I'm a college student working on becoming a teacher. I needed a big bag with lots of room for books, binders, pens, phones, dictionaries, etc. Needed it to fit over shoulder. needed it to match my boots.. This bag meets all those needs. BUT the only thing is- the leather makes is so heavy! So with the added stuff I put into the bag- I'm definitely doing damage to my shoulder or back. The weight of it becomes a pain in the neck and although I love the bag, I will probably revert to a canvas tote or backpack.
Full Size Tote is everything I hoped for and more!
PostedDecember 17, 2011
ProsDurable, Great Value, Performing as Expected, classy
I've had the Cordovan full size tote for just under a year now. I use it every day commuting back and forth from work on the train. I keep my laptop, various cords, work papers, books, and my lunch in it, and it all fits comfortably. There are also various pockets for pens, phone, keys etc. I've also used it as an overnight bag, and it makes a wonderful carry on for an airplane. When I first ordered it I was worried that it wouldn't fit over my shoulder like some of the other reviewers had mentioned, but I've never had this problem even when wearing my thick wool winter coat. It's stylish and classy looking, and goes with everything. I can't even count the number of compliments I've received about this bag. It still looks as good today as when i first ordered it, and it's been through rain, snow, and ice. I can't recommend it enough!
I bought the full-size tote in dark brown about a month ago and it is amazing! The leather is great quality and the simple design of the bag is classic, so it will last a long time and will not go out of style so I can continue to use it for many years.
The interior is excellent. The cloth lining is a solid khaki color. I saw a review from Oct 2011 with a picture and was concerned that the inside would be very greenish, but the lining was a very plain, if a bit dark, khaki color. I'm not sure if the lining varies at all with the color of the tote, but the lining on mine was khaki. The color is nice and it's not dark, so it's easier to find things in the bag.
The internal organization is very nice. On one side of the tote, there's a zipper pocket that's a good size for keys, odds and ends, and so on. On the other side, there are two pockets with velcro closures that are a good size for cell phones or PDAs. There are also a couple of pockets the size of credit cards and a couple of pen slots.
In the middle, there is a large zippered pocket that easily accommodated my 13 inch laptop and would likely accommodate a 15 inch laptop easily. This middle pocket is not padded and doesn't have much structure, so anything fragile might need something sturdy to keep it from bending or breaking. Papers in the middle pocket would likely need to be in a folder to keep them from bending or folding.
The size is excellent. I can easily fit my lunch, the normal contents of my purse, a sweater or light jacket, and a few folders of papers in it for my daily commute.
I also took it on a flight and it was an excellent carry-on and replaced the backpack that I had previously used. It fit under the seat in front of me and accommodated my laptop and its accessories, travel documents, books, and the other odds and ends I carried on the plane.
So, I would highly recommend this as an excellent work and travel tote. The regular size is probably too big for a daily purse for most people, but it's an excellent, professional, and classy tote for work and travel.
Wow, I love how this mini tote can go almost anywhere. I bought it in black, and it looks both casual and elegant. The leather is beautiful, soft, and smooth yet sturdy. The leather reminds me of the classic Coach bags. The size is perfect for a purse, and it's perfect for me because my 9-3/4"-long travel organizer, in which I put everything so I can transfer easily from bag to bag, fits in this tote with ease. I can tell this tote is going to last me a long, long time, so it's a good thing the style is timeless.
