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insane-maryjane · Nov 2nd, 2009, 12:41 PM

I wanted to get all your expert opinions on whether an open top tote is a pain, versus having a zipper top bag? I'm debating over another Paraty purchase, and the bag I thought was the standard Paraty, ended up being a large tote style without a zipper.
Honestly I really like the large tote. My hang up is with the open top, I love having a zipper. I tell you, this bag would be perfect if it had the zipper. Why do I have to be so picky???
I got to thinking about how I love to be able to toss my bag in the passenger seat and not think anything of it. But come on, am I nuts? Toss my Paraty??? that does sound insane, doesn't it?

So maybe an open top wouldn't be so bad. But DH always nags me when we're in public, like- "Zip up your bag! Someone could reach in there!" So then I get hung up on that idea. Darn husbands! I know they mean well.

On the flip side, now that Heloise is gone, and I'm getting bored with the new unused Harlequin very quickly and I need a big bag, but not one that will pull my neck and shoulder out of alingnment. Does anyone out there have one of these large ones? Should I attach photos? Ok, you twisted my arm!

I'm on such a Paraty kick in the moment, I could have 5 of these babies right now!!! Come on sale time! I'm actually really liking this bag more and more. It's perfect for taking the kitchen sink with me on occasion. I love getting all your opinions.

Juda · Nov 2nd, 2009, 01:19 PM

I am so sorry you are getting bored with your Harlequin

, this was not supposed to happen - so soon

You had a gorgeous Heli

I am not a big fan of open tops and of totes.
But the Paraty tote is beautiful.
Now about the open top

, I always felt that handbags with an open top are not a proper handbags until......I bought 4 handbags with open tops and they are my favorite handbags ever

I really liked the handbags so I made it work.

I live in a safe country, so I don't worry about pickpocketing
Other than safety issues, it is not easy for things to fall from an open bag plus the Paraty is deep.
Unless you are planning on tossing your handbag

You can always use a bag organizer to make sure that your things stay in place

Which color are you considering?

Arienne · Nov 2nd, 2009, 05:46 PM

I personally avoid open totes because I'm worried about pick-pockets and because it's so windy over here that I would worry about the contents of my bag being blown away, IYKWIM? They are really convenient for easy access though, and the Paraty shopper is a stunner!

SaskiaS · Nov 2nd, 2009, 09:06 PM

hello insane maryjane,

may i kindly ask you were your're from? I am also from Europe, Austria to be prescise. Love the 2 Paraty Totes. What colors are these?

Id so get another tote :)

insane-maryjane · Nov 3rd, 2009, 04:51 AM

Another Old Pink, but it's so different from the Old Pink in the other photos. I'm still waiting to find out what the colour is of the other shopper.

I love the way that she folded the sides inward, I never thought about that!

insane-maryjane · Nov 3rd, 2009, 04:59 AM

Juda, I know. I had a gorgeous Heloise. But I've gotten over it because of the weight. It was too heavy for me, and really uncomfortable to carry.

You say you have 4 open top bags and you love them, which ones are they? I'm thinking of the Old Pink, but the other one is really pretty too. Not sure though which shade of Old Pink I like better, or if it's just a question of lighting from the camera.

SaskiaS, let's just say I live next door to you.

Thanks for all the imput so far.

Rowe55 · Nov 3rd, 2009, 05:55 AM

i thought they'd be oversized but on you? they look great, not too big at all. If you like a big bag this is a great size, esp. if its not heavy. Both colours look very similar on my screen so i think its just what your preference is in day light. Good luck.

insane-maryjane · Nov 3rd, 2009, 05:57 AM

Thanks Rowe, but that's not me. That's the SA. Although for reference, she and I are about the same size. And I was told it's not a heavy bag, a huge plus for me. I don't have my hands on one yet.

SaskiaS · Nov 3rd, 2009, 07:40 AM

ah thats so cool… may I ask you where you buy your chloes from? I only know the store called Langhini in the 1st district in vienna. And I dont think they carry so many paratys at the moment.

Juda · Nov 3rd, 2009, 07:45 AM

The 4 handbags I was referring to are the Bottega Veneta cabats
To be honest having an open top is more practical, my bags are unzipped most of the time.
I was driving today and guess what? my handbag was on the car seat next to me unzipped

Getting a bag organizer solves half of the problem (your things are secured inside the tote), the other half would be safety issues.

