Italian calfskin Jamie bagClick here for product page
Item 97485
Regular: $495.00
This "love or loathe" post is not so much about the Jaime bag (which is beautiful by the way!) but on the leather shoulder strap the Jaime bag includes.
I have noticed that more an more handbags are coming with an optional shoulder strap- and I couldn't be more thrilled with that trend! I always end up wearing a messenger-esque bag when I go out shopping, so my hands are free to select and hold clothes easily. I have tons of hand bags and clutches, but find I don't use them as often since they can be difficult for me to carry (along with 12 hangers of clothes I want to try on in the changing room of J.Crew.) ;)
What do you think of the shoulder strap addition to hand bags? Are you a fan? Would you wear the optional shoulder strap or remove it?
I guess I'm kind of confused by the shoulder strap - if you're wearing it on the shoulder, then the handles just flop down?
ReplyDeleteLOVE the color of that bag, btw.
I love it and yes, I hope the handles flop down. I tried a Cole Haan bag this summer that was a similar design and when you used the shoulder strap, the handles stuck out awkwardly.
ReplyDeleteI want this bag in the light brown color. Bad.
I personally don't care for the shoulder strap and always remove them if they come with a bag I purchase. I tend to avoid even buying a bag that has a shoulder strap because I don't like the way the bag looks with the extra hardware when the strap is removed.
ReplyDeleteI love it with the shoulder strap. It comes in handy when I need both hands free in the subway, shopping, etc. I normally look for bags which give me the convenience of throwing it over my shoulders (messenger style).
ReplyDeleteSilver_lining: I do end up wearing the bag with the handles just flopping down. I don't mind the look too much. I will add that I tend to carry the bag by the handle when my hands are free- but if I have things to carry, I just switch over to the shoulder strap. :)
ReplyDeleteMolly: I like this bag in the light brown color too! :) It's too bad the price is a bit more than I can afford. ;)
FFM: I can understand about not liking the extra hardware. :)
Mom-NYC: I think you and I have very similar tastes in bags! :) I also tend to gravitate to bags offering the convenience of a messenger bag. :)
I'm not a fan of shoulder straps either. I usually look for a bag that has a long enough handle drop that I can put it up on my shoulder and that's it. A long, across-the-shoulder strap on a purse just feels cumbersome to me, especially if I have to wear it over a coat in the winter. I'd rather carry my bag or just wear it on one shoulder. Although, with the Jamie, it doesn't seem like it would look really weird if you take the long strap off. It does have grommets on the sides, but they don't look too weird. But now that I'm looking at it, it has that ring in the grommets. It would definitely be something you'd have to check out in person if you wanted to remove that strap.
ReplyDeleteI personally avoid purses that have both a shoulder and handle strap. It seems like too much extra stuff, particularly if the shoulder strap cannot be removed. I think it looks funny.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to try one of these out - a lot of the time I just end up carrying my back in the crook of my elbow, which can get painful after a while, and like Alexis said, it's hard to maneuver when you're carrying piles of clothes! I'd love to see this Jamie bag in person. I am not a bag aficionada by any stretch of the imagination, so I don't really know what to look for in terms of quality. I do have two leather JC bags that I've purchased off of eBay, and both have several frayed threads that look like they weren't tucked in at the end. I'd love a good quality black leather bag without a lot of embellishment, but have no idea what brands to look into.
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of the shoulder strap either and really the bag overall is kind of useless for me. It cant carry files and its too big to just walk around town for the day. I don't loathe it... but I certainly don't love it. There is just no attraction there for me... I say its a "leave it"
ReplyDeleteP.S. Silver lining I agree the color is very cute!
Haus Frau: There is an image on the product page that shows the bag without the strap and it looks very pretty. :) Click on "As seen in Catalog"
ReplyDeleteJacquelyn: I agree that some bags can definitely look weird with both handles and shoulder strap. :)
Silver_Lining: I know what you mean about your arm (in the crook of the elbow) hurting after carrying the hand bag for awhile. I always end up carrying so much in purse! :)
Not a fan. One or the other. However, if they wanted to make BOTH the shoulder strap and the handles removable - I think that would be FANTASTIC!
