After having acquired a Coach bag recently, I found myself getting another bag. It was from Instagram seller Costal Bags (@costal.bags). It was an easy decision to make as I had extra funds to spare and the bag I got was one of a kind. It’s a leather tote in the color I like — dark taupe.
Actually, the bag was calling on me and I just wasn’t able to resist, haha. But let me tell you as early as now that it’s a good buy and I can see myself using it for a long time. I look at it as an investment. Plus the fact that it’s full grain leather and proudly handcrafted in the Philippines makes the purchase worth it, IMHO.
The bag I got is called Madison Easy Tote. It’s priced competitively at PhP3,700 (around USD71 at today’s exchange rate) + shipping fee. I like that the leather is soft-worn and not heavy at all. The size is also just right: length (13″), width (17″), depth (5″), and handle drop (9″). When it arrived at our house via courier, it came with a dust bag, tag, and care card.
This is how the bag is described over at their website:
I have always wanted an everyday bag that’s roomy enough to stuff all my things in. This is it. I got what I wanted and more. The inside pocket is for my valuables and the magnetic snap closure secures them further. The Madison also has a lining at the bottom part to support the bag’s contents which, for me, is a great feature.
Did I mention that I love the buttery smell of genuine leather? The Madison smells good and is just a tad shiny. One could tell by feeling/touching the bag that the leather used is of good quality. I also appreciate the clean lines and neat stitching of the bag.
Costal Bags’ eye for details is admirable
I’m not exaggerating but the bag is really beautiful (my photos don’t do it justice!) and I fell in love with it as soon as I laid my eyes on it. Seeing the Madison in actual made me love it more. The bag has character. I hope I could take good care of it over time!
It’s funny but the Madison somehow reminds me of a bag I was eyeing before — Cuyana’s classic leather tote (which can be seen in this post). In fact, they look very similar in design that I’d like to believe the latter was the inspiration for the former. The insides of the two bags are completely different, though.
soft and slouchy just the way I like it
When I bought the bag, I got a phone wristlet as a freebie as part of their ongoing promo at the time. I tried asking for one in the same color as my bag’s and Costal Bags happily obliged. The taupe shade was a bit different and the leather used was of a slightly different quality than the bag’s, though, but it’s okay.
this phone wristlet is sold for PhP750 a piece on their website and I just got it for free!
As the bag’s description shown above suggests, the Madison is indeed simple yet classy and if I may add, versatile. I carry it to work and when I run errands. I even use it when going out with the hubby. I normally put a lot of stuff in my bag (read: the whole house) and I like that the Madison is sturdy enough to hold them all together.
This is one of those purchases that have made me very satisfied. If I may suggest, though, Costal Bags might want to replace the brass hardware on the zipper handle and on the magnetic snap closure with better ones as they tend to get rusty fast. But other than that, the bag’s perfect.
Have you made a bag purchase lately? What is it and how do you find it? 🙂
May you choose happiness always,
Got mine last December and I’m using it almost everyday!
Cool! Glad to know there are others who appreciate the bag as much as I do. 🙂
Been stalking their bags for the longest time. I have been wanting to get the Brooklyn Expandable. Have you seen it in person?
My only regret, nagmahal na siya. It started at Php 3,500. Ngayon nasa 4k na siya 🙁
Haven’t seen the Brooklyn expandable in person yet. Ay, totoo yang price increase! Yung nabasa kong review ng Madison sa isang blog, January 2016 ang date ng pagpost nya, P3,200 lang noon, now P3,700 na. Isa yun sa factor kaya bumili na rin ako, kasi baka mas magmahal pa, hehe. 🙂
Nag aadik din ako sa bags lately. Pinamigay ko na my old cheap bags. Naisip ko mag invest sa maaayos na bags pero onti lang. As in yung mga need ko lang. Work bag, everyday bag, travel bag, ganern. ahahaha! Ganda neto.
True yan, few, better things na rin ang peg ko. Invest na sa matibay at magagamit ng matagal para sulit ang pera. Salamat, sis! 🙂
I first spotted Costal bags on a pop up at Edsa Shangrila Hotel lobby 2 yrs ago. And my 1st purchase was a Madison for myself. I couldnt take my eyes off the Harper tote and got one for my best friend! There was no turnig back since then. I discovered online purchases from them.I also got a Harper for myself and a Bailey too! My daughter and her friend got Mini Harpers likewise from me as presents. Their leather is so good you cant rip it apart. In comparison to another purchase from another brand claiming real leather, the lattr got ripped in just 4 months! It also smells like a real “baka”! However the hardware is not as durable. I have sent my Harper back to them twice for zipper replacement and once for change of strap attachment. All services free. I just had to pay my shipping fees. I have also seen the price increase but their bags are worth up to the last centavo you pay!!! Excellent choice!!!
Hi, Mary Anne! Wow, your comment just made me feel good knowing that I’ve made the right choice with this bag. Yung hardware lang din talaga ang nakikita kong magkakaproblema pag tumagal-tagal pa. It’s good to know they do hardware replacement for free! 🙂