Alto lovers

[G.Allyn]

I am not happy about some of the changes in the recent Dooney styles. Some things I can understand as style decisions, but some things just make the bags look and feel like lower quality.

These are not Alto issues, but I've seen these changes on other expensive collections, including Florentine.
The use of a sewn in fabric Dooney logo patch on the interior to replace the
leather Dooney patch is one of the things that screams low quality, to me. It's on the
inside, so only the owner knows it.... but I am the one who chooses to buy the bag or not
and that might be enough for me to not buy a handbag in the future.... especially anywhere near list price. The lack of the internal serial # tag sewn into the lining, is another
change that detracts from the quality image of the bag and brand.

I don't know how the new 'linen' fabric lining will wear, but I don't like the way it looks.
I prefer any of the older classic linings, the woven red/white or tan/white or even
the red cotton. I never loved the red color, but at least the quality was good.
The noisy red lining they have used recently on some bags is also a mistake,
in my opinion.

And then we get to the outside.... shorter tassels, lack of leather strips under the feet,
straight zipper pulls instead of braided pulls, lack of whip stitching on handles, thinner
rolled handles, thin straps, straps without stitching on the edges, handles sewn into bags
with just a line of stitches, without leather 'anchors' (are they under the lining or will the
handle tear off when the bag has some weight in it?) And the new fabric Dooney logo on the outside of the bags is enough for me to stay away from a style.

"Deal breaker" things will vary by person. For some it will be a single thing,
for others it will be the overall impression about the look/quality of an item or the brand.

Are these changes being made to distinguish Dooney offerings from ILD offerings?
Are they only being used for 'odds and ends' collections? Are they cost savings
changes that will spread to the entire brand? Were they a mistake or failed experiment?
Whatever the reason, I think they will affect the quality image of the entire
brand and therefore affect sales. In the age of social media a brand cannot hide....
for better or worse, the word gets out. I know I will be checking for these changes
and not order any bags with some of them. And I buy a lot of handbags from Dooney
every

You are the resident D&B expert here on PF. I do not notice as many of the changes as you have spotted, but some of the quality seems to be changing with Florentine.

I did buy three other bags this past sale in two other leathers but the Alto Collection remains a firm favorite. I hope the quality does not change. I love the Alto line.

 

[lavenderjunkie]

You are the resident D&B expert here on PF. I do not notice as many of the changes as you have spotted, but some of the quality seems to be changing with Florentine.

I did buy three other bags this past sale in two other leathers but the Alto Collection remains a firm favorite. I hope the quality does not change. I love the Alto line.

Just my opinions based on quite a few years of collecting Dooney handbags.
And yes, I too love the original Alto collection. Mot as many styles work for me
these days.... too many of the bags are just smaller than I would like,
even as I lust over some of the colors.

 

[G.Allyn]

Sunday Dec 22, 2024....
check out ILD on ebay.
I found a great buy.

I just noticed eBay ILD outlet has a coupon good until 1-5-2025 on some bags. Discount is 30%. I hope I remembered the info correctly.

For example, the Alto Small Shana goes down to $150.00.

 

[lavenderjunkie]

I just noticed eBay ILD outlet has a coupon good until 1-5-2025 on some bags. Discount is 30%. I hope I remembered the info correctly.

For example, the Alto Small Shana goes down to $150.00.

Thanks for the info. I only found a 20% coupon, but that's tempting too.
Coupon appears at the top of the item listing if it applies.
I see two Alto (Shana and Felicita)
and two Flo (30 and 38) that 'appeal' to me.
Maybe others will buy them and I'll no longer be tempted.

I think I may be done buying (for a while).... unless they
bring in more colors or even better prices on some other styles.
How many black, red, and saddle Alto (or Florentine) does one need?
And isn't one navy, fir, and burgundy Alto enough?
I wouldn't mind adding a lighter blue or fuchsia Alto
or an oyster. 😁

January is Property Tax payment month... it's a
big reality slap on spending. 😮

 

[G.Allyn]

Thanks for the info. I only found a 20% coupon, but that's tempting too.
Coupon appears at the top of the item listing if it applies.
I see two Alto (Shana and Felicita)
and two Flo (30 and 38) that 'appeal' to me.
Maybe others will buy them and I'll no longer be tempted.

I think I may be done buying (for a while).... unless they
bring in more colors or even better prices on some other styles.
How many black, red, and saddle Alto (or Florentine) does one need?
And isn't one navy, fir, and burgundy Alto enough?
I wouldn't mind adding a lighter blue or fuchsia Alto
or an oyster. 😁

January is Property Tax payment month... it's a
big reality slap on spending. 😮

My oyster Alto is my favorite bag. I wouldn't mind a second Alto bordeaux. If and when the price and style is right. All in all, I am very happy with my sale finds. Having said that, I need a Dooney diet and a post-Christmas cookie diet.

