Dooney FLORENTINE Clubhouse!!

[mushroomNgrass]

Can anyone tell me what color my purse is? I have my own photos but these screenshots of the seller's photos really show the color most accurately. I'm over halfway through this thread and not coming across any like it yet. Thank you so much if you can tell me!
Also, I've been looking but cannot for the life of me find a list of retired Florentine colors. Does something like that exist somewhere? It would definitely solve my problems
Aaaaalso, I'm very glad I got a well used one, but I got a big drip of water on the back a few days ago and the spot it left is crinkly and dark and awful but I don't feel as bad since it was already worn.

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Royal blue maybe???

 

[lavenderjunkie]

Royal blue maybe???

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I think the tag says Royal Blue, the listing does say that.
I don't have that color in my Florentine collection and don't remember it....
but if it was limited, I easily could have missed it. I lusted after the Ocean Blue,
and once I finally got that I might have been 'satisfied' for a while.

Some of the pictures in the listing look quite faded. You need to judge for yourself
from the listing info as to whether you will be happy with the overall color of the bag.
As I said in my other post, there were some issues with Ocean Blue color back in the day.
I don't know if Royal Blue had the same problems.

 

[mushroomNgrass]

I think the tag says Royal Blue, the listing does say that.
I don't have that color in my Florentine collection and don't remember it....
but if it was limited, I easily could have missed it. I lusted after the Ocean Blue,
and once I finally got that I might have been 'satisfied' for a while.

Some of the pictures in the listing look quite faded. You need to judge for yourself
from the listing info as to whether you will be happy with the overall color of the bag.
As I said in my other post, there were some issues with Ocean Blue color back in the day.
I don't know if Royal Blue had the same problems.

The tag on that domed buckle satchel says royal blue. So I thought maybe that was the color of the Florentine satchel that was asked about in the earlier post. I hadn’t seen a satchel in that color before. I was just putting that to add to your blue flo colors list

 

[mushroomNgrass]

@lavenderjunkie I'm ashamed…I carried my domed buckle satchel yesterday and it barely held everything I wanted to carry yesterday. Pics attached of everything in and out of the purse Except my iPad 11 pro. I mean it was STUFFED! organized but stuffed. The inside pockets were not functional, as they made less room inside since they poke out, and catch on everything when I try to put something in. I didn’t find it too heavy for the time I had to lug it around, but I thought it would hold more… quick question do you think the Florentine satchel will hold more since it’s not as structured? I will certainly find out when my baby Huey arrives…

 

[lavenderjunkie]

@lavenderjunkie I'm ashamed…I carried my domed buckle satchel yesterday and it barely held everything I wanted to carry yesterday. Pics attached of everything in and out of the purse Except my iPad 11 pro. I mean it was STUFFED! organized but stuffed. The inside pockets were not functional, as they made less room inside since they poke out, and catch on everything when I try to put something in. I didn’t find it too heavy for the time I had to lug it around, but I thought it would hold more… quick question do you think the Florentine satchel will hold more since it’s not as structured? I will certainly find out when my baby Huey arrives…
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Okay, you carry a lot if the domed buckle satchel was stuffed. I guess the answer to your question is one of dimensions and how you pack/stack your stuff. Usually a longer and wider base means more space. But sometimes, you can use the height by putting taller
contents vertically so you can get more things into the bag. And some people even stack
their items vertically. But that makes getting things in an out a tetras' game.

The large satchel isn't as tall as the domed buckle satchel, and the opening zipper isn't as
long, I just checked the measurements and the base on both bags is the same 6.5". The length on both is 15", although Dooney has the large satchel listed at 145 now.
But the height of the domed buckle satchel is 12" vs the large satchel at 9.5"....
and that might be measured with the smile (zipper top folded over) or with the zipper
standing straight up. so bottom line.... I doubt you could fit more into the large satchel,
especially if you are dealing with larger rigid items. The only way more could go into
the large satchel is if they were items that could be fit into corners or against the flexible front/back of the leather of the bag (essentially making the base wider).
You will have to see how your particular items fit once you get the bag you ordered.

 

[mushroomNgrass]

So if I’m wearing a dress and or have no pockets, I carry a lot. I’m pleased with the few pouches that I have. Nothing is rolling around lost in the abyss of all my junk. I guess I could try the vertical placement per your suggestion and take advantage of those 12 vertical inches. Dug I did t think of that. Thank you. I basically had everything I wanted for the day. Thank you for your suggestions. I appreciate them and you.

 

[susan49]

I carried mine yesterday. Love it. I’m no expert but it looks good to me. Being it’s natural I’ve read in this forum to use a white cloth, dustbag to buff out the scratches. They don’t look too bad to me, but how do u feel about them? For the right price I think I could live with it and learn how to use the natural Florentine. The color is beautiful and it’s smooth. I’m sure the scratches will buff so it’s hardly noticeable

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was some chance the scratches could be improved, if not removed, so this is good to hear. It’s SUCH a good price, that I’m just wondering if there’s more that the pics aren’t showing. I always see people here talking about “project bags”, but I’m not sure I have the knowledge to get it right. I guess that’s what YouTube is for

 

[mushroomNgrass]

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was some chance the scratches could be improved, if not removed, so this is good to hear. It’s SUCH a good price, that I’m just wondering if there’s more that the pics aren’t showing. I always see people here talking about “project bags”, but I’m not sure I have the knowledge to get it right. I guess that’s what YouTube is for

