I like the Damier better also, because (1) you see fewer people carrying it, so your bag will seem more unique, and (2) you don't have to the untreated cowhide handles to worry about.
yes, you may be right , I bet you know better than me regarding the fact that that the damier is "unfeminine", it has a rough masculine pattern, but it's sweetened somehow by the shape of the bag, that's just my opinion (anyway, I'm not a very feminine or delicate figure myself I'll post some pics)