So far, I've found these bags to be very reliable. The inside material is a leopard print with silky texture which appears quite delicate but mine hasn't broken yet and I'm not the most careful person with my belongings. I've also found that they can actually carry quite a bit of weight. I was eager to get home before the riots started one night (hope all my followers are safe!) and so I hurridly shoved 2 litres of milk and several jars of tomato sauce into my bag and it showed no signs of strain. The only down side is that there aren't that many compartments inside the bag. There is usually one zip pocket and another pouch for a mobile phone and occasionally there is an extra zip on the outsode. I find this a little annoying as it means I have to open a large and full bag everytime I want to get my phone or purse out exposing all my belongings to the world. However, this isn't so bothering that I don't want to use it. My Maisy bag has an extra zip on the inside-side (if that makes sense) of the outside which is very useful for putting small things you need to get to quickly; however, my Tilly Twister lacks this. Several of my friends have other Paul's Boutique bags that they've had for years and they're all still in good condition. When looking at the bags you may doubt whether or not they're reliable, especially the one's that look really plastic-y, but trust me, they're really strong! If you're thinking of getting a smart/casual bag for yourself or as a present then I highly recommend PB bags, particularly the plain coloured ones. If you're going to purchase one with some sort of pattern on it then I reccommend you wear plain clothing because the bag will really stand out and draw attention and you don't want to end up looking like a clown.