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Let's talk about bags

medusa

Veteran

I could really use some help upping my style quotient with bags.

In the past I've been pretty negative about handbags/purses. In my ideal world I would just carry the basics (wallet and keys) in my pockets. But now I have a lot more stuff! Usually each day I'm carrying my laptop and some papers for work, clothes for the gym, some dog stuff, and my lunch in addition to my cell phone, wallet, etc. When I bike commute, I throw it all into a briefcase-ish pannier (and it's completely full):
http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all.....e-bag.html
When I'm not biking, I usually carry a backpack. Neither of these options looks that good.

So I want to find some better bags, but ... purses always seem fussy, easy to forget, easily stolen - but maybe the most important thing is that they don't feel comfortable, they're always sliding off my shoulder. Cross-body styles are better, but I worry about finding something that's not painful when carrying a fair bit of stuff.

A bunch of questions for you:
- Did you have trouble with regular purses, and how did you deal with it?
- Are backpacks always and forever hideous, or are there some stylish ones I could consider?
- What type of bag do you use when you have to carry a lot of stuff and want to be comfortable?
- Do you have any other bag recommendations?

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

Louise

Veteran

I'd keep the backpack for the heavier things laptop and work papers and invest in a neat cross body bag to keep your wallet and keys in x

Edit- in a fairly neutral colour which will go with everything if you don't want to be changing it regulary or red that goes with everything x

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Sounds to me for non-biking days you could use a good work tote and a smaller shoulder bag. The tote is for the larger items like laptop, papers, lunch, etc and the purse is for your personal smaller stuff.

I am still on the lookout for the right tote bag for myself. I don't know why it is so hard to find; I see other women at work with perfect ones for their styles, but everything I buy or look at in stores seems so blah.

Ooooh, maybe Angie could do a post on tote bags to help out the business-casual working gals on the forum!

Katja

(website)

My problem with backpacks is that no matter how stylish the bag, and especially if it's very full, the straps pull unattractively on your blouse or jacket, and many women actually hunch their shoulders forward in order to balance the weight. The pulling is not so bad on slimmer women, but on fuller busted women it can be a real disaster.

Kristine

Veteran

I don't have the bag gene either medusa. I dislike most purses/handbags and hardly ever carry one. I carry a cross shoulder bag for work or on my motorcycle and a backpack on my bike. Then if I need to run out I just carry a pocketbook. I'll be interested to see the recommendations.

I'm looking at a Lug bag...

http://www.luglife.com/Mini-Pu.....egory=3605

Or maybe something like this, which is similar to what I carry now...

http://www.ebags.com/product/b.....id=1129577

I think if you go with a well built messenger bag it shouldn't cause too much strain. Backpacks are probably always hideous, unless it's a little sling backpack and then what's the point?

medusa

Veteran

Louise, what you're suggesting is sensible. I should probably consider it - actually I'm doing something like that now, because I also have a treat purse for the dog, and I often put my wallet in it. But I'd really like to just have one bag. Am I dreaming?

Kristen, you just gave me the words I'm looking for: a work tote! I'm not really familiar with the concept. I like the idea of Angie doing some posts on these, since I have no idea what they are. Kristen, could you post some examples, even if they are kind of blah, so I can get an idea what I'm looking for?

Katja, this is exactly my problem. I look bad, and I know it. But what to do about it?

Kristine, YOU RIDE A MOTORCYCLE? You are so cool. The lug bag link that you posted is kind of cute. But what about the shoulder straps sliding off issue? Are you worried about that? The cross-body bag that you posted is pretty cute, thanks.

Debbie

Veteran

My daughter bought this one. It is actually a men's bag. She is traveling a lot this semester and needed that will hold a lot and is hands free.

http://www.fossil.com/en_US/sh.....;Ns=p_msc2|0||p_weight|0&rec=4&pn=c&imagePath=MBG5891001

Lisa

Veteran

I use two bags during the week, a workbag for larger items and a bag for my usual stuff (keys, wallet, cell phone etc). The usual bag is small enough to fit inside the work bag during the week and used on it's own for weekends.

shana

Veteran

I'm not a bag person myself, Medusa. I'm trying though!! I generally have one bag I use for most of a particular season and I am definitely a convert to the cross-body style since I am mostly out and about with two kids in tow and this helps keep me hands free. Of course, I am not toting around alot of stuff - wallet, keys, cell phone, small camera etc.

I remember that I used to wear a cute DKNY backpack but this was back in the 90's when they were in style. I have not seen a current incarnation that I like very much.

