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Which Tote for Travel?

Emily

Veteran

Hello all - DH and I finally booked our trip to London! We're going next month. I've been poking around for a sturdy tote to bring as my "personal item" on the plane. I'd like something in canvas or nylon that is big enough to fit a raincoat and nice enough looking that I could carry it on a casual day if I wanted to.

I've found a few... which do you like best? Which do you think would be practical for travel? Any other suggestions?

1. Gap Canvas Tote
Pros: Inexpensive, Cute, Long crossbody strap
Cons: No zipper closure

2. Coach Vareck Tote
Pros: Packable (folds into pocket), classic
Cons: must order online from US

3. Kipling Tabby
Pros: Fun Print
Cons: Not as crisp and classy looking as others

4: LeSportSac Traveller Tote (Medium), also in Navy
Pros: Fun and colourful
Cons: Juvenile?

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Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

abc

Veteran

When I travel a zip closure is a must so any without this would be a deal-breaker for me. I like 2 and 3 best but you may decide differently.

Congrats on booking the trip!

carter

Veteran

I agree with abc about the zipper. I like #2 best. Do they all fit with the outfits you plan to take?

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I like 2 and 3 as well

Anonymous

The no zipper closure would be a deal breaker for me unless there is a big zippered pocket that could be secured. I tend to get inexpensive non-leather for travel because it is light weight and travel is hard on a bag. It must be sturdy though because you don't want to have it break on a trip. For looks and practicality, I like 3 best, but it may be too expensive and too much of a hastle to order.
Have you considered a school-sized backpack for the plane with a smaller bag to carry in London inside? That is now my favorite personal item. Tickets and "ear planes", snacks, etc. that I need on the plane fit and are easy to find in the outer pockets while a coat can be rolled up in the main part along with neck pillow, etc.

rizamei

I agree, zipper closure is key for travel!

Baggallini makes great travel totes. I especially love the ones they have with a special back pocket that converts to slip over the handle of your rolling suitcase.

Debbie

Veteran

I like 2 the best. I like Joy's idea of the back pack. For me a zipper closure is a must.

jackiec

Veteran

My fav is #1 but no zipper would mean no deal for me. Too bad! Close second would be #2 but it all depends on your wardrobe. They all look very useful and would work well.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

How exciting, Emily!!

What coat are you taking with you? The new trench? Because colour will depend to some degree on outer wear, right?

I'm totally with the others re a zipper closure to the bag. Rule out anything that doesn't close completely.

Diana

Veteran

My guidelines for this type of bag are zipper closure and a hands-free option (so handles must be long enough to go over your shoulder). I like my Longchamp for travel. I have a large Planetes; a Pliage works well too.

Psyche

Hey, I know this wasn't part of your list - but I thought maybe I'd recommend this bag:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-IN.....PageName=A

I love it, but cannot justify buying with all the extra shipping charges, especially now I am saving up for a jacket.

It is from Tosca Blu, and is nylon (used for parachutes during WWII ya' naw!). I love that the colour isn't all white, but rather a very light lilac - the leather handles are beautiful too.

Neel

Veteran

I love 1, but no zipper closure would be a deal breaker for me too I like 2 next too. But I always carry a back pack for travel. Hands free and roomy!

carolbee

Veteran

I'm with everyone else, a zip closure is a must when travelling. I also think that a strap that means you can wear it hands free and cross body if necessary. Obviously you would not normally wear a tote cross body but when I'm racing through an airport trying to make a connecting flight, its ease that's important, not looks.

Gigi

Veteran

I agree on the zip closure being a must. My favorite is #2. I like the idea that it's packable—sounds like it could be a versatile purchase.

fuzzylogic

Veteran

I like #2 &3! Have a great time!

crutcher

Veteran

I would definitely not have a non-zipper bag...The Coach would be a contender except that it is probably expensive...I like Joy's suggestion of a faux leather backpack...I would look at Target...You want something you can abuse and not really care...
Have a great trip...Love trip information...

Emily

Veteran

Thank you all for the feedback and extra suggestions. You're right, it really needs to zip. #1 is out for sure. A crossbody strap is definitely a big plus. I'd like something light that I can throw in the wash and take to the beach and whatnot - so probably nylon.

