I currently have the Village Green Bag from Anthropologie that I purchased last year on sale. I have yet to use it but can’t wait to do so. I thought about adding a drawstring bag inside it to thwart off thieves on our trip. It’s big enough to hold what I need for the flight and for my sight-seeing during the day. It has a flap with a turn-lock closure as well. I’ll have to see if I can convince Husband of it.

Next is one I’ve been using the past week. It’s the Medium Straw Beach Bag from J Crew, circa 2007. It’s a little on the heavy side for me and isn’t very comfortable when I try to carry it on my shoulder. It’s also open with only two suede strings to tie at the top. It is lined in a blue and white striped cotton twill. It’s still a very cute bag and will be used quite well this summer.

I was immediately in love with the Brompton Straw Mini-Hobo from J Crew when it showed up a few weeks ago. Then after seeing DaniBP’s review of it I was sold on it. I love my Suede Brompton, which is full size.. 

Lastly, is the Kate Spade Cobble Hill Straw Leslie Bag. I chose black over white because I thought it would be more functional and then I saw on the Kate Spade site that it also came in Aqua. 

Since I already have the first two bags, and they really are no comparison to the Brompton or the Leslie, I will need to choose between the latter two. 

1) Closure – I prefer a bag that has good closures but is still easy enough to get in to. I don’t want to fumble around with zippers and buckles and snaps to get to my wallet, lipstick or hand cream. The Brompton has a turn lock closure for the main compartment. It also has a top zip for the side pocket that is the full length and width of the bag. The Straw Leslie has the zipper you see in the photo that opens to the interior of the bag. The flap stays closed with a hidden magnetic closure. So if you want to access what’s inside you’ll have to keep it unzip (which is what I would do) or unzip it every time you need something. Winner: Brompton

 

2) Material – The Brompton is a nylon straw while The Straw Leslie is a natural straw. I don’t know how  it would hold up after a few months of use. I know it’s Kate Spade and a great quality bag but you are dealing with a natural material that, if it gets snagged or cut, could start unravelling. The straw on the KS looks to be more tightly woven than the JC bag. Winner: Leslie

 

Brompton on the left; Straw Leslie on the right

3) Carrying Options – The Brompton has a handle with a  6 1/2″ drop along with an additonal strap to change the bag to a cross-over body bag. The Straw Leslie has a handle with a 4″ drop as well as the cross-body strap. The Brompton can be carried on the shoulder while The Straw Leslie does not have that option due to the short drop. Winner: Brompton

4) Size – Both are almost the same size. Some would consider these small bags but, at least for me and my size/height, I consider it a Medium bag. I think both are a perfect size bag for me and don’t overpower my frame. Winner: The Straw Leslie

5) Other – The Brompton is a little lighter in color than The Straw Leslie but that doesn’t bother me. I like the contrasting color of the leather on The Brompton but I also like the black of The Straw Leslie.  The Straw Leslie has feet! I love that little feature on bags as it helps to protect the bag when you set it down. The Brompton just has the contrasting leather at the bottom with no other protection. I think The Brompton is roomier but probably because it less structured as The Straw Leslie. Winner: Tie

So, as you can see, I like a lot of the features of both bags. The gold-plated feet at the bottom sell me on The Straw Leslie while the ability to carry The Brompton on my shoulder is a selling point for that bag. I can’t decide.

Which would you choose?