Alto Callista Opinions Requested

[G.Allyn]

Hello!

I have been looking at the Alto small Callista for quite awhile in marine blue. I wish the bag was larger, but want the sachel short handle drop v the larger with the shoulder length. Does anyone have this bag? It is 51% off at D&B. It is higher at ILD.

Anyway, looking at it in marine or saddle. I have a navy florentine satchel (the common one with the fold over "smile" top and the two tassels on each end) and a very small alto saddle shoulder bag. I have several bags in t-moro, natural, oyster ect.

I can't decide if it's a good purchase and the color choice needed/wanted. I ended up feeling this way over a black alto with the pretty woven shoulder strap and I ended up loving

Thanks! You all are good at pointing out pros and cons.

 

[G.Allyn]

Well, I went ahead and placed an order. I looked up sizes of bags I own and came to the conclusion that the small Callista would be too small.

Here is the boring info:
1) small with 4" handles 8Hx4.5Dx9.75L 51% off and $318.00 on sale
2) Callista with 8" handles 10Hx5Wx12L 51% off and $340.55.

The larger bag is only $22.55 more and probably more functional. I'll live with the handles. I buy too many satchels.

These are my brown/neutral bags:
1)florentine Stanwich satchel in natural
2)Alto Ella tiny shoulder bag in saddle
3)Alto Fina crossbody in natural
4)Alto Fina in crossbody in oyster
5)Alto Viola in T-moro

Anyway, the marine blue won out over the saddle. I have Alto bags in black and olive and thought an Alto bag in marine may come in handy. The tiny persian blue purchased yesterday looks bright and a bit limiting and my navy florentine sachel has been carried forever and is more casual.

My D&B collection is pretty small after giving bags to friends, donating and selling. I only have about 18 bags and I overthink my purchases.

My best to all!

 

[lavenderjunkie]

Hello!

I have been looking at the Alto small Callista for quite awhile in marine blue. I wish the bag was larger, but want the sachel short handle drop v the larger with the shoulder length. Does anyone have this bag? It is 51% off at D&B. It is higher at ILD.

Anyway, looking at it in marine or saddle. I have a navy florentine satchel (the common one with the fold over "smile" top and the two tassels on each end) and a very small alto saddle shoulder bag. I have several bags in t-moro, natural, oyster ect.

I can't decide if it's a good purchase and the color choice needed/wanted. I ended up feeling this way over a black alto with the pretty woven shoulder strap and I ended up loving

Thanks! You all are good at pointing out pros and cons.\

G: I have the (larger) Callista in Navy. It's really a medium sized bag. Of course I love the look of the bag and lusted over it for a while until I got it on sale. What I don't like is the way the handles are attached. They don't really fold down all the way. I prefer handles hat fold down all the way.

The bag is very structured and the zipper is recessed. So, not only is there
less space inside.

And there is NO SHOULDER/longer strap. Not an issue for me since I hand or arm
carry. The handles are a little taller than on a typical satchel, but not so long
that they look or feel oversize or interfere with the satchel look or carry. I don't know if
anyone could put the handles over their shoulders.

I like the bag enough that I'm now thinking about another color.... your fault for letting
me know about the sale on Dooney.com. I don't remember what I paid.

Personally, I wouldn't buy the small Callista. But that's because I find most Alto bags
to have less interior space than I would like and the small would be too small for me. 🙄
I want as much depth across the bottom as I can get because Alto bags don't
stretch or relax to accommodate things inside. And the measurements posted are are best
the longest/widest points on the bag and don't reflect usable interior space. But I knpw
that everyone has different needs.

Good luck with your decision. Navy Alto leather is stunning.

 

[G.Allyn]

G: I have the (larger) Callista in Navy. It's really a medium sized bag. Of course I love the look of the bag and lusted over it for a while until I got it on sale. What I don't like is the way the handles are attached. They don't really fold down all the way. I prefer handles hat fold down all the way.

The bag is very structured and the zipper is recessed. So, not only is there
less space inside.

And there is NO SHOULDER/longer strap. Not an issue for me since I hand or arm
carry. The handles are a little taller than on a typical satchel, but not so long
that they look or feel oversize or interfere with the satchel look or carry. I don't know if
anyone could put the handles over their shoulders.

I like the bag enough that I'm now thinking about another color.... your fault for letting
me know about the sale on Dooney.com. I don't remember what I paid.

Personally, I wouldn't buy the small Callista. But that's because I find most Alto bags
to have less interior space than I would like and the small would be too small for me. 🙄
I want as much depth across the bottom as I can get because Alto bags don't
stretch or relax to accommodate things inside. And the measurements posted are are best
the longest/widest points on the bag and don't reflect usable interior space. But I knpw
that everyone has different needs.

Good luck with your decision. Navy Alto leather is stunning.

Yeah! Good to know, it looks like we purchased the same bag in marine. I'm glad to read the Alto dark blue is nice. It sure photographs well.

I wonder if the deals will get better closer to the real Black Friday or in December, but I took the chance with ordering two bags this weekend.

I will follow your lead and remember that I can't always get the best deal. My Alto (black) Arietta was my good find on D&B or ILD ($725.00 marked down to $199.00).

One thing I like about D&B is that I have only purchased a few disappointments. I return or sell. I have learned for the most part what I like and what functions work for me.

I have cut down on my handbag purchases, but the styles and quality have me coming back for more (2-3 bags a year is pretty disciplined in my mind).

 

[lavenderjunkie]

Yeah! Good to know, it looks like we purchased the same bag in marine. I'm glad to read the Alto dark blue is nice. It sure photographs well.

I wonder if the deals will get better closer to the real Black Friday or in December, but I took the chance with ordering two bags this weekend.

I will follow your lead and remember that I can't always get the best deal. My Alto (black) Arietta was my good find on D&B or ILD ($725.00 marked down to $199.00).

One thing I like about D&B is that I have only purchased a few disappointments. I return or sell. I have learned for the most part what I like and what functions work for me.

I have cut down on my handbag purchases, but the styles and quality have me coming back for more (2-3 bags a year is pretty disciplined in my mind).

2-3 bags a year is very disciplined. You are doing well. With me it's either buy or don't buy. Once I start, I find more things I want. If I stop, I can go for a few months
without being tempted.

I think the sales won't be as good as we get closer to the holidays. Then, after
Christmas, they will pick back up. But some of the items may be returns.... could be
no big deal, someone just didn't like the color or style. Or.... returns can be true
rejects.

Finding that real treasure at an amazing price, like you did for the Arietta means checking
the site often. And then often means I'm tempted to buy something.