Polène Nodde Guide: Nodde, Hobo, Seau Sizes and Which to Choose

The Nodde is the Polène family built from two interlocking pieces of smooth leather, named after the French word nœud, meaning a bow and a knot. It comes as five pieces: the compact Nodde shoulder bag, the larger Nodde Hobo, the Nodde Seau bucket bag, the Nodde Pouch and the Nodde Card Holder, all cut from smooth full-grain Italian calf with an Italian suede interior on the bags.

Polène is the Paris leather-goods house founded in 2016 by Antoine Mothay with his siblings Mathieu and Elsa Mothay, and like most of its line the Nodde is made by leather artisans in Ubrique, Andalusia (we explain the workshop side in where Polène bags are made). This guide covers each Nodde shape, its measurements and strap lengths, what fits inside and how to choose between them. If you are still deciding on a family at all, start with our guide to Polène shoulder bags and come back here.

What makes the Nodde different

Most Polène bags are known for folds. The Nodde is known for symmetry. Two halves of leather lock together at the centre, so the bag reads as one neat knot when you look at it straight on. The base is shaped with what the brand calls the “German” assembly technique, which gives it a bevelled edge and a crisp outline that holds even when the bag is half empty. A ring of leather wrapped in tight circular stitching anchors the strap, and that ring is the detail people notice first.

The leather is smooth calf rather than the textured grain you see on the Cyme and Mokki. It feels cool and slightly waxy in the hand, shows the colour cleanly and takes on a soft sheen with use. Inside, the suede lining makes small items easy to find by touch. Every Nodde bag closes with a zip across the top, which matters if you travel on busy trains.

Nodde sizes and dimensions

Here are the brand’s published measurements for the two core bags, width by height by depth.

The Nodde in Black Bag is the everyday size. At 21 cm wide it takes a phone, a cardholder, keys, a lipstick and a slim glasses case, and the 7 cm depth stops it from feeling flat. The shortest strap setting sits it snugly under the arm; at full length it crosses the body on most frames.

The Nodde Hobo in Cognac Bag is taller than it is wide, so it hangs like a hobo rather than a box. It holds a phone, a wallet, sunglasses, a paperback and an A5 notebook. At 6 cm deep it is slimmer than you expect, which keeps it close to the body. There is a suede interior pocket for the things you reach for most.

The Nodde Seau, Pouch and Card Holder

The Nodde Seau is the bucket bag of the family, with the same knot at the front and a rounder body. It suits anyone who wants to drop things in quickly and find them without unzipping a compartment. The Nodde Seau in Sea Foam Bag is the summer colour of the range, while the Nodde Seau in Cognac Bag reads warmer and works through autumn. For a quieter version, the Nodde Seau Edition Sand Bag pairs well with cream knitwear. You can compare it with other shapes in our bucket bag edit.

The Nodde Pouch carries the knot motif on a flat piece you can drop inside a larger tote, carry alone in the evening and use as a travel case for chargers. The Nodde Pouch in Sand and the Nodde Pouch in Taupe are the most practical shades because they hide marks from the inside of a bag.

The Nodde Card Holder is the smallest way into the family. The Nodde Card Holder in Cognac matches the cognac bags exactly, and the Nodde Card Holder in Black suits a work wallet. For other small leather goods, see Polène wallets and card holders and our wider round-up of designer card holders.

How each Nodde carries

The Nodde works on the shoulder and across the body. On the shoulder, with the strap shortened, it sits high and close like a baguette. Lengthened, it falls to the hip as a crossbody, which is how most people wear it on weekends. It weighs 430 g empty, so it does not drag on a coat.

The Nodde Hobo needs its long strap. At 52 cm it is a shoulder bag that tucks under the arm; at 105 cm it becomes a crossbody that rests at the hip. The strap range is generous enough for tall frames and for wearing over a padded coat in winter. If you like the idea of a soft hobo but want something smaller, our guide to small hobo bags compares shapes from several houses.

The Seau is a shoulder and hand bag first. It looks best hanging from the shoulder with its weight pulling the leather into a soft curve. The Pouch and Card Holder are carried in the hand and inside other bags.

