James Hobo in Deep Purple: Reveal!!

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#16
Thanks for all the kind comments, everyone! :D Jeez, you ladies sure know how to pressure a girl into posting modelling pics, though! ;) :p Will try to get some pics up next week!

As for wearing this bag crossbody-style, as I mentioned, it's not comfortably worn in this style, for me at least. Luna Boston has some pics of the James Hobo being worn crossbody, and it looks a little awkward even on the model. Smaller-sized girls probably won't have a problem (the 20" drop for the strap is probably generous enough), but as I'm not smaller-sized, I'm not too fond of how it looks when worn crossbody on me! There are some possible modifications, though, and I'll post more when I get the mod pics up. ;)
 
#21
Okay, as promised, here are the mod pics! :p (I'm about 5'5", and a UK 16/18. I think that translates to around 12/14 for US sizes, at least for jeans. The bag is half-stuffed with paper in all the pics below.)

Wearing the hobo directly on the shoulder (a bit armpit-bag-ish, like I previously mentioned):

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Using the shoulder strap on one shoulder:

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Crossbody -- a somewhat awkward fit like I mentioned, at least for me!

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Crossbody -- with the rolled handle unclipped on one end and tucked into the bag (can't remove the handle completely). It fits somewhat better like this, because the rolled handle no longer gets in the way, but the shoulder strap drop still feels a touch too short, IMHO. The bag can still be zipped with the handle tucked in, BTW, but you do have to be careful not to damage the leather with the zipper teeth!

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Lastly, I tried one possible modification, by unclipping the rolled handle and clipping one end of the shoulder strap to the unclipped end of the rolled handle. It results in a very generous and comfortable strap drop, but it's not a particularly pretty or elegant solution!

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#22
Here's how the shoulder strap looks when clipped to the end of the rolled handle:

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Close-up of how I clipped it:

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You can also clip the shoulder strap and rolled handle end to end (i.e. hooking one lobster clasp to the other lobster clasp, rather than to the ring at the end), but that may make the strap drop a tad too long, I think. It still doesn't look too pretty, IMHO, but that's a possible modification! ;)

I also just purchased two nickel lobster clasps/trigger snaps from ebay that should match pretty well to the Botkier clasps (although the finish of the snaps I bought may be shiny rather than matte-/satin-finished). These should be able to extend the shoulder strap a little to make the strap drop a little longer and more comfortable when worn crossbody. It definitely should look less awkward than the shoulder strap/rolled handle mod above!!
 

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#27
wow, starkfan, your reveals and pics are the BEST!!! Gorgeous bag. Great modeling pics, too!!! You wear this bag very well, so becoming!! I really love this style, color, and leather!!!! congrats on a great bag acquisition!
 
#29
Thanks, guys!! :D

madaboutdarcy, the Cocoa is definitely a little tough to find at a good price right now! I'd been looking for that before taking the leap with the Deep Purple, and the best deal I saw for it was still $400++ before it sold out. I hope you're able to find it for a good price, though! :p
 
#30
Just wanted to post an update after wearing my James Hobo for the past week or so! The two lobster clasps that I mentioned getting from ebay definitely match the existing clasps on the strap (it's about a 95% match in style; it has a shiny silver finish, though, but it doesn't look too obviously different), and work quite well in terms of "extending" the shoulder strap by a couple more inches! The length when worn crossbody is definitely more comfortable for me that way.

As for the overall comfort level of carrying the bag crossbody, I wouldn't recommend carrying it that way for long periods of time, especially if the bag is heavy when filled with your stuff. I generally tend to carry quite a bit of stuff, so my bags can be on the heavy side. The weight's not a significant factor when carrying the bag as a hobo or using the shoulder strap on one side, but it definitely gets uncomfortable or even painful when carried crossbody. The narrowness of the strap doesn't distribute the weight too well when carried crossbody (though it's okay when worn on one shoulder), so it tends to cut into my shoulder/collarbone area and gets painful after awhile. Probably not a good idea to rely on carrying this bag crossbody-style if you're travelling or will be walking around for long periods of time! Otherwise, it's definitely a pretty good everyday bag.
 
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