Are You Still Enthusiastic About Dooney?

[G.Allyn]

Is anyone concerned about the D&B brand?

I have been a customer since 2002. Over the years I purchased 40-50 bags, wallets and travel weekenders for myself and gifts. The last few years I noticed I am buying less and less. Why? I think the styles were more exciting back in about 2014 with things like the Tessuta woven shopper and a few bags in the Sellaio Collection from about the same time.

Am I alone in my feelings that Dooney has been less than stellar the last few years? I purchased *one* bag last year as a gift. It was a travel bag. For over a year I didn't even feel tempted to buy anything for myself.

Having said that, I recently started to miss my Dooney buying and I do have a couple on my wish list...1) Alto Eloisa in oyster and 2) Bristol florentine satchel in something neutral (ecru?). I wish I could see both colors in person. If anyone has these colors, it would be nice to read your feedback and see what you thought of the leather and the colors. Are they more grey or tan?

The last couple of years I have seen many handbags that look like they could be D & B's, but they are from another designer and run at least $800.00. I want D & B quality, but more exciting styles.

 

[starbucksqueen]

Hi
It's a funny thing about handbags. Sometimes the line changes and it no longer appeals. Sometimes we change and it no longer appeals! I have switched between Coach and Dooney and Bourke. Sometimes they both have something that appeals to me and works in my life. I have to tell you that I don't own a zip zip, a Lexington tote, or those double zip bags with the skinny strap--precisely because of that skinny strap. I don't have tons of Dooney & Bourke. I like pockets and I tend to carry bags as a crossbody/shoulder style. The Florentine because of its minimal logo and beautiful leather and some useful purpose. Most of my Dooneys belong to the Barlow family. What a design. Beauty and utility melded together. The prices are better on D&B than Coach and you can easily find them on sale. They could do a little better with design--in terms of slip pockets, etc. However, Peter Dooney is 75-years-old and is no Karl Lagerfeld (may he rest in peace.) He has made his money catering to a certain customer base which is not looking for trendy designs. From a business standpoint, those new designs translate into higher prices. I think they count on this certain demographic buying multiples of the same style. So in other words, if you can't sell as many bags full price, you get people to buy cheaper, but as many as possible. So they love the idea of a Dooneynista Den or whatever fan group. They're not the only brand to do this.
I don't believe in blind brand loyalty. If I'm disappointed in a brand at the moment. I find a bag that meets certain criteria and falls outside of my usual choices, then I buy it. I don't think of it as "cheating" on a brand. The beautiful thing about all of this is that these are only bags and you could have fun discovering a new line. Or cherish what you already have.

 

[bellebellebelle19]

I've loved my recent Dooney bags!! I wish they would modernize their logos. But other than that I still am in love with my bags!

 

[Katiesmama]

I’m still a Dooney girl! I’ve got more Brahmins than I have Dooney but I’ve got a good number just the same. I pretty much stick with those two for contemporary designers, I have just a few coach but never had the strong loyalty to them that I have with Dooney. I have a few premiere designer bags also, but I believe I’ll always buy from Dooney. My first love

 

[Lilybarb]

Is anyone concerned about the D&B brand?

I have been a customer since 2002. Over the years I purchased 40-50 bags, wallets and travel weekenders for myself and gifts. The last few years I noticed I am buying less and less. Why? I think the styles were more exciting back in about 2014 with things like the Tessuta woven shopper and a few bags in the Sellaio Collection from about the same time.

Am I alone in my feelings that Dooney has been less than stellar the last few years? I purchased *one* bag last year as a gift. It was a travel bag. For over a year I didn't even feel tempted to buy anything for myself.

Having said that, I recently started to miss my Dooney buying and I do have a couple on my wish list...1) Alto Eloisa in oyster and 2) Bristol florentine satchel in something neutral (ecru?). I wish I could see both colors in person. If anyone has these colors, it would be nice to read your feedback and see what you thought of the leather and the colors. Are they more grey or tan?

The last couple of years I have seen many handbags that look like they could be D & B's, but they are from another designer and run at least $800.00. I want D & B quality, but more exciting styles.

I don’t own an Alto, but I do own a peb leather oyster color bag (senior moment cannot recall the name at this moment) which is a lovely soft tan. I specifically recall seeing in the forum an oyster Cooper & a Dani cb. Unfortunately it seems there’s fewer bags in the color on Dooney’s site lately, which is rather sad because imo oyster looks classy on ALL bags.

 

[G.Allyn]

I don’t own an Alto, but I do own a peb leather oyster color bag (senior moment cannot recall the name at this moment) which is a lovely soft tan. I specifically recall seeing in the forum an oyster Cooper & a Dani cb. Unfortunately it seems there’s fewer bags in the color on Dooney’s site lately, which is rather sad because imo oyster looks classy on ALL bags.