Nodde colours

The smooth leather shows colour more cleanly than textured grain, so the Nodde palette looks deeper. The Nodde in Black Cherry Bag is a dark red that reads almost brown in low light. The Nodde in Olive Bag is a muted green that works with navy and camel. For pale shades, the Nodde in Chalk Bag is a soft off-white and the Nodde in Oat Bag is a warm beige. The Nodde in Taupe Bag sits in between and goes with almost everything.

For the Hobo, the Nodde Hobo in Stone Bag is a light grey beige, the Nodde Hobo in Root Bag a rich mid brown, and the Nodde Hobo in Ebony Bag a deep chocolate. The Nodde Hobo in Black Bag is the one for city work days. Our planned Polène bags by colour guide goes through every shade across the line.

Which Nodde to choose

Choose the Nodde if you carry little and want a bag that sits close, with a zip, for errands and evenings. Choose the Nodde Hobo if you need room for a wallet, sunglasses and a book, and want one bag that switches from shoulder to crossbody. Choose the Seau if you prefer an open, easy shape and carry things loose. The Pouch and Card Holder are best as companions to a bag you already own, a neat way to match leather without buying a second bag.

If you are weighing the Nodde against the rest of the Polène range, our guide to which Polène bag to buy sets the families side by side, and the Polène bag sizes guide lists every measurement in one place.

Caring for smooth Nodde leather

Polène’s own care advice is simple. Keep the bag away from long exposure to light and heat, and from water, grease and perfume. New denim and dark clothes can transfer dye onto pale leather, which matters with Chalk and Oat. If the bag gets wet, dab it with a soft cloth and let it air dry; no cream is needed. Do not overfill the zip, which strains the knot, and store the bag in its dust bag. Polène offers a repair service at cost.

The Nodde around the world

United States

In New York the Nodde Hobo suits a subway commute because the zip closes fully and the long strap goes across the body. The brand lists boutiques in New York on Broadway and in SoHo, and has leased a space on Oak Street in Chicago.

United Kingdom

For a wet British autumn the zipped Nodde is a sensible choice, and darker shades like Ebony and Black Cherry forgive rain spots. The brand lists a boutique in London.

France

Paris is home. The brand lists boutiques on Rue de Richelieu, its flagship, and on the Champs-Élysées. Parisians tend to wear the small Nodde high on the shoulder with a trench.

Germany and Europe

The brand lists boutiques in Hamburg on Neuer Wall, Milan on Via Manzoni and in Copenhagen. Cold winters favour the Hobo on its longest strap over a wool coat.

Japan

Tokyo’s Minami-Aoyama boutique opened in 2023 as the brand’s first in Asia. Compact bags carry well on crowded trains, and the small Nodde in pale shades suits Tokyo’s spring.

Australia and Canada

Australian summers fall in December, so Sea Foam and Chalk make sense when the northern hemisphere moves to dark leather. In Canada, a Hobo long enough to wear over a parka is the practical pick for winter.

The Polène Nodde: common questions

What does Nodde mean?

Polène named the Nodde after the French word nœud, which means a bow and a knot. The name refers to the two interlocking pieces of leather at the front of the bag.

How big is the Polène Nodde?

The Polène Nodde measures 21 x 16.5 x 7 cm and weighs 430 g. Its adjustable strap runs from 30 to 62 cm for shoulder and crossbody wear.

How big is the Polène Nodde Hobo?

The Polène Nodde Hobo measures 26 x 28 x 6 cm and weighs 725 g. Its strap adjusts from 52 to 105 cm, so it works on the shoulder and as a crossbody.

Is the Nodde Hobo a crossbody bag?

Yes. The Polène Nodde Hobo has a long adjustable strap that reaches 105 cm, enough to wear it across the body, and shortens to 52 cm for the shoulder.

What is the Nodde Seau?

The Nodde Seau is the bucket version of the Polène Nodde, with the same knot detail on a rounder, open body. It is worn on the shoulder and carried in the hand.

What leather is the Polène Nodde made from?

The Polène Nodde is cut from smooth full-grain Italian calf leather with an Italian suede interior. It is made by leather artisans in Spain.