As promised my Desigual "Bols London Alguero" has arrived for the grand total of £19.99 delivered, with free returns if I wanted to but most definitely don't intend to. I have put a couple of pics at the bottom of my post.
-it is a very big shoulder bag, strap is adjustable, also has straps for the crook of your arm if you carry your bags that way.
- At least a quarter bigger than the Defea from Kipling.
-Loads of compartments, some with zip or popper, some without on the front of the bag.,plus 2 large lined mesh pockets on the rear.
-strong silvery glimmery zip to secure the main compartment. Usual zip compartments inside the bag that you expect in any bag/phone pouch if you want to use it for that. Cotton lining inside.
- studs on the base.
-Faux leather synthetic material, decorated as if to look hand-painted, embroidery and applique in places. Very modern, funky and cheerful coloured pattern.
In the outside compartments you can easily fit everything you would normally use throughout the day and can just grab them rather than have to rummage inside the bag. I have put sunglasses (in a bulky solid case) & my computer/reading glasses (in a hard case) in the side pouches, smartphone (in a sneeky hidden pouch), Kindle,notebook & pen in a large secure front pouch, work ID pass, travel tickets & earphones for my phone in a small secure front pouch, lip balm, handcream, concealer-pen and lipgloss in the zipped pouch at the bottom. In the 2 roomy mesh pouches (lined so you can't see the contents) I have put non-valuable items I may need to grab quickly such as inhaler, kids suncream, small hairbrush, hand sanitiser gel and tissues.
This leaves plenty room inside the main compartment for my purse, keys, small make up bag, waterproof jacket, umbrella and my lunch. The bag is not even full so does not look full to bursting.
All in all the only thing it does not have that kipling does is a key fob and monkey and you would have to wipe clean rather than shove in the wash.
I think it is roomier than most kipling shoulder bags, it easily rivals Kipling on the organisation and design, It easily rivals Kipling on the colours and bright patterns (but I am yet to see a kipling print that I actually like!). At full price of £78 it equals many Kiplings on price but as it is much bigger I think it beats Kipling on price if full price is paid. Time will tell if it equals Kipling on durability but the quality does seem excellent. Because it is not real leather it is not too heavy and it beats Kipling hands down to use it in the rain.
All in all I love this bag. It is not a copy of Kipling by any means but I think lovers of Kipling will really like this brand.
Here are the pics... sorry for some reason they have come out sideways.
but I do like desigual. You should keep an eye out as I have seen them as lightning deals a few times. And for those who do love kipling there are two designs as lightning deals on amazon most days!
