I want to share (and slightly complain about haha) my new-to-me flamenco bag! I really love the flamenco and have been wanting a larger one (I have the mini clutch but it's too small for everyday wear for me, not to mention it has a frog on it ...). After this year's purchases I didn't think I could justify it, though, so I went looking for the vintage style and found one in decent condition at a good price.
I was a little worried I'd be disappointed because I prefer the new style flamenco in every way (the sleeker silhouette, the knots, the curlier logo) but honestly, I love it. If you stuff it full it takes on this nice boxy shape and if you don't you can cinch the drawstring like an old-fashioned money bag. The leather is very soft and much squishier than my new flamenco. Every other vintage flamenco I've seen has a dark fabric lining but this has the light herringbone fabric inside - it's easier to see stuff and the internal compartments are divided well. I like the way the strap adjusts and overall, I like that because it's used I don't feel nervous about taking it out and ruining it! Only thing I'm worried about is the magnetic closure is super strong; I don't want to deform the leather by yanking on it to open the bag.
Just a couple of complaints though:
- It was listed as pink and cherry red but the close-up photos suggested it was more pink and orange. Messaged the seller to check and they said red. Got it and it's definitely orange. Which is what I wanted, but I'd be annoyed if the red was important to me.
- There are pen marks on the front that were not flagged up in the listing! That is really not OK, right? I'm almost certain I'll keep the bag considering the overall condition and the price I paid, but I'm put off using this seller again (it's elady from Japan on VC; seems to be more a business than a random person selling off a couple of bags). I don't understand why they took a picture of a ding on the side that is barely noticeable in real life but missed the PEN MARKS. I also think they should have included close ups of the rather grubby middle section of the strap, and there are a couple of faint pale marks on the front too.
Does anyone have any advice about cleaning the bag? I'd love it if I could remove the pen marks or lighten the grime on the strap. I'm sure I read that this napa leather is quite absorbent or something and you have to be careful what you put on it. Is it weird for me to take it in to a Loewe boutique to ask for advice, even though it's an old second hand bag?