Melissa Leather Shopper

I have two of these bags--one in cognac and one in olive. The cognac is lovely, but the olive is extraordinary. The colors in these bags are very nuanced and subtle, and the olive one is a showstopper. Absolutely gorgeous. If you use the Frye (or other high-quality) conditioning and care products, the leather and the colors grow richer over time. And yes, I really do carry my 13-inch MacBook Air, two wallets, including a passport wallet, a cosmetics bag and lots of other stuff in them. The magnetic catch works well and the lining is durable and soft. It is a coordinating dark, striped material. This bag is great for travel and just for getting through days when I find myself running from meetings to classes and then more meetings. Just as easily, it can go straight into the evening. One of the best parts t is the straps. They are the perfect length, and NEVER fall off my shoulders. I am really enjoying these bags and recommend them highly.

I received this bag last week in the Carbon color (which is actually like charcoal gray to me). The color is a great neutral, and goes with everything. It’s a very functional tote as far as pocket organization, but I use a purse organizer in all of my totes so I have lots of pockets to use. I also attached a key keeper inside. The inside zip pocket is nice for security, one of the open pockets on the other wall is perfect for my cell phone. I find the straps to be very comfortable on the shoulder, and I love the 10” plus strap drop. The bag stands on its own though the leather is not stiff in my opinion. The magnetic clasp is strong and works as it should. The leather smells divine. I also purchased the Frye Waterproofing and Conditioner Cream at a local store, and applied it liberally to my bag, any marks or surface scratches caused by my nails all disappeared. I let it dry for about 30 minutes and buffed with a soft dry towel to the most beautiful shine. The Frye cream does seem to make the bag look just slightly darker, which I love. I looked at this bag for a couple months, read all the reviews, and decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did, it’s a lovely, excellent quality leather tote. The size is perfect for me because I prefer large and extra large totes! I am now considering purchasing the Melissa Leather Travel Tote in another color, because I think it will be great for travel.