Charles L Thomas Donna Shoulder Bag | Women’s Top Zip Cotton Handbag

Posted on: Jul 6

Charles L Thomas has turned my head with the Cynthia Bowler and Sandy Shoulder Bag, but the brand fails to inject that same spark into the Donna.

Jungle Java, Forest Moss, and Jungle Moss sound exotic, but these deep green shades look a little drab on the oxford fabric. The snake embossed trim seems like it's meant to glam things up, but it actually looks a little tacky. Perhaps it's a case of overkill here: I don't mind the straps and trim around the top, but the belted accents add unnecessary clutter.

The saving grace is the interior, which offers just what busy girls need. There's so much space, and the boxy design ensures you can access every inch of it. One wall has a large zippered pocket, while the other has side-by-side cell and slip pouches. They're all framed with leather to stand up to everyday use. If you're still struggling for storage space, or simply want a place to store those goodies you need on hand, there's another zippered pocket on the back.

But the underwhelming style makes me reluctant to part with $359 to snap this practical purse up. The clever design may win me over in time, but I'm looking for instant attraction instead!