I'm hiding out from COVID-19 right now, but I'd like to at least share my initial impressions as well as some comparison shots. I'll update this post with a review once I can test these out in the real world! Stay safe, everyone.
The Small and Large Axel Lunch Boxes were recently released as part of Dagne Dover's Spring/Summer 2020 collection and are available in core colors as well as two seasonal colors, Lime and Pomelo.
- Small Axel Dimensions/Price: 8.5" L x 3.5” W x 6.5" H, $55
- Large Axel Dimensions/Price: 10" L x 4” W x 7" H, $75
I already have a lunch box I love, yet rarely use—a $4.99 NWT Goodwill find covered in cats with a kid's name already written in it—
and I work from home, so I'm going to get creative with functionality here.
I think both sizes can do more than hold your lunch—particularly the Large. A few functions that come to mind are:
- Shoulder bag (more on this later!)
- Supply kit (particularly for art supplies/projects)
- Makeup/hair product kit
- Entertainment kit for young kids (snacks/book/tissues/small toys/etc)
The Large Axel was visible in a sneak peek picture posted to Instagram a while back, and I assumed it was a camera bag up until SS20 launched. My plan was to use the Large Axel as a camera bag and the Small Axel as a shoulder bag (and borrow the chain novelty strap from the XS Landon in the same color).
Small Axel
It turns out my small collection of camera supplies fit much better in the Small Axel! I like it, but I don't have too much to say about it. It is indeed small, and I don't think I would have much use for this particular size/shape beyond using it as a camera supply bag. If you pack light for lunch, this would fit well inside many of Dagne Dover's larger bag styles. (Scroll toward the end of the post for reference photos!)
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| Stitching imperfections |
I knew I wanted to use the novelty resin chain strap (exclusive to the XS Landon and Epic Crossbody in Lime) with the Lime Axel. It's everything I hoped it would be appearance-wise, but a heads up: the sound of the chains moving is like—how do I put this delicately?—a squeaky, tortured mouse symphony.
I'll try to capture the sound on video one of these days!
Large Axel
Is this lunch box worth $75? I don't know. What I
do know is that this bag has the potential to be more—much more! Out of all the bags I purchased from the SS20 collection, this is the one I'm the most excited about using once I can leave the house.
My photos really don't do it justice.
I plan to leave the top unzipped, which means the zipper placement is important—the goal is to be able to reach in and add/remove items without additional adjustments.
Items like the Scout Pouch or Mara Phone Sling could be used as handy interior organizers, and you could even jazz up the outside with a twilly, keychain, and/or novelty strap. (I couldn't tell you where I found the blue scarf—I've had it since middle school—but the keychains are String Doll Gang keychains by Kamibashi.)
I've packed the body of the bag with an iPad Mini, a small water bottle, and a camera. The zippered mesh pocket has a Mara in Block Party Print to hold my AirPod Pros, hand sanitizer, and lip gloss in a more organized fashion. I placed the Accordion Travel Wallet and my phone in the back slip pocket for easy access.
If you want to use this as a shoulder bag, I'd consider this a fun (albeit less practical) alternative to the Micah.
Size Comparisons
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| Small Axel in Lime / Large Allyn in Poppy |
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| Small Axel in Lime / Medium Allyn in Oxblood |
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| Small Axel in Lime / Small Allyn in Haze Camo |
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| Small Axel in Lime / Small Landon in Quartz |
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Accordion Travel Wallet, Mara Phone Sling
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| Micah in Heather Gray / Large Axel in Pomelo |
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| XL/L/S Scout Pouches, L/S Axel Lunch Boxes |
Color Comparisons
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| Pomelo vs. Sienna |
I'm looking forward to putting the Large Axel to use as a shoulder bag, and I'll update this post with a review once I've done so. In the meantime, I hope these photos help you make a slightly more informed decision before the Lime and Pomelo versions of the Axel sell out for good!
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Did this post help you choose a Axel Lunch Box? Let me know what color you got! Leave me a comment here or on Instagram (@totesdagne).
Please let me know if you have any questions or requests for additional comparison photos—I'll do my best to help. If you decide to make a first-time purchase through Dagne Dover, please consider clicking this link for $20 off your first $100+ purchase! (If you make a qualifying purchase, Dagne Dover will gift me $20 in spending credit as part of their new Dagne Rewards program!) The link will take you to Dagne Dover's home page, where a unique $20 off code should pop up after a few seconds.
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