Author Archives: Karen Allen

Prada Saffiano Double Zip Tote Bag

If you’re a designer bag aficionado, this handbag requires little introduction. The Prade Saffiano tote is one of the staples of classic handbag fashion. Something that joins the class of LV Speedy or Chanel 2.55.

It truly is one of the classics which kind of surprises me as to why I haven’t done a review of this beauty yet. So today, I’m rectifying just that.

The Prada Saffiano Double Zip tote has always been my go-to when I want fashion and true functionality.  For starters, the structure and silhouette of the double zip tote is pretty solid. It’s something that, with proper care, won’t get misshapen.  So let me list out the specific ways why I love this bag:

The leather is tough

For the fashion lover on the go, quality leather is a must. While it is normal for bags to get scuffled or scratched, quality handbags last so much longer than most. I’m happy to report that despite over a decade of usage, the leather on my Prada Saffiano Double Zip is still pretty solid.

As you know Prada uses treated calf leather with a crossed hatched design. It’s durable and as I’ve found out through the years, fairly scratch resistant. While for others it may not feel as soft as other leathers but if you’re looking for durability, you won’t be disappointed with this design.

When you love fashion, you need to be more discerning about the quality of the leather you choose. Sadly, there are bags out there that have sensitive leather. While those have their purposes, if you’re looking for something you can use as an everyday bag–the Saffiano Double Zip is for you

I’m able to fit more than I initially thought

Space is always an issue with designer handbags. Often there might be too little space or even the opposite–too much of it! For a structured tote, I honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to fit much of my everyday things into it.  My size is the medium one, in case you’re wondering. For the nitty-gritty the dimensions are 13 x 9.5 x 5.5 inches.

To give you a strong idea of what this baby can fit, I’m going to list out what’s currently in my bag. Let’s see: sunglasses, sunglasses case, a small pouch bag, my passport holder/passport, a small planner, a large planner, card holders, lip products (six), phones (3), makeup bag, pens, keys (5).

That’s the contents for a short weekend trip. Now imagine the everyday work load.

This bag is pretty work appropriate 

The struggle with fashion back then was a lot of bags were either too flashy or really didn’t get the job done in terms of space. I bought my Saffiano Double Zip tote specifically with work in mind.

What I really love about it is that I have the option to carry it on my shoulder since there’s an attachable strap. For lighter days, I carry it in the crook of my arm but the other option has been a lifesaver particularly if the iPads and small laptop is in the bag.

What I love about this design is that the colors it’s available in. So you’re able to still show a bit of personality with a color like Marble or Caramel but still be work environment appropriate.

Now, I don’t want to give this tote perfect points since there are still incidents of wear and tear. I’m going to list some things I don’t like about this bag.

The zipper can be…trying 

The inner zipper is rather difficult to open and close. It’s also be steadily tarnishing through the years. Even at the early years of its life, the zippers don’t really zip that smoothly.

The resale value isn’t much

Not that I’m planning on selling my baby, mind you. But if you are a person with resale in mind, this bag may not be for you. As of recent store prices, the Saffiano Double Zip will hit you for about $1950. So do think about that first before you go off and buy a bag you’re not planning on keeping long-term.

Beyond that, I’d like to say that the Prada Saffiano Double Zip Tote is still something I would buy if it came out as a new product in the market today. That’s how much I’ve come to appreciate it’s durability.

The Tory Burch Perry Tote

Today, I’ll be talking about the very dependable Perry Tote from Tory Burch! To get the details out of the way, let’s talk about the little specs of this beauty:

  • Pebbled leather with resin backing
  • Open top
  • Flat leather handles with 9.4″ (24 cm) drop
  • Interior hanging pocket with 2 open pockets
  • Height: 11.3″ (28.5 cm)
  • Length: 14.9″ (37.5 cm)
  • Depth: 5.9″ (15 cm)

It comes in various colors: Black, Navy, Light Oak, Baby Blue, and Bark. Personally, I love Bark the most. It fits with most OOTDs and makes it a fit for a broad array of events and occasions. It even fits as a daily staple.

As a first impression, I thought that it may not be able to hold much in terms of load but I am not ashamed to say that I am flat out mistaken. So it turns out that this baby can carry quite the load. I personally tested how much it could carry and I was quite impressed.

