Great topic. I think the answer depends on how we each carry our bags.
I hand or arm carry all my bags. So a rolled handle that's not too long
is my choice. I love the whipped stitch detail on the Florentine handles.
Flat straps/handles are not as comfortable to carry. And longer ones make
the bag feel heavier as it tends to swing more if the strap is longer.
(There must be some rule in physics, but I can't remember that far back
in school)! 😁
I think the wider shoulder straps, like on the Kingston and some other styles
are beautiful. They are comfortable for arm carry, but the width makes
hand carry difficult.
Braided ends on some strap (like the Twist Strap Hobo) or even the
Celeste Satchel are really pretty. But, because the straps are flat,
they are not comfortable for hand carry.
And thin flat straps/handles are just not comfortable at all.
I never understand how they are praised for ease of shoulder carry
or cross body. Yes, if it's a tiny handbag, a wide strap might not be
the best aesthetic choice.... but...many medium or larger Dooney bags
have shoulder/cross body straps that are just too thin for the bags weight.
Aren't you glad you asked! 🤣
I also notice how the handles/straps are attached. I prefer handles that can
easily fold down for access to the top of the bag. The designs where the handles
stick straight up are much harder to use. Also, over time as the leather
softens these rigid handles often flop down and crease. It's not a good look.
And on some bags the handles/straps are attached with and artistic piece of leather...
a teardrop shape, like on the pebbled leather zip zip satchel. On other bags,
it's a simple rectangular piece of leather that often makes the design appear much
less refined.
As for shoulder straps or cross body straps, even tho I don't carry handbags
this way anymore, I did prefer when they were attached to the sides of the bag,
not to the handles or the front and back of the bag. The styles where the
longer straps clip onto the handles result in a very unbalanced carry.
I'm reading posts but not replying like I want to. Five more days!
