Portland Leather is very high quality but the leather is thick and stiff and very leathery smelling. I returned a crossbody bag from them and had to pay for the return.

I know it is heresy, but I actually shop for purses/totes in person, unless I am buying something I am already familiar with. Otherwise, it is too hard to know the feel and weight

I like hobo style too. I've been getting away from leather and have moved more toward nylon or fiber

For spring summer, I like the crocheted bags by The Sak.

Ohhhhh.

Vince Camuto Jamee Crossbody Bag

I love snake print.

I know, not a tote.

Eld, I was looking at the crochet bags!

Eileen, thanks, I knew there had to be something. I have never seen PL bags in real life.

I am all over the place. I am also thinking I might find something fabulous in Italy next month!

I am also thinking I might find something fabulous in Italy next month!

I was thinking that very thing! It might be a fun quest.

Also, have you shopped your closet? Just asking because I myself tend to forget to do that.

Sueb I remember your search several years ago for basically the same thing because I have the same purse/small tote criteria. I am watching to see what comes up - I can't bring myself to spend $200 + on a purse though. Love the Arden crossbody but that tassel would have to go! Thank you for taking on the burden of posting my needs ;-)

Have you looked at Bric's? I don't see any leather ones on their US site but there might be leather Euro versions at Nordstrom et al.

The nylon versions are kind of Longchamp-ish but have a little more structure without being too stiff.

SORRY FOR TANGENT

Your Camuto bag reminded me of this one I bought last summer i think? The funny thing is, it is not expensive but perhaps because it is so OTT statement-y, all my friends assumed it was an uber expensive designer bag. HA

BTW hard to tell here but it is pale pink

I notice they have this one this year, more usable but not something i can have two of really. Umm right?

PS, I know, I am going through an animal phase.

Sueb, I also from two in the smaller sizes for going out, when I don't need to carry everything I normally do.

Sueb, Portland Leather also called me from Insta probably 2 yrs ago …the bag went back ASAP ”stiff leather AND smelly …not the usual smell that leather emits either

I have had good luck with bags from The Wanderers. Nice leather, a variety of shapes and colors, not as light as the Hobos but not heavy like Frye bags.

https://wandererstravelco.co/collections/bags?parent=bags

Well, I have the perfect one for me, but it is wearing out. It is a cheap Walmart denim shoulder bag bought a long time ago, before 2010, zippered center section, open pocket front and back, and two zippered sections on the front. I love it and I cannot find anything like it anymore. I never change bags.

I just googled "can I make polished leather matte" and a number of suggestions came up (sandpaper, "matte finisher sprays," rubbing alcohol, acetone). Since you have the HOBO bag in black and apparently aren't that fond of it, maybe it can be your guinea pig.

sorry, i have barely a min and only read the first few responses ... I have leather totes that are lightweight. I also don't care for the shiny hobo leathers but I have multiple versions of the sister coach bag Mtn shared up above. I find it very light and so easy to carry because it is crossbody and relatively flat (but expands to hold tons).

Mine is called the Abby.. I have it in black, british tan, taupe and one of the signature fabrics. I LOVE it... second only to my MZ Wallace bags for every day. I save them for when I need to carry ipad or when the leather is a better match for my outfit.

also adding that I love Tory Burch bags but the leather totes I have purchased were all returned. Too heavy and too stiff.

Also, I NEED this:

I really like the leather of Hobo brand bags. Wears well and is very nice. Not a cheap bag but good value. One of my favorite brands.

Ok, so I went for a walk after lunch and popped into a consignment shop where I have a credit. I was chuckling thinking about these threads because they had several MZW bags, including a fun pink quilted one. But this one caught my eye. It is kind of a textured sturdy blue fabric and navy leather. Seems to be brand new. I got it ”free” thanks to my consignment credit. Not a tote LOL. But I love it.

I’m removing the bauble thing.

Cute. Agree on the bauble banishment. Cute chair.

@mtnrdredux_gw, you had me smiling at your comments on this thread. I could almost hear your tone.

I want to thank all of you who have recommended Hobo over the last couple of years. I carry a tiny purse, but I don’t find a crossbody style comfortable and need something bigger than a wristlet. I love the inside organization of Hobo bags and their light weight. When I travel, my little handbag easily drops into my carry-on tote.

I don't think I have seen that style, Sue ... all of mine are the quilted nylon. What is the fabric?

My mission for a pink and yellow snake camuto tote is fizzling out. I don't like the other colors-- made an offer on one on Poshmark but she wants $100 for her used and dirty bag. No thank you :(

The fabric is...I don't know. It is sturdy and sort of textured, navy and white tweed-ish but it is a spring sort of weight. I am not good at describing fabrics! It is almost denim-like.

I gave DIL a snake print Hobo purse a couple of years ago and she loves it. I wanted one too but I can't be a weird MIL copying her.

Funky, I found you a snake bag.

Snake Handbag Leather Tote Bag Double-sided Print for Her - Etsy

Ssshhh. Don't tell anyone but I found the Vince snakeprint purse elsewhere for almost $50 less so I ordered that too. It is just too cute to pass up.

oh gosh lol.. I actually and audibly gasped!! Thank you-- but part of the reason i wanted the pink/yellow one is that I have a HUGE thing about snakes. It works for me only because the big ugly snakes are princess pink and buttercup yellow. Natural colors ... nope... and a big fat snake like the one you found is a no freakin way!! LOL The trauma runs deep.

I am totally on board with snakeskin print though! Glad you found one!

I hope you know I was kidding.

I hate snakes IRL too but we have a funny/weird snake theme in our family, esp with DS and DDIL (I wore a snake pendant to their wedding), so I now seem to be attracted to snakes in fashion and even decor.

