https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:44:40 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1061640 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 03:48:07 +0000 Carla 1061640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can vouch for the Longchamps Le Pliage. Carried a binder with all the trip paperwork for a one month vacation and my iPad very easily. Sometimes even managed to squash my rolled up trench inside. Other times carried stuff for DH. The bag itself weighs nothing, but proved very sturdy. When I got home, I just wiped it down and folded it up!</p> <p>When I carried tons of files around (in the dark ages before laptops) I had a leather bag from LLBean kind of like the one below. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1061577 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 02:36:04 +0000 MuseumGal 1061577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Greyscale, what attracted me to that Wison's bag is that it hangs from a bar just my Coach Willis.&nbsp; Try looking at *men's* Coach bags also - they are fabulous, more leather for less money than the women's versions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1061527 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 01:41:12 +0000 Greyscale 1061527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I rarely carry my laptop at conferences now that I have an ipad, but when I do, I just use my bicycle-style backpack. Trendy in SF, but no good over nice clothes. I like the men's bag idea above - I'd love a vintage Coach briefcase that's similar to my daily purse (vintage Coach Willis station bag). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1061517 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 01:33:48 +0000 MuseumGal 1061517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you live anywhere near an outlet mall, check out Wilson's leather men's bags.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://www.wilsonsleather.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3948596&amp;cp=2446816.2019559" rel="nofollow">http://www.wilsonsleather.com/.....16.2019559</a></p> <p>I have a vaquera (<a href="http://www.wilsonsleather.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12150410&amp;cp=2446816.2019559.3948596&amp;parentPage=family" rel="nofollow">http://www.wilsonsleather.com/.....038;parent</a>) which is probably a bit bigger than you want, but gets tons of compliments.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1061445 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 00:16:34 +0000 sarah 1061445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm afraid I go for the Timbuk2 messenger bag - I bike with it every day and in basic black I feel ok using it around conferences, too. I can fit a modest cross body purse INSIDE of it, as well as my laptop, for the plane trip and use the purse in the evenings for going to dinner&nbsp;when I don't need to carry my laptop around.&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/commute-tsa-ipad-laptop-messenger-bag/2238637">http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/pro.....ag/2238637</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1061407 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 23:28:37 +0000 bj1111 1061407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Longchamp planetes in any color. Black is good and safe. I like navy and taupe too depending on what you were most. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060989 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 14:56:34 +0000 Von 1060989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a red Le Pliage, and it really fits everything, including a 15 inch Macbook in a sleeve.&nbsp; A bonus is that it folds up if you need to stuff everything back into your luggage, and if you aren't carrying the laptop, it's got plenty of space to pack with materials you pick up here and there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060975 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 14:41:12 +0000 Emily 1060975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I popped in to creep the recommendations people were giving and followed the links to this:&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://mzwallace.com/mzwshop/product.php?products_id=2819">http://mzwallace.com/mzwshop/p.....ts_id=2819</a></p> <p>*wipes drool from chin*</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060903 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 12:55:23 +0000 Diana 1060903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I have been eyeing the belle bag too. &nbsp;I have another, smaller MZ Wallace and I adore it (it's too small for my laptop). &nbsp;</p> <p>Re: the longchamps. &nbsp;I haven't decided which one to get yet. &nbsp;The Planetes (the all black one) also comes in plum, which I am very tempted by. &nbsp;My old one was a red Le Pliage.</p> <p>I keep my Macbook pro in a neoprene sleeve like this, that I then&nbsp;slide into the tote.</p> <div><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Caselogic-PAS-213-13-Inch-Macbook-Neoprene/dp/B002W5V8SE/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1382532991&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=apple+neoprene+sleeve">http://www.amazon.com/Caselogi.....s=electron</a><br />The sleeve is airport checkpoint friendly. &nbsp;If you don't put anything else in it (like papers or adapters) you can put the whole thing (sleeve+laptop) into the X-ray bin at security without removing the sleeve&nbsp;(at least in the USA, in Greece they made me take it out and open the laptop even).