Thanks for correcting my discount error. I knew I was not going to remember correctly.

 

[mushroomNgrass]

So nice! I keep hoping for the small Shana in Bordeaux. You and LJ are finding great red Alto bags.

The small Shana zipper scratches my hand as I go inside… I don’t like that.No Florentine bag that I own does THat. I don’t like THST at all…. None of my nano satchels scrstch like THST smaller alto Shana….. on th e shelf she will be until she behaves lol

 

[G.Allyn]

Wow! Good to know. I have been watching for that cute bag in bordeaux. It's funny how one issue makes you a little irritated about a design feature or a construction problem.

 

[lavenderjunkie]

I'm hopeless. I had to go back to ILD/Ebay and see what other Alto
bags were either at a great low price or covered by the NEWYEAR20
coupon (which expires very soon).

Here's what I found, if anyone is still buying....
Alto Flavia is still $226. Amazing price for a full size satchel.
i bought 2 colors in Dec. Coupon does not apply.
There are 4 colors!

Alto Angela is $195 with the coupon. It's a slim satchel,
but the H and L dimensions are pretty good. If it weren't for the
3" depth, I would have ordered it. Still debating.
It's available in red and saddle.... that might save me....
I have quite a few red and saddle Alto.🙄

Small Shana is $150 with coupon. Too small for me,
and there have been complaints about zipper opening
scratching hands. But at that price....for an Alto....

 

[G.Allyn]

I'm hopeless. I had to go back to ILD/Ebay and see what other Alto
bags were either at a great low price or covered by the NEWYEAR20
coupon (which expires very soon).

Here's what I found, if anyone is still buying....
Alto Flavia is still $226. Amazing price for a full size satchel.
i bought 2 colors in Dec. Coupon does not apply.
There are 4 colors!

Alto Angela is $195 with the coupon. It's a slim satchel,
but the H and L dimensions are pretty good. If it weren't for the
3" depth, I would have ordered it. Still debating.
It's available in red and saddle.... that might save me....
I have quite a few red and saddle Alto.🙄

Small Shana is $150 with coupon. Too small for me,
and there have been complaints about zipper opening
scratching hands. But at that price....for an Alto....

I thought zippers were filed smooth so they would not scratch. At least this is what the rep on QVC used to claim. Interesting...

 

[lavenderjunkie]

I thought zippers were filed smooth so they would not scratch. At least this is what the rep on QVC used to claim. Interesting...

I haven't had a problem, but I think the structured design of many of the Alto bags
means that those with a small opening can be a challenge getting into.
Unlike a slouchy Florentine or softer pebbled style where the zipper is easily
pushed aside. And maybe there was an issue with a specific bag.

Personally, I don't like bags with recessed zippers... no matter what the
leather or design. Some are harder to get into, if the zipper opening is small
or the bag is very structure, and some aren't a problem to get into, but getting
to the slip and zip pockets that are buried behind the recessed opening is
not very easy.

 

[G.Allyn]

Can I get away with this black Alto Arietta bag with this casual ski jacket?

I think of my Alto bags as my "dressy" bags. I looked all over eBay ILD Outlet for a smaller size black on black in Florentine or Pebble leather and I couldn't find anything. I don't want a red zipper showing to wear with this jacket. The jacket color is mulberry (dark muted purple). It has to be black. I tried my Florentine Chestnut and it looked terrible.

This is the problem with having a small D&B collection. I have gaps in my D&B wardrobe.

I'm being cheap. I want free shipping, and only want to spend about $100.00 with a really good sale price. Between buying so many D&B bags in Nov./Dec., the great sale prices I purchased at have me spoiled.

 

[lavenderjunkie]

YES. Your Alto Arietta (and most Alto bags) can be used with a casual
outfit or a more tailored outfit or even something dressier (except truly formal).
I think the understated elegance of many of the Alto styles makes them
very easy to style. And the black will be perfect with your jacket.

You can use the long black leather strap, or even substitute a more casual and
colorful guitar strap, depending upon your mood.

I think the smaller size might make it too dressy looking only if you use the short handle and detach the longer strap. Small bags, of almost any design, tend to look dressier if they
are hand carried.

With a small, curated collection of great handbags, you should pair them with as many
different outfits and styles as you can. Be adventurous. We tend to have an idea
of what works and what doesn't based on the way we have coordinated our accessories and clothing in the past. But... not only do styles change, we probably have lots of other
pairings that would work, but we never think of it. Sometimes we have to
lay things out to see them in real life. And sometimes we just have to try them,
one time, to see how we really feel. Also, don't forget that adding a scarf,
somewhere, can often tie a look together by connecting colors or just
balancing things out. Or, in the case of a coat.... adding a hat to match the handbag,
sometimes makes it all look so much more pulled together.

