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TejasMama · Aug 21st, 2009, 08:08 PM

Which work better for you?

I find the rolled handles to be fairly comfortable but it seems the braided, flat handles work best for me. I know that comfort has a lot to do with which bags work for me--I also can't stand a bag that has a drop length shorter than 8" or so--and I really do prefer one stap over two if possible.

I'm sure some of this has to do with our shoulders--sloped, more straight, etc--and some with aesthetic preference. Which one works better for you?

Suzzeee · Aug 21st, 2009, 09:41 PM

I have serious strap issues and am finding no simple formula -- I have a Biasia bag that has a wide single strap that stays on just fine but rarely does a wide stap do that -- I think it's because it's a shorter drop plus the the bag isn't terribly large or wide. The TMA shorter straps stay on my shoulder (narrow, double with shorter drop), but the LM ones do not at all nor does the TMA shoulder strap -- too wide. My Bal Day bags are probably the best - single strap, shorter drop and braided on the side of the rolled handle. The City bag's shoulder strap wouldn't stay at all. My TME and MMS rolled straps stay on just fine and the SM straps stay on fairly well. My Gucci Irina tote stays on well too. I also have two Francis bags from Ignes - rolled handles and I had the drop made longer - 10"ish and they stay on well too.

gga · Aug 21st, 2009, 09:57 PM

My shoulders are wide and straight, and I prefer the flat handles, no question. They stay on my shoulders fine, and they end up feeling far more comfortable to carry. I rehomed all my TMEs because of the round handles, although there were other aspects of the bag I liked very much. The round handles ended up being deal-breakers.

Moonstarr · Aug 21st, 2009, 10:54 PM

Nothing ever seems to stay on my shoulders well (which is why I usually prefer hand bags). The only one that seems to stay SOMEWHAT well is the Bal Day bag. Usually I have to kind of hold the straps on my shoulder with my hand.

As for my preference. At first I thought I'd like the rolled better because they do stay maybe a bit better than the flat on me, BUT I think I now like the flat handles better. I think a lot of it was needing to break in the straps so they are softer and then they seem to stay put a tiny bit better.

One thing I noticed about the rolled handles is when the bag is heavier, I think they are less comfortable because they seem to dig in a bit, wheres the braided distribute the weight better.

Jenova · Aug 22nd, 2009, 02:43 AM

I don't really have major strap problems. I have wide shoulders and relatively slim arms so most bags go on. I do find the TME handles most comfortable and that they grip better. The LM handles tend to slip a bit and I wonder why they haven't been made a bit narrower as a standard feature? Surely the stock bags should be made as perfect and user friendly as possible as they are the ones that new buyers will judge the company on.

sgreg · Aug 22nd, 2009, 03:38 AM

I have broad shoulders, and it always stood to reason in my mind that bags should stay on my shoulders as if they were welded there.

Alas, that is not the case. My shoulders slope slightly, but have tapered off flat by the end, so why most bags tended to waterslide off of me was kind of perplexing.

It was only recently, when I was taking a photo for here incidentally, that I noticed my actual ribcage is wide, too, meaning that for a bag that isn't absolutely flat to sit on my shoulder, the handles need to be pulled inwards towrads my neck. Lame, lame, lame. I wanted a LM!

numnut · Aug 22nd, 2009, 12:59 PM

I have a WTM and the single padded strap works for me everytime, comfortable and doesn't fall off the shoulder or dig in!

Cornflower Blue · Aug 22nd, 2009, 06:08 PM

With regards to BE handles, I prefer the braided. The rolled handles feel heavier to me on the shoulder, although they do feel gorgeous in the hand, but one of them usually automatically slides off my shoulder from the word go. The braided handles sit better on me, although I do hang on them for a lot of the time when on my shoulder but it seems more comfortable somehow, and more natural to me.

I think I've mentioned this earlier in another thread, but the only handles that stay on my shoulders by themselves are extremely narrow rolled ones that have an exceptionally long drop (think it's all to do with the length and the balance of weight) that belong to two of my vintage Mulberry bags.

glamourgirlpink · Aug 22nd, 2009, 06:52 PM

I like the rolled handles on my lg pebbled Hug Me the best..guess everyone is different! :) I have decent shoulders but they're kinda bony so the pebbled rolled are soft and stay on the best for me. :)

lovebags2 · Aug 22nd, 2009, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by numnut

I have a WTM and the single padded strap works for me everytime, comfortable and doesn't fall off the shoulder or dig in!

My WTM is my favorite BE handbag and huge in part because of how nice the single padded strap works for me too. I find overall both BE's rolled and braided handles fall off and often. Then again it's challenging finding the perfect bag with great shoulder straps that cooperate!

My second favorite would be the large hug me even though those are rolled.

Candydog · Aug 23rd, 2009, 12:16 AM

Hmm lets see
Like Cornflower Blue, I actually "hold" the handles when on my shoulder - I just feel a bit more secure that way - but usually I carry so much stuff that there is not much room for movement.