@Joy, good thought! I do plan to tuck a smaller crossbody bag for most days inside whatever I end up shoving under the seat in front of me. DH will be bringing a backpack (for a couple of "full-tourist" type daytrips), maybe we can shuffle our bag plans around...

@Suz, I'm planning to bring a black raincoat (gear, but still sleek - I'd like a hood for sightseeing in the rain). On the fence about packing my BR trench too, since a lot of my outfits are quite casual.

Susie

Veteran

Emily, have you ever looked at Tumi totes? Some of their things are quite spendy but the nylon totes are reasonable and nice quality.

And I second the recommendation for Baggalini too.

Golden

Veteran

I would get one with a zipper, I always take a backpack. But I would choose one that goes with my coat.

Psyche

If you're considering the Tosca Blu, I'll be so happy it's going to a good home.
Just a heads up though; if on your travels, you happen across a crazy, bug eyed woman, frothing at the mouth with jealousy - just ignore her. ^_^'

Anyway, no matter what you decide - it's London, so you'll still be stressed!

Joyce B

Veteran

I have the Sportsac in large in a different print. I love it, I call it my bags' bag because I put my travel purse, my food, rain gear or whatever else I may need and everything fits in there, plus it's very light-weight and it has three ouside zippers of which I use one to keep my travel docs handy, the middle one for my travel headphones and the other one for my phone and miscellaneous stuff.
The bag was a bit pricey but I am very pleased with the great service it provides.
Have fun in London, what a great trip that will be!

catgirl

Veteran

I like 2 best of these. A zipper is a must for stowing when flying!

K. Period.

Veteran

I think it is interesting that #4 is getting no love at all--except from me! I have a LSS bag in exactly that shape, but a different pattern. It is phenomenal. I use it for exactly your purpose: carry on. I can shove an unbelievable amount of kid stuff into it. It has a zipper on top. It has a zippered pouch inside.
And all those side compartments are little zippered compartments. It is incredible! I've used it for four years now as my overnight and carry on and it still looks like new. I vote #4!!!

LOL--Joyce, I think we cross-posted! High five, bag twin!

Joyce B

Veteran

K, I also voted for #4. It's the best "bags bag" for travel, you can't beat it.
Plus, it's washable.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I saw this in BR and was smitten --- pretty refined for a tote, and comes with an adjustable strap.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=949822002

They're running 41% off online for today only. It comes in nude with brown trim, also.

I like the #1 and #3 in your pics!

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Emily

Veteran

For the ladies who have a lesportsac travel tote, would it be doable to fold it down and stash in a purse?

Joyce B

Veteran

You mean to carry the folded Sportsac inside another purse? Absolutely!
When I travel I use mine to carry two other purses plus my cooler plus my blanket and sheet plus my lightweight rain jacket if it's for a long trip.
Planes' seats tend to get sticky and hot when you sit there too long, that's why I carry my sheet, people look at me in a weird way but I sit in comfort and sleep better... Anyway, I went on a limb. You can carry a lot in a large Sportsac and you can fold the empty Sportsac and put in a largish purse if you want it to go as an extra bag.

Catnip

Veteran

I highly recommend the Tumi Q-tote (or quintessential tote). I took one to France over two years ago and have become addicted to it. It wears like iron, is lined, has several interior pockets, and simply doesn't wear out. It also comes in quite a few different colors. I'm about to get a second one.

K. Period.

Veteran

Emily, I agree with Joyce. You can fold it down. In fact, I did that with mine when I was travelling. I think mine was a large rather than a medium, but it still folded down into a relatively compact size. I feel like 8x6ish? I really really love it and I'm pretty demanding about what works for a bag. The only downside is that it doesn't have a cross-body strap, so you have to drag it around on your shoulders. Still, I wouldn't trade it...except for maybe a solid colored one, when I get tired of mine's fun pattern.

ETA: Okay, went and looked it up on the LSS website. They only have one size, so it must be the same! It comes with its own extra matching pouch and I found I was able to shove mine inside of it with a little effort.

Susie

Veteran

Just checking in to add that I've had a Kipling bag for years and it has held up beautifully. Mine is big enough to work as an overnight/weekend bag.

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