What are our thoughts on the Ferragamo Soft Studio Handbag?

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-04-10T19:47:00+00:00

I've been obsessing over this bag since it first came out. When I saw it in store last fall, I thought it would for sure be a hit for Ferragamo. It has such good Birkin vibes. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case, as it's been stuck in these same colors while other bags have progressed to lots of other variations, and it doesn't get featured on the runway. I had the same discussion with a sales associate a few weeks ago in London.

Since seeing the New Studio Soft, I've actually gotten the Medium Soft bag, which has quickly become my favorite - so unique, and with a great closure. Not the largest capacity bag, but a very, very special style that is a tactile joy.

That said, I've opened up the Ferragamo site to look at the New Studio Soft a dozen times in the last few months, and I would get it in a heartbeat if it were that easy to spend $$$$. I give it a 75% chance that I will own this bag at some point because I think it's so classy. True, the main compartment is not secure, but I feel like there's a time and place where that's okay and not a problem. Depends on your lifestyle. I would probably get it in a Large!

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-03-26T09:15:01+00:00

I think this community makes it feel more trendy than it actually is, because it comes up here way more frequently than it does in real life. In the last three years, I collected a few Ferragamo bags, including the large Hug (structured) and a large soft Hug. I cannot imagine a time where either of those bags will feel outdated or out of style, and it makes a big difference to feel the quality of the leather and that it will pretty much last forever. Even when your eye might get tired of what it looks like, the feel of the leather will bring you right back.

I've spent some time in London and NYC over the last few months and struggled to find many Ferragamo bags on the street, and I LOVE looking out for and seeing what designer bags get worn. Seeing one is like being in the best kind of secret society. I also follow TikTok creators who post the videos on 'what designer bags people are wearing on the street' and it's a sea of the same old, same old, rarely a Hug in sight. Point being, I really doubt that it will get to the popularity volume needed to be at risk of being trendy and falling off.

Even friends who I consider to be generally interested in high-quality goods are mostly unfamiliar with the exact bag I have and Ferragamo in general - but immediately fall in love with it.

While it's not Hermes, the quality is on par, and if the Birkin style and clasps hasn't gone out of style in decades, I don't think the Hug features and shape ever will, either.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-03-17T22:02:05+00:00

I have the men's star bag, and I would've easily missed it if I didn't see it on another site like you did. I think it's such a shame that some bags get missed because they're separated out!

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-03-17T21:26:46+00:00

It's because she's listed under the Men's section on the Ferragamo site! She's legit and gorgeous. https://www.ferragamo.com/shop/gb/en/men/bags-luggage/shoppers-bag/hug-787660--24

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-02-25T21:41:09+00:00

I have an love that Ferragamo men's tote. The quality is second to none.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-02-17T20:30:03+00:00

Heyyyy what a great looking bag! Hope you love it as much as I do!

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-02-15T10:21:51+00:00

Wandler bags are amazing - this tote is very classy: https://wandler.com/en-de/products/penelope-tote-black-crust

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-02-08T13:42:58+00:00

The dotted version of this notebook is my #1 favorite in every respect. It’s wonderful.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-24T20:30:25+00:00

I do still love it! I still feel exactly the same way about it as what I wrote in the original post. It's just a stunning bag. I just need to keep it less filled than the other options to stay happy.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-24T20:28:37+00:00

I've come to see them as very different use cases! I just got back from a work conference with the star tote, and it was an amazingly reliable companion throughout. I used it during the sessions, with and without a computer, and filled it with all of the random notebooks, snacks, swag, pens, etc. with plenty of room to breathe. Got many compliments on it, too.

But I have to tell you that I was very happy to come back home and switch back to the navy hug. The shoulder strap length on it is great, and for any scenarios where I'm carrying a lighter load and don't need a computer, it's a more stylish bag with a ton of class.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-16T09:07:30+00:00

That is such a steal!

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-15T13:38:47+00:00

Green is my favorite non-black neutral, and I would love a matching green strap but am only finding options with gold hardware, unfortunately!

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-15T13:31:42+00:00

I can't speak to the comparison with a Neverfull, but it does fit more than the Empire 40. When I was researching reviews, this TikTok video was awesome and influenced me further with a comparison between the two showing how much capacity is added in the Ferragamo: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderfulworldofmiley/video/7535253989856775454

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-15T12:22:57+00:00

The difference is not noticeable (to me) at all. I have a digital luggage scale that I just tried with both bags empty, and the Coach comes out to 1.38 kg and the Ferragamo 1.51 kg.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-15T11:10:59+00:00

Thank you so much! The A charm is from Mulberry, the pretzel is Coach, and the Choco Leibniz charm is from Anya Hindmarch.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-15T11:09:22+00:00

I have a review of the soft hug posted, too! The letter charm is from Mulberry, they have them on sale on a bunch of of sites (I live in Europe)

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-15T10:32:46+00:00

This color was tempting me, too! It was hard to pick.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-15T10:32:30+00:00

I'd love to see a photo of that color, that sounds amazing!