</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060793 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 10:14:59 +0000 kkards 1060793@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>not a sciwomen, but i have a recommendation. mz wallace makes great bags that work for what you are looking for...the best thing is that they are light weight. comes in a some fashion colors, if you don't want black. lots of pockets, designed by women who understand.<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://mzwallace.com/mzwshop/product.php?products_id=3114">http://mzwallace.com/mzwshop/p.....ts_id=3114</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060775 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 08:58:37 +0000 Makrame 1060775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just use a laptop bag. &nbsp;I keep thinking I should buy a nice tote for this purpose but since I am paranoid about damaging my laptop, I am not sure that I won't revert to using the laptop bag anyway, even if I had a tote. &nbsp;Mine looks like this&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ebags.com/product/case-logic/17-laptop-messenger-bag/201363?productid=10101107&amp;sourceid=ADWPRODUCT&amp;couponid=55583734&amp;gclid=CICT-JTLrLoCFU6Y4Aodm0kANg&amp;kwid=productads-plaid%5E56404751898-sku%5E10101107-adType%5EPLA-device%5Ec-adid%5E26971118178">http://www.ebags.com/product/c.....sourceid=A</a>&nbsp;- not particularly feminine or elegant, as you can see.</p> <p>I have also been thinking about getting a tote for traveling on the plane to conferences&nbsp;(to fit a laptop, small purse etc.) but I have the same concern that I will not be using it but will instead revert to using a checkpoint-friendly laptop. &nbsp;I am considering buying this tote &nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/michael-michael-kors-kempton-nylon-tote-large/3315457">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mi.....ge/3315457</a>&nbsp;or a smaller sized one&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/michael-michael-kors-kempton-nylon-tote-medium/3315459">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mi.....um/3315459</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060757 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 07:32:59 +0000 stainedglass 1060757@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've got a MZ Wallace Belle Nylon tote. &nbsp;The center compartment is big enough for a small laptop, conference proceedings, and a bottle of water, and the outside pockets let you keep stuff you want to access easily at hand (or ditch the ever fashionable name tag lanyard once you leave the conference building). &nbsp;It has leather feet to keep the bottom of the bag clean.&nbsp;&nbsp;The nylon is stain resistant and waterproof. &nbsp;It also zips shut; I've lost stuff when I tried an open bag.&nbsp; It is a little floppy when empty, but a conference proceedings (8.5"x11"x2")&nbsp;in the center section is more than enough for it to keep its shape. &nbsp;It fits comfortably on the shoulder and I usually avoid shoulder bags. &nbsp;<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/m-z-wallace-belle-nylon-tote/3318640">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/m-.....te/3318640</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060719 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 05:20:01 +0000 lyn* 1060719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My Fossil bag has metal feet :3</p> <p>You may be out of luck to get one though; they are part of the discontinued "Vintage Revival Weekender" series - I think they stopped making them a year or two ago; so you might be able to score one on eBay. The one I have now I paid about $75 for, used, off eBay, but I've had to lurk for that thing for forever!! :)</p> <p>There's some on Zappos too </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060718 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 05:18:55 +0000 Gaylene 1060718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used a Longchamp Le Pilage for years to tote my stuff around at conferences, but recently I've switched to a Matt and Nat vegan bag. My laptop fits inside perfectly without unzipping the sides and the bag lies very close to my body so it is easy to carry on my shoulder. If stuff starts to accumulate, I can unzip the side gussets and the bag turns into a shopping tote. I was a bit dubious about it not being real leather, but Matt and Nat bags are super tough and put up with a lot of abuse. It also looks like leather--it fooled me when I first saw it and I'm usually a real leather snob when it comes to bags.<br /><a href="http://www.mattandnat.ca/product/epea-taupe-3871/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mattandnat.ca/product/epea-taupe-3871/</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060715 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 05:14:14 +0000 elpgal 1060715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There is a Fossil store in our mall, so I"ll check them out one of these days. </p> <p>Diana, thank you for the links. The all black one looks very sleek. Which one are you considering as your replacement. After reading about your Athens experience, I uploaded copied of our passport and driving licenses to Dropbox. </p> <p>Deborah, I like the feel of soft bags but the structure is useful when you want to set a bag down on the floor during talks. It is especially nice if the bag has those metal feet on the bottom. