These combinations sound fabulous. I also prefer silver hardware to gold. I have a rust handmade vacchetta bag in transit to me. I went with dark gunmetal hardware instead of gold. I'm hoping for a bit of an edgier look with the dark gunmetal, but we'll see.
Massaccesi Handbags
- Thread starter bonniekir
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I have the fringe version with the rivets of Minerva Midi. The fringe really looks great with that style of bag. I need to get mine out and carry it. I know you said you don't like the rivets, but if you have the rivets, you also have the option to remove the fringe if you want to for a different look. I've thought about taking the fringe off of mine and just having the rivets.
The problem I have with the Midi Minerva is that it doesn't stay on my shoulder very well. I don't know if it because of the wider strap or what, but the Minerva style doesn't work for me quite as well as some others.
I feel like the Minerva lends itself well to fringe due to the points and flap shape. I also agree that the Diva would look really great with the fringe because it is a playful addition to an already playful bag.
Due to the way that the seam lines fall on the Selene, I’m not sure it would work as well as I think the fringe would fall in towards each other and perhaps get a bit messy. I think for fringe to work you need very clean lines and angles so that the fringe can hang in a way that won’t get tangled and can freely move about. The bouquet already seems to have so many details to it that I thin you are right in moving away from it as a fringe option.
Great points to think about! This would be a /play casual bag for me-definitely not for work. I think I’d like it to be a size that would work for toddler/young child days-not the capacity needed for a diaper bag, but big enough for carrying things for me and my daughter, just in case I want to use it in that way.
Your Mini Marcie is beautiful! I do think I’m pretty set on wanting more fringe than that though. You do bring up a great point about fraying, so I will definitely be keeping that in mind as I decide how much fringe to go for.
The Minerva certainly does lend itself well to fringe! It’s also the easiest for me to envision because I don’t actually have to envision anything at all-I know I like the look. I just wish I knew whether or not I would like the Minerva overall in function and use!Of these 4 styles, I personally prefer (and love!) the Minerva with for a fringe. Long flap version Minerva.
I think you are probably right in suspecting that Bouquet would be too busy (or maybe untidy?") with a fringe, and wonder if this too would apply to Selenes with a V-shaped fringe..
I don’t love all fringe bags, but with the right placement and amount of fringe, I do like the look. I think there’s also a bit of nostalgia in there for me. I had a really cheap suede fringe bag in high school, and I often find myself thinking about and missing that bag. I remember I used to play with and braid the bring when I’d get bored.
Oh, I your point about taking the fringe off and just leaving the grommets for a different look! I’m still leaning towards no grommets, but you do have me reconsidering that! Of course, as I’ve said though, my concern is that I just don’t know if the Minerva style will work for me overall. I also worry about weight, as I’ve read in past posts that some found the Minerva to be heavy, even in Midi size. Marco himself had mentioned that he thought the MIDI Minerva would be heavy when I was considering “diaper bag lite” options, and there’s a good chance this bag will serve that purpose, at least some of the time. So I don’t know. Can I ask what doesn’t work for you with the Minerva? Is it just the strap? And as a reference, can I ask what MM styles do work for you?
I think you’re right about fringe on the Selene. I’ve also been doing a lot of Google image searching and found some fringe bags with the fringe in a diagonal direction that the Selene has, and it’s not my favorite. I think I’ve determined that my fringe preferences are for continuous fringe on the front of the bag (not broken up or fringe coming off the sides or bottom), and a “V”/“U” shape for the fringe with the point being at the bottom. Given that, I think the Selene is probably not the best option, and the more I think about it, I do think the side ties and fringe on the Bouquet might be too much.
My concerns with the Diva and Minerva are definitely uncertainty about the styles themselves. Will I actually like a bucket bag? Will the Minerva work/be comfortable? I just don’t know!
It's mainly just the strap that I don't like. I like the bag its self. I have both a Midi Minerva and a Little Minerva. Little Minerva is a bit too small for me, but Midi Minerva is a good size for me. For whatever reason, I feel like the strap slips off my shoulder on both of my Minervas. I think it is because it has a wider strap.