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Like haus_frau I prefer bags that have longer handle drops. Both my LV Cabas Piano (which holds a TON, by the way) and my Chloe have handles that can be carried over the arm or over the shoulder. Tres chic! :)
ReplyDeleteAlexis, thanks for cluing me in to the catalog shot! The little brass rings don't look bad by themselves. It is a really cute bag, but it might be a bit too small to be functional for me. Either that, or I just need to reevaluate all the junk I schlep around!
ReplyDeleteI am with haus_frau. I want bags with straps that go over my shoulder, but the bag doesn't drop to my waist. I like keeping my bag close to my body to deter purse snatching or pick pockets (I work in a bad area of town), but I'm not into the messenger bag look. I also dislike bags with both the long detachable strap and smaller handles; it looks clunky to me.
ReplyDeleteI love detachable shoulder straps; so functional!
ReplyDeleteI'd keep the Shoulder Strap on when shopping, but lose it when I'm going out on the town:)
Love this site BTW!
personally, i think the shoulder strap looks a little old-ish for me. hope that doesn't offend anyone!! i have a great hobo bag from BR that i use for everything, i've had it 2 years now and that's the longest i've ever used a bag without getting sick of it! it's so easy to carry and shop with.
ReplyDeleteI actually second melissa--- I think the long strap is a little young for me as well and I am only 25! I just fell that I stopped doing it by my senior year of college and I am kind of over it now.
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ReplyDeletewhoops!
I'm with prep-e girl. One or the other for me! I don't like it when handbags try the multiple handles, it reminds me of that saying of trying to please both and ending up pleasing none. It tries to look great with both and ends up doing neither too well. (Of course, this may not actually be the case but is just my natural aversion to the multiple handles)
ReplyDeleteIf the straps are long enough for me to wear across my shoulders, then I would that's a fantastic option...However, I wouldn't spend close to $500 for a Jcrew bag, don't think so...I think I'd much rather save up more and go for an LV, Burberry or so...
ReplyDeleteI have the Carnaby carryall (not the mini) and it has both handles and I love it! It is great for looks and function.
ReplyDeleteFor bags that have both handles, it has look right being carried on arm, shoulder or across body. And the carnaby works for me.
I try to find good leather bags that I can carry messenger style. When I am pushing a stroller and carrying a bag...I want my arms free.
ny0311: ITA! while I do think the bag is nice (handles and all) I wouldn't pay $500 for a Jcrew bag. I would throw in the extra couple hundred and buy the LV instead.(I'm a sucker for designer bags and that's all I carry) This goes back to my belief that J.Crew can't compete with high-end designers and need to stick to what they've done so well for so long: great quality merchandise at decent price.
ReplyDeleteI hate the look of the shoulder strap. It looks very cheap and 80s to me.
ReplyDeleteSilver_lining: Try doing searches on bluefly or zappos for black leather bags. I ended up finding one by Rafe on Bluefly about 6 months ago for around $300. It was a satchel style with handles that were long enough to go over the shoulder. The quality of the leather is excellent and I have gotten many compliments on it.
Rebecca Minkoff does the strap on her handheld bags (morning after and morning after mini). Actually you have to purse the strap seperately. I'm the same way though....I like should bags that hang fairly high up. I'm short...the J Crew bag used w/ the should strap would be down to my knees!
ReplyDeleteI love this bag, but like blumre, I think it's a little too small for my purposes (lugging my laptop, books, files, etc). If it was a bit bigger, it would be on my wish list as I really like having the two sets of straps - both for function, and the way it looks. With everything I shove in a bag, carrying it over my shoulder gets heavy quickly, so I like to have the longer strap option.
ReplyDeleteDON'T LAUGH, but Talbots has wonderful bags that are classic and not too over-the-top like some designer bags. And they're around 100 bucks. Totally reasonable. My bag of choice these days is a quilted patent leather satchel from Talbots. It goes over my sholder or in the crook of my arm. It's very nice. 128 bucks.
