Customer Reviews Dooney & Bourke Florentine Vachetta Satchel

I received my Florentine satchel in Fuchsia about two weeks ago. I ordered it directly from the Dooney and Bourke website. While I was excited to finally receive the bag, I was disappointed and annoyed to find that the elegant leather keystrap that is inside my other Dooney purses had been replaced by a 1/4 inch wide tacky ugly and cheap piece of elastic with just a small square of leather attached on the end, followed by the attachment for the keys. When I contacted Dooney and Bourke customer service, I was informed that this new keystrap was a "design change". If so, then one, it cheapens the style of the bag somewhat, and two, it's unfortunate and deceptive that Dooney and Bourke would choose to replace the leather keystrap with a cheap one, yet still expect consumers to pay full retail price for this bag. If they are scaling down features, they should scale back the price accordingly as well. The difference is in the details, especially for luxury items. I do love the bag, mind you, but I feel like I've been cheated each time I open that bag and see that horrendous strap there. I would like to know if anyone has encountered the same in their Florentine satchels, especially in the current season's colors such as the Dusty Blue and Fuchsia.

I saw this bag at the D&B store in red and loved it but wanted to be sure that I wanted it so I held off but I have wanted it since. I ordered it and love it. D&B bags are made well and made to last for years. They are heavier bags but weight also depends on what you put it in. D&B always gives you plenty of organization with pockets and key strap. I also love that it has the longer strap to carry as a cross body. It is an absolutely beautiful bag, well styled and terrific quality. I have a number of their bags and have never had issues with the quality. Based on what designers are charging for their bags these days, this is an excellent buy for a bag that can last you many years.

Wow! I ordered this bag last night! And I got it the next day! Zappos is great! Great customer service always! That is why I always come back. This is my second color in this bag I love it so much! I want it in every color that Dooney offers. But chestnut is by far the best color of all. Get it now ladies before it is too late!

Nicely made and beautiful. Love it as a satchel or on long strap cross body. It holds a lot of stuff and looks better with use! Great present!

I am sorry but this is my 20th D&B bag at first I loved it, but I am not very happy about the fact that it marks up so easily and leaves like scratch marks that will not come out. It just marks up so easily even though I do take care of all my bags but this is definitely a no for me.

This bag is really amazing! It holds everything I want and more. When I first got it I thought of exchanging it for the small size because it is pretty large, but I'm so glad I kept this one, now that I'm used to it I think the size is perfect. I can fit the following comfortably in this bag: My MacBook Air (11 inch), iPad, small lunch box, thin sweater, bottle of water, sunglasses case. I usually carry it crossbody so I think the strap length is perfect. It is heavy for sure. My other regular use bag is another Dooney in mini size, so I already know that Dooney bags are heavy, even the mini size makes my shoulder hurt after a while so I am not surprised at all about the heaviness. You really can't comfortably carry it for more than an hour or so (unless it's nearly empty) so be prepared. For me it is not a big deal at all. I have it in light blue and the color and leather are lovely. I love touching my bag. It does show scratches a lot but I got the bag to use, not to display on a wall, so I don't mind at all. I think the scratches kind of blend into the leather over time. The leather is really wonderful. I've used this bag almost every day ever since I got it and if I had the money I would buy it in every color! Highly recommended.

Love my blue satchel. It is everything I want in a purse. The color makes me "happy."

I ordered this bag in Chestnut in January 2012. I've carried it on and off since then. It got me through college, worked as a diaper bag, and I now carry it to work. It's been rained on (a lot) had coffee spilled in it, held my macbook, carried a cloth diaper wet bag, and pretty much everything I need for life! It has aged beautifully, developing a lovely patina and a great slouchy look. It scratches easily, but a quick rub with a soft cloth gets rid of scratches. I also use Freshly Picked wipes (originally purchased to use on my daughter's mocs)to clean and lightly condition it. It is very heavy (especially as full as I pack it) but as long as you're not carrying it all day, it's very manageable.

This blue is the bomb, great-looking bag, wish I could afford one in each color.

I bought this bad in light brown. I think its a very beautiful bag. Could not decide between the light brown or the darker one. Very nicely done.

I purchased the Dooney Florentine in Cobalt. This was my first experience with this brand. After two months of carrying it daily, I am happy to say it holds up very well. It is susceptible to surface scratching if rubbed up against bricks or sharp fingernails, however they buff out nicely with a little rubbing using a soft cotton cloth. I haven't treated this bag, but it has taken on a slightly darker patina already. The care instructions do not recommend treating. The shoulder strap is long enough to wear the bag as a cross-body - but the bulk of the bag when full doesn't lend itself to wearing it that way very well. The handles are very sturdy and easy to carry in hand or in the crook of the arm. However, when carried by the handles, it can be difficult to get into and out of the bag due to the fold up top. To get into the bag, I either need to carry it using the shoulder strap or set the bag down. The Florentine is large enough to hold my everyday items (agenda, phone, pencil case, etc.) with room to spare. Given the larger size, the lush leather, and substantial hardware, it is heavier than most handbags this size. This can make it uncomfortable to carry for long periods of time even with the shoulder strap. The interior is well divided with large slip in pockets and a zip pocket. It also has an accessory/key leash inside which I find very helpful. The bright red interior makes it easy to see inside.

Gorgeous color & the leather is very nice as the FV normally is. I had ordered the new flap tab Florentine Vachetta bag & that leather was awful & bad quality - not up to the normal D&B bags. I'm returning that one & ordered this & I'm very pleased. Couple of changes I'd make: add more holes to strap (I'm 5'7" and the top of the bag comes to the bottom of my hip) & make tassels removable. I don't like tassels & have another very similar bag & they're not just decorative so can't remove them. I carry the bag with top folded down & use handles & straps. For dressier look, remove the straps & carry by handles. Oyster leather is beautiful & suede top is nice touch too.

