You don’t need to be fluent in Italian to know that bella means beautiful. While this Bella tote from Ellington has some elements that fit that adjective, it seems the label may be too confident in its design abilities.
The glazed blue Italian leather Ellington’s used here is quite beautiful, but it’s let down by the chunky contrasting trim. True beauty is much more refined and delicate than the bold black accents we see here.
It’s strange to see Ellington highlighting the Bella’s aesthetics with its name, because its functional features are its greatest strengths. This tote is spacious and easy to manage with either its shoulder straps or the attachable cross-body one.
It’s tempting to make use of all the Bella’s space, but Ellington doesn’t make that easy. Its magnetic snap is fairly flimsy, and it struggles to hold under pressure. It’s a shame Ellington hasn’t used a zip instead, as it would have been much more secure. Perhaps we’re best traveling a little lighter though, as the Bella doesn’t look its best when it’s bulging with all our worldly goods!
The front pockets also aren’t as practical as they seem. It’s always exciting to find a place to stash the items we want on hand, but these pouches are so shallow that they’re virtually useless. They should hold a stick of gloss or a small cell phone, but they aren’t big enough for carrying a wad of keys.
It’s got its flaws, but at $209 we probably weren’t expecting perfection. Consider those limitations when deciding whether the Bella is right for you.
More Features of This Ellington Glazed Leather Tote
- Logo printed nylon lining
- Dual handles with an 8 inch drop
- An attachable, adjustable strap with a 12 to 20 inch drop
- Measures 12.5 x 18 x 5 inches