Miss M is the best bag for shoulder carry, IMO. I hesitated on buying a Miss M for the longest time because I wasn't sure about the skinny straps, but they are perfect. They stay on my shoulder. They don't dig in at all. I also find them to be the perfect length. I also love Selene. I've found that I like the straps much better with no hardware and a strap drop of 26 cm. I also find that Aphrodite and Soulmate Midi really work well for me. I recently bought a Hera, and I love it too. Larger totes and shoulder bags are my favorites.
For Midi Minerva, I recommend getting the flap on the outside extended, especially if you do a fringe version. I agree that it might be heavy depending on what you carry. It has extra leather because of the front pockets and the flap.
I've had my eye on the Butterfly Bucket bag as well -- looking forward to seeing how this turns out.Well, I just sent Marco an idea about my Midi Bouquet modifications to resemble PLG's Butterfly Bucket bag idea, just to see if it's even possible and what he thinks of the idea. I'm telling myself it doesn't hurt to ask. Except, I know it does hurt because I've found that for me, sending the email basically means I'm making a purchase.
Hi all -- I'm going to take the plunge on my first MM and wanted to consult with the subject matter experts. I've looked at the reference threads, but I was hoping to hear more about these:
1. I read a terrific post that described Verona for unstructured bags (e.g., Bouquet, Hera). Since the (non-velvet) Verona isn't available, what would folks recommend? I'm hoping for something with a similar feel and drape. It seems like Merinos and Fiore are candidates...thoughts?
2. I'm also interested in a more structured bag (Astra, Charlotte, Zhoe). I'm curious how these bags differ when done in Nappa/Pompei vs. Vacchetta.
3. Are there bags that really "work" with Toscano, Aquila, or Tuscania? I've seen the Calistas in Tuscania (beautiful), but I don't have a good sense of which styles favor these leather options.
1. I read a terrific post that described Verona for unstructured bags (e.g., Bouquet, Hera). Since the (non-velvet) Verona isn't available, what would folks recommend? I'm hoping for something with a similar feel and drape. It seems like Merinos and Fiore are candidates...thoughts?
2. I'm also interested in a more structured bag (Astra, Charlotte, Zhoe). I'm curious how these bags differ when done in Nappa/Pompei vs. Vacchetta.
3. Are there bags that really "work" with Toscano, Aquila, or Tuscania? I've seen the Calistas in Tuscania (beautiful), but I don't have a good sense of which styles favor these leather options.
So, I’ve been taking with Marco about my fringe possibilities. The Selene is out. He said it would be complicated to do it in the V shape I prefer and send me a mock-up of what it would look like with fring along the current existing seams, which wasn’t my favorite. I requested a mock up of the Bouquet, but it seems like Midi Minerva or Diva are the front runners.
So, Midi Minerva and Diva owners, talk to me! How do you like these styles? What is the capacity and comfort like? Does anyone own both and able to speak to both in comparison to one another?
So, Midi Minerva and Diva owners, talk to me! How do you like these styles? What is the capacity and comfort like? Does anyone own both and able to speak to both in comparison to one another?
I will get smoke grey, but I can't decide on bag style.
Victoria midi or Little Selene are my standard style, but I am also attracted to more structure style (Little Miss M, Little Athena, Ellen, etc.)
Thank you for your insight! Larger totes and shoulder bags are what I gravitate towards too, so this is super helpful. If I go for the MIDI Minerva, I wonder if I could ask for the strap to be made thinner? The size and capacity of the bag overall seem like it would work, though the weight is still a factor to take into consideration.
1. Verona and Merinos would drape quite differently. Merinos feels thin, soft and puddly to me, while Verona feels thicker and more chewy. Fiore may be more similar, also consider Cuoio Toscano which I feel has excellent drape (softer than Verona but will not be as puddly as Merinos).
2. I don't have a full bag in Nappa, only bags with nappa trim/ strap, so cannot comment on that. Pompei and Vacchetta would are very different leathers to me, I would even describe them as extreme opposites.