I do find the braided handles slighty more comfortable but I think that is because when fully loaded the weight is dispersed over a wider area - there again I should probably just carry less

Aug 21st, 2009, 08:08 PM	#1
TejasMama OP Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,469	Rolled Handles or Braided? Which work better for you? I find the rolled handles to be fairly comfortable but it seems the braided, flat handles work best for me. I know that comfort has a lot to do with which bags work for me--I also can't stand a bag that has a drop length shorter than 8" or so--and I really do prefer one stap over two if possible. I'm sure some of this has to do with our shoulders--sloped, more straight, etc--and some with aesthetic preference. Which one works better for you?
TejasMama OP Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,469	__________________ ____________________________ "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." --Albert Einstein ____________________________ Finding Mindful Habits Here: www.zenhabits.org

Aug 21st, 2009, 09:41 PM	#2
Suzzeee Social Media Maven Joined: Jul 2007 Location: California Posts: 7,006	I have serious strap issues and am finding no simple formula -- I have a Biasia bag that has a wide single strap that stays on just fine but rarely does a wide stap do that -- I think it's because it's a shorter drop plus the the bag isn't terribly large or wide. The TMA shorter straps stay on my shoulder (narrow, double with shorter drop), but the LM ones do not at all nor does the TMA shoulder strap -- too wide. My Bal Day bags are probably the best - single strap, shorter drop and braided on the side of the rolled handle. The City bag's shoulder strap wouldn't stay at all. My TME and MMS rolled straps stay on just fine and the SM straps stay on fairly well. My Gucci Irina tote stays on well too. I also have two Francis bags from Ignes - rolled handles and I had the drop made longer - 10"ish and they stay on well too.
	__________________ Wish List Chanel Vintage Black Jumbo Flap, Fall 2009 Balenciaga Day in Raisin, MJ Mackenzie in Blue, Notice the absence of HH?? They can't seem to ship so what's the point of wishing??

Aug 21st, 2009, 09:57 PM	#3
gga Dr. Destructo Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,232	My shoulders are wide and straight, and I prefer the flat handles, no question. They stay on my shoulders fine, and they end up feeling far more comfortable to carry. I rehomed all my TMEs because of the round handles, although there were other aspects of the bag I liked very much. The round handles ended up being deal-breakers.
gga Dr. Destructo Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,232

Aug 21st, 2009, 10:54 PM	#4
Moonstarr Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,310	Nothing ever seems to stay on my shoulders well (which is why I usually prefer hand bags). The only one that seems to stay SOMEWHAT well is the Bal Day bag. Usually I have to kind of hold the straps on my shoulder with my hand. As for my preference. At first I thought I'd like the rolled better because they do stay maybe a bit better than the flat on me, BUT I think I now like the flat handles better. I think a lot of it was needing to break in the straps so they are softer and then they seem to stay put a tiny bit better. One thing I noticed about the rolled handles is when the bag is heavier, I think they are less comfortable because they seem to dig in a bit, wheres the braided distribute the weight better.
	__________________ ~ See my Collection Album ~ http://forum.purseblog.com/album.php?u=35341

Aug 22nd, 2009, 03:38 AM	#6
sgreg Member Joined: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 366	I have broad shoulders, and it always stood to reason in my mind that bags should stay on my shoulders as if they were welded there. Alas, that is not the case. My shoulders slope slightly, but have tapered off flat by the end, so why most bags tended to waterslide off of me was kind of perplexing. It was only recently, when I was taking a photo for here incidentally, that I noticed my actual ribcage is wide, too, meaning that for a bag that isn't absolutely flat to sit on my shoulder, the handles need to be pulled inwards towrads my neck. Lame, lame, lame. I wanted a LM!
sgreg Member Joined: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 366	__________________ I want: Cream pebbled TMA midi (ordered) Petrol matte Enchant me midi Red sheen rock me Dark purple glossy TMA original Anyone up for group bespokes?

Aug 22nd, 2009, 02:43 AM	#5
Jenova Member Joined: Jul 2007 Location: UK Posts: 11,015	I don't really have major strap problems. I have wide shoulders and relatively slim arms so most bags go on. I do find the TME handles most comfortable and that they grip better. The LM handles tend to slip a bit and I wonder why they haven't been made a bit narrower as a standard feature? Surely the stock bags should be made as perfect and user friendly as possible as they are the ones that new buyers will judge the company on.

Aug 22nd, 2009, 12:59 PM	#7
numnut Member Joined: Sep 2008 Location: If only! Posts: 417	I have a WTM and the single padded strap works for me everytime, comfortable and doesn't fall off the shoulder or dig in!

Aug 22nd, 2009, 06:08 PM	#8
Cornflower Blue Member Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 4,332	With regards to BE handles, I prefer the braided. The rolled handles feel heavier to me on the shoulder, although they do feel gorgeous in the hand, but one of them usually automatically slides off my shoulder from the word go. The braided handles sit better on me, although I do hang on them for a lot of the time when on my shoulder but it seems more comfortable somehow, and more natural to me. I think I've mentioned this earlier in another thread, but the only handles that stay on my shoulders by themselves are extremely narrow rolled ones that have an exceptionally long drop (think it's all to do with the length and the balance of weight) that belong to two of my vintage Mulberry bags.
Cornflower Blue Member Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 4,332

Aug 22nd, 2009, 06:52 PM	#9
glamourgirlpink Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,114	I like the rolled handles on my lg pebbled Hug Me the best..guess everyone is different! :) I have decent shoulders but they're kinda bony so the pebbled rolled are soft and stay on the best for me. :)
glamourgirlpink Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,114	__________________ Queen of my "castle", shamelessly addicted to shopping, Starbucks, Boston bags (especially Gucci!), my HG Lady Dior in black cannage lambskin, and my uber gorgeous/handmade in Italy/super luxurious BELEN ECHANDIA bags!!!

Aug 23rd, 2009, 12:16 AM	#11
Candydog Member Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 234	Hmm lets see Like Cornflower Blue, I actually "hold" the handles when on my shoulder - I just feel a bit more secure that way - but usually I carry so much stuff that there is not much room for movement. I do find the braided handles slighty more comfortable but I think that is because when fully loaded the weight is dispersed over a wider area - there again I should probably just carry less

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