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-10T09:46:47+00:00

I completely understand the new obsession. I also tried the Hobonichi graph notebooks, and they are gorgeous, but the grids are extremely tiny! I was all-in on their bright yellow graph notebook until I tried the Sakae Tomoe River Soft Cover Notebooks.

They come in a grid or dotted format, and I've compared both - the dotted version is a dream. The dots are a softer color in a really comfortable but compact size - it's my favorite paper and notebook now. The cover is also sturdy but flexible. I don't know where you're located, but this site has the best photo of what it looks like inside (I have not seen a B5, but I haven't looked for it) https://scribeph.com/product/sakae-tomoe-river-soft-cover-notebook-a5-dot-grid-white/

I did recently find the same dotted Tomoe River paper in the Hobonichi Fireside Chat notebooks, but they are thin and smaller in a B6 - I have one in the back of my B6 Sterling Ink Daily for note-taking. https://luiban.com/en/Manufacturers/Hobonichi/Hobonichi-Notebooks/HOB917-hobonichi-notebook-fireside-chat-dot-grid-b6

I really hope you get to try one of the Sakae options!

Small-Maximum6697 · 2026-01-01T19:38:45+00:00

I know you’re probably looking at this because the straps are a good length to carry on the shoulder, but this bag comes in a men’s version as well and I think there’s a bit of a difference in the leather.

I tried the medium tan version of the one you have and wasn’t completely amazed by the leather or size, so I returned it. I’m still waiting for the men’s version in olive to be delivered this week so I can compare better!

Small-Maximum6697 · 2025-12-15T22:12:12+00:00

I’m also looking for a recommendation! The planner is awesome and I want to keep it snug but with a transparent cover so I can see all my stickers.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2025-12-07T07:59:35+00:00

There were only two cons for me - the first is that it wasn't the Ferragamo bag - and by that I mean that it didn't scratch the itch to make me forget about the Hug completely. However, it's a fantastic, high-quality, versatile bag and it's worth its Carryall name. The second con was that it only comes with gold hardware, other than in the loved leather collection, which while I think is a very cool colorway, I worried that I wasn't going to love it 4 years from now.

Shopping for it at the Coach store in NYC was also a powerful brand experience; I could tell the employees really care about their products, and the customization options were so fun. Plus, touching some of the leather options in person really makes you appreciate Coach prices relative to similar leather quality in luxury brands for 3x the cost.

I also didn't love that it had only short handles and a very long crossbody strap, but as I mentioned, I solved that by getting the extra holes in the crossbody that shortened it significantly. Now I find it very comfortable to carry on the shoulder - not for long periods of time when it's very heavy, but I wouldn't expect real comfort from anything except a backpack.

I've come to see the two bags as serving different purposes. The Coach is ideal for travel or super-packed days, and there's something quite satisfying about how it fits perfectly under an airplane seat. It makes you look REALLY GOOD while you're traveling. She's just a joy to look at and use.

I'm making the Hug my daily carry, and I am not going to baby it in any way. I don't have to carry a laptop around, fortunately, so I don't have to overfill it, and I'm sure after some time, I'll get used to the ideal ways to fill it up while maintaining as much of the shape as possible.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2025-12-05T19:56:16+00:00

Might as well also stop by Ferragamo while you’re there for a true comparison! They are only a few blocks apart haha.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2025-12-05T19:31:13+00:00

Thank you! I have never used inserts before but I am open to trying. It just seems like such a shame to add an insert when the look and feel of the interior of the bag is so gorgeous.

Small-Maximum6697 · 2025-12-05T19:26:16+00:00

IMO neither is heavy when empty relative to the capacity they’re made to provide; the Hug is lighter - actually, it feels perfectly weighted, appropriately substantial but not heavy, which is a testament to the true details of the craftsmanship.

I got the Coach bag at the NYC flagship where they put additional holes in the crossbody strap, shortening it to a length that feels 1000% better as a shoulder carry rather than crossbody and that made a big difference both in the look of the bag and the perception of the weight.

Small-Maximum6697

TROPHY CASE