Pompei is super smooth, and will allow a structured bag to remain structured. It does not feel like synthetic material or PU but yet at first glance it does not scream 'leather' to me, since the colour is perfectly uniform, there's no grain on the surface, and when you press on it, it bounces back into shape with no wrinkling or depression. My Zhoe in Pompei has not changed from day one, no relaxing at all, which is great for how I like a structured flap bag to look like.
The handmade vacchetta is more rustic to me. In fact the selling point is its handpainted surface, so it is natural to see variance in the colour. If I am not wrong, the surface is also entirely natural, there is no grain pressed on it, nor is it processed to be completely smooth. It should show natural wrinkles and veining. It will relax or soften with use. Over time, with exposure to skin oils and sunlight, it will patina.
Both would be suitable for structured bags, but will give a very different look and feel.
3. I love my Hera midi in Cuoio Toscano! It's soft and feels so nice to wear it close to the body. The draping is lovely and not overly soft such that the bag appears to collapse or lose shape. I also have a Modena in Denim Aquila, which makes the very briefcase-like Modena look like a more casual style. All 3 that you have listed are softer leathers, which makes them really versatile. It's really about the kind of look you are going for. The leather you choose can really transform a style. You can choose a softer leather such as Merinos with extra backing for a structured bag. It is harder to choose a stiffer leather like Pompei and expect it to drape. Once you have a vision in mind, you can always check with Marco if your leather choice can produce your desired look.
Hi, welcome! I'll share what I know from my experience with Marco's leathers. I hope others will chime in with their experience.
1. Recommendations for unstructured bags:
- Merinos (lightest leather). I had it in a Soulmate Midi at one time. Perfect leather for the hobos.
- Fiore (lighter than regular pebbled). I have it in a Modena Midi, which I wanted to have some slouch for a more casual look.
- Aquila matte (one of the thinner, lighter leathers). Have this in a Calista, which I love in this leather.
- Cuoio Toscano (lightest vacchetta). My Hera Midi and Ellen are in this leather.
- Nappa. I have it in Hera and Victoria Midi.
- Pebbled. This one ranks lowest in my personal preferences because it's a heavier, thicker leather that takes more time to soften than the other types on this list.
2. Recommendations for structured bags:
- Vacchetta (all types). This leather is my favorite for structured bags. It maintains structure even as it softens over time. If your preference is a more natural-looking leather with texture and color variations, then you will love it. I have it in Grande Mia/Mia, Zhoe bags, Ellen, Aura, Daphne.
- Nappa. My next favorite for structured. Its flat, uniform surface is stunning on structured bags. I have it in Zhoe Legend/Zhoe.
- Pompei (the only leather that is used only for structured bags, never for unstructured bags). It is stiff, but feels almost spongy. It sounds like an oxymoron, but it's the best way I can describe it. I think it's the most unusual leather that Marco has. I have it in Zhoe Legend, Little Athena, Angelica messenger.
@coach943, what leather is the wide strap? I've noticed merinos has been slippy, especially with a winter coat. So I have an Aquila Matte strap that's reduced that on my merinos strap.
If it's not merinos, it could be the width. I know with another brand, some loved the wider strap, and others with smaller shoulders could not do them.
For @dramaprincess713, just a note, I think the grommets also re-enforce the holes. I think without them, over time, the weight of the fringe, especially if you have a lot, may stretch out the holes. Thank you for bringing back a pic of coach943's bag with fringe! I didn't even realize or forgot that Marco can do fringe and grommets!!!
Welcome @whatevs!!! Glad you're joining in on the fun haha!
For 1. Sorry if you've already done this, but did you ask Marco if he has any Verona left? Sometimes he might have a little bit of a hide still lying around.
I love everything @tenKrat and @Cleda have said! They're two of quite a few on this thread who helped me when I first started buying.
Wondering if those of you who own an Ellen can weigh in on ease of getting and out of it. Sometimes narrow bags like it seems that might be can be tricky. Thanks!