When I go to class or need my laptop, I have a "work tote" that I use that looks similar to:

http://store.franklinplanner.c.....kuId=37229

Here's some others that I like (though you may not):

http://www.coach.com/online/ha.....038;LOC=LN
I like the mia, the hamptons and the kristin

http://www.tumi.com/product/in.....c=paramNav

http://www.tumi.com/product/in.....c=paramNav

I think a cross-body bag would be much too heavy to function as an effective work tote (though I see plenty of people doing it with large laptop cases, particularly for travel).

Katja

(website)

Two bags make sense to me - one is smaller, and contains only the things you want to have with you all the time - for me, that's wallet, keys, checkbook, lip balm, business cards, sunglasses, cell phone. That's my purse.

The other one is for all that extra big stuff - work related files/publications, computer, lunch, stretch bands, gym shoes, patch kit, tire pump (your contents may vary :-)). That's my briefcase (to take a cue from men).

Melissa

Hmmm. I may need to experiment before I can properly respond to this. I'm torn, because I get that you have some things that you just really need to carry, but I also worry that an overloaded bag will weigh you down. I carried around an overloaded bag for years, and my back and shoulders suffered.

Right now, like Shana, I have a FranklinCovey bag (found brand new at thrift store!) that I am using. I will have to post again after I try to load it up with all my gear and include some gym wear. If it's too heavy/small for all that, then I would probably consider lifestyle changes (ie, is there a gym where you can have a big locker and just bring everything home 1x/week to wash?, etc) to prevent carrying an overly heavy bag, but that's just me.

Maya

Veteran

Honestly...that is a LOT of stuff. Any one of those things (laptop, clothes, paperwork, lunch) would be cumbersome to me (then again I am of a delicate...read: weak...constitution). But all of it combined? I just don't think it's possible to really be comfortable. The weight is just going to be a drag.

When I was still a student I used to carry around a lot of stuff, though still nowhere near that much. There is just no way around it unless there is some way to cut down on what you're carrying. You're carrying it on your body and mostly on your back, regardless of which option you choose. I still don't like the idea of a backpack. I remember leaning forward and being hunched over all the time to offset the weight when I was a kid, so even if you take aaesthetics out of the equation, it's not a great solution.

I think the best solution is a 2-bag solution (much like a 2 state solution, but with bags instead of states). I kind of do that now. One bag for the basics (wallet, keys, lip balm, and other assorted pursestuffs), and one bag for lunch. I'd keep the bigger bag off your back and arm completely and just hold it in your hand or the crook of your elbow if possible.

Scarlet

Veteran

I don't have a good solution. I have been known to show up with 3 bags--laptop/papers, purse/personal items, and lunch. Add gym clothes to that and I couldn't even walk anymore. Now that I can cut the laptop out, I take a handbag and a lunch bag and put the two bags in my bicycle basket or car.

Scarlet

Veteran

And to add to that, I still don't have a nice laptop bag. I have one uglier than the next. I have an inexplicable longing for this bag, but have never felt like I could justify the purchase.
http://haydenharnett.com/index.....nvas_nylon

Debora

Veteran

Wow, Medusa, that's a lot to carry!

How about a travel tote?
http://store.franklinplanner.c.....kuId=38070

Or a weekender bag? I'm thinking something along this line:
http://www.fossil.com/webapp/w.....=ZB3039235

If you still want a backpack for those days when you are walking, Fossil has a leather one that is a little more stylish than a canvas one. I like the cognac one.
http://www.fossil.com/en_US/sh.....;Ns=p_wsc2|0||p_weight|0&rec=24&pn=c&imagePath=ZB2862001

medusa

Veteran

OK sounds like the consensus is that I need (A) less stuff to carry and (B) two bags. I'm going to think about that.

I'm trying to warm up to the tote idea. For those of you who use one - does it slide down your shoulder? How do you handle that?

Debbie - I actually think that bag is lovely. Thanks!

Lisa - it sounds like you have a good system. Can I ask what specific bags you use?

Shana - those are some really useful suggestions. I quite like the first one as a work tote. But it doesn't seem as stylish and fancy as your other suggestions. When you carry a work tote how do you handle the bag sliding down your shoulder? Is that a problem for you?

Katja - another vote for the two-bag solution. I'm starting to sense a trend here.

Melissa - I think you're right, I should carry less stuff. I'm thinking maybe a separate gym bag is a good idea. If you are able to post some photos of your bag, that would be great.

Scarlet - thanks. I'm glad I'm not the only one! And I'm intrigued by the bag in your link.

Debora - right. Time to decrease the amount of stuff! I like your suggestions. That weekender bag is quite beautiful!

bj1111

Veteran

medusa,

i have a couple of questions for you...

1) how much exactly do you carry and how frequently during the work week do you carry it all?

2) how much volume does your essentials occupy?

