I admit I have a lot of handbags, but nothing compact and sporty for when I'm running around in sneakers. I'm not at all familiar with the Kipling brand (!), but their bags came up in my search. They're so cute! I can definitely see why they'd have a trendy following. I noticed that several other Amazon reviews were written by Disney theme park-goers, and that cinched my purchase. (My in-laws and niece live near a Disney park and, alas, I am never carrying the "right" bag.) I bought the white one, although I was hesitant because another reviewer didn't like the pale gray strap, which they felt was mismatched to the bag. Once the bag arrived, however, I could see that the strap actually matches the plastic of the exterior zipper pull, as well as the hanging monkey charm. I realize us$25 is a steep price for a bag of such diminutive size (and I really would have struggled with the "list price"), but I really don't mind as long as the bag is well made. This bag has excellent stitching -- no loose ends or snags to be found -- and seems as sturdy as a lightweight bag could possibly be. The chrome hardware appears to be especially durable. There are a lot of subtle design details; there's even a Kipling logo on the strap's sliding buckle! (Again, this is my first Kipling bag, so everything is fresh and amazing to me.) The flap snaps shut with a satisfying clack, as the snap itself is magnetic. I like the built-in key leash, and I especially like the metal charm loop, which appears to be standard on all Kipling bags. (To the charm loop I added a reflective star, so cars might have a better chance of seeing me, plus a white Tile tracker -- I have misplaced this bag several times since buying it!!) The bag itself is surprisingly capacious despite its pint size. It has two zippered pockets, one inside and another right on the exterior flap. In the main interior I can fit an iPhone Pro Max, a spare battery of similar size, gum and a pack of cigarettes, a 30ml tube of hand cream, a small card-wallet, a few tubes of lipstick, and a pill bottle. Within five minutes of receiving this bag I actually spilled chicken soup all over it, and I SCREAMED. Then I started laughing with relief as I realized that the chicken soup was beading up on the fabric, and I wiped it away with my sleeve. The bag is made of a nylon "windbreaker" material, similar to a Baggalini bag, so of course it's chicken soup-proof! In conclusion, I love this practical little crossbody pouch. It definitely won't be my last Kipling bag -- which is really saying something, since I only wear gold tones and therefore avoid silver hardware on my bags! (I wish Kipling would make bags with gold hardware, as well, but I don't get the sense they'd consider my suggestion.)