For work I was able to carry: my 14 inch laptop, the laptop charger cable, my iPad, my Starbucks planner, my wallet, my car keys, my house keys, a folder full of files, my iPhone, 10 pens, my lunch, my perfume, my hand sanitizer, some tissue, and a stress ball.

For leisure I was able to carry: my iPad, my iPhone, house keys, car keys, a dslr, a large fluffy towel, flip flops, shades, wallet, sunblock lotion, spare clothes, and a small bag of toiletries.  So yeah, you can see why I’m so impressed! Despite the load, there wasn’t any strain on carrying it at all–even when I was just carrying it at the crook of my elbow. The added beauty of it is that despite the heft, there was no strain on my shoulders. It was truly wonderful how the base is structured well. Regardless of how the sides may appear floppy at times, the base was there to provide structure and support. It also made sure that the bag wasn’t falling all over the place.

I particularly liked how the inside wasn’t lined with fabric. Instead, it’s lined with soft leather. It was particularly helpful for my friend who carried some pudding in her purse (for her daughter) and it got crushed. Pudding everywhere! Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we realized that a few wipes would solve the issue!

Now, of course, everything about this bag isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I have my share of “ehh could have been better”. For starters, the tote is just open. There’s no latch or even a few strings to draw them together in the slightest. So it may be quite uncomfortable for those who like their privacy (and extra security). Also, it could have been better if there was a zippered pocket within the bag itself. That at least we’d be able to put in stuff that we want to sit still like keys or a phone. The inner pocket could also have been a bit deeper than it presently is. But that’s just me.

Now the Perry Tote comes in at $480-$500 so it’s quite on the affordable side of the luxury bag spectrum. Since it’s so versatile and sturdy, you’re really getting a lot out of your purchase! Do you wonderful lovelies have this bag too? Let me know what you think of it and I’ll be back with more reviews. Toodles!

The Gucci Soho Leather Disco Bag

Arguably, one of the more older bags in the luxury handbag market, the Gucci Soho Disco maintains a spot in the hearts of luxury goods lovers the world over.  Personally, I think I saw this bag back in 2013. If you’re like me, you probably liked it but didn’t really think you’d buy it given that luxury good rarely make a good cross-body bag. It either be too long or the bag is too small.

Thankfully, I find myself happily wrong about this particular cross-body bag. But first, let’s get the details out of the way. To clarify, we’ll be taking a closer look at the Rose Beige Soho Leather Disco Bag. As per the actual Gucci website, the Soho leather Disco Bag has these details going for it:

  • Light finegold toned hardware
  • Rose beige Leather
  • Leather Tassel
  • Embossed Interlocking G
  • Cotton Linen Lining
  • Adjustable Leather Strap with a 21.6 inch drop
  • Interior phone and open pockets
  • Top zip closure
  • Small size: 8 inch W x 6 inch H x 2.7 inch D
  • Made in Italy

For others, the rather encompassing monogram can be daunting but in this shade, it’s rather subdued in its appearance so it certainly has the power to woo those who aren’t usually fans of logos.

I particularly like how the strap is really adjustable. I can wear it on my shoulder or as a cross-body bag. A fact that I truly appreciate is that when I bought mine, I asked the client liaison at the store if it was possible to add more holes to the strap–in case I wanted something even shorter–they were more than happy to oblige. I think only actual Gucci retail outlets do this for you.

Touching the bag yields you a smooth yet fleshy surface–indicative of quality leather. The tassel, while large, I think is a perfect addition to the bag. Not only does it serve as a good grip for the zipper, but it’s also a good accessory that brings the whole look together.

It was lighter than what I initially thought it would be. I suppose that’s because of the fact the inside of the Soho Disco is lined with cloth and not more leather. I tried weighing it and I was pleased to find it comes in at less than a pound.

For it’s size, it can carry quite a bit without any threat of getting bent out of its original shape. It is to be noted, however, that since this is pure leather, it’s not a very good cold weather bag. It can get wet or damp which can lead to issues when not cleaned properly. It is, however, a perfect back for summer and tropical vacations. It’ll be a perfect carrier for your daily basics.

For those asking, the price of this bag starts at around $980. Certain colors go on sale at the end of each season while some (like the Rose Beige) do not go on sale. Depending where you’re at or where you’re planning on buying the Soho Disco Leather Bag, the price might even go up to $1300.

Don’t let that scare you! Regardless of its price, the heft it can carry and the stylishness that never goes away is more than enough incentive to purchase one for yourself.