Ivory bag. Too big or just right? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ivory bag. Too big or just right?

nancylee

Veteran

I've been looking for the perfect ivory/off-white bag since last summer. You can't imagine how many I've ordered and returned over the past few months (tons!) So now, I'm considering this one from Perlina. The size of it is the only thing that gives me pause. I know big bags are on trend, but I've always held off on the really oversized ones for fear they would dwarf me.

Other than being a touch bigger than I'm used to, it meets all of my criteria:
- slightly slouchy/not too structured
- soft ivory color
- gold/bronze hardware
- not too blingy
- good shoulder strap length

I think the bag would slouch a bit over time (which I would like). Most of my bags are slouchy, and I like how this one is a nod to that shape while being a tiny bit more refined/structured....without actually being structured!

I've owned a Perlina crossbody for several years, so I know the quality is excellent. This bag could be one for the ages (haha!), but I just need to know if the size works for me. I know Rae and others rock the big bags beautifully....is it time for me to join in?

Shopping

33 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks great!

However...If you want a smaller one, I actually have an ivory Perlina bag that I'm considering letting go! I think it's a little smaller than this one. It has a faint mark on it that I have not tried to erase. Let me know if you want to see pics and I'll send you some. I would sell it to you for a fraction of the original price.

Anonymous

I think the proportions of you and it seem good. I love the style of it too.
As long as you feel that it wouldn't be too heavy once it has your stuff in then why not.

nancylee

Veteran

Oh, Janet. Yes, please. Could you send me the pics? Thanks so much for the offer!

Diana

Veteran

I like it! I am an avowed member of the Big Bag Club though. As long as it's not too heavy, I think it looks great.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Nancy, I will do that. It probably won't be until Sunday because I have a concert to go to tonight and a full day tomorrow.

nancylee

Veteran

No worries, Janet. Enjoy your weekend!

Liz A.

Veteran

the size looks right to me

Anonymous

I vote for the slightly smaller bag if you like it.

nancylee

Veteran

Liz and Alicat, your votes just cancelled each other's out.

Nicole D

Veteran

OK, Tiebreaker: I think the size is great, but if you can get a bargain from Janet - why not?

nancylee

Veteran

You're probably right, Nicole. In the meantime, I'll continue to collect opinions on this one. It's sorta growing on me.

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm only 5' 1" down from 5' 1.75" so I'm a bit biased. I would prefer to see you in a slightly smaller bag. In the pics, I see the bag and not you. Also, if you are prone to fill a bag to capacity, definitely opt for a smaller one. I would hate to have you throw out your back and/or injure your shoulder.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I think it's too big and hope you and Janet can work something out.

unfrumped

Veteran

i think its larger than is ideal for.your size. But is lovely color and that mitigates a bit. It reads more as a tote than a handbag.

sarah

Veteran

I think that if you're questioning, then it's too big. Fingers crossed for Janet!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I have a little bit of hesitation about the size for you, but I'll add that it is partly following your lead (since you asked the question). I like the look of the bag over your shoulder, in photo 3. It's okay, but looking a little prominent to me in photo 1. In photo 2, I see the bag first and then you. Now, this may be partly camera angles, how your standing, etc. But like you, I'm a bit self-conscious about bag sizes and not wanting to be dwarfed, so I'm being candid about my reservations about the photos.

I got a similar bag by Kate Spade that I really like a lot (mine is a vivid but fairly dark purple). We may be of similar builds; maybe it would work for you, if the light color isn't too dark for what you're wanting.

nancylee

Veteran

Hm. Lots of you see it as too big. I feel a slight discomfort with the size myself, but then a part of me wants to push out of my comfort zone and embrace the "big bag" trend. I think I could make it work since I have no intention of filling it to capacity....plus, I think it would slouch over time and appear smaller. Do you know what I mean?

I will definitely see what Janet's bag looks like, though. That might be the perfect solution.

nancylee

Veteran

*shameless bump* for more opinions

ramya

Veteran

Love big bags and I like this on you

Kristin L

Veteran

This may not help much, but here's my 2 cents. I love the bag on you. It looks similar (size wise) to a Perlina I got at Nordstrom's after Thanksgiving sale. I haven't seen Janet's, so I can't tell you to return this one and get Janet's. Is it possible for you to keep both (assuming Janet's will work for you)?

ElleH

Veteran

I love big bags to carry all of my stuff, rather than for fashion reasons. If you don't need one that big for your items I would check out Janet's. If hers doesn't work out I like this one.

Debbie

Veteran

I vote keep.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I'm a fan of big bags, always looking for one that works and not finding one that ticks all the boxes for me. So I really like this one. But since you DID ask the question... I had the same exact first reaction as Firecracker.

However, this would not be a deal breaker for me, being of the Big Bag Club! YMMV...

lyn67

Veteran

Quite right! But I love big bags, anyway!:-)

Scarlet

Veteran

It's a beautiful bag but my gut reaction is that it is just slightly too big. How would you usually carry it? The way you posed shows off the bag but doesn't look like how one would normally carry it, so that may be influencing my assessment.

nancylee

Veteran

Scarlet, you make a good point about *how* I plan to carry it making a difference in how big it looks. I can see how #1-2 make it look very prominent. Most likely, I'd carry it over my shoulder most of the time (as in #3).

FWIW, I showed it to DH today and he thinks it's great..not too big at all.

Anonymous

Using the traditional guidelines (which are meant to be bent, of course), I would say it's a bit too big for your frame. The fact that it's white makes it look a little bigger that it is. If you want to push your boundaries, I think it could work and be very on trend. It's not ridiculously huge at all. I have to say that I love the idea of trying Janet's bag though!

I tried a large B&W Kate Spade in the store last year (the one that Zap has) and I felt it was too big for me even though the forum said it looked fine.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

Nancy, here is my bag for comparison. Measurements are:

14" wide
9" tall
4" deep
Strap 20" long (will fit over my shoulder)

I photographed it on a pure white towel to make sure the color shows true -- this is a bit more cream than I recalled, so I'm not sure if it's the color you're looking for. The hardware is a gunmetal color.

The third picture is a close up of the faint mark I mentioned -- I have made no attempts to remove it. I think it was from the handle of another handbag that was stored next to this one. I would imagine it could be cleaned successfully, I just thought I'd wait rather than do something that might make matters worse. I was considering dyeing this bag to a color I might use more often, which is part of why I held off doing anything with it. But I have plenty of bags, so I don't mind parting with this.

Please don't feel obligated at all! If this strikes your fancy, great! If not, it is absolutely no problem at all.

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nancylee

Veteran

Janet, that is a really cute bag. Thank you so much for the sweet offer, and for taking the time to post photos......but I've actually decided to keep the big one. The more I carry it around, the more natural it feels. I love everything about it, and that it's a tiny big bigger than I'm used to will just help me step out of my comfort zone add some variety to my bag collection.

Thanks everyone for helping me make my decision. I know some of you think it's a tad big, but I do think the photos (and the white color) made it appear bigger than it is IRL. I'm feeling comfortable with it....actually falling in love with it....so it's all good.

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