I also love how she folded the sides

kbnkch · Nov 3rd, 2009, 02:31 PM

I don't like zipper tops TBH. I have many zipper top Chloe but I hardly close the zipper. Unless I am taking an airplane (or a crowded public transportation which I don't do here) I prefer open top bags. I think these large Paraty totes look gorgeous.

pandabear000 · Nov 4th, 2009, 03:55 AM

I would never have chosen an open top for myself but that open paraty looks GOrgeous on you!!! And it is deep enough that things won't be flying out

If you get worried, all you need is to lay a scarf or sweater at the top the keep things settled.
I would of course, avoid traveling and crowded situations with that bag tho

insane-maryjane · Nov 4th, 2009, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Juda

The 4 handbags I was referring to are the Bottega Veneta cabats
To be honest having an open top is more practical, my bags are unzipped most of the time.
I was driving today and guess what? my handbag was on the car seat next to me unzipped

Getting a bag organizer solves half of the problem (your things are secured inside the tote), the other half would be safety issues.

I also love how she folded the sides

Juda, I got a chance to see your BV Cabats! I'm in love with the lavendar ostrich! I'm such a sucker for ostrich! I wish Chloe would do more of it. It's the only exotic I would buy. Thanks for that reference. It was nice to see so many beautiful bags in the open tote style.

daisyrockyrosie · Nov 4th, 2009, 08:46 PM

The lack of zipper has not been an issue with my paraty - which is the smaller tote style... I don't tend to zip my zippered bags closed most of the time anyway...

Old pink is always very pretty and is the color of my paraty - but I really like that grey/stone colored one in the pic

Good luck with deciding!

beljwl · Nov 5th, 2009, 01:45 PM

I have both open top and zipper totes and I love them the same.

Nov 2nd, 2009, 12:41 PM	#1
insane-maryjane OP Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 405	Open tote vs. Zipper I wanted to get all your expert opinions on whether an open top tote is a pain, versus having a zipper top bag? I'm debating over another Paraty purchase, and the bag I thought was the standard Paraty, ended up being a large tote style without a zipper. Honestly I really like the large tote. My hang up is with the open top, I love having a zipper. I tell you, this bag would be perfect if it had the zipper. Why do I have to be so picky??? I got to thinking about how I love to be able to toss my bag in the passenger seat and not think anything of it. But come on, am I nuts? Toss my Paraty??? that does sound insane, doesn't it? So maybe an open top wouldn't be so bad. But DH always nags me when we're in public, like- "Zip up your bag! Someone could reach in there!" So then I get hung up on that idea. Darn husbands! I know they mean well. On the flip side, now that Heloise is gone, and I'm getting bored with the new unused Harlequin very quickly and I need a big bag, but not one that will pull my neck and shoulder out of alingnment. Does anyone out there have one of these large ones? Should I attach photos? Ok, you twisted my arm! I'm on such a Paraty kick in the moment, I could have 5 of these babies right now!!! Come on sale time! I'm actually really liking this bag more and more. It's perfect for taking the kitchen sink with me on occasion. I love getting all your opinions.
insane-maryjane OP Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 405	__________________ Hopeless shoe addict..... Wish list I'm keeping an open mind. Last edited by insane-maryjane; Nov 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 PM.

Nov 2nd, 2009, 01:19 PM	#2
Juda Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 965	I am so sorry you are getting bored with your Harlequin , this was not supposed to happen - so soon You had a gorgeous Heli I am not a big fan of open tops and of totes. But the Paraty tote is beautiful. Now about the open top , I always felt that handbags with an open top are not a proper handbags until......I bought 4 handbags with open tops and they are my favorite handbags ever I really liked the handbags so I made it work. I live in a safe country, so I don't worry about pickpocketing Other than safety issues, it is not easy for things to fall from an open bag plus the Paraty is deep. Unless you are planning on tossing your handbag You can always use a bag organizer to make sure that your things stay in place Which color are you considering?
Juda Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 965

Nov 2nd, 2009, 09:06 PM	#4
SaskiaS Member Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Austria,Europe Posts: 357	hello insane maryjane, may i kindly ask you were your're from? I am also from Europe, Austria to be prescise. Love the 2 Paraty Totes. What colors are these? Id so get another tote :)
	__________________ ~In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different~ Coco Chanel

Nov 3rd, 2009, 04:51 AM	#5
insane-maryjane OP Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 405	Another Old Pink, but it's so different from the Old Pink in the other photos. I'm still waiting to find out what the colour is of the other shopper. I love the way that she folded the sides inward, I never thought about that!
insane-maryjane OP Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 405	__________________ Hopeless shoe addict..... Wish list I'm keeping an open mind.

