Courtenay lovers... is this bag too big for petite gals?

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cupcake

cupcake

O.G.
May 5, 2006
3,659
53
#1
I am fairly petite - 5' 1" and 110ish so I have always carried smaller bags because I felt overwhelmed by bigger bags, as though the bag is wearing me. I just recently started carrying a bag bigger than what I would normally carry and it is growing me. So, I am starting to look at bigger bags. In particular, I have my eye on the Courtenay bags from last year.

If any of the petite gals here have any mod shots with a Courtenay bag, I would love to see them. I looked at the Courtenay Lovers thread and there are lots of great pictures but it is hard to tell the size of the person in the photo. Otherwise, I would just love some opinions about the size of the bag and whether this bag would be overwhelming on me.

Thank you!
 
#2
cupcake said:
I am fairly petite - 5' 1" and 110ish so I have always carried smaller bags because I felt overwhelmed by bigger bags, as though the bag is wearing me. I just recently started carrying a bag bigger than what I would normally carry and it is growing me. So, I am starting to look at bigger bags. In particular, I have my eye on the Courtenay bags from last year.

If any of the petite gals here have any mod shots with a Courtenay bag, I would love to see them. I looked at the Courtenay Lovers thread and there are lots of great pictures but it is hard to tell the size of the person in the photo. Otherwise, I would just love some opinions about the size of the bag and whether this bag would be overwhelming on me.

Thank you!
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I don't have one anymore, so I can't give you a mod shot, but I don't think the Courtenay would be too big at all. I am petite, too (4'10'') and I did not find the bag too big. It's definitely a medium sized bag. It slouches nicely over time. I really don't think you'd be overwhelmed by it.

Hope that helps a little :)
 
#3
mjg75 said:
I don't have one anymore, so I can't give you a mod shot, but I don't think the Courtenay would be too big at all. I am petite, too (4'10'') and I did not find the bag too big. It's definitely a medium sized bag. It slouches nicely over time. I really don't think you'd be overwhelmed by it.

Hope that helps a little :)
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Thanks so much, that helps a lot! If the bag didn't overwhelm you then I don't think it will overwhelm me either.
 
#4
I'm 5'4" and I don't think the Courtenay is too overwhelming. I don't like really big bags on me. I don't think I have a modeling picture. I carry it by the short strap over my shoulder. I don't like the look or heaviness of larger bags with a crossbody strap.
 
#5
whateve said:
I'm 5'4" and I don't think the Courtenay is too overwhelming. I don't like really big bags on me. I don't think I have a modeling picture. I carry it by the short strap over my shoulder. I don't like the look or heaviness of larger bags with a crossbody strap.
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Same here; I don't care for the larger bags with a crossbody strap. I would definitely carry it with the shorter shoulder strap.

And, I almost always wear a 2" heel so that puts me at 5'3" so I think I am probably overthinking the size issue. I just need to step out of the box and try something new!
 
#6
Hi! I am about 5'3" and I don't think the Courteney is too big on me. In fact, sometimes I find mine a little too small compared to my legacy duffle. It slouches a bit so it molds to your body a bit. I think it will look fine on you. Did you see the mod shots on pages 7 and 8 on the Courteney Club thread? I believe that TPF member is 4'11". What color are you thinking of getting? Please do a reveal when you get yours.
 
#8
Thanks so much for all of your replies; they have been so helpful!

I think I am going to do it. There are some very reasonably priced Courtenays on eBay and I am hoping to get one cheap! My favorite colors are bright coral, robin, marine and deep port. Honestly, if I like the bag enough, I can see myself getting one in a fall/winter color and another one in a more spring/summer color. I already have a Legacy Mini Rory in fuschia and the Double Gusset Hobo in pink scarlet so the bright coral may be too similar in color to the two I already have.

