Blaine - Cotton Crossbody Bag in Sunflower Print

I held off ordering this style of bag for a LONG time. Seeing slim women wearing them with their expensive yoga pants just didn't fill me with much hope for my plus size body and large chest. I just knew though that if the style stuck around Lucy and Yak would eventually do their own version and boy was I right!

There's something about the sunflower design that makes me feel like me. So whenever it's an option in something it's my go to. This bag uses the familiar design we all love but on a fabric that feels softer and more flexible than what they use for their backpacks.

Now onto the bag itself. I'm VERY weary of shoulder bags. As an ex-post lady I spent years seeing the damage my colleagues had done to their backs from years of heavy delivery bags but this style is totally different. It wraps around you in a way that helps distribute the weight of what you're carrying and trust me, you'll end up carrying a lot! It's honestly like the modern day Mary Poppins bag and before you notice you've put your whole kitchen sink in there and the dog!

Speaking of the dog; it's so awesome to now have a bag that can fit all his bits in but then doesn't shift when I bend down to pick up his poop. A little added bonus really!

If you have gotten this far here's the basic jist of what I'm trying to convey - this bag is awesome, it's lovely and comfortable, holds a lot and I haven't used any of my other bags since buying it.

It’s the perfect size, not too bulky but not too small. Love that it can be cross body or a shoulder bag. Sturdy material and excellent quality. Perfect bag for those who like to have an every day bag

I literally couldn’t believe the state of this bag when I took it out of the parcel. Fabric damaged COVERED in lint and animal fur, and worn patches of fabric. Obviously my concern now, is that if I try and return it, they won’t want to refund an obviously used and ruined item.

In addition, joins - like where the strap joins the bag - are messy and not very solid. It feels a lot more lightweight and not as robust as you’d expect.

Unbelievable and incredibly disappointing.

ETA: I wanted to update this to say that customer services got in touch immediately to put this right. Rather than paying for the return as usual, they have sent me a returns label so I can send it back, and have provided a credit note for the value of the bag, so thank you customer services.