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060706 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:56:14 +0000 Deborah 1060706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mine is not leather and is was a very inexpensive bag but I find it very useful for work and work related events.&nbsp; I like that it is structured and I can fit everything into it. It is large but I can pop it on my shoulder if I need to.&nbsp; <br />I do think the softer bags that Lyn* and Diana have shown here are probably much nicer, tho. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060702 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:50:13 +0000 Diana 1060702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I won't buy a bag that I have to carry in my hand. &nbsp;I have terrible wrists and elbows, and the weight of a laptop will just destroy them.</p> <p>This is the Longchamp I had - it is more casual but super light and great for traveling as well as lugging around all day:<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/longchamp-le-pliage-large-tote/3632173?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&amp;contextualcategoryid=2375500&amp;fashionColor=Deep+Red&amp;resultback=728&amp;cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_2_A">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lo.....rsonalized</a></p> <p>The all black one looks more formal:<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/longchamp-planetes-large-tote/2985183?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&amp;contextualcategoryid=0&amp;fashionColor=&amp;resultback=0&amp;cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_1_B">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lo.....sonalizeds</a></p> <p>And this leather one is gorgeous!<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Longchamp-Roseau-Crocodile-Embossed-Shoulder-Bag-Purple-longchamp/prod159000336___/p.prod?icid=&amp;searchType=MAIN&amp;rte=%252Fsearch.jsp%253FN%253D0%2526Ntt%253Dlongchamp%2526_requestid%253D143005&amp;eItemId=prod159000336&amp;cmCat=search">http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Lo.....amp/prod15</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060698 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:43:55 +0000 lyn* 1060698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I carry mine on the shoulder on my commute to and from the subway (about 6 city blocks) every day. I just use that overlapping strap trick and I've never had my straps slide down.</p> <p>Bonus - there is a cool place on the side to clip your cellphone or pager. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060695 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:40:02 +0000 elpgal 1060695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Diana and Lyn, these look perfectly appropriate. Can they be carried on the shoulder? Need to have my hands free for cocktail hour. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060690 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:36:51 +0000 Diana 1060690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This one gets good reviews. I think functionally it is similar to my black bag but looks nicer. &nbsp;I don't love that it does not have a zip top closure though (but neither does mine).</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/michael-michael-kors-jet-set-large-travel-tote/3477681?origin=category&amp;contextualcategoryid=0&amp;fashionColor=Black&amp;resultback=8768">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mi.....ory&#038;c</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060688 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:28:44 +0000 lyn* 1060688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use my Fossil satchel.&nbsp;</p> <p>I carry a folder (notepad), iPad, charging cable for my phone, a bottle of water, some snacks, and that's about it :3 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060685 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:27:06 +0000 Diana 1060685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use either my Longchamps (if it's not a very formal event) or a boring basic black leather tote (photo attached) for things like interviews and other formal things. &nbsp;Both are large enough for my laptop. &nbsp;I really only carry the laptop if I'm giving a talk that day though. &nbsp;Otherwise I just use my ipad which fits in almost all of my bags.&nbsp; The Longchamps was the one that was stolen in Athens though so I'll need to replace it. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sciwomen---what-is-your-conference-bag#post-1060673 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:08:36 +0000 elpgal 1060673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I need something that is large enough to carry a bottle of water, small laptop, conference proceedings and the usual paraphernalia. Can't be too blingy or too large so I can socialize at cocktail hour without hitting people with it. Should work with a suit. Crossbody bags look strange with a suit to my eye. </p>