Looking for travel bag: Small or Mini Puzzle?

[janejane]

Have you seen the grained leather in caramel? I love that shade and the gold hw more than the tan

Ah the one color I was considering but didn’t order! What makes you love it more than the tan?

 

[janejane]

I have a white small puzzle in grained calfskin, had no issues so far with colour transfer but I am relatively careful with it. It stores a good amount and like others have said- the puzzle with the flap and zip is quite secure and I love a crossbody option (essential when travelling).

I'm going to Europe for 3 weeks later this year, I probably won't bring my puzzle though (autumn in EU so white isn't my colour of choice)- my Givenchy Pandora will be my bag of choice. If my puzzle was black I'd certainly consider it (which is why I'm considering a pre-loved somewhere down the road).

The small in Sand will be gorgeous, I'm sure it'll serve you well

Thanks for the input about the white puzzle; that is one that I haven't heard much about.

The pandora seems like a great travel bag. I'm excited for the sand to arrive in just a couple days!

 

[janejane]

I say keep the tan. It’s the most versatile tan I’ve ever seen among different brands. The sand to me, is just blah…it’s a nice neutral but kinda dull. however, the leather on the sand is grained, so IMO, it’s more durable, endures scratches better. It also slouches more than the tan in classic calf. The tan one will hold its shape better but still slouches with much use.
I have the puzzles in both types of leather in both mini and small. Let me know if you have other questions.

Thanks. Now that I see the bags in person, I prefer the slouch. Maybe it's because they look a bit squarer and bulkier on me than I expected, and the slouch makes them look smaller and more fluid. Grained would be better for travel, but I like that shade of tan too! It's a deep rich tan, and casual but in a sophisticated way. Which color is your second puzzle? Do you feel that the grained leather is softer and nicer to the touch? I'd love to hear any other thoughts you have on grained vs smooth.

 

[Greentea]

Ah the one color I was considering but didn’t order! What makes you love it more than the tan?

The same leather as the sand and gold hardware. And I like the tone

 

[viewwing]

Thanks. Now that I see the bags in person, I prefer the slouch. Maybe it's because they look a bit squarer and bulkier on me than I expected, and the slouch makes them look smaller and more fluid. Grained would be better for travel, but I like that shade of tan too! It's a deep rich tan, and casual but in a sophisticated way. Which color is your second puzzle? Do you feel that the grained leather is softer and nicer to the touch? I'd love to hear any other thoughts you have on grained vs smooth.

I have the atlantique in classic calf and the dark blush in grained. these are small. Then I also have the mini in tan.
I actually prefer the grained for its feel as it is softer. I love slouchy smooshy bags. That being said, the classic calf seems just as easy to maintain, I’ve used all my bags regularly for more than a year now n they still look new with the slouch! No scratches or stains.

I bet you won’t stop at one. At least get the small and another mini. They function so differently. Then you can have two color choices.

 

[janejane]

I have the atlantique in classic calf and the dark blush in grained. these are small. Then I also have the mini in tan.
I actually prefer the grained for its feel as it is softer. I love slouchy smooshy bags. That being said, the classic calf seems just as easy to maintain, I’ve used all my bags regularly for more than a year now n they still look new with the slouch! No scratches or stains.

I bet you won’t stop at one. At least get the small and another mini. They function so differently. Then you can have two color choices.

You have great taste. Atlantic and dark blush are gorgeous shades. It’d be fun to get a mini in a shade other than black or tan. I am looking forward to seeing the grained leather tonight.

 

[janejane]

Sand just arrived and I am in love. I just opened the dust bag and said... YES.

The combo of the soft smooshy grained leather, gold hardware, and subtle neutral tone got me. I am a yellow gold jewelry girl all the way. I also love how this baby has a bit of slouch already!

The tan is a gorgeous shade but sand is just more subtle and feels more harmonious with my personal style. It was a very easy and quick decision to make.

As soon as my husband saw the bag, he was like.. that is so you

Pics attached - it is interesting how the sand varies in shades in different lighting. I will probably spray with Collonil after spot testing, as this will be an everyday + travel bag.

Thank you all for your very helpful opinions and input!

 

[fettfleck]

Sand just arrived and I am in love. I just opened the dust bag and said... YES.

The combo of the soft smooshy grained leather, gold hardware, and subtle neutral tone got me. I am a yellow gold jewelry girl all the way. I also love how this baby has a bit of slouch already!

The tan is a gorgeous shade but sand is just more subtle and feels more harmonious with my personal style. It was a very easy and quick decision to make.

As soon as my husband saw the bag, he was like.. that is so you

Pics attached - it is interesting how the sand varies in shades in different lighting. I will probably spray with Collonil after spot testing, as this will be an everyday + travel bag.

Thank you all for your very helpful opinions and input!

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Gorgeous bag and choice! It really is a fabulous and versatile shade and the slouch is perfect! I also love golden hardware, it provides warmth to the overall tone! Enjoy your new piece!
Btw. I also spray everything with Collonil…

 

[viewwing]

Sand just arrived and I am in love. I just opened the dust bag and said... YES.

