"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, who shared with us the latest email from J.Crew this morning.The email above features the Grommet Parlour Hobo (Item 23176; $298.00). We already got a sneak peak to this bag awhile back (refer to the January 21st "Cardmember Email: A sneak preview from our spring collection (just for Cardmembers)" post). J.Crew describes the hobo as:
Our design team (and everyone else) is mad for this handbag. Part motorcycle chic, part impeccable uptown construction, it's one of our favorite shapes in soft pebbled leather and a tricked-out body with a smattering of studs and grommets. With multiple pockets to keep you organized and an adjustable strap for versatility. Top snap closure with two zip pockets. Shiny gold hardware. Interior front-wall split-patch cell pocket, back-wall zip pocket. Cotton twill lining. Part of the J.Crew Collection.There are now more colors/ versions to enjoy. Originally it came in either Black or Pale Buff. Now it also comes in Rosy Peach and Soft Dove (grey).
I originally did not care for the bag. After seeing it in person... I actually think the Pale Buff version is quite lovely. The gold tinted grommets actually play quite well against the light tan leather. I also saw the Black version in person and it did not seem that bad either.
What are your thoughts on the hobo? Have you seen it in-person? Has your opinion on the hobo change? Do you like the style- from the size to the style with its studs & grommets?
Personally, this bag is not for me in any of the colors, the grommets and studs are a little passe at this point. I also don't like that you see the lining through the grommets. What I expected to see, I don't know, more leather maybe, but not the lining.
ReplyDeleteI wish J.Crew would use some silver hardware on their bags, especially with the cooler colors. Take this bag for instance, the gold on gray just looks off IMO. Silver would be much nicer. I have the Lexi tote in amethyst and I'm debating returning it specifically because of the gold hardware. If it were silver hardware it would be a definite keeper. Even something a little less flashy-looking than the shiny gold would be preferable.
I love this bag in theory... I tried this on in both sizes in black. Like xoxo, I would also prefer silver metal, but it wasn't a deal-breaker for me. The purse is small and the hobo is huge, so the size was not great for me personally.
ReplyDeleteThe short handles on the hobo will not fit your shoulder comfortably if you want to carry it that way. You have to carry it as a tote or a messenger bag, that's it. I only carry shoulder bags, so it didn't work out for me.
While I was less impressed with the black hobo, the lighter colors are slightly more appealing to me. The deal-killer in my case is similar to the one Mags mentioned: the hobo is too large and the purse is too small.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with xoxo - I would definitely like to see some purses with silver hardware! I generally stay away from J.Crew bags for this reason (with the exception of the Owen hobo from a year or 2 ago - it has little hardware).
ReplyDeleteI just find the title rather unfitting..as this is SO NOT a forever look.
ReplyDeleteVery trendy. Not a classic or forever bag IMO. Glad to hear you liked it better in person though, Alexis. Thanks for the post. I am more of a Vera Bradley fan and prefer European bags such as Radley. I love the older canvas print bags that JCrew used to make. Glad I bought in abundance years ago and took care of them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with others that this bag is too large with the smaller one being too small. If the bag was cut down in size by half with the same size handle, I'd snatch it up.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you ladies... not much of a classic style and the sizing is off. It's like Goldilocks - either too big or too small. Why can't they ask normal people like us what size we prefer?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mags, I do like the style but the size is way too huge and the short handles would make it look really awkward on most bodies. I was really interested in the earlier gold version and kept debating to get it or not until I saw one in store. It was SO huge, it it were smaller with shoulder straps I'd be all over it. It was disappointing because I really loved the color and texture of the leather. A forever bag should be at least a little bit practical.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't seem very crew-ie to me. Then again, neither do rompers, silk sweatpants, or neon socks, so what do I know?
ReplyDeleteOT, I finally got a canvas bag today, the one with the "two sweaters, four friends" graphic, so I'm happy! I hate to think of the people paying fifty clams on ebay since the stores seem to be getting more in with each shipment.
CheesyGoodness, glad you scored one of the canvas bags because I know you were looking. ;) They are cute but honestly I wouldn't pay more than ten bucks for the J.Crew ones and I really wonder who would. I keep reusable bags in the trunk of my car and they don't stay pristine for long before they need to be laundered so durability is more important than looks.
