****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
The Charcoal and Toffee totes finally dropped by $50, so to me, the $80 per bag was enough, as I knew they would not drop down any further. Apparently they only had one of each at the lower price, because the price jumped back up to the regular price. I had decided this was acceptable to me for the quality and the price. Piel Leather bags are top grain cowhide from Columbia, where they are made. The leather is thick, the accouterments are top quality. I’m talking about not only the leather, but the handles, shoulder straps, the metal strap holders, feet, zippers, liners. All top quality.You have to determine what the price you’re willing to pay for top quality handmade leather is. You also have to learn to give into your stringent demands on what you are willing to give up for that quality. This goes for anything in life. Learn to give and stretch in your demands.The bags are more for day-to-day errands, and can hold more than you think: a large wallet, umbrella, phones and cables, medical kit bags (for those of us that need one). So, for me, this 11.5×9×5 bag is just big enough for the extra-basics that smaller bags and clutches can carry (phone, keys, wallet, carmex only). The tote can carry a large wallet with 3 smartphones, wallet, keys, carmex, diabetic pens and needles and placed inside this tote. The shoulder drop is 9 inches, so really too shallow to throw over your shoulder, unless you have small arms like I do. The shoulder crossbody strap can be extended up to 51 inches. There is one outside zip pocket, 5 x 3.75 inches for keys, a very small phone, lip balm, etc. The Charcoal has a light gray lining and the Toffee has a dark brown lining.I love the colors of these bags, Charcoal and Toffee, according to their Amazon Piel Leather page. I can use the Toffee for Spring-Summer and the Charcoal for Fall-Winter.Make your decisions wisely.