In the meantime, while I was deciding on a Courtenay, I picked up a Rhyder 24 in violet. I already have one in teal and I absolutely loved that bag for fall and early winter. I just sold a few bags on eBay last weekend so I feel like I need to replenish my collection. :giggles:
 
#9
I just got a Rhyder 24 in violet as well :-) I like it better than expected. I wish they would have put the multifunction pockets in it, but I am dealing without them okay since the front pocket is decent. My one wish is that they would have made the satchel straps a little bigger so that you can fit your hand/arm in for quick hands free needs. (I don't tend to use crossbody straps unless I really need it for something more long term)
 
#10
Alexa5 said:
I just got a Rhyder 24 in violet as well :-) I like it better than expected. I wish they would have put the multifunction pockets in it, but I am dealing without them okay since the front pocket is decent. My one wish is that they would have made the satchel straps a little bigger so that you can fit your hand/arm in for quick hands free needs. (I don't tend to use crossbody straps unless I really need it for something more long term)
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I couldn't agree more with everything you said about the Rhyder. The satchel straps need to be just a tad bit longer and it would be the perfect bag. I can *just* get them around my hand/wrist but not when I am wearing a heavy winter coat. I don't use the crossbody strap either; for me, the bag is too bulky to wear crossbody. I missed having the multifunction pockets, too, so I compromised (or, should I say splurged) and bought a zippy wallet to use in the bag with my wallet. It is skinny and very functional! I put my phone in the front pocket and it is easy to get to.

I am so excited to get my violet Rhyder; the jewel tone colors of these bags are so luxurious and the leather is very durable. Because it is a satchel, I expected to get some wearing and color fading on the corners but after months of use, it doesn't have a single mark of wear or any scratches.
 
#11
Well, I solved the problem re: being hands free for the Rhyder..... I shortened the crossbody strap considerably to make it just shoulder length (I added a hole farther up the strap and cut off the excess), and it is great now. I normally carry satchels as satchels, and only need the strap as I mentioned above for certain situations. This way the strap is small enough to leave on the bag full time without being too much and when I need to be hands free I can just use the shoulder strap.

I liked it so much I did it with 3 other bags that had a similar issue. They are much handier now!
 
#12
Alexa5 said:
Well, I solved the problem re: being hands free for the Rhyder..... I shortened the crossbody strap considerably to make it just shoulder length (I added a hole farther up the strap and cut off the excess), and it is great now. I normally carry satchels as satchels, and only need the strap as I mentioned above for certain situations. This way the strap is small enough to leave on the bag full time without being too much and when I need to be hands free I can just use the shoulder strap.

I liked it so much I did it with 3 other bags that had a similar issue. They are much handier now!
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Hmmm... I don't suppose you could post a picture of the handiwork on your Rhyder strap? I would LOVE to see it!!
 
#13
Here are two pics of the Rhyder, and also a pic of the mini Brooklyn I just got....that one has a tiny handle so it will definitely benefit from having a smaller shoulder length strap attached. It is hard to get a great pic as the strap appears longer than it looks when you are carrying it. I also did this with my 2 toaster bags as those satchel handles are somewhat small, but not quite as small as the other two bags. I just know that I really don't want to do crossbody so I won't miss the extra length. I just need a strap that allows me an extra option to be hands free.





 
#14
Alexa5 said:
Here are two pics of the Rhyder, and also a pic of the mini Brooklyn I just got....that one has a tiny handle so it will definitely benefit from having a smaller shoulder length strap attached. It is hard to get a great pic as the strap appears longer than it looks when you are carrying it. I also did this with my 2 toaster bags as those satchel handles are somewhat small, but not quite as small as the other two bags. I just know that I really don't want to do crossbody so I won't miss the extra length. I just need a strap that allows me an extra option to be hands free.





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Thank you so much for the photos! I absolutely love that and I think I am going to do the same thing with my straps. Great idea!! And, now I can't wait for my violet Rhyder to get here. Looks like it might be delivered tomorrow - I am keeping my fingers crossed. That purple is so gorgeous!

Here is the Courtenay I picked up on eBay. The seller listed the bag in all of the wrong ways - no style number or style name anywhere in the title or listing. If the bag is in the condition as she stated in the description, I got a killer deal. I figured for $50 I really couldn't go wrong!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271746006696?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
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