Hi all!
Now that I've carried the new Le City First for at least a week, I figured I would give you some observations between the old (2005) and the new (2025) iterations. Spoiler alert: there isn't much of a difference!
Sizing is identical. The 2025 felt a bit roomier, but my mind was just playing tricks on me. When I transferred the contents of the reissue to the OG, everything fit exactly the same. The reissue might be a hair wider at the base. It could be that lambskin feels lighter than goat?
2005 Dolma laid flat on top of 2025 Parma
2025 Parma on top of 2005 Dolma (it practically disappeared!)
Side by side of the width
Leather quality: 2005 is the winner. You just can't beat classic Bal Chevre. The new Arena Storico lambskin isn't bad, but it is definitely a bit drier to the touch. It did grow on me with every day I carried it, though. Obviously, I haven't had the bag long enough to test its longevity, but this type of leather definitely took color well. I don't expect much fading. So far, no color transfer.
I was pleasantly surprised to see they brought back the original lacing vs the new flatter styles we've seen on the Le City. Feels nostalgic. Shoulder strap length is the same.
The biggest differences lie in hardware color (darker on new iteration), rivets & interior tags. The edge coating on the reissue also seems more robust than the originals, so we'll see how that holds up over time.
All in all, I'm pleased with my purchase, but the new prices are crazy. It does feel like a true re-release vs an inspiration. Go with whatever color/leather combo makes you happy!