The super inexpensive, but probably BEST knitting bag which is what I was after. The scarf that's threaded through the grommets can be changed. The bag is huge, snaps shut in the middle (sturdy snap), and also snaps on each end as it is here. If you unsnap the ends, it's more of an open rectangle. Tolerable Beige, sturdy nylon material on the outside, also tolerable lining. I don't see a blemish. I think this is a great carrier for big sweater project in progress. Prolly plus a lunch and water bottle. And cell phone, keys, etc. (I may have plans for that grommet setup, like a chain I can snap cell phone to, etc.)
Another bag that the store owner said is hot, hot, hot on the market, brandwise. I'd never heard of it. It's called "Lucky Brand" bags. When I got home I googled it, and these bags sell for ridiculous amounts of money. Ridiculous. This is just a big, huge pouch. No pockets, nada. A very nice grade of suede though, and the hardware is excellent (great, reinforced attachment of handle to bag, I can't see anything ripping even with a fair amount of weight in it). It is very comfortable to carry on shoulder because of the wide strap (lined). It's well made but guess what the other side of the "Lucky Brand" tag says. "Made in China." So this is one of those insane boutique-y fad brands people pay insane amounts of money for. It is well made though and I liked it. I have no clue whether it'll work well logistically, but if not, I'm sure I can re-sell it for what I paid for it. Easily.
Here's my FIND!! Omigod, this is insane. First of all, I know Coach bags, this is definitely not a knockoff. I was thinking "knitting bag" and the store owner pointed this one out. She had no clue what people look for in a knitting bag, she just knew big. I didn't get excited about it right away because again, I was thinking "knitting bag." Then she pipes up, asking if I'd buy it for a lesser price ($40). I was STILL not registering what I was looking at. But I was thinking maybe it would work as a briefcase, stuck a magazine in it, it fit with lots of room to spare, and so I bought it. STILL thinking it's just a big purse.
Well, when I got it out to the car, looked at it more closely, and started realizing, this IS a briefcase. Not only that, but for my purposes and what I need out of a briefcase, it's the PERFECT briefcase! I looked at it closer, and I don't see any wear. There is one edge of one of the pockets that has a TEENSY spot of wear, but very hard to notice. But Coach wears well, the more wear it shows, usually the better it looks. Super nice shoulder strap. Incredible hardware. A full length zipper pocket inside, full length unzipped pocket outside. Both front pockets are big AND unbuckle separately. It'll hold files (a lot of them) and I'm pretty sure a laptop to boot. I mean, it's an amaaaazing briefcase. I'm thinking this is a vintage Coach, from the same era of 2 purses I broke my neck finding when mine wore out. I'm thinking it would sell for well over $300 new. But that's just it. It's like new. The strap doesn't even show an indent from being buckled in one hole. (???)
Heavy duty brass stylized D ring hardware, four of them. Two on the carry handle, two holding on the shoulder strap, they loop under what's likely a wood rod enclosed, weight of contents won't be any problem for this briefcase.
I still have no idea why that woman sold this thing for $40. None. I'm not sure she processed what this bag was, either. I was all into "knitting bag" mentality, and maybe it was the lighting, maybe it was this being in the middle of a bunch of handbags and totes, so you'd think of it differently? I dunno, but each person has different requirements for a briefcase, and with the stuff I need to get my hands on fast during presentations, this is absolutely THE perfect briefcase.
