Massaccesi Handbags
- Thread starter bonniekir
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Some of my orders from the Ellen/little Ellen promo arrived - a little Ellen in hibiscus Pompei (light blue lining, gold HW), Flora in Indian yellow CT (beige lining, gold HW), penny messenger in purple Merinos (lt fuschia lining, dk GM HW), and sample soulmate midi in metallic orange CT with dk brown Nappa straps (lt fuschia lining, dk GM HW). Out of the 3 bags (intending to use Flora as an SLG), my favorite is surprisingly the soulmate midi; penny messenger is a close second. Little Ellen is much smaller than I thought it would be. It’s quite cute, and I love the brightness of hibiscus, but the capacity is less than that of mini Zhoe. Although the dimensions are similar, little Ellen has a recessed zipper that is around the level of the outer zipper. There is an open pocket inside that is similar to the pocket in the mini Zhoe; it doesn’t run the length of the bag and is not long enough to fit my phone. My phone will fit outside of it, though, along with my compact wallet and car keys. The outer zippered pocket is actually deeper and more spacious than I expected. The Massaccesi tag will fit inside, standing up (pocket runs to the bottom of the bag). I imagine a thin cardholder will fit in this pocket, too. My phone does not fit. I’ve taken some side-by-side pictures of little Ellen with a mini Zhoe and aforementioned penny messenger and Flora which I’ll post in the reference thread.
The soulmate midi was a sample bag but I love everything about it. I have another soulmate midi but it doesn’t get a lot of use because it feels a bit stiff and is not the most comfortable to wear (I have it in grey Flor with black Nappa handles). Comparatively, the CT leather is so squishy and puddly. The color is a burnt orange and, holding it up in my closet, I think it will match with several outfits. Although the name of the color is metallic orange, I do not really see a metallic tone. It has a nice sheen, but I wouldn’t call it metallic. I think I prefer it this way! Another aspect of the bag that I love is the 2 side zips. These are actually functional - I can fit my phone in them. The pockets are not too wide but they run almost the full length/height of the bag.
As for the penny messenger, I find that I prefer this size and style to the grande version. I like that the middle compartment is more open with a magnet closure instead of another zipper. I also really like the outer slip pocket with hidden magnet. This is my first penny messenger and also my first experience with Merinos... I can understand now why this leather is a favorite!
The soulmate midi was a sample bag but I love everything about it. I have another soulmate midi but it doesn’t get a lot of use because it feels a bit stiff and is not the most comfortable to wear (I have it in grey Flor with black Nappa handles). Comparatively, the CT leather is so squishy and puddly. The color is a burnt orange and, holding it up in my closet, I think it will match with several outfits. Although the name of the color is metallic orange, I do not really see a metallic tone. It has a nice sheen, but I wouldn’t call it metallic. I think I prefer it this way! Another aspect of the bag that I love is the 2 side zips. These are actually functional - I can fit my phone in them. The pockets are not too wide but they run almost the full length/height of the bag.
As for the penny messenger, I find that I prefer this size and style to the grande version. I like that the middle compartment is more open with a magnet closure instead of another zipper. I also really like the outer slip pocket with hidden magnet. This is my first penny messenger and also my first experience with Merinos... I can understand now why this leather is a favorite!
That is such a great idea! I love the idea of a baby straw Selene.
All of your bags are a lovely rainbow of colors. I can see why you love the soulmate midi - gorgeous leather and the side zips are genius. I have fallen pretty hard for mine in the velvet Verona. Interesting about the Little Ellen -- sounds like a true mini bag. I also love the Penny messenger in that color.
Thank you!
Your soulmate is in wine velvet, right? It’s so lovely!I agree that the side zips are genius; if I were to order another soulmate, I would definitely request this modification.
Yes-wine velvet! As a style, The soulmate was love at second sight for me. It all clicked when I saw a mod shot of it. When I got mine it quickly became one of my favorite larger bags. I really love the north-south silhouette. The middle zip pocket with snaps on either side of it is a brilliant design. Plus the bag carries wine bottles really wellThank you!
I agree that the side zips are genius; if I were to order another soulmate, I would definitely request this modification.
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Haha, I can see that!Yes-wine velvet! As a style, The soulmate was love at second sight for me. It all clicked when I saw a mod shot of it. When I got mine it quickly became one of my favorite larger bags. I really love the north-south silhouette. The middle zip pocket ether snaps on either side of it is a brilliant design. Plus the bag carries wine bottles really well
Thank you so much for this review of the Little Ellen. This bag was one on my list as sort of an evening/night out bag. I was hoping a phone would fit in one of the pockets. Is the inside open pocket long enough to hold a tube of lip balm? I have something that is 3.75".
Yes, it is! And actually, when I went to measure the pocket, I realized that there are 2 open pockets inside, not just 1. They look to be identical in size and are just a little over 5.5 inches long. Though I don’t have a tube of lip balm that’s 3.75”, I tried inserting a sample sized toothpaste (actually about 4” long) and it fit in the pocket just fine.
I’ve attached pics of the interior to show both pockets, empty and with tube of toothpaste, and a modeling pic as well, to give another perspective of the size. I’m 5’6”.
**ETA I asked Marco to shorten the strap by a few inches. It’s a smidge shorter than what I’d consider ideal for me but not enough to order another strap
. I may just punch another hole in it.
I remember seeing here multiple times that ladies' most used MM bag is a humble Penelope. I am now in total agreement with that club - my midnight diamond Penny with a crossbody strap is THE bag for any errands! A wallet, keys, a cell phone, sunnies, a mask, a small sanitizer and off I go
That was my red-blue tweed Siena Midi.I am amazed at how talented they are here. There was a tweed, red, blue, and black Sienna that I absolutely loved. There are more so many more that I can't remember off the top of my head, but that was the first one I saw in here when I randomly lurked when she first got it. Thanks
Ooh, I'll go look at those again. Thank you!
I’m scrolling quickly through this thread to catch up. I see you’re trying to colorblock a bag with the Glamour leather. I can try to help you with that.
Sorry for a late reply! Here is my Soulmate again! The reason it was colorblocked was because the 2 leathers it is made of matched my wedding dress PERFECTLY (iced berry and iced taupe Africas, now extinct). I wasn't on the market for a lighter bag, but if I were to colorblock a Soulmate again, making the "wings" darker and the body of the bag lighter would be a more striking choice IMO. I love that bag though, although I don't carry it often because it is quite heavy
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Colorblocking a Soulmate with Glamour leather as an accent is not ideal because it would get lost in the shape and folds of that handbag.
A more appropriate style for maximizing the impact of colorblocking would be a structured one, e.g., Astra, Siena, Grande Mia, Zhoe, Ellen, Clio, Little Athena.
What size handbag are you wanting?
I love @LuvNLux ’s yellow Hera Midi. Another straw handbag this week, my orange Soulmate Midi. Happy Friday! 
