Floto Imports Firenze Dowell Briefcase Review – $449

Recently I was out looking at motorcycles, one of those “maybe this is the month I buy one” type of things, and as always, one particular brand held my attention captive – Aprilia. The salesman, sly man that he was, must have noticed my jaw ajar and said something that I absolutely loved – “It’s just got that special Italian magic.” I’m reminded of that phrase every time I look at Floto Imports Firenze Dowell Briefcase. Available from the Floto Imports’ online store, the briefcase comes in Vecchio Brown, Olive Brown, or Black. In this case, I’ve had the pleasure of keeping the Black version with me as my daily bag. The Firenze Dowell joins the other briefcases in the collection as a welcomed addition to the aesthetic and feel of the Floto line.

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ABOUT FLOTO IMPORTS

We have been fortunate to review several great pieces from Floto Imports over the past year or so. You can read those reviews here. Floto Imports was established in 2003 and is based in Brooklyn, NY. All of their products are manufactured in Italy with the philosophy, “older is better”. According to the Floto website, “Our mission is to refine old world craft methods to produce pieces that are superior to mass-produced luggage. Top grade Italian calfskins and natural, vibrant fabrics come together to create timeless and iconic styles.”

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AESTHETIC

We’re at the point, in the ebb and flow of trends, that favors the “rugged” look in American fashion, and it’s this precise reason that makes the Firenze stand out so much. This isn’t a mountain man’s bag, this is the bag of a gentleman. The polished black calfskin leather looks as sleek as it does refined, and the clean lines and stainless steel hardware finish out the look in a way that demands a second glance. I use this bag every day, and I can honestly say that I feel like dressing up my wardrobe to finish what the bag starts every time I put it over my shoulder. It would look as good with a three piece suit as it does with nice jeans and oxfords.

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FUNCTION

As you’d expect from a briefcase, this bag has plenty of room for my documents, books, and personal effects. Currently I’m using it for two reference books, a documents folio, and two notebooks, but I could easily fit a laptop in there too should the need arise. There’s a main compartment for the bulk of the storage, with a zippered pouch, and the smaller but functional front pocket has spots for pens, a phone, and business cards with room to spare. It’ll hold everything you need it to in a way that is simple and effective.

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CONSTRUCTION

Despite its sleek, simple look, the bag is crafted sturdily. Built in Italy, the stitching is clean, precise, and well executed. The same could be said of the hardware: the stainless steel looks and feels sturdy, and provides no room for worry. The strap is detachable by means of clips, which feel as reliable as the rest of the hardware. The lock on the front is one of my favorite parts of the bag. Made by Amiet, a Swiss company specializing in hardware for leather products, the lock is sturdy and simple, utilizing a small key for operation. If you don’t need to lock the bag, the mechanism acts as a simple method of securing it, and can be operated by pulling the switch down. With weeks of steady use I see no signs of weakness from any of the bag’s features: again, this is a product that has as much function as it does form, and that’s saying something.

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CONCLUSION

For a price that is well under what similar designer bags would cost, Floto Imports has created a briefcase that will complement anything you wear, capable of dressing up a pair of jeans with oxfords (though you may feel this bag deserves a suit). Sleek, simple, timelessly classy. It’s a bag that I’m not only happy to carry, but that carries what I need in a way that makes my old messenger bag seem barbaric by comparison. Put simply, the Firenze Dowell Briefcase has that special Italian magic.

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Floto Imports Messenger Brief Review – $399

Floto Imports and BestLeather have the epitome of the perfect BestLeather relationship. We have reviewed numerous Floto Imports products, they advertise on our website, and we enjoy every second of this mutually beneficial partnership. So when we received yet another bag from Floto Imports, we were extremely thrilled.

When BestLeather initially received this bag, I didn’t see it right away. Many others saw it, held it, “smelt” it, and inspected it before I even had a chance. However, when the bag was shown to me, I immediately fell for it. It’s rich brown leather, stunning brass hardware, and aesthetically pleasing streamlined appearance were enough to make me want to fight for the bag and the chance to review it.

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About

Floto Imports was established in 2003 and is based in Brooklyn, NY. All of their products are manufactured in Italy with the philosophy, “older is better”. While many companies like to innovate and use new technology to construct their leather goods, Floto’s goal is “to refine old world craft methods to produce pieces that are superior to mass-produced luggage.” Read what the company is all about here. Each and every one of their bags we have reviewed live up to this mission.