I was pretty sure you were kidding. 😬

I didn't know you were kidding! LOL I was so horrified, I didnt think it through!

And same re: a weird snake theme ... I especially like it in jewelry. For some reason, a 14K snake isnt scary at all!

You are all killing me. I have a very odd snake phobia. Cannot even look at pictures of snakes. No, I did not click on any of the links and from Funky's reaction, thank goodness. Even pink snakes - nope, can't look at it. Had to scroll past those pictures so fast.

OK, carry on. I am not leaving the thread because I love hand bags. Apparently more than I hate pics of snakes.

Ok, I’ll say it: snake theme bad!

This thread got me thinking (and you know what that statement leads to) that I need a new black tote for my upcoming trip. I have the large leather Tory Burch tote with chain handles and realized after reading this that I haven’t used it in a few years because every time I pick it up it feels heavier. So I need a new black tote and a new small, cross body bag to use as a day purse. In my defense the only other black tote I have is one from the Edo museum in Tokyo that is lovely but completely open at the top with no pockets. No sooner did I think this than I walked into a Marshall’s and this nylon Baggalini was almost the first thing I saw.

The long strap converts to backpack straps. The inside is full of pockets as is the outside. At full price it’s just shy of $100 and the discounted price was much less. It’s on Amazement, the pictures are from that site. It is called the women’s Legacy bag and I think it will be the perfect carryon personal item. The one big —huge— downside is that it isn’t cute. ☹️ I also had to get a new carryon 21” suitcase as I found out Sunday we do not have a robe mistress accompanying us on the trip; we will each be responsible for our own choir robes which are very voluminous. We can’t perform without the robe so we each have to take it in our own carryon bags. I bought a spinner case that is soft sided because you can fit more stuff in it.

So now, on to a bone or almond colored cross body with a black, charcoal or gray strap. If you come across such an animal will you let me know, GW? Sue, thank you for starting this thread. To answer your question, no, there is no perfect bag. There is always a compromise. Mine wasthe appearance, so I need an especially cute day bag.

No snakes at all? I bought this in Heathrow on a layover to Athens. We were just on our way to the lounge when I saw it and bought it before I could even do the currency translation. My girls are hoping I will tire of it...

It was destined, because I had just bought a DVF maxi in a python pattern. (this is not me, LOL!). Acutally my dress is lighter than this too.

The long strap converts to backpack straps.

Even for people who dont like backpacks, id see this as a big plus for travel

Snake print is fine. But actual pics of snakes, even if not true to life colors, nope, no can do. Must close eyes and scroll past. I'm tons of fun at the reptile house at the zoo. Actually, I'm fine because I won't go inside. I will happily wait outside for anyone that is stupid, um, I mean bold enough to enter.

That Gucci bag is lovely!

I will have nightmares tonight about that dress, Mtn, I don’t think I could sit next to someone wearing that without shivering, Eeeek! The purse gets a pass —barely—because you don’t notice the border as much as the distinctive Gucci colors, but I could not actually touch it.…I am a wienie.

I just saw the most beautiful, delicate platinum and diamond snake ring at a jewelry store last week. Trying hard to talk myself out of it and all of this is not helping!

Fabulous! The ring was at a smaller independent jewelry store. I will try and find a similar image.

Well, I have to admit I like the colors, shades of taupe are faves and I do love the style. I still might jump up in alarm if I sat next to you and didn’t realize what it was until I did realize 😵‍💫 I have a thing about snakes. I don’t even like typing the word!

Hope this doesn’t scare anyone…my snake pendant. Pave diamonds with a pink sapphire eye, can’t really tell from the pic.

This is similar in style (not my hand) but now I’m searching and have found 156 other options I love. Cartier, Elsa Peretti, Bvlgari, oh my!

Cool. That is a subtle snake! I have this mirror and everyone thinks it is snakes.

the “dolphins” embellishing these mirrors are not your typical Flipperesque variety. The first English explorers named the large fish they observed patrolling the waters off the eastern coast of North America “dolphins”, thus causing centuries of confusion with the better-known marine mammal.

Sueb, when will you be in Italy? DD and I will be there in May also. We need to talk.

Now I want this way more expensive Bvlgari version 🤦🏻‍♀️

See Gucci ouroboros...

I purchased a lightweight leather Latico tote bag years ago and still love it. They have a couple on the smaller side now.

https://laticoleathers.com/products/val-tote-shoulderbag

https://laticoleathers.com/products/joanie-tote-shoulderbag

I used to have a Latico tote that I loved! They are very lightweight.

Cute crossbody bag contender!:

It’s a Spartina bag, coated linen and leather. I will not have any prints (except two scarves) and this fits the black / off white / camel brief. It’s on Poshmark.

I”m also looking at an all black with a wider woven black and ecru strap on the Spartina site. They are in full spring and summer mode though and most all the new merch is pink.

And just found this from Le Scarf (that may replace the silk print scarf I was planning to take)

I like it ! I had this billfold by Spartina .

Love the scarf, KSWL

I like Spartina’s color combinations annd the texture of the linen. I’ve had a few of their beach type bags and one pair of slacks. That wallet is very cute!

That scarf company is Swedish and they have a very edited color aesthetic, mostly neutrals. . I’ve been poking around their site for several months and this is the first scarf I have purchased—-hope the silk is as luscious as it looks!

The silk looks luscious and so do the colors! Rich but subtle.

The neutrals make sense from a swedish company -- at least to me. I am a dark swede and my complexion is made for neutrals! We're not all blonde and blue eyed!