Polène Cyme vs Mokki: Size, Strap and Which to Choose

The Polène Cyme and the Polène Mokki are two of the best-known Polène bags, and they answer different needs: the Cyme is an open, sculpted tote carried on two handles of 40 cm and 60 cm, while the Mokki is a flap bag on an adjustable 43 cm and 54.5 cm strap that can be worn crossbody. In leather the Cyme measures 38 x 32 x 17 cm at 900 g, the Mokki 32.5 x 24.5 x 11 cm at 860 g.

Both now come in the new Felted Edition, and both have a Mini. This comparison works through size, carry, interior and occasion, with the detail for each model in our Polène Cyme guide and Polène Mokki guide.

Polène Cyme vs Mokki: the short answer

Choose the Cyme if you want a larger bag carried in the hand, on the elbow, on the shoulder, with room you reach into from the top. Choose the Mokki if you want to go hands-free, with a flap over divided compartments. The Cyme is wider, taller and deeper; the Mokki is lighter by 40 g in leather.

The shapes come from different ideas. Polène says the Cyme takes its name from the French “cime”, a peak, a mountain crest, after the ridge along its top, and it can be worn two ways: open as a basket, closed as a floral bag with the sides tucked in. The Mokki is named after the Finnish word for “cabin”, and the house describes folded textured leather with cut corners that reveal smooth leather beneath.

Cyme and Mokki side by side

All figures below come from Polène product pages. The leather listings give height first and the Felted listings give width first; the table shows everything as W x H x D. Missing values say so.

Linings differ too. The leather Cyme and Cyme Mini have a 100% velvet microfibre lining; the Mokki and Mokki Mini, leather and felted alike, are lined in cotton.

Which is better for work?

On the numbers, the Cyme. At 38 cm wide and 17 cm deep it is the larger of the two, and the open top makes it quick to reach into at a desk. The Cyme in Black Bag is the plain office choice, and the Cyme in Camel Bag sits well with navy and grey tailoring.

Polène publishes exterior dimensions only, so neither bag carries a laptop claim here. For laptop-sized options, read our Polène work bag guide and the wider best work bags for women edit.

The Mokki works for an office that runs on a phone and a card holder. Its two compartments and patch pocket keep things divided; the Mokki in Black Bag and the Mokki in Camel Bag mirror the Cyme shades above if you want to compare them directly.

Which is better for travel?

For moving through stations and airports, the Mokki. The strap lets it sit crossbody, the flap covers the opening and the clasp holds it closed, which keeps a bag out of the way while hands carry tickets and luggage. The Mokki in Textured Plum Bag and the Mokki in Smoky Green Bag are good darker colours for a travel bag.

The Cyme is the better bag for arriving. Open, as a basket, it takes a scarf, a book and a water bottle without fuss, within the house’s advice not to overfill. The Cyme in Textured Deep Blue Bag is a grained option for days out.

Which is better for evening?

Size wins here, so the minis. The Mokki Mini is the smallest bag in this comparison at 27 x 13.5 x 8 cm and 546 g. The Mokki Mini in Black Bag and the Mokki Mini in Textured Glade Bag work on the short strap length, close to the body. Polène says the Mokki Mini is assembled from thirty-six pieces of leather.

The Cyme Mini, closed into its floral shape with the handles crossing inside, is the softer evening option. Try the Cyme Mini in Taupe Bag with black, and the Cyme in Red Clay Bag if you would rather keep the full size for dinner. Our Polène Cyme Mini guide covers the smaller Cyme in detail.

Which is better hands-free?

The Mokki, clearly. It is the only one of the two with a strap listed for crossbody wear, adjustable to 43 cm and 54.5 cm and held by snap hooks. The Mokki Mini in Terracotta Bag and the Mokki in Chalk Bag show the shape in a warm and a pale shade. Our Polène crossbody bags guide ranks every strap bag in the range.

The Cyme goes on the shoulder with the 60 cm handle, which frees the hands for short stretches but leaves the bag on one side. The Cyme Mini in Textured Glade Bag is the lighter way to wear it that way.

Felted Cyme vs Felted Mokki

Both shapes are in the new Polène Felted Edition: knitted wool panels (78% wool, 22% polyamide) shaped by the fully fashioned method, with certified full-grain Italian calf. The Felted Cyme uses smooth calf, the Felted Mokki textured calf.

The felted Cyme is listed at 45 x 32 x 17 cm and 954 g, wider than the leather Cyme. The Cyme in Felted Ebony Bag pairs dark brown felt with espresso leather, and the Cyme Mini in Felted Anthracite Black Bag is the smaller felted Cyme in charcoal.

The felted Mokki keeps the leather Mokki’s 32.5 x 24.5 x 11 cm and weighs 934 g, with a cotton lining. The Mokki in Felted Mist Bag is the pale grey-beige option, and the Mokki Mini in Felted Anthracite Black Bag the smallest. Wool care is strict: no machine washing, no rubbing stains, keep it from water. Worn crossbody, the brand’s warning about wool rubbing against other fabrics applies more to the Mokki. See winter handbags 2026 for the season’s other textures.

Still undecided? Our which Polène bag to buy guide widens the field, and the edits for designer shoulder bags and designer tote bags show both shapes in context.

Polène Cyme and Mokki around the world

United States

The brand lists New York boutiques on Broadway and in SoHo, and a leased space on Oak Street in Chicago. Subway commutes favour the crossbody Mokki; car-based days suit the Cyme.

United Kingdom

Polène lists a London boutique. In wet weather the leather versions are the practical pick, dabbed dry with a soft cloth when caught out.

France

Paris has the Rue de Richelieu flagship and a Champs-Élysées boutique. A Mokki on the long strap suits walking the city; a Cyme suits the café table.

Germany and Europe

The brand lists Hamburg on Neuer Wall, Milan on Via Manzoni and Copenhagen. Cold, cycling-friendly cities point to the Mokki worn crossbody.

Japan and Asia

Tokyo’s Minami-Aoyama boutique, opened in 2023, was the first in Asia; Seoul on Garosu-gil and Beijing are also listed. Crowded trains favour a bag held close, which is the Mokki Mini’s strength.

Australia and the Gulf

No boutiques are listed in either region. The open Cyme suits warm weather; felted versions belong to the cooler months.

Polène Cyme vs Mokki: common questions

Is the Polène Cyme bigger than the Mokki?

Yes. The leather Polène Cyme measures 38 x 32 x 17 cm and the Mokki 32.5 x 24.5 x 11 cm, so the Cyme is wider, taller and deeper.

Is the Polène Cyme heavier than the Mokki?

Yes, slightly. The leather Cyme weighs 900 g and the leather Mokki 860 g. In the Felted Edition the Cyme is 954 g and the Mokki 934 g.

Can the Polène Cyme be worn crossbody like the Mokki?

No crossbody strap is listed for the Cyme. It is carried by hand, on the elbow, on the shoulder with its 60 cm handle, while the Mokki has an adjustable strap for crossbody wear.

Is the Polène Cyme better than the Mokki for work?

Usually, yes. The Polène Cyme is the larger bag and has an open top, which makes it the more practical work choice of the two. Polène does not publish laptop fit for either.

Is there a Polène Mokki Mini and a Cyme Mini?

Yes. The leather Mokki Mini is 27 x 13.5 x 8 cm at 546 g, and the leather Cyme Mini is 33 x 22 x 13 cm at 625 g.

Do the Polène Cyme and Mokki come in felt?

Yes. Both, and both Minis, are part of the Polène Felted Edition in Anthracite Black, Ebony and Mist.