topic Re: Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680) in Handbags

Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680)

Ilovelife123 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 20:11:50 GMT

I have tried to post this twice in another GILI handbag thread, and I'm probably doing something incorrectly, so I do apologize if this shows up (twice more) on another thread.

I got 2 of these bags (blue cobra & nude snake) and I love them. They are large and well made, in my opinion. While the dimensions are close to large roma, it carries completely differently. This bag does not feel *quite* as large as the large roma; this is a VERY spacious bag, though. I am very tall, and with the shoulder strap I am able to carry this cross body with no issue.

The handles are sufficient for me to carry this bag on my shoulder. The tassel shed just a little; this is not another "cream snake roma 2 situation". I wear black, almost exclusviely, and I found that using my Dyson on the tassel eliminated what I can only assume was a little residue. My cream snake roma was donated as it never stopped (for me, at least)

I'm not sure how this bag will wear over time; it does appear to be a sueded skin like the other "snake" bags we've seen. For now? So far so good, and I will pick up the black at some point. I hope this post goes through, as I think if you like large bags, this one may work for you. I hope to hear other opinions.

Re: Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680)

Chi-town girl — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:29:22 GMT

@Ilovelife123 wrote:
I have tried to post this twice in another GILI handbag thread, and I'm probably doing something incorrectly, so I do apologize if this shows up (twice more) on another thread.

I got 2 of these bags (blue cobra & nude snake) and I love them. They are large and well made, in my opinion. While the dimensions are close to large roma, it carries completely differently. This bag does not feel *quite* as large as the large roma; this is a VERY spacious bag, though. I am very tall, and with the shoulder strap I am able to carry this cross body with no issue.

The handles are sufficient for me to carry this bag on my shoulder. The tassel shed just a little; this is not another "cream snake roma 2 situation". I wear black, almost exclusviely, and I found that using my Dyson on the tassel eliminated what I can only assume was a little residue. My cream snake roma was donated as it never stopped (for me, at least)

I'm not sure how this bag will wear over time; it does appear to be a sueded skin like the other "snake" bags we've seen. For now? So far so good, and I will pick up the black at some point. I hope this post goes through, as I think if you like large bags, this one may work for you. I hope to hear other opinions.

@Ilovelife123 - thx for your review. Glad you like them. Other reviews suggest it is well received. I wish I had bought it when it was 1st offered in croc embossing. Looks like a beautiful, durable & functional bag

Re: Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680)

Ilovelife123 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:41:33 GMT

@Chi-town girl wrote:
@Ilovelife123 wrote:
I have tried to post this twice in another GILI handbag thread, and I'm probably doing something incorrectly, so I do apologize if this shows up (twice more) on another thread.

I got 2 of these bags (blue cobra & nude snake) and I love them. They are large and well made, in my opinion. While the dimensions are close to large roma, it carries completely differently. This bag does not feel *quite* as large as the large roma; this is a VERY spacious bag, though. I am very tall, and with the shoulder strap I am able to carry this cross body with no issue.

The handles are sufficient for me to carry this bag on my shoulder. The tassel shed just a little; this is not another "cream snake roma 2 situation". I wear black, almost exclusviely, and I found that using my Dyson on the tassel eliminated what I can only assume was a little residue. My cream snake roma was donated as it never stopped (for me, at least)

I'm not sure how this bag will wear over time; it does appear to be a sueded skin like the other "snake" bags we've seen. For now? So far so good, and I will pick up the black at some point. I hope this post goes through, as I think if you like large bags, this one may work for you. I hope to hear other opinions.
@Ilovelife123 - thx for your review. Glad you like them. Other reviews suggest it is well received. I wish I had bought it when it was 1st offered in croc embossing. Looks like a beautiful, durable & functional bag

This is not the same bag the as the brown croco and charcoal foldovers...I have those also and they run a little small for me. These are FAR roomier!

Re: Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680)

sunshine45 — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 01:41:41 GMT

sooooooooooo tempted by this handbag/tote and it will be mine SOON. LOL

will it work well as a "briefcase" type of tote? something to hold a wallet and some folders, a phone, a tablet and possibly a laptop?

Re: Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680)

Ilovelife123 — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 13:26:11 GMT

I think it would work as briefcase. I just took all my "stuff" out and I was able to get a Macbook, my ipad, and some folders in there with ease, and room left over. This is a good one; I will end up with 4 of the 5 colors on this one.

Re: Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680)

Chi-town girl — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 19:55:10 GMT

@Ilovelife123 wrote:
I think it would work as briefcase. I just took all my "stuff" out and I was able to get a Macbook, my ipad, and some folders in there with ease, and room left over. This is a good one; I will end up with 4 of the 5 colors on this one.

@Ilovelife123 - do you think the exotic options will hold up to us using this as a briefcase/travel? The handles won't shed/show wear? I won't 'baby' my briefcases/travel bags. It would be nice to have an exotic for this purpose instead of the boring black or dark solids

Re: Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680)

Ilovelife123 — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 20:44:50 GMT

Great question @Chi-town girl and I wish I had a good answer. I have been watching the corners and the handle on my bag (using the nude snake now) and they "seem" to be wearing well, but as you must already know, these "exotic" or "snake embossed" skins don't hold up well over the long haul. As much as I love it, I think that may be pushing it, but I wish I knew for sure. It sure IS good looking...I just got the black so I will see how the pebbled skin looks/feels vs. the exotics. I hope to be holding the black one by Friday...You could always try an exotic, and see how it wears. You could commit to 2 weeks, or something like that. I've tried to be "tough" on this bag, but my idea of tough is going from the house to the car, so I'm not certain I'm a good "tester"...I hope you get to try it; the size is AWESOME and it looks gorgeous! The durability for "work/travel" would be my ONLY concern with this one.

Re: Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680)

Chi-town girl — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 22:08:21 GMT

@Ilovelife123 wrote:
Great question @Chi-town girl and I wish I had a good answer. I have been watching the corners and the handle on my bag (using the nude snake now) and they "seem" to be wearing well, but as you must already know, these "exotic" or "snake embossed" skins don't hold up well over the long haul. As much as I love it, I think that may be pushing it, but I wish I knew for sure. It sure IS good looking...I just got the black so I will see how the pebbled skin looks/feels vs. the exotics. I hope to be holding the black one by Friday...You could always try an exotic, and see how it wears. You could commit to 2 weeks, or something like that. I've tried to be "tough" on this bag, but my idea of tough is going from the house to the car, so I'm not certain I'm a good "tester"...I hope you get to try it; the size is AWESOME and it looks gorgeous! The durability for "work/travel" would be my ONLY concern with this one.

@Ilovelife123 - I really like this tote in the exotic options, but it's too big to be an everyday bag for me. And if it's like my Roma2 snake, the handles will not hold up well for travel. My blush & black leather Roma's are much more durable than the snake.

I'm in waiting/hold for any new GILI handbag buys until we see the new Roma + confirmed pricing. I know it won't be as low as the Roma2 at $165, but want to have some idea of price + an understanding of what other new GILI handbags are in the pipeline for this year.

Re: Review of GILI Smooth Leather Large Foldover (A273680)

SahmIam — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 21:44:50 GMT

Oh, I REALLY WANT these bags. I'm hoping there will a OTO kind of thing when the new ROMA 2 debuts.

We can hope. In the meantime, mine are in my cart/wishlist. I want them all because the solid ones have such a rich color to them and I love the snake prints.