Thanks! Lilybarb, I appreciate the good color description.

I have become obsessed with the oyster color. My next handbag purchase will end up being my wish list Alto in this color. i need to send a bag for trade-in, because my dream bag is a little pricey at $650.00. i have a bag I paid $425.00 for and never carried. I hope they will still give a credit of $212.50. Fingers crossed they have the bag in stock by the time I get my D&B credit.

 

[aerinha]

I love the florentine line and recently picked up late 90s early 2000s all weather leather bags, both are super high quality...heavy as all get out, but gorgeous and functional. I have tired of dooneys I got at outlets or on sale and sold them for $40-50 to coworkers and tired of bigger names I paid over $1000 for and had to practically give away after months on ebay or at a consignment site which made me tire of the big name hype. I am limiting my bag buys, but dooney still has my attention.

 

[swags]

I am still enthusiastic but I’ve tried to be less impulsive with my purchases. In particular the QVC shows. The hostess will say “for a dollar a day...”. and next thing you know I’m buying.
I now browse ILD more often than the Q.

 

[AManIntoFashion]

I love Dooney and Bourke's pebbled leather coin pouches with the keyrings. I use them as wallets. Just bought the classic black and brown one. The pebbled leather is so soft!!!

 

[immigratty]

Dooney is and always will be my first love, I’m almost exclusively Alto now. However recent designs have been less than exciting to say the least, but I’m a brand loyalist, so wen Dooney isn’t catching my eye I buy more Gucci, and vice versa, I guess I won’t purchase anything if both r ever in a slouch at the same time. It just feels wrong to buy anything else

 

[lavenderjunkie]

Dooney is and always will be my first love, I’m almost exclusively Alto now. However recent designs have been less than exciting to say the least, but I’m a brand loyalist, so wen Dooney isn’t catching my eye I buy more Gucci, and vice versa, I guess I won’t purchase anything if both r ever in a slouch at the same time. It just feels wrong to buy anything else

IM: I love the Alto leather too. But the styles over the past few years just aren't right for me. Good thing I collected enough to last me for many, many years.

 

[carterazo]

Dooney is one of my loves. But even though Dooney's pebbled leather is tops, I just can't get past the name plate very often. I love my Alto pieces in particular. I just wish I had more $$$ . [emoji16] I've been wanting something in oyster for a long time. It's such a lovely neutral - but that name plate... I got a coin purse in that color. I figure I can turn it around so I don't have to see the logo. I would like something from the Emerson line in the future. It's so classy! And no name plates on the bags. [emoji7]

I wish I lived coser to an outlet. I love seeing things irl.

 

[lavenderjunkie]

Dooney is one of my loves. But even though Dooney's pebbled leather is tops, I just can't get past the name plate very often. I love my Alto pieces in particular. I just wish I had more $$$ . [emoji16] I've been wanting something in oyster for a long time. It's such a lovely neutral - but that name plate... I got a coin purse in that color. I figure I can turn it around so I don't have to see the logo. I would like something from the Emerson line in the future. It's so classy! And no name plates on the bags. [emoji7]

I wish I lived coser to an outlet. I love seeing things irl.

Caterazo: I love the Emerson leather and the styles of the satchels. The D metal closure has the Dooney name engraved, but it's subtle. I don't like logos either. I remove any logo charms when I get a handbag. The Florentine line is nice, because the name plate is leather and doesn't stand out or attract attention. And of course, the Alto is very subtle. The Emerson reminds me a lot of Alto.... the leather and the styling.

 

[Lilybarb]

Dooney is one of my loves. But even though Dooney's pebbled leather is tops, I just can't get past the name plate very often. I love my Alto pieces in particular. I just wish I had more $$$ . [emoji16] I've been wanting something in oyster for a long time. It's such a lovely neutral - but that name plate... I got a coin purse in that color. I figure I can turn it around so I don't have to see the logo. I would like something from the Emerson line in the future. It's so classy! And no name plates on the bags. [emoji7]

I wish I lived coser to an outlet. I love seeing things irl.

Totally understand your wanting something in oyster. It’s such a pretty neutral.

 

[carterazo]

Caterazo: I love the Emerson leather and the styles of the satchels. The D metal closure has the Dooney name engraved, but it's subtle. I don't like logos either. I remove any logo charms when I get a handbag. The Florentine line is nice, because the name plate is leather and doesn't stand out or attract attention. And of course, the Alto is very subtle. The Emerson reminds me a lot of Alto.... the leather and the styling.

Yes, I love how subtle branding on this line. If only they would do something similar on all the lines. Florentine leather and I aren't friends. I had a bad experience with spotting from a bit of water. Emmerson reminds me of Alto. I think it's more carefree? At least that's my hope. Lol!