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Construction

The Floto Imports Messenger Brief features their Saddle Brown Italian calfskin leather. The leather’s refreshing burgundy tint and heavy-duty stitching contrast nicely with the precision Swiss made Amiet lock and brass hardware used throughout the Messenger Brief. The detachable, adjustable shoulder strap lets you convert this bag from a slung over the shoulder messenger bag to a business brief. The messenger is 12″ high x 4″ wide x 15.5″ long. It is the perfect size for a 13” to 15” laptop.

The only issue with the Messenger Brief’s construction is its thin detachable shoulder strap. The rest of the bag is sturdy and well made, but the strap is just a little lacking. Floto has already addressed this issue, and you have the option of upgrading to their heavy duty Grande Strap if you require a little extra support and strength.

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Function

Opening up the front cover, the inside has two 12” deep compartments. The front compartment consists of penholders, cardholders, and a cell phone sleeve. The second compartment is for your laptop or schoolbooks. Two zippered compartments on the front and back exterior provide much more space for essential items. I fit my 13” MacBook Air, a spiral notebook, a skinny folder, 3 pens, and a pocketknife, all with plenty of room for more.

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Aesthetic

My favorite aspect of this bag is the way the leather feels. So far I have not felt or used a bag quite as soft as this. The leather’s color and build demonstrates class and bravura – yet its touch is supple, inviting, and easy to use everyday. I carried this bag frequently for the last few weeks of school and took it with me to the trade shows in Las Vegas. Every single time I took the bag somewhere, someone would comment on its beauty and attractiveness. It actually became a great marketing tool both for BestLeather and Floto Imports because I had the opportunity to explain the BestLeather review process, and how and where to get a bag like mine.

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Over time this bag will develop a lovely patina. It has already shown excellent wear and tear just from a few months of semi-hard use. I am looking forward to watching it change as I consistently use it for years.

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Conclusion

The Floto Imports Messenger Brief has impressed me again and again. I am extremely satisfied with this bag. The leather’s soft touch, unique color, and stunning looks were all enough to convince me to purchase another Floto Imports bag. This messenger brief is currently available on the Floto Imports website. If you care about functionality, style, and love Italian leather like I do, this is the bag for you.

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Floto Imports Ragazza Bag Review – $299

A lot of us here at Best Leather love rugged, hard-wearing pieces—bags you could drive a truck over or laptop cases you could throw off the edge of a cliff. Those pieces are great, but sometimes a sleek, delicate bag is the perfect compliment to your outfit when you aren’t planning on taking your stuff to a BASE-jumping contest or a bear fight.

The Floto Imports Ragazza Bag is just that bag. Made of embossed calf-skin leather, this bag has a chic, modern feel that exudes class. It is beautifully simple—just my style. Made by Floto Imports, this bag is a relatively recent addition to their line of handbags, travel bags, and briefcases. Established in 2003 and based in Brooklyn, NY, Floto imports all their calfskin leather bags from Italy. You can check out two of our reviews of their duffle bags here and here. And, we’ll have a review on their new Messenger Brief coming out soon (don’t miss it…it’s a beautiful bag).

AESTHETIC

This is easily the prettiest bag I have ever owned, with its brass colored zipper and hardware and its minimalist design. The sides gently slope upward and inward to give it a “trapezoidal prism” shape, if you will. Even when I have my wallet, phone, keys, makeup, gloves, notebooks, and other items packed in, there is plenty of room, and the sides don’t bulge out, allowing it to keep its smooth appearance. This bag also comes in black, ivory, yellow, and red. While I love the versatile tan color, I also think this bag would have a wonderfully bold, mod look in yellow or red.

FUNCTION

The Ragazza Bag is definitely on the larger side of the spectrum, but it’s not too big for normal everyday use. I can actually fit my 13” laptop and its charger in there with ease. Even though it’s not necessarily built as a laptop bag, it’s nice to know that in a pinch, I can throw my MacBook in there for a quick meeting or trip to the coffee shop and not have to switch bags.

