This is literally the second smallest bag I own, and I was skeptical at first that it would suit my needs at all. You see, I like to carry big bags. In some ways, I will admit, my bag serves as a sort of security blanket, much in the same way that for many women, their long hair brings them comfort and safety…you know what I mean. Even though I have (only recently) made a slightly cool peace with my hips, I still feel better carrying a big bag that hits right at my hips because it makes them look a little less wide (work with me here…). And I’m not a small girl; I’m short, but not small, and I feel that a bigger bag fits my total look better – I just look too unbalanced carrying a small bag.
Anyway…neuroses aside…I truly love this bag. The color (Rust) is something I don’t have already, and I have worn it with black & brown with equal satisfaction. I don’t wear this bag when I’m wearing burgandy or red though – it clashes a bit too much. The leather is very soft and sort of distressed, and the hardware is gold. The shoulder strap is detachable, and although I usually carry the bag by the handles (either at my elbow or on my shoulders), I keep the shoulder strap attached in case I want to switch it over. The bag holds more if you carry it by the handles, and honestly, this is almost a ‘bottomless’ bag! It almost seems as if you can keep adding stuff and it’ll keep holding it! Last week I was traipsing around between Dr’s appointments carrying the November Vogue, a bottle of water, my iPod and wallet/makeup bag in the mini city tote and it held up wonderfully! Another bonus is that the bag is generally light as it is, so you can add more and although it gets heavy, you don’t have to consider the heaviness of the bag itself (as you do with Botkier). Case in point: (my homage to BryanBoy)
I have to be honest, I didn’t photograph the wadded up receipts and tissues at the bottom of the bag, but I didn’t think you’d miss those anyway. This is what’s in my AC mini tote RIGHT NOW:
1. November Vogue
2. Video iPod with my favorite episode of The Office and the latest Grey’s Anatomy loaded for my viewing pleasure!
3. Ricola Throat Drops
4. Clif bar (chocolate chip peanut crunch)
5. Prada lip balm
6. Rosebud salve
7. Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
8. Hobo International Wallet *LOVE*
9. Reallllly old Leif cosmetics/drugs/misc stuff bag
10.Mobile phone
Anna Corinna also makes a larger version of this bag that many women love. I’m glad I got this one though, it suits me perfectly fine – and things don’t get lost in the bottom. Although I don’t have a problem with it, many women have been disappointed in the leather and finishing of the bag. It is ‘rustic,’ if you will; some of the edges are raw (on the shoulder straps, etc.), but overall, I find the quality and workmanship to be very good.
hey grechen – i just found this vintage review – love the little homage to bryanboy š and the bag looks great on you here!
i’ve been contemplating a f+c city tote for quite some time now, ever since they started popping up on the sartorialist…
are you happy with the quality of your mini city tote after all this time? i’ve heard some mixed reviews about the leather and lining.
miss sophie’s last blog post..mother’s day flowers
hi! i actually haven’t carried my bag in a really long time…every time i think about it, it’s too small for what i need…if it was the regular city tote, i’m sure i would be carrying it more, in fact, i keep thinking that i need to buy one of the mid-city totes…
i did carry it quite a bit though in the beginning and it held up fine. i always thought the strap might not hold everything, but it did. people really have a love/hate relationship with this bag, i think it’s meant to be sort of “artisan” and vintage-y looking (which is what i like about it) but a lot of people expect more than that. the leather does seen to scratch easily, and my lining has held up fine. i really love the city totes – the look is so chic, i think you could totally rock one š