If the price was really good, I might experiment on any scratches on the bottom of the bag ( no one is looking at the bottom). At least u know what to expect if you purchase another natural Florentine. I am confused as to treat or not to treat. I’ve seen YouTube treat with ‘water repellent’, Apple leather care cleaner and conditioner, bick 5. I’m still researching all the Florentine videos. One lady I saw cleaned a bag, 45 min video, and I could really see the difference when she was done. Was a darker green color tho. Again I’m no expert, but I like the bag u chose. I’m too clumsy and chicken to try the natural color. I love the color, but I’m scared of it

 

[lavenderjunkie]

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was some chance the scratches could be improved, if not removed, so this is good to hear. It’s SUCH a good price, that I’m just wondering if there’s more that the pics aren’t showing. I always see people here talking about “project bags”, but I’m not sure I have the knowledge to get it right. I guess that’s what YouTube is for

I don't buy preloved bags, but from what I gather from other people you need to ask a lot of questions about odors, stains (inside and out), evenness of the color, condition of stitching, wear on handles and corners, etc. Scratches on Florentine leather may or may not come out.... but unless they are severe, they will usually blend it as the natural leather patinas. But deep scratches or corner wear will always be there.

Good luck. Others have found treasures that only needed some TLC to regain their
beauty.

 

[susan49]

I don't buy preloved bags, but from what I gather from other people you need to ask a lot of questions about odors, stains (inside and out), evenness of the color, condition of stitching, wear on handles and corners, etc. Scratches on Florentine leather may or may not come out.... but unless they are severe, they will usually blend it as the natural leather patinas. But deep scratches or corner wear will always be there.

Good luck. Others have found treasures that only needed some TLC to regain their
beauty.

Thanks! Yes, I’ll have to ask a lot of questions. I’m thinking there’s either hidden damage, or this really is the deal of the century. We shall see…

 

[c0rps3y]

So they had a royal blue also and it looks close to that color. What u think? Please see the post after this one as the person explains this royal blue color. I didn’t know how to delete this post or add it to the next one I posted. Smh I’m tech. Challenged

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Oh that's GORGEOUS I wonder if it could be that but it faded instead of darkening for some reason?

 

[c0rps3y]

Just checked my 'list' of Flo bags.... there was also a Dusty Blue and a Powder Blue
and a Steel Blue sometime after the Ocean Blue.

So now the list of Dooney Florentine blues includes:
Navy, Ocean Blue, Denim, Steel Blue, Dusty Blue, Powder Blue, and Pale blue.

Your bag is a mid tone, so it's not navy, pale blue, or powder blue. It's probably
not dusty blue either. So the candidates are Ocean Blue, Denim, and Steel Blue.

Are there any stickers or tags/cards with your bag that containa style # and color code?

J4057452 I guess it's it's individual identification code? I think that's how it works? I don't know if that helps, I don't have any original cards or tags ☹️

 

[c0rps3y]

Could be Ocean Blue or Denim????
One of the challenges in identifying the colors of older Florentine
handbags is that they may not look like what they did when they
were first made. And of course, the lighting and technology can alter how
colors look and our perception of undertones like green vs. blue.

There was a time when some of the blues, especially
the Ocean Blue was different batch to batch. Also sometimes the color
faded or became blotchy. We don't know if it was a dye/manufacturing issue
or if those bags were exposed to conditioners or sunlight or poor storage
conditions by the bag owners. Remember Florentine colors are 'natural' and
can vary much more than synthetic dyes.

Personally, I've never had the color
of my blue Florentine handbags change over time. I do not condition or treat them and
my storage (while far, far, far from perfect) is a relatively stable environment in terms
of humidity and temperature and with no sunlight or no exposure to constant artificial light. And I never store leather handbags in plastic bags or boxes. I just don't think
it's good for the leather. (I'm sure I make other mistakes, I'm far from perfect and
have too many handbags for my limited space).

QVC used to show a veritable rainbow of Florentine colors. In the early days
of Florentine, they would have close to 20 colors of the small satchel.
on display/for sale during the Dooney shows. I don't know if there are any
videos archived that would help provide a list of colors. As I recall,
there were never that mahy blues. It started with navy and then the ocean
blue was added. Then ocean disappeared and there might have been another
similar color. Then denim appeared. Then for a few years Flo handbags only
come in 'core colors' of black, chestnut, natural, and red. All the fashion colors
were gone. Even navy became a unicorn. Happily Dooney has started adding
more color back into the Florentine line. Pale blue Florentine came in the last few
years. Does anyone else remember any other Flo blues?

As for your water spot.... some people report that if you let a Florentine handbag
dry on it's own, without messing with it, that it will dry as good as new.
I've found that to be true with the very darkest of colors only.
But we do have to realize that not all 'water spots' are the same....
the mineral content or pollution content of the water could make a difference.
Or maybe what's on the surface of the handbag. I don't have enough experience
or info to really understand this. I try to avoid using my Flo bags in the rain,
but even a drop of water when hand washing can be a problem in my experience.

Here is the crispy water spot without and with flash, it feels a bit wrinkly to the touch my husband also thought it probably dried so terribly because of whatever was in the water, but I guess it could be something on the bag itself since I had no idea if it was ever wiped down with anything.

 

[mushroomNgrass]

Thanks! Yes, I’ll have to ask a lot of questions. I’m thinking there’s either hidden damage, or this really is the deal of the century. We shall see…

So my Florentine satchel came today. Had a few scratches but they ALL buffed right out using the dust bag. Like they weren’t even there… OMG I am in Love with this bag in the color chestnut. she’s got a few wrinkles but that’s ok with me. I think she has a little tiger stripe veining in the bottom corner=character. Doesn’t feel heavy empty. I’m excited to pack her for tomorrow. She smells heavenly. For the price I paid for this new bag, she was a real steal. I am very pleased with my purchase…

 

[mushroomNgrass]

I don’t know if you can see but the strap is chestnut on both sides.. I did not expect that.