I am on the hunt for the perfect tote for Job Interviews (I freelance) and weekends. A TPfer suggested the Emile Tote but I can't find one anywhere (let alone on sale). I like the look of the Sonia. What do you think?
I tend to live in jeans but for interviews wear pants. I tend to wear black or grey pants with black shoes. I found a brown Sonia on Sale but am not sure about the brown with the black. Thoughts...help!
The Sonia makes a great biz bag. I carry mine to board meetings and its an Anthracite like Jan's. I received the Emile today and can say that it is a close sister... or fraternal twin. This is how they compare:
Both are about identical in size. Comparable height and width. Comparable thickness (at the bottom). The side gusset on the Emile tapers in towards the top while the Sonia is rectangular.
The Sonia's top corners are squared like a tote. The Emile's top is rounded like a bowler.
The Sonia has magnetic top closure entry with a foldover turnlock tab. Emile has zip closure entry.
Both have double straps. The Sonia's has rolled handles. The Emile has flat handles.
Both have similar buckle-type detailing at, or toward, each bottom of the corner.
The Emile has outside pockets while Sonia has inside pockets (three sections). So think "external storage" with Emile - "internal" storage with Sonia. I like the three sections in Sonia for when you want to keep your laptop secure away from everything else.
My favorite work bags for meeting with people are the Sonia, Emile and Trophy. My favorite bum around bag or casual work day bag is the havana.
My favorite bag for carrying all the supplies for a "rugged" work day off site is the Corcovado because it easily handles large objects like books, shoes, change of clothes, salad bowls, pizza boxes, six-packs, etc. It is basically can serve as a tail-gate party on one shoulder. I pack my cameras, books, story boards, lunch, multiple bottles of water, as well as my standard purse fare and go from dawn to dusk with it.
Hope this helps.
