new member - bag opinion - YouLookFab Forum

new member - bag opinion

Kristine

Hello,
So I am new here and not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this.. but here goes. This is inspired by today's scarf-bag-shoe post.

I am a graduate student, so really I need one fabulous leather tote that I can carry a laptop and essentials. (Not really in the budget to have multiples at this time.) So I am wondering, first, do any of you have any suggestions for the "ultimate" bag option?

Second, there are two I am considering. One is a Hobo explorer bag in Ginger (link to image: http://www.lyst.com/bags/hobo-.....le-ginger/), and the other is the Garnet Hill Luisa bag... I bought the green, but it is much darker than the image, so I think the other colors (blue, red or mushroom may be better)...(link: http://www.garnethill.com/luis.....iewed=true).

I would love to hear your input! And please let me know if this type of post should go elsewhere.

thank you,
Kristine

13 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Welcome!

We have lots of students and academics in the group. Maybe they will weigh in with their thoughts. I liked the bags you linked to for your purposes! They look simple, handsome, well-made, and practical.

I am not much of a bag expert so will leave advice to others.

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Do you need one that zips closed? I have and love this Steve Madden tote which is on sale at Nordstrom in some nice colors:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?k.....wordsearch

13 years ago

Kristine

Active Member

Thank you both for the quick replies! I would prefer a zip closure, but the Garnet Hill Luisa does not. I think it could work, although I'm in Seattle so the zip closure may be nice for our rainy season.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I like a zip closure in case it rains. It protects my stuff--especially my cell phone.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I really like the Garnet Hill in Mushroom! That hobo bag was gorgeous, but looks like it's sold out....

13 years ago

Kristine

Active Member

Thanks again for the input. I actually had purchased both and was comparing. After some more examination, the Hobo zipper does not always operate smoothly and the quality of the leather on the Garnet Hill is much nicer.

I also like the mushroom Shabbychick, but I purchased the leaf. It's much darker than the photo appears, but not quite forest. I'm contemplating keeping that color because it is a bit different than anything I have and may go with a lot... black, blues and gray which is mostly what I wear.

13 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Hello fellow Seattlite, and welcome!

I like the Garnet Hill bag a lot. The green color is beautiful (especially if it's darker) and I'm a big fan of using a colored bag as a "neutral" that goes with the rest of my colorful wardrobe.

The Nordstrom bag that Una linked to is beautiful as well - I saw it in person and was sorely tempted.

The only thing that might give me pause, and perhaps this isn't an issue for you, is that if I'm carrying my netbook I like to have some structure in the bag for protection. If my bag isn't structured, then I have a lightweight, small but padded zipper case that I put around the computer. One of my friends in college used to carry her Macbook around in a backpack, but due to damage (setting the computer down too hard, fellow students accidentally kicking/bumping into it) and her computer not having any padding or insulation, it actually killed the hard drive over time (right before finals when she graduated, which was horrible timing!)

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

Both of those looked great. I'm looking for a similar bag right now and I'm on the same grad student budget as you (go us!). Have you tried looking at a TJ Maxx or stores like that near you? I saw a cute Cynthia Rowley bag at mine that I've been considering and it's similar to the ones you showed. Stores like TJ Maxx have really helped me find nice things that fit into my budget.

13 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I'm very picky about buying bags that have zippers, for security, protection, and preventing me from spiling everything on the ground when I accidentally kick it over. Sigh.

That said, I love the colors in the Garnet HIll bags! No help, I know...

13 years ago

Kristine

Active Member

Thanks again all!

Kari, I do have a neoprene case to zip my laptop in, so I'm hoping that will help protect it. I do believe the decision is final... I'm keeping the green!

Kristin, I do often peruse purses when I'm in TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, etc, but I am picky about smells and texture. So it has been difficult to find something that fits the bill. In fact ultimately that is what sold me on the Garnet Hill over the Hobo was the texture (and it wasn't made in China which is difficult to come by!).

Thanks for welcoming me to the forum!

13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

That first hobo is great.

This is what I have found about totes and myself:

1) longer in the vertical than the horizontal is easier for me to carry around.

2) with hobos, you have to watch out for too short handles and narrowed openings. The bag can be quite roomy, but then you find you can't fit anything under the handle and through the opening... anything being like your laptop/tablet.

3) Too much slouchy-ness and things end up in a jumble in the middle of the bottom.

13 years ago

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