Hobo Friar tote, input on "interview" bags--ETA update, intel

I am putting together options for "interview" outfits and similar more formal, adminstrator-type meetings though with a non-corporate outfit aim (professional business casual). Also I would say that for me and for the target purpose, something very luxury-line or status-symbol (not that that would be recognized) would be inappropriate.

The type of bag I think is most appropriate is something that is tote-like , i.e. could hold some letter-size documents, but not too big (tends to overwhelm me), and able to either carried hanging down or put over shoulder, because that is more the environmental norm than "carry-on-arm" satchels and such.

What I think I mean is, something that is not necessarily the full-on large tote I might use for my highest volume needs for lunch bag, shoes, umbrella but still looks a bit more business-like than a fashion handbag, if that makes sense.

I already have something in black that is almost not big enough for papers but it was the best I could find last year for some occasions.
I have for some reason not liked lots of totes even at TJMaxx, which is quite a good source--SO many nameplates and logos, too big, too stiff, wrong hardware, and many with very short handle drops.

However, my outfits tend to have a lot of black--pants and shoes, for example--and everything look so somber that I am exploring having the option of light neutral vs dark neutral depending on what's the rest of the outfit.

I came across this Hobo Friar tote. I have always been a Hobo fan but don't want to let that skew me. Really it's more that it seems like a less obtrusive, sleeker tote that does not bang around like a larger bag. It's small enough that I could also use it as a normal "shopper" handbag for any everyday outfits that work well with the color.

What do you think of this style for that purpose?

Second, it's hard to choose a color! I like more than one of the available colors! There is this gray and then a lighter gray that is also lovely. (I have been tempted to bring both home and see which one works best with my current outfit options). There may also be berry colors which I love, but I'm less sold on that for versatility for this purpose. There is a promotion going on which gives a price break, though not a "steal".

Any comments welcome.

ETA I brought one home, since I neglected to take "stuff" to the store to practice fiting into them, and found this tote will not hold a letter-sized folder and still zip up. It's just wide enough but not tall enough, by just an inch or so.

So disappointing because I really like the "tote lite" aspect and it looks really great in terms of proportions with my outfits, and is extremely lightweight, and I love both the gray and the black. So it would still work if I had a high need for a lot of variety in just "business-looking" handbags, but I really don't. I was okay with its not being a "laptop" kind of bag or a schlepping tote, but I think it would be a mistake to focus on this bag and not be able to carry papers in it. Not even just for "interview" but a few office items. Was still waffling because of how sleek it looks. Phoo.

Dillard's

Hobo Original Friar Tote

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Top Pick

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

I like this Hobo style, and i'll try something else into the mix
a couple years ago when I was interviewing, I used this bag. not cheap, but it worked really well, big enough to carry a folder with extra resumes, a notebook for taking notes, my ipad, and pockets to hold all my other stuff neatly...(.on the mz Wallace site, this bag comes in other colors)

Nordstrom

MZ Wallace 'Jane' Handbag

$365.00

Firecracker (Sharan)

I like the Hobo Friar for what you describe. Here's another one that admire, from Madewell. It's in dark charcoal. There's a black one, too, but the black has tan handles, which seem a bit sporty and less businesslike to me.

Madewell

The Zip Transport Tote

p.s. I'm guessing the one I proposed is larger than you're looking for. My thought was the Hobo bag seems kind of in between a handbag and tote, which it seems is just what you're looking for!

Diana

So I haven't seen this Hobo bag in person, but my general impression of Hobo bags is that they tend to look casual, because of the soft, tumbled leather. In my experience, they also start to look beat up quite fast for the same reason - the leather scratches really easily. So, I think it would be a good general work bag, but maybe not spiffy enough for an interview.

For interviews I tend to prefer a more structured bag personally. I like this Kate Spade one, for example. (It's the same style as my floral one and comes in a lot of different colors). It has a zip closure (a must-have for me) and the bigger one fits my laptop (which I am likely to need to bring to interviews). If you don't need the zip, there are tons of similar looking structured totes available at many price points. I like a bag that I can set down on the floor without it flopping over sloppily.

That said, my "interview bag" is a boring old black pebbled leather tote. It's fine but not particularly spiffy. I probably should get a better one, but given the way my job hunt is going it does not seem too likely I"ll need it, and it's not a particularly exciting purchase. So, in the grand scheme of things, I don't really think it's worth it to buy a bag JUST for interviews, but only if you are going to use it for other purposes as well.

'cedar street harmony - medium' tote

$298.00

'small cedar street harmony' tote

$268.00

unfrumped

Thanks for helpful suggestions!
I go to and fro about things like the tumbled leather, Diana! One one hand, I like looking less "precious" as long as it's not truly distressed leather, but tonal, because I am in a kind of in-between zone for the effect I want, and also that can hide marks. OTOH, if the leather is too shiny and crisp (this is a kind of glossy finish), it can scratch, as you say.
I'm a fan of pebbled, supple leather too for durability.
So actually there could be a less dainty and more under-the-radar bag that gives a more no-nonsense look.
Hmmm......

Anonymous

Wow, unfrumped, I really like the bag you've chosen. I think it's got a lot of structure and is not too dressy nor too casual. Of course I like it best in the teal, but that might not work for interviews (are you the interviewer or the interviewee?). I would get the black, but if you're also using it as a summer bag, then the grey, but make sure it works with your footwear.

rachylou

I agree about totes for work/interviews. I like taller shoppers, not wide totes, because of the way weight is distributed.

Well, it's good I am taking a "think" on it and will maybe visit the bags while wearing a potential outfit and mainly see if one of the colors is also something I'd really love to use as an everyday errand bag, either a neutral or accent color that isn't represented already and that adds something.
I have persistently been a shoulder-strap lover and currently so many straps are for cross-body and can't really be adjusted to ride high enough. I do find occasional short-handle bags with a shorter additional "long strap". Some straps could be modified by a good cobbler but others seem difficult.

cobalt

Active Member

Have you looked at Cambridge Satchel? http://www.cambridgesatchel.com Their east-west and north-south totes come in a variety of colors and neutrals, and occasionally go on sale as they cycle new seasonal colors. I have their music bag (which I believe is now called the folio bag -- it's a slim briefcase) in navy and it's held up beautifully for the past two years.

Dottie

I have a Cole Haan tote that I use for work every day and LOVE it. I got it on sale on Haute Look, I believe. This one is similar, but mine does not have the "flap/buckle." It is a little stiff, with a flat bottom, but fits an 8-1/2 x 11 datebook nicely along with wallet, checkbook, small makeup bag and inside pockets for phone, pens, etc. without bulging. I carry mine by the handles and removed the strap.

Neiman Marcus Last Call

Daphne Saffiano Leather Tote Bag, Black

ETA I put an update in the original post.

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