****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I bought this purse in "Midnight Peacock" in July 2018. It is now June 2024. That is just shy of 6 years. This is a quality purse. It may not be quite as vibrant as the day I bought it, but it still looks fresh and somewhat new. Sure, there are a few spots which have turned slightly grey from use. But it has held up remarkably well over time. I have used and abused it, and yet there is no visible damage.The only thing wrong with it, and the only reason I am considering a replacement, is that the zipper is no longer working properly. This is entirely because I have overstuffed the purse and zipped it closed too often, and zipper cannot take that forever.And here's the thing: After six years of looking at this wonderful painted purse, I am absolutely NOT tired of looking at it. It makes me happy every time I see it. My whole day is a little bit better because of the purse. It's just such a wonderful, beautiful piece of art... which happens to hold my stuff. (To be fair: I have a thing for peacocks. But it is a particularly lovely painted version of a peacock.)Also, other people notice. Sometimes, strangers come up to tell me what a beautiful purse I have. People who know me generally tell me how lovely it is, too.I thought the bag was perfect in other ways, too, when I first got it. It has the cell phone pocket, and yes, it is exactly the right size for a cell phone. The phone is snug. As long as you push the phone in all the way, you can be certain the phone won't fall out. But it isn't TOO snug: you can easily pull the phone out on purpose and use it, and you can easily slide it back it. It has the zippered pocket right above it which is the perfect size to place my pens. (IT can also hold tickets!) When I first got it, I thought that the main compartment was the perfect size, as it held my giant wallet, a bottle of water, a flashlight, tissues and feminine supplies, and all the other stuff I carried. Now, for some reason, the "all the other stuff" doesn't seem to fit quite as well any more. It still feels like the perfect size on my shoulder, but it really does need just a bit more space on the inside. Just a touch. (Or, sure, maybe I need to clean it out. Naaaah... that's crazy talk...)In any case, I am actually sad to replace it because I love it so much. But, I am feeling fortunate that I found the same model here, still on Amazon.I am torn, actually. I suspect that if I could find a replacement zipper in the correct color, this purse would easily last me another six years.Or, I could get a new one that's nearly the same as my old one. (I say nearly the same because these are hand-painted, which means no two are exactly alike. There will be differences, however minor. And after six years of looking at the same purse, I will definitely notice the differences. But I suspect nobody else will. I am fairly certain that most people will not even realize I got a new purse.)Or, I could get a different pattern. Maybe the other peacock, the one on a white background. Still a peacock, and quite lovely. The white is maybe a tad more elegant, but it's also a lot less eye-catching.Or maybe that vibrant tangerine, which is not currently in stock, but will probably come back. Except my zipper is broken now, so I don't think I can wait. Pity.In any case, I am a fan. You will not go wrong getting this purse. It is high quality and it will last. And people will notice!(Of course, if you're a "plain purse" person who wants a solid color, this would not be for you. But if you are such a person, why are you even reading this review?)
