The speedy never spoke to me until a few years ago when I saw it with the strap. I was standing behind someone at the GAP and noticed how cute her bag was. In the past I have had the Noe and the backpack, but stepped away from LV. A few years ago I purchased the Delightful MM (old model) along with a luggage strap for my birthday. Loved the hobo style and used it everyday. Then last year I received the Neverfull GM de and decided to use that big bag for work. Now I have two huge bags that can hold everything. This birthday I'm headed back to LV to get the speedy b 25 in de. I decided I want a smaller bag in my collection. (doesn't three make a collection

). I'm not a hand held purse girl and love the idea of a speedy that is cross body. I will probably never use it hand held. I think in trying to decide which model, think about how you normally use your current bags...hand held or shoulder strap. That should make the decision easier. just FYI...there are a ton of preloved speedys on the market but very few bandoliers...must tell you something about how much people like the strap option.