Annalcg, since you have both fidji and st. Louis... What are the differences for both bags?I am a new mom, and I need a bag that can be versatile. Something I can dump some stufff in or something I can use for casual days during my "me" time.
Can the fidji hold as much as the st Louis PM? Are both bags light? No problems with the zipper in the fidji?
For the purposes you've listed above, I'd definitely recommend the St. Louis (If you're taller and want more space in the bag, you could even get the GM!)
I originally purchased the Fidji as a book bag, and while it does hold a massive amount, I wanted to be able to hold more so I elected to ask for the St. Louis at that time (I received it for my birthday soon after). The St. Louis is much better, I find, than the Fidji for just throwing a massive amount of things in. I never had any trouble with the Fidji zipper, but I carried it so much and with such weighty items in it that I decided to get it repaired- I had leather corners put on and a strip of thick suede on the inside, as one side was wearing out. So far, I have been using the St. Louis for books for twice the amount of time that I was using the Fidji for, and no wear at all. I attribute this to the strap: the weight of whatever is in the Fidji is all concentrated in that one strap which is wider than the St. Louis strap, but nevertheless there are only two points of contact between the strap and the bas. On the other hand, the St. Louis has two straps, meaning four points of contact. Furthermore, the St. Louis will stand up on it's own depending on what you fill it with; it is difficult to get the Fidji to do the same. The ONLY downside of the St. Louis for the purposes you have described is that I have found that when I am wearing bunches of sweaters and a coat it is difficult to simply swing it and have it land on my shoulder just so- but I am attributing this to the lack of flexibility due to winter layers, not the fault of the bag.
Just to be clear, I am not in any way "trashing" the Fidji- rather, I'm just suggesting that based on my personal experience, the St. Louis is better equipped to deal with the situation of holding more things and more weight for prolonged periods of time.
Best of luck,
dopey! Please do let me know if you have any more questions.