Please help me decide on a "black" tote. :-) No hurry.

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J

Jesssh

O.G.
Jan 20, 2012
6,493
223
#1
Eventually I am going to need a nice black tote for work.

Or it could be gray, I guess. Not sure. It's so hard for me to wear big black bags because I relate more to lighter colors. I'm fine with dark blue bags and dark brown bags and small black bags, but large black bags tend to overwhelm me.

My favorite big day bag right now is the men's bleecker business tote. I have one in ocean. I am contemplating the gray one to use as a "black" bag. I would not use the long strap, and I would probably take the tags off.

Is it too masculine?
Would it go with anything that a black bag would go with?
Should I go with a more feminine black tote?

Part of the reason I like the gray is that it should work well with silver or yellow gold jewelry. The brass hardware is not that noticeable without the shoulder strap. These bags just seem so hardy when compared with other large women's totes.

I also love the Tanner Tote (I have cognac), but haven't seen a black one lately. A future borough tote might be an option in smooth leather. I also looked at the Minkoff tote, but the handle connection concerned me a little. I am open to other brands but I don't want to pay a ton for a bag that is more practically motivated. I try to resist buying duplicate bags, which is why I'm not jumping on this bleecker or seeking out the Tanner.

I like to be able to put a jacket or shoe box (for change of shoes) in my totes, so a little depth is good.

If there is a lot of hardware on the tote, I want silver hardware. Smooth leather is a must. (No pebbled, embossed, patent or saffiano. Well, maybe a subtle lizard embossed leather would be OK, or a few subtle crinkles just to break up the black. Smooth is always good, though. Smooth and thick. :p)

What are your favorite black, or almost black totes that would work for women in professional (or business casual) environments?
 

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#2
If you love the Bleecker tote, I'd stick with it. You know it works for you. I think the gray and brass would be very neutral and classic-looking, no matter what you wore it with. Lord knows I have carried enough men's bags because the women's stuff couldn't handle my workload. (Large graphics laptop, multiple binders, etc.) So I would say that's your best option.

But if you did want to stock up on a women's tote, I found that since I've mostly moved to an ipad/tablet for my mobile work needs, the Legacy Candace is a really useful tote. I find it much sturdier than its Madison counterparts, and you can really fit quite a bit in there. I got my Mom a black one with PCE back in the day, and picked up a Black/Navy colorblock one for myself at the outlet. Both their hardware is silver. (Ok, I actually have seven Candaces, but those are the black ones.) it's not on the FP website anymore, but you can probably find one at outlets or on the Bay. Also, Candace doesn't have a shoulder strap with is a big negative for some people, but it sits very well on my shoulder if you cross the straps.

Pity you don't like Saffiano - I don't prefer it myself, but the Gunmetal saff is so pretty and I have my eye on the Black Saff baby bag.
 
#6
I have the biz tote in ocean as well, gorgeous bag. I also have the Bleecker slim brief in gray and the color is gorgeous and looks great with black and all fall colors. Not too masculine at all, even in that boxy style. And, the gray in the Bleecker biz tote is so nice that it caught me from the upper wall of my local Coach store and I had to struggle to talk myself out of it, so it you like that bag size and style, I would grab it. The gray is unique and lovely and won't be around forever, so I would take that over black. (I have a black Coach tote from years ago that is an excellent bag and I'll never get rid of it but I find that I always grab my ocean or gray because the colors are so nice). The saffiano in black or gunmetal is really nice too, and the large city tote is set up for business use (laptop section, etc.). However, I bought the cobalt large city tote and have found that it is just too big for what I carry to work, and the more slender straps can cut a bit when it is fully loaded with laptop and work stuff. I have a gunmetal medium saffiano and use that when I don't need to carry so much, the color is really stunning, so that is a terrific option although slightly more casual than the biz tote IMO. Candace is really great and would be a very nice work bag but I would imagine it may be too small for you if you are filling the biz tote or carrying a laptop, you will need the large city saffiano or large Borough to be comparable to the biz tote. As you can see, I've been on the hunt for the perfect work bag and now have tried a variety of options, but I think my ocean biz tote is my favorite for work. All these choices are great but again, if you love your ocean biz tote and the size works for you, I would jump at the gray while they are available. :-)
 
#8
Bump!

It's been over a year and I still haven't bought a black work tote. I'm about ready to bite the bullet on this black on black swagger, but I need a little push:

image.jpg

This is the regular (medium?) size. I love the design, but would really prefer smooth leather and brighter silver hardware.

It's not huge, but plenty big enough for my computer and some other stuff. If I need to carry more stuff, I have the blue bleecker weekender or my car bag, a $15 Target pvc saff bag. The swagger would be a more professional bag.

Do you think this one is formal enough for most work situations? I also have the chambray (blue gray pebbled) borough, which is my most formal work bag, and the cognac tanner tote for days when I want to carry a brown bag.

I could get this one and use the heck out of it, and get a smooth black leather business bag with silver hardware when I see one I love. These darn Coach bags last so long - maybe I'll wear one out one day and need another?

