Kipling Stefany Ctd

Love love love this bag, which is larger than expected. I read the sizing, but when it arrived was still quite surprised and pleasantly so, because it makes for a PERFECT airport travel bag to hold an every-day small purse, as well as travel cases, e-readers, even sketchbooks and pencil sets and I imagine I could still fit in an extra shirt or a pair of slippers for long airplane or car rides. The material looks delicate, but is very sturdy and, as with all Kipling products, the zippers are amazing. Look forward to using this bag often for weekend trips.

I purchased the Black Lacquer Stefany through Amazon Australia, but I wanted to repost my review here to help other potential customers.It's taken me years and a lot of money and effort, but I've finally found the perfect work/everyday bag. It's been a process of trial and error to discover what I want in the ideal bag. I've tried different designer and non-designer brands and various price ranges. I've used many Kipling bags including the Sady, Joslyn, Noelle, and Jasper tote. They are excellent bags and I recommend them. However, the Stefany is the only one that satisfied all my requirements:It's lightweight, dirt and water resistant. The lacquer finish ( which I own) seems to be more water resistant than the regular Kipling nylon.There are numerous outside pockets, zipped and unzipped including 2 side pockets for water bottles! A water bottle pocket has become close to a deal breaker for me after several spills! In design, the Stefany is like a bigger version of the Sady.The shoulder strap drop is long enough to fit over a coat, and allows you to open the bag comfortably while it's on the shoulder.The crossbody strap is a definite bonus. Mine is made out of a more shiny seatbelt type material than the normal canvas on most Kipling straps. It's embossed with the Kipling logo, which is a nice decorative touch. It's appropriately wide enough for the size of the bag. The Stefany feels surprisingly comfortable against the body when carried crossbody. This is not the case for many large bags.The Kipling zips are among the best I've ever seen regardless of price. The zip pulls on the Stefany are plastic instead of the normal metal and plastic. They are designed differently as well. I think they look attractive, and the plastic cuts down the weight of the bag. The main compartments has a 2 zip closure. This makes opening the bag easy no matter which shoulder you use.It's big enough to get me through the day at work plus running some errands afterwards. What I normally carry on a workday:In the "smaller" front pockets, which are huge!- gum, tissues, chapstick, moisturizer in one pocket. Phone in the other. My small phone is practically swimming in this pocket.In the larger zip pocket- 8 inch Galaxy tablet. You can fit a much bigger tablet.In one side pocket- 600ml water bottle. There is room for a larger bottle.In the back pocket- plastic shopping bag.In the main compartment- full size wallet, personal size Filofax, makeup pouch, glasses in hard case, pencil case, spare socks, high visibility workshirt and high visibility fleece pullover as well for cold weather. There is also room for any library items that I want to return after work, plus extra space for some smaller shopping items.I think this would make the ideal bag for many people. The only "con" is maybe the limited colours. I've only seen Black Lacquer and Pearl Lacquer on Amazon, plus a grey on eBay. The Pearl Lacquer seem to go at a higher discount than the Black. At the time of writing this review, it was at 43% discount! If money is a problem for you, then go for the Pearl. Otherwise I would recommend the Black. The white stitching on the Pearl made me leery about it showing dirt. Black is not my colour and I will avoid unless it's absolutely necessary. However, the lacquer finish reflects the light so it doesn't look too harsh, and the silver Kipling logo breaks up the monotony. I hope this review helps. Conclusion: GRAB THIS BAG!!!!P.S. If you want a cheaper alternative to the MZ Wallace Crosby Traveller, the Stefany is almost identical in size and the arrangement of the pockets.

Really wanted the black version but couldn’t bring myself to spend that much more so I got the white instead but returned—it is a great bag but just preferred the black lacquer. Kept looking and finally found on Macy’s for under $50!

It's taken me years and a lot of money and effort, but I've finally found the perfect work/everyday bag. It's been a process of trial and error to discover what I want in the ideal bag. I've tried different designer and non-designer brands and various price ranges. I've used many Kipling bags including the Sady, Joslyn, Noelle, and Jasper tote. They are excellent bags and I recommend them. However, the Stefany is the only one that satisfied all my requirements:It's lightweight, dirt and water resistant. The lacquer finish ( which I own) seems to be more water resistant than the regular Kipling nylon.There are numerous outside pockets, zipped and unzipped including 2 side pockets for water bottles! A water bottle pocket has become close to a deal breaker for me after several spills! In design, the Stefany is like a bigger version of the Sady.The shoulder strap drop is long enough to fit over a coat, and allows you to open the bag comfortably while it's on the shoulder.The crossbody strap is a definite bonus. Mine is made out of a more shiny seatbelt type material than the normal canvas on most Kipling straps. It's embossed with the Kipling logo, which is a nice decorative touch. It's appropriately wide enough for the size of the bag. The Stefany feels surprisingly comfortable against the body when carried crossbody. This is not the case for many large bags.The Kipling zips are among the best I've ever seen regardless of price. The zip pulls on the Stefany are plastic instead of the normal metal and plastic. They are designed differently as well. I think they look attractive, and the plastic cuts down the weight of the bag. The main compartments has a 2 zip closure. This makes opening the bag easy no matter which shoulder you use.It's big enough to get me through the day at work plus running some errands afterwards. What I normally carry on a workday:In the "smaller" front pockets, which are huge!- gum, tissues, chapstick, moisturizer in one pocket. Phone in the other. My small phone is practically swimming in this pocket.In the larger zip pocket- 8 inch Galaxy tablet. You can fit a much bigger tablet.In one side pocket- 600ml water bottle. There is room for a larger bottle.In the back pocket- plastic shopping bag.In the main compartment- full size wallet, personal size Filofax, makeup pouch, glasses in hard case, pencil case, spare socks, high visibility workshirt and high visibility fleece pullover as well for cold weather. There is also room for any library items that I want to return after work, plus extra space for some smaller shopping items.I think this would make the ideal bag for many people. The only "con" is maybe the limited colours. I've only seen Black Lacquer and Pearl Lacquer on Amazon, plus a grey on eBay. The Pearl Lacquer seem to go at a higher discount than the Black. At the time of writing this review, it was at 43% discount! If money is a problem for you, then go for the Pearl. Otherwise I would recommend the Black. The white stitching on the Pearl made me leery about it showing dirt. Black is not my colour and I will avoid unless it's absolutely necessary. However, the lacquer finish reflects the light so it doesn't look too harsh, and the silver Kipling logo breaks up the monotony. I hope this review helps. Conclusion: GRAB THIS BAG!!!!P.S. If you want a cheaper alternative to the MZ Wallace Crosby Traveller, the Stefany is almost identical in size and the arrangement of the pockets.