ReplyDeleteI have a J.Crew Uptown tote that I use for shopping trips when I'm not hauling the mother load home and I want to look nice. Way more expensive than a canvas bag but much nicer too. I haven't seen the Uptown totes on the site for a long while, I wonder if they'll be back in new colors this year.
I bought one of the canvas bags today (Charleston, SC, had a few if anyone is looking). I chose the one with the 3 girls, 2 of whome are walking their dog. Rumor has it that Charleston is going to get one with rainbow row on it, although I assume it will still be in black (which kind of defeats the purpose of rainbow row, right?). Still, it should be cute if it gets made. I think it would be good to custom some according to the location.
ReplyDeleteis there any way someone can post a pic of the aforementioned hobo bag wearing is messenger style? i am interested in buying but of course the website only features one picture!!
ReplyDeletexoxo, thanks! Sometimes it's the little things, you know? That's a good idea to use the Uptown tote as a shopper. I have a bright yellow that I bust out in the summer, and it would be plenty big enough for my downsized shopping needs.
ReplyDeletemath teacher, the custom bags would be great. For JCAs that could become the new souvenir tee!
^ "I shopped JC's midwinter roll out and all I got was this tote bag"
ReplyDeleteI like grommets and I like hobos but I just think this is rather trendy for J Crew. Of course, I haven't seen it in person but I saw a similar style (though smaller) in Forever 21 not too long ago.
ReplyDeleteI loooove this tote in grey. So pretty. I wouldn't buy it for full price but it is definitely covetable. I agree with what other are saying though, that it would be nice if there was a mid-sized version - a Georgia satchel-sized version would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteEvening
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the code or name of the pink shiny pencil skirt that's to be released? Or who's blog it was featured on?
Thanks
Evening
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the code or name of the pink shiny pencil skirt that's to be released? Or who's blog it was featured on?
Thanks
Belle de jour, is it this one that was featured on AudreyBella's blog?
ReplyDeletehttp://audreybella.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-love-pretty-pencil-skirts.html
this is J.Crew's version of Rebecca Minkoff's bag. The "brisbee" is also a version of her "Morning After" bag.
ReplyDeleteCheesyGoodness, I know what you mean about the little things. I got really excited over a 3-pack of argyle tennis socks at J.Crew once. They were so darn cute I just had to have them and I loved wearing them constantly until they were threadbare.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to find a special something that only costs a few dollars for a change. Enjoy your bag.
xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's it exactly.
Off I skip to dial that magic number. ;-)
ElleP, YES I had the same though about Rebecca Minkoff bags. I do agree with Alexis, I disliked this bag at first but I do like the cream-colored one now that I see it. I won't get it though, for the same reasons as others ... too big/too small, and on the downside of the trend curve.
ReplyDeleteI've snapped up several more "forever" bags IMHO on promo lately ... Small Georgie (plain but LOVE it), Ryder Satchel in Shadow, Selby in caramel and in black. Happy w those for the price.
Nope, I'm not a fan. I didn't like it in the picture and I didn't like it IRL.
ReplyDeleteJGu- If you click on the picture of the Metallic Parlour Hobo you can see that worn messenger style. It should look similar. (Except its the metallic one..)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/bags/leatherbags/PRDOVR~20317/20317.jsp
Hope that helps!
Math teacher
ReplyDeleteanything good at the chas store? I would love to see a r row bag, although I wonder if you can tell in black & white.
Leader girl f/k/a leaderboys
thank u ashley for that photo :)
ReplyDeletealso, what colors did the metallic parlour hobo come in besides the pale gold?
I am not at all a fan of this bag; I'm not a fan of rivets/studs/etc in general.
ReplyDeleteJust got back from the B/M and *no* new new arrivals!!! (meaning the new floral prints--my store didnt even NEARLY have anything that was online!!) Has anyone been to the Copley (Boston) JCrew??
I tried on some jackies; gorgeous colors: breeze (or something similar), sea green, hot pink, mango-peach (these aren't the real names)-- gorgeous.
I'm ready for some more prints!1
Ann Taylor had some lovely things, as usual.
I could see myself liking this bag for about a month. On the other hand I love love the 9.50 canvas bags- I purchased both the grown up and crewcuts bags!
ReplyDeleteHi Ruffles, what color is your small georgie satchel? would you be interested in selling it???
ReplyDelete