I do love this bag and will not stop using it. I carry my checkbook wallet, glasses, book ( paperback), and small cosmetic bag. There's room for it all and maybe one smaller item. I have had this bag for two years and the leather still looks great, it's a durable leather that has held up to falling on the gravel, being stepped on by my son, gone camping, it's been sledding with me, and used everyday from the moment I received it. LL Bean made a practical, durable bag that I know has and will stand up to the daily lives of it users. If you're hesitant on purchasing this bag, I can't imagine why it wouldn't work for you. I have put this bag through a lot and would not switch to any of the "fancy" brands. The price is right for its construction and durability; not to mention the wonderful customer service. I would change one thing and make it just a few inches bigger. Maybe, 12x11x5/6.
I recently found out about LL Bean's 100% awesome lifetime guarantee on products they sell!!! So my old LL Bean (not the product I am reviewing but a different one) pocketbook's zipper broke. I contacted the 800 number & was advised of the return policy. Being too frugal (cheap) to incur postage to send my pocketbook back to Bean, I opted to go to the store. I received a very fair & decent amount of money for my old pocketbook. The sales lady in the store noticed how I needed to have another pocketbook that had some additional organization spaces & zippers & she recommended this tote. I applied my credit from my old pocketbook & got a great NEW pocketbook at an awesome price!!! I LOVE this pocketbook. It is much smaller than my old bag & MUCH easier to carry!!! No need for a large pocketbook that can store way too much junk! I love the quality, detail & the reinforced look that it doesn't look like it will fall apart. As I was in a mall, I comparison shopped in another major retailer & COULD NOT find the QUALITY that I discovered at LL Bean! AWESOME!!!!
This bag seems like the right size. The leather feels like card board covered with a layer of leather. The handles truly should be longer. The handles "JUST" goes on my shoulder. I just received the bag. I have not put anything in it yet. I want to "LOVE" this bag. Yet For full price, this bag is not what I thought I would get. The dividers inside are good. The zippers are really hard to zip. One of the zippers separated. I was able to fix but that should not ever happen. You think you have zipped the inside pocket and there it is-- separated. What would you do?. I will probably return this bag. I ordered black and really wanted to love it. But for $119.00, I don't think so! Ladies have to decide for themselves
I am a college professor and have had this bag for 5 years. It is wonderful. It looks great. It holds a ton. It has organizational possibilities. It has worn well. I have the brown. It was one of my best LLBean purchases. I teach Marketing and use it as an example of Brand Loyalty and the use of loyalty programs. I purchased it with $100 worth of my LL Bean points (because I had them available- would have paid full amount). You won't regret this purchase. But remember this really is a tote - not a purse. i love big purses but this would not work well for that.