The combo of the soft smooshy grained leather, gold hardware, and subtle neutral tone got me. I am a yellow gold jewelry girl all the way. I also love how this baby has a bit of slouch already!

The tan is a gorgeous shade but sand is just more subtle and feels more harmonious with my personal style. It was a very easy and quick decision to make.

As soon as my husband saw the bag, he was like.. that is so you

Pics attached - it is interesting how the sand varies in shades in different lighting. I will probably spray with Collonil after spot testing, as this will be an everyday + travel bag.

Thank you all for your very helpful opinions and input!

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Perfect! Enjoy it! I use mine very often and the slouchier it gets, the more I love! Grained leather is IT!

 

[frenziedhandbag]

Sand just arrived and I am in love. I just opened the dust bag and said... YES.

Congrats!!! So happy to hear you love it. I have the small puzzle in sand and admittedly, it is not a color that was love at first sight. Reason being I love saturated colors but I also tend to dress in bright colors so I found that sand was the perfect neutral for me. It was the grounding color for my bright outfits. Enjoy yours in good health. Like what @viewwing shared, it is likely you will acquire a mini puzzle along the way. They make perfect everyday bags.

 

[Greentea]

Sand just arrived and I am in love. I just opened the dust bag and said... YES.

The combo of the soft smooshy grained leather, gold hardware, and subtle neutral tone got me. I am a yellow gold jewelry girl all the way. I also love how this baby has a bit of slouch already!

The tan is a gorgeous shade but sand is just more subtle and feels more harmonious with my personal style. It was a very easy and quick decision to make.

As soon as my husband saw the bag, he was like.. that is so you

Pics attached - it is interesting how the sand varies in shades in different lighting. I will probably spray with Collonil after spot testing, as this will be an everyday + travel bag.

Thank you all for your very helpful opinions and input!

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I agree! I have it in the mini and it is far from dull. It looks amazing with cream colored clothing and also black! it really does go with everything

 

[janejane]

I agree! I have it in the mini and it is far from dull. It looks amazing with cream colored clothing and also black! it really does go with everything

Yes - I have been wearing it all week and it has been looking great with every outfit. I had been worried the sand shade would be too dressy compared to the tan, but so far it's looking good with everything from jeans to leggings to slacks. I also sprayed with Collonil (thank goodness because we had a very rainy weekend) and there were no issues with darkening or spots with the spray.

 

[perribee33]

Hi OP, I have used my small puzzle in tan for almost everyday and even for vacation. I am 4"9.
In this photo I used it on vacation. I can carry a small water bottle + small umbrella, a short wallet, hand sanitiser, lip balm, tissues, phone.

And i feel safe with this bag in crowded areas because once the bag is zipped up, the risk of pickpocket is less.

Love this bag.
Even for winter I could adjust the shoulder strap longer and wear it over my thick jacket.

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Hello, I was just going through this thread and had to stay I think the small looks great on you. I’m actually around the same height as you and I feel like the small looks so awkwardly big on me. Of course I still bought it lol. I do find the slouch helps, but when worn crossbody, it tends to lose that slouch and look really boxy. Do you find it to look awkward at all crossbody? That’s the main way I wear my bags but feel like I need to hand carry and still contemplating getting a mini.

Hi OP, I have used my small puzzle in tan for almost everyday and even for vacation. I am 4"9.
In this photo I used it on vacation. I can carry a small water bottle + small umbrella, a short wallet, hand sanitiser, lip balm, tissues, phone.

And i feel safe with this bag in crowded areas because once the bag is zipped up, the risk of pickpocket is less.

Love this bag.
Even for winter I could adjust the shoulder strap longer and wear it over my thick jacket.

View attachment 5709469

 

[mi.kay]

Hello, I was just going through this thread and had to stay I think the small looks great on you. I’m actually around the same height as you and I feel like the small looks so awkwardly big on me. Of course I still bought it lol. I do find the slouch helps, but when worn crossbody, it tends to lose that slouch and look really boxy. Do you find it to look awkward at all crossbody? That’s the main way I wear my bags but feel like I need to hand carry and still contemplating getting a mini.

Thank you for your compliments!

I usually carry it handheld, on the crook of my arm, or shoulder. Very seldom do I carry it crossbody because I do find it a little bulky.
For crossbody perhaps a mini will be better

 

[janejane]

Hello, I was just going through this thread and had to stay I think the small looks great on you. I’m actually around the same height as you and I feel like the small looks so awkwardly big on me. Of course I still bought it lol. I do find the slouch helps, but when worn crossbody, it tends to lose that slouch and look really boxy. Do you find it to look awkward at all crossbody? That’s the main way I wear my bags but feel like I need to hand carry and still contemplating getting a mini.

Thank you for your compliments!

I usually carry it handheld, on the crook of my arm, or shoulder. Very seldom do I carry it crossbody because I do find it a little bulky.
For crossbody perhaps a mini will be better

Hmm… a small in sand and a tan in mini would be just perfect.. .