ReplyDeleteweab: You are so right!!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading the blog for months now--what a great place for gals to talk fashion and a love for JCrew clothes.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the shoulder strap/handles combo at all. It looks very matronly or student-like to me. I also agree with many here that the bags are just too costly for JCrew-types--it's already a splurge to buy the cashmere! I'd like it if they'd create some great lines of classic leather bags--black, camel, etc. in the $100 range. Stay with the price range that your customers like! It's nice they do the JCrew collection, but keep making quality, affordable stuff for the majority of 30-40-somethings!
I did a blog entry about Talbots and Talbots' bags if anyone is interested :)
ReplyDeleteYou shop where??
molly, your blog looks great! Thank you SO MUCH for mentioning that the hammered-silk tank also has that awful tulle facing at the top (like the Amelia) - I won't waste another minute lusting after it! I'm also amazed at how similar that Talbots cabochon necklace looks to the JC bubble necklace. Wow!
ReplyDeleteThough it is nice to have the strap, I never use it. Am totally loving this bag and hoping to be able to buy it. Will take a little saving. I actually think the pricing for these bags falls right into line with other bags I like, mainly Cole Haan. I don't care about the brand name, only the bag, so don't care if it is J Crew or someone else, as long as I like it.
ReplyDeleteMolly, so nice to meet another Talbots shopper. I am 33 and have been shopping there since college. There clothes haven't really matched their rep for about six years, but hard to convince people otherwise. I just take the compliments on my outfits and the incredulity of it being Talbots with a smile.
their - sorry, typing too fast and not editing.
ReplyDeleteClassicChic & NYyogaMommy: Thanks for the nice comments about the blog. I really do appreciate them. :)
ReplyDeleteOT: Just got back from store. They had about a handful of new things. Beautiful dress pants...saw them in burnt orange and brown. New tanks w/ tie front (a bit big in the bust but still got two). Couple of new sweaters/cardis, new coats (in pink and dark grey). Tons of scarfs in lots of pretty colors. Lots of new casual tees (short sleeve and 3/4 sleeves). I was w/ the little one who was getting antsy but all in all thought new stuff was very attractive. The manager told me they are expecting little bits of new things every week. I already feel like I have bought an entire fall wardrobe. My poor credit card!!!!
ReplyDeletePink1: Thanks for reporting back what your local store carried. I can't wait to see the new scarves. (I love J.Crew's scarves so much!)
ReplyDeleteOkay, one other thing about the bags: jcrew.com should definitely have some more views available. I need to know what the insides look like, if they have any pockets, zippers, etc.! Didn't they used to do this?
ReplyDeleteOT: I got my Rhrubarb colored Jackie cardi yesterday and it is beautiful! If anyone has the Sea Glass Piper the two look incredible together! I wore them today with J Crew's Khaki Stretch Chino shorts (3") and gold accessories and got a TON of compliments! One woman came clear out of a store to ask where I got my outfit!
ReplyDeleteAm I the only DORK who still uses a shoulder strap? (and uses words like dork?)...I feel kind of embarassed after reading all these comments! I'm 41, btw. I like having my hands free for whatever (holding coffee cup, etc.). I guess I've always felt that little handles look inconvenient, and I don't want to look like "LC" from "The Hills" with my arm bent at the elbow and sticking out at a wierd angle. Oh well...guess I'll go back to the eighties where I belong! LOL!
ReplyDeleteslightlyoldersally: you are not the only dork that uses a shoulder strap! I do too, and I'm 30! I sometimes do the LC awkward elbow (still laughing out loud about that by the way), but prefer to be able to get handles of straps over my shoulder.
ReplyDeletealexis: the scarfs also had a cute little card w/ different ways to tie it. I thought that was a great idea! i think they were around $59.00.
ReplyDeleteI always buy bags with shoulder straps or longer handles. I wish I had a lifestyle that accommodated bags with handles or clutch bags, because I think they look so stylish, but I don't. I'm always huffing stuff around, so the few bags I have without straps stay in the closet. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we're dorks, slightlyoldersally. At least I hope not! Anyway, I'd rather be slightlyoldermary than awkwardangleelbowmary!
