Sak Ventura: Do or Don't? - YouLookFab Forum

I'm beginning a search for a new bag for fall. I would love to have a largish bag that can be worn as a crossbody -- at least as an option. I've seen this Sak Ventura convertible backpack IRL in DSW last spring. The color is lustrous and the leather appeals to me. I did not see it in the black, but I typically carry black bags.

Feedback please:

1. Overall impressions of this bag with my style -- particularly for business casual use and travel.
2. I have a goal to incorporate chocolate brown, but would this work with my black/grey wardrobe? My red puffer coat?
3. Which color is more attractive?

I love that it can be worn crossbody or as a backpack, and it's just long enough to carry a thin folder of music or a book or magazine. It is not weatherproof, and doesn't have an external water bottle slot, which I wold love to have when I travel, but don't need for everyday.

Zappos

The Sak Ventura Backpack

$109.00

View Info

Top Pick

Zappos

The Sak Ventura Backpack

$109.00

View Info

Top Pick

11 years ago

Mona

Veteran

The bag looks lovely. As long as you have some other accessory in brown colour, I think the brown would work with your black/grey wardrobe. Angie's recent all neutral ensemble showed how beautiful these colour can look together. Why don't order and try on with some fall/winter outfits to see if works?

Anonymous

I don't think brown does go with black or grey. I know people say it does, but it rarely looks intentional in real life.

pil

It looks like a great bag, especially with the backpack/crossbody option.
For what it's worth the brown looks more casual to me. How about adding a scarf with the brown if you feel it needs help to look more intentional.

Beth Ann

Good input, thanks!

Mona and Sterling: Your observations are both helpful. The pairing has to be deliberate to work. Sterling, I'm thinking of brown as a way to "warm" up my greys, which aren't doing me any favors. It also bookmarks my hair.

Pil: The shiny black version is dressier, and I bat for team dressy. This is why the choice is difficult! I've seen this bag in Cognac at DSW and tried it on --- I think it would work well functionally, and the size (which is largish) works for me.

celia

I like the brown bag if the colour is really like that IRL.I like brown with certain greys and I also try to bookend my hair with brown but somehow it never seems to work.
Why not the Cognac one?

JAileen

Angie did a post on wearing ink, grey, black and brown together:

http://youlookfab.com/2014/07/.....and-black/

I loved this post because I went grey last year and have been buying lots of grey, but I also have lots of brown accessories - sandals, boots, handbags.

Thistle

I like the black one . . . I just am not in love with brown. I know same style. The black just looks sleeker and more modern to my eye.

JAileen: That post was inspirational for me. You know exactly where I'm going with this brown idea, then!

Celia: The cognac, which I saw IRL is an unfortunate shade of baby-poo. Tragic. It was nice to try on the bag as both a backpack and a crossbody.

Thistle: I like the subtle sheen in this leather, too, and I can more readily imagine myself wearing this into the city to, say, shop with you at Nordies, that I can the brown. I would love a whole shelf of gorgeous purses --- ten I could have both, or perhaps this bag in black and other in chocolate leather, and another in red.........

Lenni A

Active Member

http://www.thesak.com/backpack.....kpack/wine

Have you seen this version of a convertible backpack? I love the wine color it comes in. Also the colors of the brown and tan bags in the pictures on thesak.com site look quite different from the ones on zappos. Not sure which is more accurate. I also love the idea of a backpack/crossbody convertible bag. It seems super practical for a MOTG style.

RoseandJoan

Great bag!
Hm the brown reads as more casual and the black as more polished to my eye. Whilst the chestnut brown looks beautiful I wonder if a cognac or espresso brown would prove more versatile?

Deb

The bags are very nice. The black would work better with a grey/black ilk, but it sounds like you are looking for something different. I use bags in both of these colours and find the dark brown works best with bone, cream, tan, white, and navy. The black works better with grey and black as well as lots of other colours. I'd suggest a rich tan colour, described as cognac on YLF, may be a more useful shade of brown. I frequently combine my cognac bag with a similar coloured bootie and belt and they look good with grey, black, white, animal print, light neutrals, rich reds, blues and greens. I use my cognac bag far more than the dark brown one purely because it is so versatile. Have you read the reviews on this bag? They are mixed.

Suz

(website)

Tough decision. It sounds like the style would be good for you. I find the black one dressier and the brown one is maybe a bit casual for your style. Maybe get this in black and then seek another cognac bag?

Aziraphale

I like the bag too. I prefer the brown, partly because the black is kind of shiny and that makes it look more dressy, which wouldn't suit me for everyday (but maybe it would suit you?). Also, I find that brown accents work well when you have brown hair. And that shade of brown will look good with black and grey. Chocolate brown is less versatile, but that's more of a medium brown.

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