Premium Piel Leather Cross-Body Tote Bag with Zipper - Charcoal Gray, One Size - Perfect for Work, Travel & Everyday Use

I've been looking for an everyday leather tote to replace one which had seen better days. After exploring a number of brands and styles, I decided that this bag had everything I was looking for ... and it does. It is well constructed, and the gray leather is a neutral but unexpected color. The bag has a variety of pockets and compartments, and the interior is a lighter color. The bag is also not so large that it overwhelms my frame. For me, it will carry files, a book or folio, a water bottle, and tablet on most days. There still will be just enough room to carry a small purse or clutch if I decide to leave the handbag at home. It also can double as a carry-on for airline travel, and it could be used as a tote upon landing.One of my main concerns about this bag was the condition of the leather. It's natural leather, which I understood. However, the leather seemed extraordinarily dry to the touch and needlessly so. Any little thing, like lightly grazing a nail over the leather, left a mark. The leather didn't give, and it was parched. I conditioned the leather with over 1/2 bottle of Bick's. The leather literally drank it in ... twice. It also darkened the leather considerably, and honestly I much prefer this darker gray to the original color. The leather now seems rich and luxurious, as it should at this price point.Condition problems remain, specifically hardware which needs cleaning & polishing. Some of that I'll be able to fix, some of it I won't. It's still a nice tote nonetheless, provided you're willing to do a bit of work and accept some flaws in the leather & hardware.