Would love your bag recommendations

[Anonymous]

Looking for a big bag - currently carry a messenger bag which fits my stuff but isn't that attractive and it's hard to find things - I'm always digging around for my blackberry for example.

It needs to be big enough to carry an extra pair of shoes (I walk to meetings, the metro, etc.) and shove in my workout clothes I use during lunch. So can't be a purse. I also carry around a blackberry, wallet, cell phone, keys, and a book, my big stainless steel water bottle and often my lunch and work snacks. So big enough to fit that stuff in!

Doesn't really need to close I guess, as long as there are few contained pockets I can zip important stuff in.

Would like to pay under $300 probably. And it would need to survive metro rides to and from work 4 days a week! I'm not the best owner of stuff so durability would help. Thanks for any suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Hmm. I know you are not looking for a diaper bag, but I love my Fleurville "Mothership" model: i have used it to carry folders/laptop for work, and it is always my carry-on on the plane.
1) they have the coolest designs around, from the classic to the contemporary, none of which scream diaper bag!
2) it holds everything
3) has one big and two smaller inside storage pockets (the big one could hold shoes, and there is an inside holder for my water bottle - not sure if yours would fit in the loop though). One wide and two smaller outside pockets too.
3) it is waterproof inside and out, which is good for Moms, especially if you carry lunches!

The only thing I don't like about it is that it closes with a long flap and one magnetic thingie - not extra secure in my opinion. I believe I paid $150 for it, and it was worth every penny.

[Anonymous]

I love Tory Burch totes. Come in all sorts of colors and patterns - and fabrics. Very hip and extremely stylish.

[Anonymous]

I know you said no purses, but you probably didn't know purses this big existed! CHeck out the city tote by foley & corinna. Had one for years now and it is really durable, and holds everything you want and more. And it comes in a bunch of different colors. I used it as my diaper bag for a long time. Just make sure you get the original or XL size, not the mid city size.

[Anonymous]

I love my Baggallini "Hampton" bag. It is a great everyday bag that can hold so much with pockets and little compartments everywhere. It has 3 main sections- the middle one has a zipper. I've used it as an overnight bag, as a tote for work or to just go around town with the baby. You should definitely check it out as they have other styles you can choose.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all - these are great suggestions!

In googling them and finding all these web sites I have unfortunately discovered I like a lot of really expensive bags! It's like a whole new world. I think I will hit some actual stores and maybe I'll luck out and find a sale. Thanks for all these suggestions!

[Anonymous]

The trend now, when you have to carry too much stuff (and are you sure you have to carry it around?) is two bags. For example, a shoulder bag, and a light fabric tote for your shoes and food. If you want a bag that would not only lasts but would actually look better after a few metro rides you´d want to pay a bit more...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The trend now, when you have to carry too much stuff (and are you sure you have to carry it around?) is two bags. For example, a shoulder bag, and a light fabric tote for your shoes and food. If you want a bag that would not only lasts but would actually look better after a few metro rides you´d want to pay a bit more...

Thanks - this is a good suggestion. My husband actually showed me a really cheap small bag on the Nike.com web site that I can shove shoes and workout clothes in. Since I could take them in on Monday and leave them there until the end of the week, then take them home at the end of the week, I would potentially only need that extra bag 2 of my 4 work days.

So that is probably what I'll end up doing. In the meantime I bought a cheap tote bag from Target that is cute so I can get an idea of what size I might need. So far it fits everything I need. That way when I invest in the real bag I know I can use it and it won't sit in my closet like some of my former purchases!

If I find something I can't live without, I would probably be okay with spending a bit more. But I do think the double bag makes more sense for some days, it is also easier on my back I'm sure if I can distribute the weight in different places.

[Anonymous]

In the meantime I bought a cheap tote bag from Target that is cute so I can get an idea of what size I might need. So far it fits everything I need.


I just bought two of these totes (sounds like the same thing) from Target and LOVE them. They are very cute and hold everything (I have about the same carrying needs you do). And, you can throw them in the machine to wash. Certainly not high end, but at least for awhile while they look new, they are super cute and only cost $15.

[Anonymous]

Hey! I think I have these totes, too. Fabric, with what look like leather straps that actually stay on the shoulder. Summery print? Mine were 12.99!! I love them.

[Anonymous]

Yes, same ones. I keep checking back to see if they have new prints. They are the perfect tote for me. I've ditched my nice bags for these cheapos since I bought them a couple of weeks ago.

[Anonymous]

I have several Toss bags! They have really cute prints and they hold up amazingly well. The pricepoint is great too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, same ones. I keep checking back to see if they have new prints. They are the perfect tote for me. I've ditched my nice bags for these cheapos since I bought them a couple of weeks ago.

There's something about these last three posts, in which 3 women all state that they have basically ditched their Coach bags for the same Target bag, which we all discovered independently, which makes me giggle, and then feel very sad. Why must this board be so anonymous? Why do we remain so stratefied? Why can't we all show up for brunch some Sunday at Cafe Deluxe? We'll recognize each other by our bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, same ones. I keep checking back to see if they have new prints. They are the perfect tote for me. I've ditched my nice bags for these cheapos since I bought them a couple of weeks ago.

There's something about these last three posts, in which 3 women all state that they have basically ditched their Coach bags for the same Target bag, which we all discovered independently, which makes me giggle, and then feel very sad. Why must this board be so anonymous? Why do we remain so stratefied? Why can't we all show up for brunch some Sunday at Cafe Deluxe? We'll recognize each other by our bags.

Hee hee - I'm the OP and I am truly, deeply, profoundly embarrassed at how much joy my 12.99 Target bag has given me.

What is worse is that I just picked a random print I like, and my husband (who chronically picks up after me) grabbed my bag and the flip flops I had worn that day pre-work shoes to bring them upstairs, and pointed out that my bag and flip flops (J. Crew circa at least 5 years ago) matched - and I was like, "you are right!!! I feel so PUT TOGETHER!!!"

Pathetic.

I am still holding out for the nice bag just because I've never had one, but I do love my Target bag.