I have both...but the Galliera wins...here's a compairon pic...they are both very different from each other so they are hard to compare
i think it's easier to get things in and out of the bag with the monty, more than the galliera..
I think the strap length on the Galliera GM is slightly longer, yes, but the opening is not as big as you would expect....I depends what you are wanting to put inside the bag too, if it's for nappies and wipes, food etc... (being that you have kids) I would go with the Monty as it holds it's shape better with easier access...and easier to find what you need...I still think even with the Gm to see what you are after you need to take it off your shoulder, peer in and search as the bag is quite deep.
I think the Monty will be more practical...the Galliera is more popular bec. it is more beautiful to look at....I also think lugging a extra large bag (that is as deep and wide at the base as the Galliera GM) around while chasing after kids would add some challenges....Monty seems more tidy and easy to access, I would phone an SA and ask the exact length of the monty's handles and see if it would suit your size.
Goodluck, I would recommend buying the Galliera eventually though, it is a lovely bag!
Both are very nice and I was deciding between the Galliera PM, Monty PM/GM, and the Tivoli PM. In the end I chose the Galliera PM because of looks. As others have said, you do need to take it off your shoulder to get stuff. Although if it is just my wallet, I can manage getting it out without taking it off my shoulder sometimes because I always place it in the exact same spot. Otherwise, I can get stuff out when it is on the crook of my arm (takes practice though... I think it's something you have to get used to). The Monty was my second choice (comparing the three mentioned above) and I found the Galliera was more "stunning". I think you would need to have the Monty unzipped all the time in order to get the convenience of not having to take it off your shoulder to get things out and am not sure how secure that would be since the zipper opens half way down the sides. And if you have it zipped up, you would need to take it off your shoulders too.
At any rate have fun choosing and G.L.
Galliera. My best friend who got a Monty GM complained that one of the straps would keep slipping off her shoulder. It was getting hard for her to keep putting it back while holding two young kids so she decided to sell it and get a Galliera instead!
With all the Gallieras problems probably go with the Monty and get the Galliera when they have fixed/altered the design fault.
No, I haven't any trouble with the straps and my arms are not really tiny. lol
And as I said, I believe the Monty would be classic, in 3 years time nobody will talk about the Galliera.
Galliera wins by a Mile!!!
I have the GM and got it 3 weeks ago - love it. What's interesting is that I get a lot of stares, but no compliments - not a single one - but a lot of stares from men and women.
Galliera, it seems a lot more convenient.