It never used to be this complicated for me.... and then I started focusing on my
coats as part of my ensemble. Now, I want the outfit to work with the handbag and the coat to work with the handbag, and everything to work together and look
intentional. It bothers me to have a 'random' color, even if it is 'neutral'.
Everything has to be tied together... either tones of the same basic color, or
a pattern that pulls all the colors, and never too many colors, or a pair of items in
each color, so the look is balanced.

And, it even bothers me if the accessories
I have inside my handbag don't coordinate well with each other and with the
handbag color itself. (I have some pattern handbag accessories, and some pattern
handbags, I struggle with using them because it means changing so many more things
to get everything to look the way I want it. As a result, I don't use the pattern items
as often as I would like, unless I build the outfit around them.)

 

[G.Allyn]

YES. Your Alto Arietta (and most Alto bags) can be used with a casual
outfit or a more tailored outfit or even something dressier (except truly formal).
I think the understated elegance of many of the Alto styles makes them
very easy to style. And the black will be perfect with your jacket.

You can use the long black leather strap, or even substitute a more casual and
colorful guitar strap, depending upon your mood.

I think the smaller size might make it too dressy looking only if you use the short handle and detach the longer strap. Small bags, of almost any design, tend to look dressier if they
are hand carried.

With a small, curated collection of great handbags, you should pair them with as many
different outfits and styles as you can. Be adventurous. We tend to have an idea
of what works and what doesn't based on the way we have coordinated our accessories and clothing in the past. But... not only do styles change, we probably have lots of other
pairings that would work, but we never think of it. Sometimes we have to
lay things out to see them in real life. And sometimes we just have to try them,
one time, to see how we really feel. Also, don't forget that adding a scarf,
somewhere, can often tie a look together by connecting colors or just
balancing things out. Or, in the case of a coat.... adding a hat to match the handbag,
sometimes makes it all look so much more pulled together.

It never used to be this complicated for me.... and then I started focusing on my
coats as part of my ensemble. Now, I want the outfit to work with the handbag and the coat to work with the handbag, and everything to work together and look
intentional. It bothers me to have a 'random' color, even if it is 'neutral'.
Everything has to be tied together... either tones of the same basic color, or
a pattern that pulls all the colors, and never too many colors, or a pair of items in
each color, so the look is balanced.

And, it even bothers me if the accessories
I have inside my handbag don't coordinate well with each other and with the
handbag color itself. (I have some pattern handbag accessories, and some pattern
handbags, I struggle with using them because it means changing so many more things
to get everything to look the way I want it. As a result, I don't use the pattern items
as often as I would like, unless I build the outfit around them.)

Good! Thank you! I trust your opinion. You seem to care about a complete look.

The ski jacket arrived yesterday. A new brand for me called Poivre Blanc. I wanted something warm and waterproof in case it is cold with wet snow. The fur is faux. Also, jacket was -72.5% off with free shipping.

I was hoping the braided strap on the Alto bag made it more casual. Darn, I should have grabbed a florentine baguette bag when they were on eBay in the $71-$85 range. I want a black/black for nasty weather. Dooney wants $149 at present.

The scarf idea is a great reminder on how to pull a look together. I do the same thing laying out items and standing back to see if they work. I have too many scarves and it's time I made an effort and pulled them out

 

[lavenderjunkie]

Good! Thank you! I trust your opinion. You seem to care about a complete look.

The ski jacket arrived yesterday. A new brand for me called Poivre Blanc. I wanted something warm and waterproof in case it is cold with wet snow. The fur is faux. Also, jacket was -72.5% off with free shipping.

I was hoping the braided strap on the Alto bag made it more casual. Darn, I should have grabbed a florentine baguette bag when they were on eBay in the $71-$85 range. I want a black/black for nasty weather. Dooney wants $149 at present.

The scarf idea is a great reminder on how to pull a look together. I do the same thing laying out items and standing back to see if they work. I have too many scarves and it's time I made an effort and pulled them out

There will be another sale, there always is. Now that you know what you
'need' you can be on the lookout. But, the Alto you have is really a great
bag to wear with the coat. Only issue is bad weather. I don't know how
the leather will handle it. Black is usually very resilient. Even Florentine
leather in black, navy, and Tmoro seem to be ok in wet weather. Other colors,
no so much, in my personal experience.

Pebble leather is my go to for
rainy and snowy weather. It's really very carefree.
Years ago, I tripped and my olive green pebble Dooney slid across
the filthy floor of a gas station office. A paper towel and a little
soap and water, and the bag was perfect. My knees and pants,
suffered much more.

 

[G.Allyn]

Ouch! That sounds like someting I would do.