 

The Ragazza Bag is lined with Floto’s signature striped fabric, which complements the tan leather well. There is a zippered pocket and two small pockets along the sides that can fit my phone and keys so I don’t have to fish around for them. There is also a wide pocket in the middle of the bag to break up the large space. This space is nice for makeup or loose change that you don’t want rolling around the bottom of the bag. It comes with a removable crossbody strap that clips on, but I prefer to just use the handles because I like the way it looks. There are little brass feet at the bottom of the bag to keep the bottom from getting too dirty.

THE LEATHER

The bag is made of embossed Italian calf-skin leather. Tanned in Italy, the hide is tumbled, dried, and sprayed with dye before being compressed in steel molds to create the texture. At first I was worried that the delicate-feeling leather would crease or break easily, but so far that is not the case. Plus, Floto Imports offers a lifetime warranty with its bags should anything go wrong. The only flaw in the leather is a small chip from the edge of the removable shoulder strap.

 

CONCLUSION

I like my accessories to speak for themselves, without “C’s” or “MK’s” or “LV’s” plastered all over the side to make me a tacky walking advertisement. At $299, the Floto Imports Ragazza Bag is priced a bit lower than all those “C’s” “MK’s and “LV’s” but has all the luxury of designer brands and a much more unique look, as well as a lifetime warranty. I would definitely recommend adding the Floto Imports Ragazza Bag to your collection for those days when you need to stand out with a modern, sleek look.

*Use the code “holiday” to get 30% off on the Floto website! That means this bag costs only $211 right now, which is an awesome deal.

Floto Imports Roma Duffle Review – $229

You don’t always need to spend oodles of cash in order to get something that is chock full of quality. Also, the old adage, “you get what you pay for” isn’t always completely true. Sometimes you can get an item that’s made well, made from great materials, backed with a great warranty, and comes from a reputable company at a great price.

The Floto Imports Roma Duffle is one of those items I’m referring to with the above statement.

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About Floto Imports

Floto Imports was established in 2003 and is based in Brooklyn, NY. All of their products are manufactured in Italy with the philosophy, “older is better”. According to the Floto website, “Our mission is to refine old world craft methods to produce pieces that are superior to mass-produced luggage. Top grade Italian calfskins and natural, vibrant fabrics come together to create timeless and iconic styles.”

The Roma Duffle is the second duffle we’ve reviewed for Floto Imports. You can read about the Parma Edition Duffle here.

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Construction

The Floto Imports Roma Duffle features Roma leather. Roma hides are purchased from a well-known tannery in Tuscany. After the hides are dried workers use sponges to stain them with darker dyes. They also spray the hides after the darker dyes are dried with a light clear coat that stops color transfer and provides some stain protection. The double stitched seams are attractive and even while the golden tan color nicely contrasts and compliments the darker color of the leather.

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The hardware used on this bag all features an antique brass finish. Joe noted that new versions of the Roma Duffle will be sporting a YKK zipper with the same finish in lieu of the current coil zipper on this particular duffle. The strap clasps, rivets, feet, and handle components all seem sturdy and well constructed. While this is certainly a more budget-minded duffle, quality is definitely not compromised.

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Function

The Roma Duffle has a slightly different profile than its sibling, the Parma Edition Duffle. The Roma Duffle is 13” high x 10” wide x 20” long. These dimensions still keep it well within standard carry-on luggage rules for most airlines. It weighs slightly less, at 4.2 pounds.

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This duffle is roomy and you should not have any difficulty packing it with a reasonable amount of clothing or gear. Again, as with the Parma Edition Duffle, it features gussets on each side and a full floor-to-floor zipper, creating a wide opening allowing you to load and unload it with ease.

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You’ll also notice the same eye-pleasing interior cloth and a nice, secure, well-sized zipper pocket on the inside wall of the bag.

Aesthetic

The saddle brown color of the Roma Duffle is very eye catching. It’s definitely darker than the Parma, but it too should age and patina well. It features the same type of strap as the Parma Duffle. And, it should be mentioned that you can easily upgrade to the thicker, heavier, and more adjustable Grande Strap in a matching color by ordering directly from Floto Imports’ website. The Roma Duffle carries well, packs well, and I look forward to using it for many adventures and travels with my wife.

