GILI Roma 2 leather question...

benzgirl · ‎03-21-2010

Ladies, Just curious. Can anyone tell me a little about the quality of the ostrich printed leather? Is this a leather that 'puddled' or is it one of the stiffer leathers that takes time to break in? I own a croco leather and a snake in the Milano bag and the snake is very soft and arrived already broken in but the croco took a bit of time to 'train'. Thanks in advance. Smile

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

It's stiff and my bag NEVER got trained, even after following the instructions.

It looks nice, but is too stiff to be practical, IMO.

Jannyg · ‎03-10-2010

I have the ostrich and like the look but it's not soft and doesn't get any softer. It's about what you'd expect for the price.

benzgirl · ‎03-21-2010

Thanks terrier. I had considered the ostrich when the bag was a TSV but decided on the other two that I spoke of. Love the snake but the croco, though quite beautiful, is very structured. I'm curious to see how they will continue this line moving forward now that Lisa is gone.

Crisso · ‎11-08-2011

I purchased the very first GILI bag offered in the natural ostrich. At the time they had the large Roma and what was called the medium Roma. This bag is wonderful. My favorite GILI as a matter of fact. It did get more pliable as time went on. It was never too stiff to begin with.

Roma 2 came along because people who had the medium Roma wanted the silhouette of the original large Roma since the medium was more of a true hobo. Although the Milano is meant as a true hobo (and I own one in the grey a.k.a. taupe) I still think the original medium Roma is a better hobo.

But, to get back to your question, I purchased the Roma 2 (can you tell I love these bags?!) in the cream ostrich. It is stiffer than the medium Roma. It has not softened much over time, but that is fine with me because it retains its shape. I have Dooney bags that are much stiffer and NEVER soften.

cosmic1 · ‎03-10-2010

My natural ostrich is stiffer than the black leather. I like that because the ostrich looks structured while the black one puddles.

Jacie · ‎01-09-2011

I have the ostrich and the snake. My ostrich bag is very well used and has gotten softer the more I have used it. Neither were "trained". The snake was soft from the box, but then it's printed suede....

"Cats are poetry in motion. Dogs are gibberish in neutral." -Garfield

stevieb · ‎03-10-2010

I too have the natural ostrich in the 'medium' incarnation and the leather has broken in nicely. It's still a bit more stiff that some of the other options, but is beautiful and the slight stiffness that remains only serves to give the bag a bit of structure... Overall, the leather on this bag is pretty sumptuous and pliable.

In my pantry with my cupcakes...

1Professor · ‎12-07-2014

On 2/10/2015 stevieb said:
I too have the natural ostrich in the 'medium' incarnation and the leather has broken in nicely. It's still a bit more stiff that some of the other options, but is beautiful and the slight stiffness that remains only serves to give the bag a bit of structure... Overall, the leather on this bag is pretty sumptuous and pliable.

Same experience as stevieb! I have the blush (pebble leather) and cream snake skin, both puddle, lush. Just found the natural ostrich Roma 2 on eBay (new, $79!) and it was so much softer and more pliant than I imagined. Adore it!

benzgirl · ‎03-21-2010

Ladies...I want to thank you for your thoughts on the Roma 2 leather. I had been watching a natural ostrich on the 'Bay for the last few days and greatly appreciate your critique. Just wanted to report that I was the successful bidder - - and a FIRST TIME BIDDER at that - and am thrilled with the great deal that I got! I snagged mine for $77.00 plus shipping. ~~ I am happy dancin' right now.