Work commute bags, and potential damage to fabric

I’m currently deliberating several options for my work commute bag, including a medium crammed tote + clipped-on appendages vs a large duffle/tote vs a duffle/knapsack hybrid.

Free hands are a must, so the factors at play include comfort, style, “professionalism,” and accessibility of contents (I pump while commuting).

One of the factors that I had overlooked was any potential chaffing of these large bags on fabrics. The tote and tote/duffel are made of very smooth fabrics, while the duffle/knapsack has feet that would be against my back when worn as a knapsack. Is the fabric or a snug fit more important when trying to minimize friction?

5 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from Mainelady

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m not sure if you intended to nclude finds, pix, or both, but we can’t see them.

5 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

None of the above, it was just a general question for the commuters with long treks: Do big bags cause pilling on your clothes (esp cashmere), and if you want to minimize pilling, are you better off wearing a bag on your back or on your shoulder?

5 years ago

Diana

Veteran

For me, it's usually the straps that are the culprit, particularly cross body ones. A tote carried on one shoulder is the least likely to cause pilling, but nothing is perfect. So long as the fabric of the body of the bag is relatively smooth, I don't tend to have problems with it. I usually use a Le Pliage or similar smooth nylon and it's pretty friction-free.

I don't have a ton of experience with backpacks because I don't like them for other, mostly aesthetic/image reasons.

I also usually have much more problems with pilling and snagging of bags on clothing in the summer, because in the winter I usually have on a coat or jacket that is more durable. My Le Pliage has a snap on the side that sometimes snags on things like sweaters, but is not a problem with a coat on. I suspect the feet on your bag might do something similar.

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I know of what you speak. Gortex backpacks definitely cause a problem. I've seen synthetics and natural fabrics succumb and I'm now super careful with my leather jacket and wool/cashmere coat - only a smooth leather purse over the shoulder. I wear a puffer if I'm toting a backpack. My over shoulder gym bag has a slippery fabric and a lot of padding around the handle that is in contact with my shoulder and doesn't seem to be causing a problem. I think it is part the bag you carry, but mostly the fabrics n clothes these days. I had some trousers (wool and synthetic) that had pilling on one hip from the friction of my purse carried against my side. My best commuter bag was a Longchamps Neo that was convertable (over shoulder strap and tote straps). Water and snow proof and light weight.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My leather bomber jacket definitely has signs of wear from my crossbody bag. I like it much better now than when it was shiny new & too perfect.

5 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Ugh! Pilling from friction is a problem. I recently semitucked a fluid sweater and the result is pilling. I ha e no good ad ice for a commuter bag, but I’m reading all this with much interest anyway. I commute by car and my bag is only over my shoulder for a few hundred feet between car and building so I never considered this would be a problem, but of course it would! Most of my work bags are from MZ Wallace, and are very light. I suspect the lighter the load, the less problem you will have. I wonder if that is why the Le Pilage bags have been mentioned? They are strong but lightweight.

5 years ago

Anonymous

I use either a large tote or a Rebecca Minkoff backpack. I have never noticed any issue with pulls or fabric pilling.

Hands free is crucial.

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5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I've definitely had fabric pill due to friction from backpacks or crossbody straps, but I've always blamed it on the garment, rather than the bag. For me, it happens more often in the summer, with cheap jersey fabrics -- especially modal blends. But I can see how it might happen to sweaters once it gets cooler. By the time it's chilly enough for me to need sweaters, I'm wearing a topper anyway. Maybe a couple toppers made out of smooth durable fabrics (lightweight trench and such) could solve this problem, so you could choose whatever size/shape bag suits your needs best? Throughout my 20s I had a long commute by bike/foot (about 5 miles each way). I wore a wool duffle coat when it was cold (I didn't own any puffers back in the day!) and always carried a nylon messenger bag. The coat still looks fine to this day, no pilling.

5 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

cashmere and fine gauge wool will pill just from the friction. how long it takes to pill and how bad depends on the fabric and bag. i use a longchamps neo pliage for everything and the hips of my long cardis are where i see the most pilling on the side that i tend to wear the bag.

other fabric, i've not noticed any pilling or wear at all. i have noticed that my puffer is flatter at that same hip but no escaping feathers or fabric wear.

5 years ago

SandyG

Veteran

Besides pilling, I've had fabric color transfer from dark jeans and dyed chinos to new light colored bags. My backpack is a purple Marc Jacobs but unworn so can't speculate on pilling. Good luck and let us know what you find.

5 years ago

Mainelady

Veteran

I have noticed what LaPed mentioned....more pilling with lighter jersey fabrics. I think the bags Sterling has shown are good options. They both come in a choice of sizes. I have used a Longchamp tote before with no problems. My sister just gave me a Longchamp backpack, which I am really enjoying for the handsfree ease. I haven’t used it long enough to know for sure that pilling won’t be a problem. So far, so good!

5 years ago

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