I have been told that I am a difficult customer, because I start defining my criteria before looking at what is on the market and not buying anything that does not meet those criteria. That said, I travel a lot for work and go from conference rooms to lunches and dinners, for which this small bag had to work as well. These were my criteria:
- a small, high quality bag to carry my essentials (keys, cards, mobile phone, tissues and a foldable shopping bag)
- a nice colour (no black or dark brown)
- a separate pocket for my phone, accessible without opening the main compartment such that a) it does not get scratched by the keys and b) I can easily retrieve it while navigating a new city or use a public transport ticket at busy stations without rummaging through my bag
- be compact, such that I can carry it in my work bag /personal item bag and retrieve it to go for lunch/dinner while locking my work bag in whatever office I am in, but taking a minimum amount of space and such that I can walk hands free on an afternoon/evening off without carrying a big and heavy bag
- don't soak up water immediately. The bag has to withstand waiting at a busstop while it's raining or walking from A to B for about 30 minutes.
- a strap that is long enough for my height (1.88m)
This turned out to be surprisingly difficult to find. Would I have loved the front compartment to fit my fairphone 5 *and* have some kind of closure? Absolutely! Would I have liked a slightly fancier look with e. g. woven leather? Sure.
But this one does the job and the craftsmanship as well as how the leather feels totally make up for the less fancy outer design.
This brand wasn't on my radar until someone on Reddit posted about it. Fast forward I received the Medium Curve with silver hardware bag today. The leather is amazing! 10/10.
My only con is the 7 inch handle. I planned to purchase a longer shoulder strap however I no longer seem them on the website. Are they no longer available?
I was looking for something light and not bulky to use with my smaller bags. Exactly what I needed. Great quality too! I am a big fan of Stow products
The mini east west curve is beautiful! Amazing quality and craftsmanship. The leather is luxurious and soft yet keeps its structure. I’m considering a second in a different color.
This bag is incredible quality and very well made. The leather and hardware is stunning, and the style truly masters a relaxed luxury aesthetic. I have owned quite a few bags at this price point and can confidently say that Stow is the best quality craftmanship and materials I have owned. I also appreciate how their design is so original, and looks so high-end without being ostentatious. Furthermore, the shoulder strap is thick and padded while still looking elegant, and the base of the bag is sturdy, so that when you put items in it, the base retains its shape for the most part. As someone who has spent more time than I would like to admit evaluating different women's leather bag options for carrying my life around in NYC, I am constantly frustrated by how many fashion companies get away with selling women bags that look painful to carry due to sub-par or too-skinny strap construction, and/or have flimsy bases that sag even with the lightest item inside. Thank you Stow London for clearly considering these issues in your design and offering such a quality product.
However, I found the curve maxi difficult to wear as a work bag because there is no interior organization, and the interior is very dark for the black colorway (though from a design perspective I can understand why Stow made the choice not to line it, because it allows the beauty of the leather to be felt inside the bag), but this choice does make it hard to see items inside. Note that the bag does come with a removeable pouch, but this doesn't work well for pulling your phone in and out quickly which I need to do frequently. My 14inch Macbook pro laptop (8.75 inches x 12.25 inches) fits when I insert it vertically, however, the top of the bag will not close over the computer (the bag still looks very chic when worn with the top open, but this might be a problem for people who are worried about protecting bag contents from rain or snow when wearing). Also, Stow -- please note that the depth measurements for the bag are listed on the website at 8.66 inches but the depth of the base is actually only slightly less than 5 inches. This accuracy was important for me when deciding to purchase because I initially thought it was a much larger bag that would fit gym clothes or a change of clothes in addition to work items, though I still decided to keep it because of how beautiful it is!
I love this bag, it's perfect for both day and night looks. The croc leather makes it look so chic and feels great. Definitely worth every penny, 10/10.
The customer service is awesome.
I absolutely love my new bag. The quality is top tier. I love that I can fit almost everything that carried in my Never Full in the Curve Bag. I was not disappointed.
Very nice tote included in purchase. It was much nicer than I imagined. It’s well made and will definitely be used!
Leather smells amazing, feels great in my hands, and I just adore holding the handles. Love the structure, love the front pouch for my phone, love the feet, crossbody strap. Hands down my favorite bag.
Thank you Stow Bag .Im very happy with the bag i purchased such a good quality and i even got a gift .😊😍
I’m so in love with my bag. Everybody ask me about it. The craftmanship of this bag is excellent and beautifully made.
The Blue Suede Curve Midi is stunning. The hardware is beautiful. The bag came packaged very well and delivered as promised. The bag looks great with the strap or strap length you prefer. I am so pleased. After years of buying luxury handbags and watching the quality decline, Stow of London changes all that and at an affordable price. I highly recommend. Customer service is amazing too.
This is my first Stow bag. It’s beautiful. The blue color is rich and vibrant and it’s a very well-made, sturdy feeling bag. I love it!
I was a little nervous about ordering this bag because it is not always easy to see the true colour of the burgundy online. I need not of worried of course. First of all it’s Stow. They care about what they create, care about quality and care about their customers. The bag is lovely and the burgundy suede is sumptuous. Another winner from Stow. Thank you once again.
I’ve just received my new Mini East West Curve bag, and I’m delighted with its style, design, and quality. It’s a beautiful bag, and I can’t wait to use it tomorrow when I meet friends for coffee. I’m already planning to buy another in a different colour. The quality rivals that of a renowned luxury bag maker, such as H***ès, reflecting the precision and craftsmanship Stowe brings to its work.
I have found my new go-to bag.
Such a great little addition to the bag. The shoulder strap is beautifully made, practical, and makes the bag so much more versatile. Definitely a must-have!
I waited a couple of weeks before writing this review because I wanted to truly experience the bag.
First of all, a huge thank you to the wonderful and talented people who put so much care and craftsmanship into making these bags. The bag is pure perfection — beautiful both inside and out, and incredibly functional.
The shoulder strap is also a must-have and makes the bag even more versatile.
And the delivery to Norway took just one day!
I absolutely love it and highly recommend it. ❤️
my 3rd bag from Stow, the quality is astounding, cant recommend them highly enough
The purse is beautiful. It's made exquisitely and is very functional. I love it! I receive many compliments. I love the comfort of the way it fits the shoulder as well. Thank you for creating a lovely product
The leather is buttery soft and I hope it will only get better after each use. I might even order the espresso one once it’s available. I wish Stow had vertical wallets for men. Hopefully, this will happen soon.