent leather was a bit too shiny. The 1990s were all about high gloss leather, without crossing into patent territory. Patent leather had it’s moment in the 1980s, so it had an old fashion vibe during the minimalist 1990s. Patent was thought of as a bit too flashy, but high gloss leather, THAT was modern and chic. Loved it!

Another trait of handbags in the 1990s was simple, black, and chic. It was all about bags with no fuss. We wore nylon totes, nylon shoulder bags, simple hobos, and simple top handle bags. The big brands were Prada, Kate Spade, Coach, and anything Gucci or Chanel. Shoulder straps were high and tight. We wore our bags under our arm pits, safe and snug. If they had a top handle, they were worn by hand. Carrying your bag on your forearm was an early 2000s thing; not in the 1990s, you would never carry your bag like that!

Since I was a young adult, just starting out, I could not afford the beautiful nylon and spazzolato finish bags Prada designed. They were the IT bags of the moment, but my budget was found on the clearance table in the back. I had a similar bag to the Prada Cleo, which had a strap that used to break all the time. Since I knew shoe repair, I was able to maintain my clearance table bag during the 1990s. Thankfully I had splurged on a Kate Spade nylon tote for work, so I wasn’t always a hot mess with my bag. haha

Now, let’s talk more about the Prada Cleo! This beautiful bag takes inspiration from Prada’s 1990s archives. It has a hobo silhouette with structured, spazzolato leather. The high gloss is very 1990s. The bag fits under the arm without violating the armpit. That’s a huge plus. Armpit bags really aren’t that comfortable, and they slip off your shoulder. The Prada Cleo sits nicely, and stays put, on the shoulder. That’s everything!

The lining of the bag is exactly as I remember it in the 1990s. I love the thick, fabric lining which has the signature Prada logo print. It’s sturdy and easy to clean; perfect for handbag lining. There is also one pocket inside. It does not zip, so it’s more of a phone pocket. It’s not ideal for loose coins. I prefer to use it for receipts or paper notes.

What fits inside Prada Cleo large

Pictured: Prada Cleo black large / spring lipstick / iPhone case /

The Prada Cleo is lightweight, and fits all my purse essentials. There is still room inside for my sunglasses, and few snacks for my kids, as well as hand sanitizer, and a spare mask. The bag also has been good at keeping it’s shape when filled my things. This is important since the Prada Cleo isn’t your typical hobo shape; it has a modern twist.

Did you notice the back of the Prada Cleo is longer that the front? This gives the bag a three-dimensional vibe which is geometric and modern. It definitely elevates the Prada Cleo from a 1990s clone, to a 2021 IT bag. Love that!

Since the Prada Cleo sits snugly under the arm, it is pretty safe from pickpockets. That being said, there is a nice magnetic closure to keep the bag closed. I have never had anything fall out of the bag. It’s pretty secure.

The Prada Cleo is a great everyday bag. It’s simple and chic. It pairs well with casual denim looks as well as dressy outfits with skirts and dresses. The simple yet modern silhouette also lends well to staying power. This bag won’t be easily dated as time goes on. I can see it being worn for several years. That being said, the spazzolato finish is not as sturdy as pebble leather, so don’t lay it down on concrete or throw it around; you’ll scratch it. Treat it nicely, and your Cleo should last for many years, and keep it’s nice, high gloss finish as scratch-free as possible.

Shop the Prada Cleo online:

Don’t worry if the Prada Cleo you want is sold out. You can pre-order one here! There are also three different sizes to choose from. The small size has a flap closure, the medium and large look like mine. I purchased the large which isn’t much bigger than the medium; it’s a slight difference which I wanted since my kids always give me things to hold. haha

What do you think of the Prada Cleo? Do you love it? It’s the hottest IT bag of 2021, so when you get your hands on one, snap it up!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy