Favorite HH tote for work???

[RealMcCoy]

Originally Posted by fafnir

So you think the brandy Trophy is the "It" bag?

I consider brandy Trophy to be my current "it" bag.

Syb, your right on the straps of the Sonia. I always keep thinking of them as flat because they are flat on the ends and don't roll until further up the strap. Also, they don't seem to be as padded inside the roll. My Bea and Trophy straps are rock-hard inside the roll. The Sonia straps - lighter and more flexible.

Comparing the Sonia to the Corcovado:

There is a big difference in the depth of the two bags. When you look at the given dimensions have the Sonia as 5 3/4" deep and the Corcovado as only 4 1/2" deep. That can be a bit deceiving because if you measure from seam to seam across the bottom panel of the bag, that is correct, but, they don't "live" that way. The Corc works/expands alot more than the Sonia. I have packed things that were 8'' across in the bottom of the Corc but have had to flip them on their side in the Sonia.

However, when it comes to the top, the Sonia beats the Corc. It easily opens wide whereas the Corc has a zipper centered on a 4" top panel, so you have to spread it out and pull back the two 2" strips to get into the bag. With the Sonia, I could hold the bag with one strap at the elbow, let the other strap roll to the wrist and have the bag open wide a good 11-12" and see everything inside easily. I did like that feature about the Sonia.

View of the Sonia with top extended open:

[jandelvis]

Originally Posted by jennirane

I'm still sort of in awe of my Black Trophy. I peek at it every few days, like a new boyfriend... well, exactly like when I first started dating DH. You're for ME??? No... you're too pretty. Other girls get to wear you... I get used Tharpes

:c loud9:

you are a beautiful & riotous goddess of words, jennirane, and he is lucky to have you, as pretty as he is .

[jennirane]

Oh, he knows it
And YOU are a magnificent & fearless goddess of fashion, so back atcha, kiddo

[gingeybear]

Originally Posted by jennirane

I'll post some later this week, if RMC doesn't beat me to it. First response is to say that the Corc is still a bit deeper, but I think the Sonia is longer (taller?) than the Corc. The other useful thing on the Sonia is the 3 compartment thingy (it's like a grown-up Mercer 3C Satchel) which I'm thinking will be GREAT on campus to keep folders separate.

Jenn..I owned the Sonia before the Corc. ITA about keeping folders organized..and it's an improvement over the mercer satchel because it has the leather strip that closed with a turnlock which keeps the magnetic compartments from opening and spewing forth what is kept inside..(that was and still is my pet peeve with my mercer triple C..but I love the Goldrush color).

I use the Sonia when I teach classes..or have to go to meetings and need to seperate my folders for easy snatch and grab access..it works almost like a portable mini-accordian folder but with far more panache. It is a bit more "formal" than the corc no matter what leather it comes in. I like the fact that the center zipper compartment keeps things that I don't want seen hidden..and extra pair of shoes..my lunch..barrel cases full of pens, dry markers, markers, hi-lighters..water bottle..post it notes..moleskin notebook..planner..things like that. Mine is anthracite and gives me a bit of an edgy look to an otherwise stodgy 'meet the fuddy duddy boardmembers and clergy" outfits I have to wear.

I use the corc when I tutor tutoring and lugging around textbooks, work books, assignments..as a travel bag..as a purse at times..I love it in KP more than any other leather.

ITA about the openings...the Sonia is the easiest access..but the rolled handle drop is short even for me..

The Trophy and I parted ways..I loved the trapunto work and the back and side pockets..I just couldn't work it..I needed a bigger opening.

The Beatrice is a fantastic shape...but way to big for vertically challenged me..

I do use other non HH bags for the same purposes..but this is not the place to discuss other bags..LOL

BTW..mom's love the Corcovado and the Sonia for babybags..and toddler bags..HH should think about that too...BRING BACK THE CORCOVADO...please

[paelaf]

I don't have the top three bags you guys keep mentioning--Bea, Sonia, Corc--just when I thought I had all I *needed* I have an excuse to go looking for more!!

I don't usually tote a lot stuff, but I guess my faves for larger loads are the trophy, gaza satchel, and wyeth tote, which I have rekindled my romance with :)

[gingeybear]

Ah..yes..my HG that I found..and need more of..the Gaza Satchel..it works for smaller workloads for me..I have a hard time remembering what is in which outer pocket but I put a charm on the one with my cell phone..

Plus..I still have issues with the mesh "hammock..it keep reminding me of the mesh "banana barge or cradle" on the inside of men's bathing suits..not sure what to use it for..?

Paelaf..(hug) thanks about the Chies..emailed for the 411..and IMHO...and yes..I know I am enabling..one of your HG's might be a corc..KP or Corcovado...(I'm still lusting for an emerald goat..serious redhead color..then I will be in HHHeaven)....seriously..the Corc is hands down, my ultimate go to bag..oh..and I also use my Tharpe as a smaller work bag because it also is organized and has tons of storage.

[gingeybear]

Originally Posted by RealMcCoy

I consider brandy Trophy to be my current "it" bag. Syb, your right on the straps of the Sonia. I always keep thinking of them as flat because they are flat on the ends and don't roll until further up the strap. Also, they don't seem to be as padded inside the roll. My Bea and Trophy straps are rock-hard inside the roll. The Sonia straps - lighter and more flexible. Comparing the Sonia to the Corcovado: There is a big difference in the depth of the two bags. When you look at the given dimensions have the Sonia as 5 3/4" deep and the Corcovado as only 4 1/2" deep. That can be a bit deceiving because if you measure from seam to seam across the bottom panel of the bag, that is correct, but, they don't "live" that way. The Corc works/expands alot more than the Sonia. I have packed things that were 8'' across in the bottom of the Corc but have had to flip them on their side in the Sonia. However, when it comes to the top, the Sonia beats the Corc. It easily opens wide whereas the Corc has a zipper centered on a 4" top panel, so you have to spread it out and pull back the two 2" strips to get into the bag. With the Sonia, I could hold the bag with one strap at the elbow, let the other strap roll to the wrist and have the bag open wide a good 11-12" and see everything inside easily. I did like that feature about the Sonia. View of the Sonia with top extended open:

Um...RMcC...I didn't know that Georgia O'Keefe took photos of handbags???..Talk about a bag in a compromising position..

Now the Tharpe has some gyncompany.

[jennirane]

Oh NO you didn't!

We really need to be careful of the delicate sensibilities of some of our members (!) Gingey... ALL handbags are somewhat womblike, or so says a bunch of guy theorists I've read LOL.

I think it's a beautiful photo, RMC. Captures the silver perfectly. Of course, I DO own five or six O'Keefe books and DH asked me to marry him under one of her paintings. So I'm biased

[sallyca]

Anyone have pics of the sonia with stuff in it? Or a modelling photo? Is it a bag that puddles up when you put it down? I like to see what bags look like as they get broken in. My KP corc has not gotten tacky in this heat and humidity and the more I use it the more I love it. It just seems to get softer and smooshier.

[jennirane]

The Sonia "slumps" rather than "puddles". Its' got a lot of internal structure with the three compartments. RMC's pic looks to me like it could have been taken without her supporting the bag. Does that make sense?

[RealMcCoy]

Jenn's right. Sonia slumps rather than "puddles' like a Havana. I think this is because of the seaming and inherant "skeletal" structure of the bag. The Havana is four large panels with simple seams. The Sonia is built of six panels that act as walls framing a suitcase bottom. Plus, it has two extra panels through its middle to separate the three compartments. And, it has the welted seaming along some of its framed edges for additional strength. Just some observations by an architect, LOL. Still, the leather is as soft and smooshy as the Havana - just behaves different structurally.

Of course, this is based on my experience with the Anthracite Sonia. This season's brandy and EUC could be entirely different. Below are photos of Sonia with stuff in the bottom. Not filled to the brim. Just the usual items that hang out at the bottom when you don't overload a bag: 1 pompidou, 1 clutch wallet, 1 carryall, a brush, bottle of cologne, a notebook and a ziploc with computer cables. So bearing with that in mind, here's...

Photo of Front


Photo at side angle:

[jennirane]

BEAUTIFUL pics, RMC! The Anthracite is gorgeous.

[sallyca]

Wow - I've never been a fan of shiny or silver but you just converted me! Those pics are stunning and make me look at the sonia in a whole new way!

[sallyca]

Actually I just remembered why the sonia wouldn't work so well for me - The rain! (if it ever comes back to make BC green again!) Sonia is open at the top. Phew! One less bag to obsess about!

Gingeybear...I'm with you about pleading for the corc to make a return! What do you think it would be like in tan crinkle patent?

[RealMcCoy]

Originally Posted by sallyca

Actually I just remembered why the sonia wouldn't work so well for me - The rain! (if it ever comes back to make BC green again!) Sonia is open at the top. Phew! One less bag to obsess about! Gingeybear...I'm with you about pleading for the corc to make a return! What do you think it would be like in tan crinkle patent?

Actually the Sonia is zipped across the 3" center section. The two 1" thick outer pockets secure shut by magnetic closure. On rain days I just moved all papers to the center compartment. The only leather Sonia I would use in inclement weather is the Anthracite. It seems to be a "sealed" leather. I wouldn't do that with the brandy, black or EUC.

I did love the Anthracite which to me was more "essence of metallic" with its soft, brushed silver/platinum finish. It wasn't "bling me in the face". I have since re-homed it to a delightful fellow HHHottie that I met by coincidence on eBay (was getting ready for my brandy trophy that didn't happen ). Funds still sitting there just waiting for HH to stop playing musical chairs with the prices, LOL.