Lily Jade Bag Comparison- The Brittany, Portland Leather, & Madewell

We're baaaack! Have you been waiting to see our next product roundup lineup? Well, wait no more! We have another set of bag comparisons for you that you're gonna love. We highlight features and breakdown all the details to help you decide which bag is right for you. 

 

Today's comparison features some brand names you're probably familiar with. In this post we're showing you the Lily Jade Brittany in Old English in Sand, the Portland Leather Crossbody Tote in Cognac, and the Madewell Medium Transport Tote in True Black. All of these styles are featured in genuine leather.

As you can immediately see, while all these bags have similar functionality, they have completely different styling. Let’s take a look at the various features as we break down each one for you.

 

First, we’ll observe aesthetics. The Brittany has a square tote look (being the smaller version of the Caroline), but features deep pockets and a flat bottom to easily hold all your gear without slumping over like a traditional tote bag. The other two bags have similar looks to a medium sized tote.

All three bags feature a flat front pocket The Portland pocket is reinforced with visible rivets at the top and visible stitching on the sides giving it a more rustic quality. The Madewell pocket is a very basic pocket with interior stitching helping to integrate it on the front of the bag but only allows for small or flat items before gaping open if an item is too large.

 

The Lily Jade Brittany’s front pocket has a zipper with leather pull tab for extra security– a perfect place to stash a cell phone or car keys. You’ll also notice that it’s the only tote in the line up with side pockets giving added organization and storage.

Next we’ll talk about fit and functionality. The Brittany has the shortest grab handles which makes for ease of grabbing the bag on the go. A longer strap is included for a traditional tote length strap to use across the shoulder. Both the Portland and the Madewell tote straps were a bit too long for shorter reviewers with no way to adjust for a shorter torso. 

All of these totes convert into a crossbody carry which frees up your hands for little ones or other items. It’s been noted that the Madewell crossbody strap has the narrowest width making it less comfortable especially when the bag is filled to capacity. Only the Brittany has the added feature of also converting into a backpack. This bonus feature makes this small but mighty bag a workhorse! 

Speaking of functionality, you’ll notice the bottom and top of the bags. The Lily Jade is the only one in the line up of bags that has feet on the bottom.

This not only adds stability to the bag, but also protects the leather on the bottom. Additionally, the Madewell and Lily Jade bags sit a bit more sturdy when full, while the Portland’s tall, narrow shape is inclined to lean over or spill out because of its proportions. Multiple reviewers of the Portland noted they ended up needing to use smaller pouches or inserts to protect the leather and keep organized and help maintain the upright tote shape. 

At the top, you’ll notice the classic Portland tote is an open bag and many reviewers stated they wished they had a snap or magnetic closure. The other two bags have a top zip for keeping items secure.

Lastly, we’ll look at detailing and finishes. You will observe that neither the Portland or the Madewell are lined (despite the Madewell description stating otherwise much to reviewers disappointment). They each have one interior pocket that is “attached” to the inside, but are not fully integrated with the interior.  Also, the finishing of the leather isn’t the same across the board either. While it’s very common to have variations in texture and color of natural leather, reviewers noted that the Madewell bags had grayish shading and wrinkles in some spots. Multiple reviewers noted that the Portland leather is more sensitive and marks easily.

Our Deluxe leather line comes in a full range of colors and includes a coating that prevents staining, helps keep a uniform color, and offers water and stain resistance to our bags. You find this finish on colors like Brandy, Black, Camel or Blush. Our Old English leather line does not have a top finish coating, but rather is dyed using natural waxes and oils to create the unique, natural finish. Your bag reacts to your touch to reveal its complex coloring. This beautiful technique allows for distressing that will patina beautifully and just get better with age.

When it comes to details and finishes, this is where Lily Jade really shines. All our bags are fully lined with heavy duty material to protect your leather bag and add durability. If you take a peek into our bags, you'll find something unique about our pockets. That’s right, we trim them in leather. The leather trimmed interior pockets help to add rigidity and structure and provide a smooth surface for your hands and items as you reach in. You will also notice that even the interior zipper is trimmed with our quality leather. No detail was spared!

At similar price points for these bags, we feel the Brittany offers more features AND more versatility for all your packing needs. We listen to our community and the feedback they give us. We take those coveted features and we make sure to provide the best hardware, materials, and warranty to deliver a high quality product that will last. While we know there are many styles and budgets out there, we like to compare features to help break down the value you get, so you can feel confident in your investment for years to come.

Want to see more comparison to other competitors? Check out our other posts-

Lily Jade, Azaria, and Maden Bag Comparison

Lily Jade, Itzy Ritzy, and Mina Baie bag comparison

Lily Jade, Fawn Design, and Freshly Picked bag comparison

Here is our own in-house comparison:

Lily Jade Bag Comparison- The Caroline, The Meggan, & The Sarah Grace