Talk to me about Rebecca Minkoff backpack - YouLookFab Forum

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Talk to me about Rebecca Minkoff backpack

Runcarla

Veteran

Am I correct in thinking a few YLFabbers have Rebecca Minkoff convertible backpacks? Are they loved? I’ve been obsessing about the ‘Julian’ bag (see pic below) but have no reference. Is the leather nice/good? The zippers easy/convenient? Reviews?

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Roberta

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

SOOOO YOU. Works well with the new MOTHER pants!

I have several clients who have a whole slew of these. Hopefully Suz and Janet will chime in about theirs.

Christina F.

Veteran

Yes, I have two nylon ones and they’re convenient, versatile and all around wonderful. I would like a leather one someday, too. Once I leave the house regularly again....

This snake print rendition is stunning! I hope you get it.

Teresa

I love mine—I have a medium sized Julian. I believe there are three sizes, a large, medium, and mini convertible. The leather on mine is wonderful, thick, soft, doesn’t show scratches. It fits nicely on my back and doesn’t flop around.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have the medium size (I think?) silver nylon version. I haven’t actually used a bag much in the last three months, but when I do, this is the one because it’s easy, casual and lightweight. Zipper works great, the closure can be flipped up and clipped at the top for increased security, and it seems well constructed.

I don’t have a leather version so can’t speak to that, but I love the one I have. Eminently useful.

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Rebecca Minkoff Julian Nylon Backpack

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Anonymous

Well, I had the larger(I think?) black pebbled leather one for one season before selling it to a forum member (no longer active here ). I spent a small fortune on it as this was before the line was more readily available at retailers like Nordstrom who offer them on sale every once in awhile. I think mine was close to $400 Cdn at the time (5 years ago , maybe?)

I coveted that thing, finally pulled the trigger, then regretted it big-time very soon after. I found it heavy, and awkward to carry, and lost things out of the side pockets more than once. It brushed the ground when I held it by the top handle, so I couldn't carry it the way I really wanted to. It's one big open pit in the main body of the bag, and everything sank to the bottom , making it necessary to put the bag down and dig every time I wanted to access it.

It looked so good, and the quality was fantastic , but it was SO impractical . I didn't recover anything close to what I spent on it, but at least someone else is enjoying more than I could - hopefully.

I know Suz loves hers, so .......

Anonymous

I just hopped over the Nordstrom site to check prices, and it seems that I must have inflated the price I paid in direct proportion to my annoyance with having wasted that kind of money. Lol. It's a good buy at under $300 but I still wouldn't do it again.

Anonymous

I happen to own two of them. Both in nylon. One black. One pink. I LOVE both of them. The quality is great. There are no issues with the zippers.

I found the access depended a bit on the bag. I had no access issues with my black backpack because the zipper is smooth. Access in the pink one is a bit tight. The zippers are the same length so I think it is because of how the pink is sewn.

I don't have issues with losing things in the bottom because I use bag organizers. Everything is in the same exact place in the backpack as in a tote.

I certainly recommend them. There are times in my life when a backpack makes much more sense than a tote. For those times, there could not be a better backpack. I would also say I am partial to Rebecca Minkoff. I really like bags that carry that name. I find them quite handy/beautiful.

I would buy another one, but truth be told, I cannot rationalize another bag of this style. No matter how beautiful.

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Joy

Veteran

I like backpacks when we are out with the grandkids ( snacks!) but I always reach for nylon as it is light weight. I have a black leather, but not the brand you are looking at. It is heavy, too heavy to carry all day such as a trip to the zoo or playgrounds. Maybe the weight does not bother you.

Anonymous

There was a time when I never considered leather to be heavy. But I gotta admit I love the weight of the nylon bags. The weight distribution across both shoulders is wonderful too.

This is not to say I don't equally love my totes. I use the two bag styles for different purposes. I tend to use the backpacks more on weekends as part of a casual ensemble. Again, the Rebecca Minkoff are great bags.

Nowadays I use neither backpacks nor totes.

Style Fan

Veteran

It is gorgeous and goes well with your style.

Molly Mac

Veteran

I own two of the nylon ones and they are the only bags I carry. They fit a ton of stuff without being oversized. I also like the side pockets. I have accidentally forgotten to zip them shut and never lost anything as they are nice and deep. I have stuck with the nylon only because I find leather bags too heavy to carry since a shoulder injury several years ago.

Runcarla

Veteran

The product information indicates the bag is 11in x 7in x 4in and weighs 1 lb, so it is a small bag - which is what I want. Something for my wallet, keys, phone, mask, and not much else. Was looking for a cross body, but this popped up in my search when I filtered by colour (green). I like the look of it carried as a cross body (see pic below).

I‘ve decided to order it (and some new undies too!) Thank you, everyone, for helping me with my online shopping!

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Anonymous

Then this is definitely smaller than the one I had. Hope it works for you !

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is a small one for sure. I have the bigger one (which I need) in leather, and I adore it. It's pretty much the only bag I use. (To be honest, I'm not using it now -- using my Patagonia backpack all the time because it's just easier on my very casual hikes.)

Anyway, I love the Julian. In a pinch, I can fit my 13" computer in there (though I try not to). It definitely holds my water bottle, my sweater or light jacket, and all my other stuff, which is what I require when I'm living my normal life.

My only problem is the back pocket zipper broke and I need to fix it. Even though this happened within the purchase date that RM supposedly honours repairs -- they told me I was too late and they would not fix it for free. That irritates me; it was not good customer service. Nevertheless, I will buy another bag, because I have to admit, the zipper got a LOT of use, and it can be fixed (at a cost to me) so the bag is still going strong.

Rebecca Minkoff Medium Julian Backpack

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA: like Sterling, I use inner bags, so I don't really have access problems. Or at least no more than I'd have in a tote or a hobo. In my dreams, I will one day find a casual yet not gear-like bag that is also structure enough to keep everything in its place, but so far, that has not turned into a reality for me...I'm thinking I might try a Bellroy backpack and see.

The only thing this bag could really use, as far as I am concerned, is a little hook / attachment to hold keys in one place. I have one that is supposed to do the job (a little rigid plastic thingie) but it never really works and keys can fall to the bottom.

elpgal

Veteran

What bag organizer do you all use?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't use one organizer, elpgal. I use little mini bags for makeup, masks, etc.

elpgal

Veteran

Suz, thanks makes sense.

Anonymous

Glad you ordered it- what a great bag!

Gail

Veteran

I'm following this with interest.
I have lusted after the RM backpack for years . I always worried about items falling to the bottom and getting annoyed .
I have a very old Henri Bendel Jettsetter back pack that I love. It's very ratty now and as they've gone out of business no hope of re purchasing . I found some on eBay but at very inflated prices. It's nylon with structure and more of a square shape with easy entry so not hard to see items inside. I'm using a Nine West backpack in nylon with structure which is doing the job for now.
Perhaps I should revisit the RM nylon bag with some kind of organizer .

Staysfit

Veteran

I have the smaller bag but find it’s hard to use. I prefer others so I put it in my holding zone.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I have the larger one, like what Suz has. I love it. It is kind of deep, but I still find it useful. It's easy to carry over my shoulder if I want, or by the handle. The feature I really love about it is that you can clip the bag up top rather than below, which covers the zipper, so if you're walking in the city, the zipper isn't readily accessible by someone walking behind you. I hope yours works out for you!

Roberta

Veteran

The black leather Julian is currently 25% off at Nordstrom. And wow, gorgeous.

Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack

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