Nov 3rd, 2009, 04:59 AM	#6
insane-maryjane OP Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 405	Juda, I know. I had a gorgeous Heloise. But I've gotten over it because of the weight. It was too heavy for me, and really uncomfortable to carry. You say you have 4 open top bags and you love them, which ones are they? I'm thinking of the Old Pink, but the other one is really pretty too. Not sure though which shade of Old Pink I like better, or if it's just a question of lighting from the camera. SaskiaS, let's just say I live next door to you. Thanks for all the imput so far.
insane-maryjane OP Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 405	__________________ Hopeless shoe addict..... Wish list I'm keeping an open mind.

Nov 2nd, 2009, 05:46 PM	#3
Arienne Member Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Posts: 143	I personally avoid open totes because I'm worried about pick-pockets and because it's so windy over here that I would worry about the contents of my bag being blown away, IYKWIM? They are really convenient for easy access though, and the Paraty shopper is a stunner!

Nov 3rd, 2009, 05:55 AM	#7
Rowe55 aka. Ro Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,264	i thought they'd be oversized but on you? they look great, not too big at all. If you like a big bag this is a great size, esp. if its not heavy. Both colours look very similar on my screen so i think its just what your preference is in day light. Good luck.
	__________________ { "The Girls Next Door" gives me nausea, so my feminist credentials are intact, thank god. You, though, hand over your badge! You're out of the union. Of course, when The Black-Cloaked Feminist Hierarchy comes for the traitorous "Top Model" viewers, all hope is lost and the cause will crumble as the wind whistles over the barren landscape that once supported our ranks. } anonymous

Nov 3rd, 2009, 05:57 AM	#8
insane-maryjane OP Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 405	Thanks Rowe, but that's not me. That's the SA. Although for reference, she and I are about the same size. And I was told it's not a heavy bag, a huge plus for me. I don't have my hands on one yet.
insane-maryjane OP Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 405	__________________ Hopeless shoe addict..... Wish list I'm keeping an open mind.

Nov 3rd, 2009, 07:40 AM	#9
SaskiaS Member Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Austria,Europe Posts: 357	ah thats so cool… may I ask you where you buy your chloes from? I only know the store called Langhini in the 1st district in vienna. And I dont think they carry so many paratys at the moment.
	__________________ ~In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different~ Coco Chanel

Nov 3rd, 2009, 07:45 AM	#10
Juda Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 965	The 4 handbags I was referring to are the Bottega Veneta cabats To be honest having an open top is more practical, my bags are unzipped most of the time. I was driving today and guess what? my handbag was on the car seat next to me unzipped Getting a bag organizer solves half of the problem (your things are secured inside the tote), the other half would be safety issues. I also love how she folded the sides
Juda Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 965

Nov 3rd, 2009, 02:31 PM	#11
kbnkch Member Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,386	I don't like zipper tops TBH. I have many zipper top Chloe but I hardly close the zipper. Unless I am taking an airplane (or a crowded public transportation which I don't do here) I prefer open top bags. I think these large Paraty totes look gorgeous.
kbnkch Member Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,386

Nov 4th, 2009, 03:55 AM	#12
pandabear000 Member Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Tokyo/NY Posts: 107	I would never have chosen an open top for myself but that open paraty looks GOrgeous on you!!! And it is deep enough that things won't be flying out If you get worried, all you need is to lay a scarf or sweater at the top the keep things settled. I would of course, avoid traveling and crowded situations with that bag tho

Nov 4th, 2009, 08:46 PM	#14
daisyrockyrosie Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,274	The lack of zipper has not been an issue with my paraty - which is the smaller tote style... I don't tend to zip my zippered bags closed most of the time anyway... Old pink is always very pretty and is the color of my paraty - but I really like that grey/stone colored one in the pic Good luck with deciding!
daisyrockyrosie Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,274	__________________

Nov 5th, 2009, 01:45 PM	#15
beljwl Springsteen Fan!!!! Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Walking distance to Rodeo Drive Posts: 21,042	I have both open top and zipper totes and I love them the same.
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