ProsDurable, Great Value, Performing as Expected, casually elegant
I dislike the "bag lady" look I see so often: women burdened with multiple small carriers such as a purse, lunchbag, and one or two cheap fabric totes. This bag fits it all in one place, and, far from detracting from your overall look, actually adds some casual elegance. I've had the tan bag for at least 5 years now, and use it daily to tote lunch, wallet, books, make up case, cell phone, etc., to and from work. It garners many compliments. The leather is very good quality. I don't toss the bag on cement or dirt, but nor do I take excessive care of it, and the leather still looks remarkable. It's actually holds up better than that of my old Coach briefcase and purses because it doesn't show wear the way the heavy Coach leather did. I have used mink oil on it a couple of times, but that's about it.
I just noticed today that the stitching on one handle has finally begun to come apart (about a half inch or so), so I dropped it off at the shoe repair this evening. If that's all that has gone wrong despite five years' heavy use, it's got to be a good bag.
I do agree with the suggestions from one reviewer, however: brass feet and slightly longer handles would be very nice upgrades. As they are, the handles are a bit too long for a hand-held tote, but a bit too short to go easily over the shoulder.
Thank you LL Bean for this bag.. I've been on the search for a leather tote that is large and and sturdy and I've found it! The color I ordered was Dark Brown, but it looks more like the color in between Cordovan (listed image color) and Dark Brown (listed image color). I love the color! It has an inside zipper compartment dividing the bag, multiple cell phone pockets, pen pockets, small inner zipper, and a zipper to close the entire bag. Only con would be that it is a bit heavy, but expected since it's leather and is a large bag. I love it so much I want to buy them as gifts! veryyyy happy I bought it.
What the "dark brown" looks like (real dark brown leather datebook in front of it)
ProsDurable, Great Value, Performing as Expected, perfect!
I LOVE THIS BAG!! I can't describe how perfect it is. I've been looking for one like this literally for years -- and here it is. Roomy, extremely well-designed (anticipates everything with all of its inside feataures), really beautiful, and so soft. My laptop fits perfectly and still leaves so much room. It's gorgeous and I love it! The only problem ... be warned that the color is not as pictured. I'd ordered the dark brown, which (both online and in the printed catalog) looks like a very dark, rich chocolate. The bag is actually dark tan, much closer to the color called cordovan in the description. I called and read the number inside the bag, and the Bean operator confirmed that it's the dark brown. I love the bag so I'm keeping it, but the dark brown would have been wonderful. (I'm attaching a picture -- I put a dark brown leather datebook in front of it to show the color I thought it would be.)
Love the detail, and everything you'd expect from exceptional LL Bean product. Beautiful lining. Large classy bag, will double as briefcase for work. Great!!