I purchased this Dooney & Burke handbag in red and I absolutely love it! I have gotten so many compliments. The leather is top quality. Do not be afraid to go bold if you decide to purchase it in red, it stands out and is very elegant.

Swoon. This bag is the cat's meow. I needed a bag big enough for my 13 inch laptop (which it is), and also cute enough to want to wear often --and it fits both criteria for me. The leather is fancy, the interior is really nice (which I can be particular about usually), so this bag really does the trick. In the past I haven't loved the Dooney and Burke brand, but this bag was a stand out, and totally worth the price. The only thing I would change -- the handle straps would be a smudge longer.

Love this bag! This bag is beautiful. The quality and color of the leather is fantastic. The inside suede is stunning. Buy this bag, we will not regret it.

When I saw this bag in orange, I grabbed it. What an amazing bag. I have loved Dooney for years, and have a glutenous amount of them. They last forever. This is a show stopper. I want every single color and then some.

Wow! If you appreciate quality leather, this bag is for you. It's large, it's a bit heavy, but boy is it beautiful! Quality throughout; solid brass hardware (at least the outside stuff), beautiful stitching. I love it! The strap is kind of long, but I'm 5'6, and I can absolutely wear it as a shoulder bag or a cross body. The only thing that I would change is I'd make the handles a couple inches longer to make wearing it up on my shoulder an option. I've never paid this much for a bag, but this should last forever with some care. Love it!

WOW!! I love this style in the mini, own two in the small, but this one, the Big Mama size is stunning in orange! I grabbed it up when there was only one left the other night. Sorry, Ladies, that one was mine! I do think I can fit my younger niece and my dog in there at the same time, but that does not subtract from the show stopping style and color. Exquisite.

I purchased this bag in Chestnut, having already owned a Florentine Vachetta bag in the same color. I originally ordered the small satchel, and, despite being rather larger than most handbags, found it too small to accommodate my MacBook Air. So, I ordered up to this one, and it is terrific! On its own, it is quite heavy, but certainly tolerable. With my laptop in it, my shoulder feels strained. However, you can just carry so much in it, and it is so gorgeous in person! After a week, the leather softened up a bit, so it now has the slouchy effect seen in the photos. I feel like it is a very durable bag, serviceable, but so beautiful at the same time!

Love this bag. It is absolutely gorgeous. I got the dark brown leather. The colors contrast so nicely and the bag is built like a brick house. I'm nervous my affection for the bag will wear out before the bag actually does! Great pockets and space. Once again the craftsmanship of the bag is incredible. Highly recommended.

I bought this bag and just love it. It is plenty big for all the things I need to carry. I have had lots of compliments about the look of the bag.

I absolutely love this bag. Love the quality, and style. Very fashion forward, with high quality leather. The rich dark brown color is to die for, and will match lots of stuff in my closet. Don't miss this one.

I love this bag! Initially I ordered the small Florentine satchel, but that was too small for me. Not nearly enough room. I also did not like the Chestnut color I had initially picked out. It was a bit too dull for me. But, the Vachetta Satchel in T.Moro is perfection! Perfect size, perfect color, perfect overall style. My only small complaint was that this satchel did not come with a dust bag like my other Dooney & Bourkes that I have purchased from Zappos. I don't know if it was an oversight or not, but I would have liked to have a dust bag to put my satchel in for protection when I'm not using it. Zappos did offer to send me another one with the hope that the dust bag was in there (if this satchel comes with a dust bag), but I had already unpacked my bag and didn't feel like returning it, so I'll just be dust bag less for this one. Just a minor infraction on an otherwise great purchase!

This is a great, quality bag with one big flaw. For a bag as large as this, the zipper does not open wide enough to allow me to even put in a folder in. It had awesome potential to be a good office satchel, but this one flaw makes me really mad. WHY couldn't the designers have made the opening wider - there was plenty of room to do so.

A bit on The Heavy Side, but u must Do research Before Purchasing. I have Educated Myself on The Why is it on the Heavy Side? This is a Very Well Made Satchel with One of The Finest Leather to Last For Quite along Years To Come. I use this as a satchel even though it also offers a Detachable Strap, I wouldn't Put Heavy Items in the The satchel if you decide to use it as a Crossbody bag if Packed with a Water Bottle, Tissue Holder, My Business card Holder, a Medium Black sweater, medium size make up Bag, my Zip All around Wallet, Pen, small Note pad, a Snickers Bar, Pepper mint Spray, Phone. My reason is because of The Stitching if you pay Attention To Detail..(Strap is on The Thin Side). I didn't want to take The Chance. I have decided To Purchase Even Though, I don't mind To Mostly Hold it as a Satchel. Because it is a very Beautiful Satchel with Classic Features such as The Gold Hardware, and all In Black Satchel. I can Use This satchel with A white or Purple, Green, Blue, White, Black, Tops with a Pair Of Jeans or Skirt, Black Pants..ex.. Yes Would Purchase again..and again.. Love The Texture Details and The Smell Of Leather...will be appreciated". Zappos Customer Service Has always Delivered Great Service and All Items Have Been Fenominal with The Quality Of Their Items. Please Note: if You're, If Indeed You're in danger, u can Swing This Bad Girl up and Down and all around as a defense Weapon with All Your Might and will Discover This is The "One".