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Conclusion

The Floto Imports Roma Duffle is a solid travel companion. It looks good, it’s well constructed, and it’s not going to kill your budget when you pull the trigger to purchase it. In fact, I believe the Roma Duffle is a great way to get started on the journey of purchasing quality leather products. At $229, the Roma Duffle is what I’d consider a “best buy” based on the quality of construction and Floto’s lifetime guarantee.

Floto Imports Parma Edition Duffle Review – $549

Italy and leather go together…it always has been that way. Even today some of the best, most sought after leather fashion pieces, accessories, footwear, bags, and briefcases originate in Italy.

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About Floto Imports

Floto Imports was established in 2003 and is based in Brooklyn, NY. All of their products are manufactured in Italy with the philosophy, “older is better”. According to the Floto website, “Our mission is to refine old world craft methods to produce pieces that are superior to mass-produced luggage. Top grade Italian calfskins and natural, vibrant fabrics come together to create timeless and iconic styles.”

I had the privilege of discussing Floto Imports with Joe Floto and we decided to feature their most popular duffle, the Parma Edition Duffle. You will also be seeing a review of Floto Imports Roma Duffle in coming days.

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Construction

The Floto Imports Parma Edition Duffle features Floto’s Parma leather, which is tumbled in cognac dye for 24 hours and then dried for 30 days and receives no further tanning. The result is a soft, attractive leather that darkens as you use it, much like a baseball glove.

The duffle is 11″ h x 10″ w x 21″ long. It’s ideal for carry-on usage when flying and meets airline standards. The hardware (rivets, feet, handle components, and strap attachments are polished stainless steel. It sports a Riri stainless steel zipper, an adjustable 42” shoulder strap, thickly padded handles, and heavy-duty khaki colored stitching.

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Function

The Floto Imports Parma Edition Leather Duffle is an excellent quick excursion bag. In spite of using heavy leather, Riri zippers, and heavy duty hardware, the bag itself is only 4.5 pounds. It’s nimble, yet surprisingly roomy. As I’ve mentioned in other reviews my clothes are all large in size. During my first test trip to Northern California with this duffle, I was able to easily pack the following:

  • One pair of size 12 boots
  • Two pair of Levi’s
  • Two pair of shorts
  • Three polo shirts
  • Two button down dress shirts
  • One t-shirt
  • Four pairs of socks
  • Four pair of undies
  • An extra belt
  • TSA–sized toiletry bag

The duffle still easily had room for another pair of shorts or a couple more shirts if necessary. It was certainly not jammed packed at all.

The design of the bag and the way it zips open makes it very easy to load and unload. It stays open with ease, which is a nice feature in a duffle thanks to the gusseted design. The zipper feels excellent (it’s a Riri!) and the Floto branded zipper pulls fit well in your fingers and feel nice due to their weight.

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The thickly padded handles are really nice. Carrying this bag was not a chore at all. The shoulder strap is a little lacking given the superior construction and aesthetic of the bag. The strap itself is short – but that may be in part due to my stature. I was able to adjust it to the longest setting possible and comfortably shoulder the bag and cup my arm around it without issue. If the included shoulder strap creates problems for you, then consider upgrading to Floto’s Grande Strap, which looks to be much more robust.

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Aesthetic

The cognac color of the Parma leather is very easy on the eye. Add into that the thick, khaki-colored, contrasting thread, heavy-duty hardware, and Riri zipper and you’ve got a very luxurious looking combination. The interior fabric choice is great and lends itself to keeping the interior light, making it easy to locate items within the bag. The interior side zipper pocket is spacious and nice to have for storing delicate or small items.

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Joe mentioned that this is the bag he routinely carries with him on his trips to Europe. He’s carried the same Parma Duffle for five years now. Below is a picture of his bag in Paris after being treated with R.M. Williams Saddle Oil. You can see that the Parma Edition Duffle will definitely age well, darken, and develop a beautiful patina.

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Another important tidbit to remember stated by Joe is that Lexol and spray on type conditioners do not work well with Parma leather. He definitely recommends using R.M. Williams Saddle Oil or another similar product.

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Conclusion

Overall I’m very pleased with the performance and classy appearance of the Floto Imports Parma Edition Duffle. Its carry-on size, roomy interior, excellent leather, and high-grade components add up to making it a solid choice in the crowded leather luggage/travel bag market. The $549 purchase price shouldn’t scare you off at all as it is a long-term investment that will more than satisfy for your travel needs for decades to come.