3) what priority do you place on back/shoulder saving vs. aesthetics?

i've strongly considered wheeled briefcases for conferences where i trudge through the whole week carting my gigantic laptop, the program that doubles as a phone book, assorted materials and a change of flat shoes. the tumi i linked to is an expensive and not attractive example, but it won't distort my clothing or my posture.

there are other totes that have a detachable inner/outer bag that can be worn as a separate purse. this one demonstrates the concept. the detachable component of these bags can really vary by size but will probably not be bigger than a roomy clutch.

medusa

Veteran

BJ, good questions. I always carry: calendar, notebook, phone, wallet, a couple pens, a small external hard drive, and a folder with some papers, lunch. I usually carry (at least 3 times a week) my laptop, a rain jacket, and gym clothes. Normally I can stuff it all into my large briefcase-style bike bag. But I'm realizing that separating the gym clothes into a different bag would make life much easier. My essentials don't actually take up so much space. I really like your idea of a bag with a removable inner part - I probably won't get that one you linked to, though, since it's $2K.

I don't think the wheeled briefcase would be a good fit for me - I really want to be hands free because I usually need both hands to juggle my service dog. I probably should have mentioned this in my original post: I need at least one hand free for the leash, and often I'm juggling treats with the other hand.

marianne

I find that I need a different type of bag with any lifestyle change. When you do not commute on bike, do you drive, take public transportation or walk? I used to take a bus to work, and I had 2 bags - a Samsonite tote for a laptop and a LeSportSac tote for workout clothes. They weren't the most stylish but that was the best solution I could come up with, since they were both lightweight. Prior to that I used a backpack, but it's cumbersome on a bus since you have to take it off and put it on. If I had to walk, I'd go for a backpack and a tote. A crossbody really shouldn't be too big and heavy.
I think the shoulder strap slipping problem has to do with the angle of your shoulder. What I liked about the totes is that I could carry them in my hands as well as over the shoulder. You could probably find a lot of fun options now, it seems that laptop bags have moved past black nylon.
And I echo the suggestion of a wheeled bag for traveling.

Megan

I tend to carry my lunch/drink in one of these http://www.amazon.com/Built-LB.....038;sr=8-1

which are quite funky and stretch to fit loads of stuff.

My work bag is a bright red Butler Bag (hybrid style which is the bigger one) which comes with in built compartments http://www.squidoo.com/butler-bag

It fits my netbook, charger, external hard drive and all my personal bits and bobs easily including my large wallet, diary, phone etc.

When I have other things to carry (like gym gear) I pop them (and my lunch sack) into one of these envirosax. The envirosax is funky, light weight and can hold a LOT of stuff.

http://www.envirosax.com/

Sihaya

Veteran

Medusa, you will injure yourself if you carry all of that in a cross body bag. Backpacks don't look all that great but are best ergonomically. I carry 2 bags. For my laptop, I highly recommend Jack George's. Awesome looking, lasts for years. However, not a ton of room left over after laptop and papers (can fit in wallet and keys). So I usually also have a purse for my other doodads.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Medusa, I think you should continue to break it down into the most essentials, and consider keeping some items in your office for when you need them instead of carting them back and forth every day.

I have several bags depending on the need of the day:
-shoulder purse always, for wallet, phones, hearing aid batteries. brush, etc
-I carry my lunch in a separate container (from Laptop Lunches) only because I have things spill in my purse one too many times, and eating from a cute bento box encourages me to eat healthier
-A rolling bag when I need to carry my laptop and lots of papers for presentations.
-A laptop carrying case for when I need to take my laptop to meetings.
-A gym bag of workout clothes that stays in my car if I am going to the gym after work.
-The missing piece: a nice tote for shoes, miscellanous work papers, possibly my lunch, random items that don't fit in a laptop or purse. This is where I struggle because I can't decide if I should get a stiff, formal one or a slouchier, flexible style. Or how much I should spend, should I get different ones for different seasons, etc. I get so indecisive I end up with none of them!

bj1111

Veteran

medusa,

i dreamt about this bag hack...how about getting a largish wristlet with a strap that opens so you can stash your essentials in the wristlet and attach it to any tote that you decide to pick up. you can also easily separate it for when you just want the bare minimum. slide the wristlet strap on your wrist and voila hands-free!

here's a selection from macys at all price points.

medusa

Veteran

More great suggestions!

Marianne, when I'm not on my bike it's a mix. Sometimes I drive, sometimes I take the bus.

Megan, good suggestions, I'm going to look into those.

Sihaya, you're right, injury is a worry! Thanks for the Jack George suggestions.

Kristen, your list is helping me come to terms with my worst fears - apparently I need multiple bags. Life is complicated, I guess.

BJ, another good suggestion.

I guess what I'm leaning toward is finding a good small bag (probably cross body) that can hold my essentials, and then add on other bags as needed.

bj1111

Veteran

keep us posted! i'd like a fashion show once you decide which one(s) you get!