Cindy, thanks for popping by!
Really awesome that you have both bags and consider the Damier better, that's a big help. So far as the authenticity questioning glances go, where I live it's a tiny outback town and I'm the only LV carrier here anyway - many people here wouldn't know a Speedy from a Papillon, so I'm unconcerned what they'd think of the bag! Oh and for those that might have a clue on LV, I'd be getting the
luggage tag heatstamped anyway, and LV of course wouldn't do this for a fake! Well I suppose one
could just buy the tag there and get it stamped.. but sod it, if anyone gave me the up-downs I'd just say outright,
"oh dahhhling, it's Speshull Awwdah, yew knowww", and stick my nose in the air!
Also, when I go to the city I take turns with whatever latest bag deserves a 'big day out', haha, but I don't think I'd take this one on a day's shopping, being a more travel/work kinda bag. Even with the strap I don't think it's a traipsing around the city looking at stuff kinda bag, so isn't likely to be carried through a big centre of LV lovers.
That's probably another reason no patina would be good, I'd feel cheated almost on spending $1000 for it to get old and patinaed just through going to work and back, not being shown off!
Peace, I'd definitely be getting that strap! All my bags get heavy, no matter how light they start out - I'm an incurable bag stuffer! - and the strap would be handy anyway since I often take my guitar case to work and back for practice during downtime, I'd need a spare hand to open the car door when carrying both!