Thursday, 5 April 2012

Bags, bags, bags! A review.

If you follow the CftC Facebook page, you may remember that some months ago I posted a link to an amazing offer from a local company Easton Design Studio. A long conversation followed (suggesting many of you are interested in bags!) and the designer, Shona Easton, responded to some questions about the colours etc. Shona then kindly asked if I'd like to try out her new bag style and provide her with some feedback. I have and this is my review...

There are a couple of things I feel I should admit before I tell you about this bag. Firstly, I'm a "bag lady" and always have been, ever since I was a toddler. Pre-kids I spent an embarrassingly large amount of money on handbags and accessories, usually from London's New Bond Street stores. One of the sacrifices I made to become a stay at home mum was the obsessive handbag purchasing (others included frequent international travel, boutique hotels and, of course, sleep).

Secondly I should admit that I like things to be colour co-ordinated. I'm pretty sure this was the root cause of the handbag obsession, actually. Blue shoes? Blue bag! Red cardigan? Red bag! And so on...

It was the combination of these factors that first made me an Easton 'fan'. When I spotted the Large Leather Shoppers, I thought I'd found the perfect bags for everyday - beautiful solid colours in a great simple design that look just as good half-empty as bulging with shopping/knitting/kids’ things etc. The affordable price meant that despite my official handbag embargo, I was able to start collecting the colours that co-ordinated with my favourite clothes and accessories *grin*

When Shona asked if I'd like to try the new Large X Body Bag, I jumped at the chance to try something new although if I’m honest, I didn’t expect to like it as much as the shoppers. 

The parcel arrived really quickly, was well packaged and as with all of the Easton purchases I've received by post, had a hand-written note with it - a nice touch. When I opened the dust bag the first thing I noticed was the lovely leather smell and secondly that the bag felt just right - sturdy but not too heavy. The webbing strap and fittings were all of a good quality and felt like they'd withstand the rigours of daily life in the Knight household. 

The online catalogue shows the front of the bag as having the pocket, but I immediately knew I'd be wearing it the other way around for a few reasons:
  • I much prefer the simplicity of the plainer side - clean simple lines
  • The pocket would have to contain my iPhone and I'd need it next to my body to feel the vibrations 
  • This would put the zip opening and the key fob to the front when wearing it on my right side - PERFECT!
I didn't realise how much I'd love this bag until I started using it every day - it's spacious without any excess weight, secure (the zip opening and pocket), the key fob is really useful. The bag easily fits the things I need - with or without the children. And vitally, it leaves my hands free for herding offspring, carrying shopping, or even knitting as I walk along (I know, it looks odd, but is a great way of quickly knitting the plain sections of socks or other small things). It would be perfect for school, work or travel too. It is equally as lovely (and more practical) than the shoppers.

The tan colour Shona sent me also has the benefit of being “matchy matchy” with Uggs in the colder weather and my tan Fitflops for the warmer days. But of course it doesn’t co-ordinate with EVERYTHING, so a purple one arrived from the children for Mother’s Day!!!! Who knows, maybe more will follow…

If you'd like to find out more about Shona and her designs, she has a website, blog, facebook page and is a regular tweeter

8 comments:

  1. Thanks Sarah - so glad you love your new bag! Thank you for all the great feedback. It's interesting that you prefer the plainer side of the design - sometimes I worry that my bags are too plain to look at! However - it's the practicality and usefulness that I concentrate on most, when designing them.
    Shona :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's a gorgeous bag, just perfect for disguising all the everyday clobber us mothers have to lug around! Lots of pretty colours as well. Thanks for showing it to us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have to admit, I've never heard of these before, but I love the simplicity of the look.
    I too was a "bag lady" pre-kids. I actually cut back on the bag buying for more reasons than money, I did it for space in the house too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like this post, I love knitting but there are so much more beautiful things! Leather bags are one of them, just like shoes (I think you can never have enough of both ;-)). Looks like this bag is pretty useful and beautiful. But, although I very much appreciate the simple look, it is a bit too simple for my taste. I really love bags that are a bit more things going on. I really like bags that look like the kelly bag. Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love, love, those bags. I too have not heard of Shona Easton and just checked her website. I've fallen in love!! And I see from the address she is not more than 4 miles away from where I live. I see a visit to her shop very soon! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gwen, I am based in Cranleigh but I no longer have my high street shop there. I have my online shop and we are planning on having some studio 'open days' in the next few months. If you can send me an email via my website (link below), I can put you on the mailing list :)
      http://www.eastondesignstudio.com/default.aspx?m=6&mi=103

      Delete
  6. Oh, I love those bags!! Especially the large shoppers in all those colours!!
    I too was a bit of a bagaholic pre children, and as I used to work just off oxford street. Pay day was always spent, spending it on a bag!!. When I think now how much I spent and how much is now in dust bags under the bed!!
    Will have a peek at the website, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous!!! I think I need one.....

    ReplyDelete

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