Silver_Lining: I couldn't agree more with you- I would love a look inside J.Crew's bags. Sometimes they have printed lining that I would like to see beforehand. :)
ReplyDeleteSlightlyOlderSally & Mary & Kater: You are not alone in liking the shoulder strap. I still rock the look too! :)
Pink1: oh I can't wait to see the scarves. J.Crew had a multi-color one that was just gorgeous! :)
With kids I need the shoulder strap, but I love how they are detachable. I dig the colors this season and yes! an interior view would be wonderful. Wouldn't it be cool to have an interior print like one of their scarves? Yummy!
ReplyDeleteRe. pricing, I think they are in the same range as some of the higher end independent handbag brands (Hayden Harnett, Treesje, Botkier, etc.), but most of the time sites offer deals (save for a few vendors) where you can save 20% while the style is new and even more when the new season stuff comes in. With JCrew's current discounting strategy (or lack thereof), I think they won't see as many buyers. Then again, they haven't made quite as many of these bags either...
I think this bag is cute, but it doesn't look like a $500 bag. I am certainly not a label whore who likes logos all over my bags, and I will pay about $300-$400 max for a good quality bag (I think $1000 for a LV is just stupid), but part of what you are getting for the price of a Coach, etc. bag is tradition and continued service. For example, I spent about $420 on a Coach bag a few years ago. I wore it several times a week for 2.5 years when the leather on the handles and the bottom piping starting wearing thin. I brought it in to a local Coach store to be fixed for free, just for cost of shipping to warehouse. I got a letter in the mail a week later saying that they were very sorry but that they could not repair the bag, please accept this $500 merchandise credit towards replacing it. I was floored! Most companies would just say, that's normal wear and tear, go buy a new bag, too bad. Or you would have to take it to a leather shop to have it repaired on your own dime.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Kenneth Cole has a similar program where they will take back their leather goods for repair (no time limitation) for a small fee or cost of shipping.
If J.Crew is going to be charging these prices for a bag, are they going to stand behind them with this kind of service? If you bought one of their bags on final sale you wouldn't even be able to return it if it wasn't what you expected. ;)
cass what a valid point! I would rather buy a coach bag (though I am a little grossed out by coach right now after visiting L.I.) because of the service and LIFETIME guarentee! J. Crew isn't there yet!
ReplyDeleteI said in another post how my family mostly shops designers a gawfs (I know not a real word) at me when I say I like J. Crew... but this is why... they aren't a real designer brand... not yet anyway!
Hee, slightlyolder sally--LC elbow, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm in your age group too, sally, and I love the eighties. I enjoy being at the point where I can vintage shop in my own closet. One of my favorite pieces that I bought at about age 19 in 1985 is a high-quality Kelly knock-off (note a fake that says "Hermes," just a high-quality copy). It has both a shoulder strap and an an ordinary handle. I loved that back and wore it to death, to the point where the wrist handle fell apart. I had it replaced and unfortunately the replacement didn't look very nice.
Blumre I agree about Coach. Notwithstanding my rant about desginer stuff I do (did) own a few Coach bags. After a recent trip to the mall I donated two of them to the Cancer Society thrift store because all the tacky, tacky hos at the mall were carrying them. Even Mr. Hex was aghast. (I expect some of them were actually real like the Bunny with the Fendi bag in SATC).
I'm at the stage of life where I need a big bag with a shoulder strap. I'm a huge fan of the Uptown tote (I have a similar version in the peacock print) and wish that J.Crew made a dressier version. J.Crew bags are at a good price point for me, but right now I'm waiting for one that I really like. My recent Coach experience has reminded me why I shouldn't buy designer stuff, hee hee.
Beautiful bag. Nowadays, most of the handbags comes with shoulder strap style. I have two handbags and both bags has additional shoulder strap. I love this style. Thanks!!
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This was a really great contest and hopefully I can attend the next one. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed myself..
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