https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:30:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1534804 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:37:16 +0000 LynninRI 1534804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was wondering about the Dagne Dover totes as well...I guess I'll just keep stalking the posts...lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1528798 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:27:43 +0000 Meredith 1528798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Free hands, no sweaty shoulders, people on public transit will give up their seats. "Oh, what an adorable...pair of gym shoes." Couldn't resist the joke once this ridiculous image came to mind. I'm really enjoying reading everyone else's very helpful thoughts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1528786 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:07:16 +0000 Dee 1528786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've got a large tote or messenger bag for my work and personal items, a lunchbag that fits in the tote (at least on light days), and I used to add a small duffel for gym clothes to keep them separate from everything else. I've never found a single bag solution or one that doesn't make me feel like a bag lady, especially on mass transit... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1528724 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:35:45 +0000 Elly 1528724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't carry gym clothes but do carry a large DSLR + 15" laptop and 2-3 books + lunch &amp; coffee and other "purse stuff" in the winter. I picked out a streamlined backpack (the Nike Embarca -- actually meant for teen skateboarders, I believe) that fits the computer, DSLR, notebooks, purse stuff, and coffee mug. I use a large 'biner to attach my small neoprene lunch tote to the outside. Replace DSLR with "pouch of gym clothes" and you might have something. Otherwise, unless your computer is light, I would recommend a slim-line backpack for those and the books, then hook a "non-gym-bag" looking bag over your shoulder. Otherwise, try a wheelie bag. The key to avoid looking like a crazy bag lady is to streamline as much as possible--- no one should be a sherpa! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1528714 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:19:45 +0000 Thin White Duchess 1528714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so hard! Can you comfortably carry a tote/shoulder bag? I keep reading good things about the large tote from Dagne Dover. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1528709 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:59:33 +0000 Joyce B 1528709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have not solved the problem, either.<br /> I carry a purse, a bag and a small fabric bag for my lunch.<br /> My purse is Cole Haan and is nice and light weight although the dye has not done too well.<br /> The bag for my ipad and books gets quite heavy and is heavy even when empty.<br /> I will be following this thread, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1528682 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:19:14 +0000 Anonymous 1528682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No suggestions. &nbsp;I carry my entire life with me: &nbsp;computer, files, lunch, gym clothes, purse, coffee cup. &nbsp;Sometimes I have to make two trips between the car and the building. &nbsp;</p> <p>I have considered all sorts of options. &nbsp;Nothing worked for me. &nbsp;I'll watch this thread for ideas. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1528634 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 10:28:50 +0000 kimmyg50 1528634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How about a wheeled backpack? The pluses are, no weight pulling on your back and no rumpled clothes where the straps are. I would pair it with a small cross body purse. On the negative side, navigating crowded city streets and subway steps can sometimes be challenging. </p> <p>I used one for a number of years until my firm, as part of their rebranding, issued new horizontal style backpacks to all of us (which were easier on the back). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1528615 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:16:54 +0000 anne 1528615@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not really there!! I have a handbag I'm quite happy with, but most days I take a backpack (a running backpack ) as well so I can fit in my gym clothes, my lunch and sometimes breakfast and the 2 books I read on my commute. Occasionally when I know I am not going to the gym and either don't need to take lunch or have a small lunch, I'll jettison the bag (and use my phone for reading material). Not fashionable but very common! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-bags-and-strategies#post-1528571 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 05:06:38 +0000 gradfashionista 1528571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I recently joined the urban commuters club and am looking for recommendations for bags. Even when my stuff is pared down, it's still heavy, and includes computer and work material, gym stuff (shoes, microplates, clothes, toiletries), glasses, etc. I live far from enough that when I leave for the day, I'm out until evening and often need to get groceries for the household. </p> <p>I'm still toying with methods, but have found:</p> <p>Backpacks: nothing redemptive in terms of fashion, neck pain, sweaty back, but lots of space in one spot. </p> <p>Messenger bags (Timbuk2): cuts across chest awkwardly and pulls blouses, more comfortable strap than back pack, limited space. </p> <p>Suitcase (Zuca): doesn't fit in gym locker, annoying to take through crowds and subway, but epic for transporting TJs groceries, no back or neck pain. </p> <p>Small messenger bag and gym bag: feeling like a bag lady, prone to forget items, benefit of keeping gym items apart and distributing weight more evenly, easier to take in subway. (I owned two Le Pliage bags but both ripped fairly easy). </p> <p>I work at libraries and cafés, and do not have a locker to keep things, while the closest affordable gym with a squat rack is a one hour commute. </p> <p>Having to lug things has put me in a but of a fashion slump because it's hard to feel put together when you're constantly carrying a lot around with me. Because I lived so close to a gym and work the last few years prior to moving, I never had to pack for multiple purposes/functions. </p> <p>What has worked for you? How do you manage to feel fresh and fashion forward on your daily commute? </p>