Anyway, what do you think of this bag for work? Like I said, I need a little push. Is the black too edgy? Too casual? Does the pebbled leather in black make it look rough? :shrugs:

I know some of the other colors look super sophisticated. I have a hard time bonding with non-small black bags.

Please comment! Thanks!
 
#9
I think it's a great bag. If I didn't already have the Riley in black, I'd get the swagger. One really nice feature is the blackened hardware. It will pair with gold or silver jewelry effortlessly. I can't speak to the size, I haven't seen it in person.
 
#10
Jesssh said:
Bump!



It's been over a year and I still haven't bought a black work tote. I'm about ready to bite the bullet on this black on black swagger, but I need a little push:



View attachment 2924566



This is the regular (medium?) size. I love the design, but would really prefer smooth leather and brighter silver hardware.



It's not huge, but plenty big enough for my computer and some other stuff. If I need to carry more stuff, I have the blue bleecker weekender or my car bag, a $15 Target pvc saff bag. The swagger would be a more professional bag.



Do you think this one is formal enough for most work situations? I also have the chambray (blue gray pebbled) borough, which is my most formal work bag, and the cognac tanner tote for days when I want to carry a brown bag.



I could get this one and use the heck out of it, and get a smooth black leather business bag with silver hardware when I see one I love. These darn Coach bags last so long - maybe I'll wear one out one day and need another?



Anyway, what do you think of this bag for work? Like I said, I need a little push. Is the black too edgy? Too casual? Does the pebbled leather in black make it look rough? :shrugs:



I know some of the other colors look super sophisticated. I have a hard time bonding with non-small black bags.



Please comment! Thanks!
Click to expand...


It is a beautiful bag but I don't know if I'd consider it perfect for carrying around a computer and/or files. It is somewhat on the heavy side. Can you try it in a store first?
 
#11
Jesssh said:
Bump!

It's been over a year and I still haven't bought a black work tote. I'm about ready to bite the bullet on this black on black swagger, but I need a little push:

View attachment 2924566

This is the regular (medium?) size. I love the design, but would really prefer smooth leather and brighter silver hardware.

It's not huge, but plenty big enough for my computer and some other stuff. If I need to carry more stuff, I have the blue bleecker weekender or my car bag, a $15 Target pvc saff bag. The swagger would be a more professional bag.

Do you think this one is formal enough for most work situations? I also have the chambray (blue gray pebbled) borough, which is my most formal work bag, and the cognac tanner tote for days when I want to carry a brown bag.

I could get this one and use the heck out of it, and get a smooth black leather business bag with silver hardware when I see one I love. These darn Coach bags last so long - maybe I'll wear one out one day and need another?

Anyway, what do you think of this bag for work? Like I said, I need a little push. Is the black too edgy? Too casual? Does the pebbled leather in black make it look rough? :shrugs:

I know some of the other colors look super sophisticated. I have a hard time bonding with non-small black bags.

Please comment! Thanks!
Click to expand...
. This is a beautiful bag, but I think that it is too nice for use as a work bag. Just MO.
 
#13
I have this bag - and love it, however, I wouldn't consider it a good "work bag" - although sturdy and well made, I don't think it's as rough and tough as a Bleecker business type bag/tote would be. You expect a business bag to "wear" (i.e., get tossed around more than a handbag)... I think heavy use of this swagger would take away from the beauty of it.
The only thing I dislike - is the black lining. Somewhat of a 'black hole'.....and even though the break-away zipper can be snapped at the end, I've found I need to open it to find things, or pull out my wallet. But it's gorgeous, so I deal with it!
 
#14
Thanks everyone.

Regarding the weight, I think it weighs about the same as my Chambray borough. My laptop weighs 2.5 pounds. It works ok in my borough as long as I don't have to carry it around all day. This would not be for travel, just to and from an occasional meeting. I don't expect to carry much paper.

If I need a travel laptop bag that can get banged around, I have a nylon one made especially for a laptop.

So this would be more of a day bag for work, that I could bring my 2.5 pound laptop in. Not a beater bag. I could get or make a base shaper if I needed that, but I may not need it depending on what I am carrying.

Do you think it's too nice for a professional or business casual office?

Do you think that the original borough bag is more sturdy?
 
#15
Hi ladies :smile1: I have questions about Madison.

Could you please confirm if my below understanding are correct.

Coach Madison Mini North/South Saffiano Leather Tote #29001 has thicker saffiano leather compared to Madison East/West Tote Saffiano Leather #29002 (specifically color black). In such case, #29001 has thicker and stiff leather that can stand on its own, unlike #29002 that has thinner saffiano. It is thinner, light weight and if empty may fold and loose its shape (but not as soft as fabric). By looking at the pictures, it also seems to me that the difference in the thickness of saffiano between the two bags is obviously visible upon first glance of the two bags. Am I right on this? Nevertheless, both are of good quality.

I am also checking at Madison Christie Carryall Satchel Saffiano Leather Purse #29422. I think it has the same thickness of the Coach Madison Mini North/South Saffiano Leather Tote #29001. Please confirm.

Lastly, if I will purchase coach bags in the Coach Factory at Citygate Hong Kong, will it come with a dust bag? or none at all because it is on sale?

Many thanks.
 
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