Zara Plaited Shopper - YouLookFab Forum

It arrived less than 24 hours after I ordered it!

It is a beautiful and sturdy bag. The leather is stiff and it's a rich color. I think looks-wise it would upgrade most casual outfits and work with slightly dressier ones too. Also there's an inner pouch that does have a zipper so I don't feel like the things inside it would be super-easy to pickpocket.

The bag is very big, but for me the scale feels okay. It is heavy, almost 2.5 pounds when empty.

I am not sure about it because of the weight and the lack of ability to sling it over my shoulder. Most of the time I'd be using it to hold my laptop so it would end up pretty heavy and I'd have to hold it like a suitcase. I don't know if I'd end up cursing it or not.

What do most women store in their totebags, if not laptops? I've never owned one before. Do they ever use one just for effect, to carry nothing but their wallet and a few minor objects?

Part of me thinks I should hold off and save the money for a perfect bag. But this is a really nice one too.

11 years ago

Mirp

Active Member

I rarely put my laptop in a tote bag. I tote other things -- mostly work out clothes & bathing suit.

In London alot of women have the Zara shopper -- in tan it was "the bag" of the summer. I would say most of them seem to keep it pretty empty as it can't be put on a shoulder.

Anonymous

Mochi, if you are loading a laptop into it, you might want something that has a longer strap. I do carry my work laptop in my purse most times. I can fit it in most bags I own. i would not buy a bag with such a short strap, if you are planning to carry a laptop. The bag is awesome otherwise.

Mochi

Veteran

Thanks. It's truly a really great-looking bag and it's well-made.

I don't *have* to carry the laptop in it. I have a very functional, non-fab bag just for that. I guess the answer to my earlier question might be that women carry big bags sometimes even when they're not using them to capacity? Or I could put those things in that aren't necessarily heavy but always harder to fit, like notebooks and bulky items. As long as the weight doesn't get too high, or I don't have to walk far with it. I'll think about whether the bag works for me.

MsMary

Yes, I have a ton of huge bags that I use to carry the same fairly small stash of stuff that I carry in my smaller bags. In fact, if I filled them to capacity I probably wouldn't be able to lift them! LOL

Thanks...sometimes I feel like I failed to register for Women 101....totally clueless here!

Yep, no need to fill to capacity.

Or anywhere near, apparently.

Diana

Personally, no shoulder strap is a deal breaker for me unless the bag is tiny, like an evening bag. Even 2.5 lbs is too heavy for me to carry in my hand or elbow, plus I will inevitably need to use my hand for something else. I also walk and take the bus/T all the time and like my hands free. I have weak elbows that are very prone to hyper extension, which is part of the problem. Anyway, I'd advise against it unless its solely like a car to work situation, which I know is not your style.

I sometimes carry my laptop, but usually do not. For work every day I take keys/wallet/phone, iPad, lunch bag, sunglasses, and possibly umbrella. Maybe also a cardi and hat/gloves if it's cold. It doesn't sound like a lot but it fills up a medium to large bag. Since I carry a large bag for work most days, I prefer my smaller ones for things like weekends where I am carrying less. Otherwise the small bags never get to come out and play!

Isabel

Mocchi, you bring up some genuine concerns...the weight and the short handles that may not be workable for you.

WIth that said, I love totes. I use one when I shop for small things : the grocery store, the pharmacy, Target.

It is great for a day out if you need to throw a sweater in there or carry a camera or a bottle of water. I will also throw in sunblock and a hat if I am spending the day outside... And yes, there are days that you may just want the "look".

Mander

(website)

For some reason I really prefer to keep everything in one bag. I tend to carry big bags that start out relatively empty but then fill up as I think of things I might want while out and about, strip when I get too hot, or as I pick things up in shopping. So the other day, for example, I went out in the morning to go to an appointment, then to the library to work on a research project, then to my evening Spanish class, and finally the supermarket on the way home. The weather was bright and sunny when I left but predicted to turn cold and rainy by evening.

I ended up with my netbook and charger, a pashmina and gloves for the after-dark chill, a bottle of water, regular notebook and pen, Spanish dictionary, and a folding shopping bag plus my usual stuff (wallet, keys, sunglasses, lip balm, hand cream, headphones, umbrella, etc.). The library was really overheated so I took off my sweater and stuffed it in my bag, and on my way to the library I shopped a bit and bought a pair of shoes. So by the time I got to class the contents of my bag had doubled in volume.

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