Women Travelers - Best laptop bag for travel?

I am thinking of upgrading my laptop bag... I am looking for something light, convenient and elegant. I usually like Tumi products but ladies, I'd like to hear your suggestions, before I open my wallet.

If you want to support local businesses, and looking for something different, check out www.etsy.com

They have handmade things sold by the crafters. I have a laptop sleeve that I often get compliments on.

If you want a particularly elegant or feminine design this might be the right place to ask. Otherwise you will get a greater audience and many more responses in the general Travel Products section.

Also "best laptop bag for travel" is VERY vague. What are your criteria? What are you looking for? What kind of laptop is it? How do you travel? What else do you need to carry? Any material preferences? All of these should be addressed before one can give a meaningful recommendation.

In terms of non-mainstream brands that make chic bags, try Piquadro and Mandarina Duck.

Till

I either use a briggs & riley rolling laptop brief or I use a laptop sleeve and just put it in my Tumi work purse. If you have a small laptop, I much prefer the latter so that I don't need to separately carry a purse.

I was coming in here to start another laptop bag thread and thought I'd jump in on this one (sorry OP).

I am specifically looking for something on the girly side. Not pink or frilly or anything like that, just not a standard-issue laptop bag. Something that looks more like a very large purse/ tote bag, perhaps.

I have a black nylon Brenthaven over here that I don't find particularly attractive. I have a Tumi at home (also black nylon) that is better looking, that I will bring back the next time I am in the US. Either of these is fine for travel purposes, but I'd like something that is less "rugged" and more stylish, for every day use over here. Possibly leather, but any other purse-y material would be okay, too.

If it helps with providing suggestions, I wear (skirt) suits to the office every day and will be taking my computer to meetings quite regularly starting in the new year. So I'd like something that will look "nice" and ideally that will go with any color suit (dark brown? burgundy?).

Thoughts?

TIA!

3timesalady, check out moonsus bags at http://www.moonsus.com/. I have 2 of these now, and while they are not the lightest bag going, they look great and don't feel like you have the standard laptop travel bag.

You may also want to check out the Travel Products forum. Many suggestions in that forum.

I have a black Briggs & Riley laptop bag that I got on ebags and I really like it. It's made of synthetic material, which makes it lighter than leather but it is quite structured, so I can put file folders in it and they stay relatively unwrinkled. The side organizer pocket is fabulous: I never misplace my blackberry, cell phone, USB key, keys, business cards, etc. It also has an exterior pouch that can be unzipped to slide over the handle of a wheelie suitcase. While it's black, it has a slightly curved shape that makes it more feminine in appearance.

If you want a more feminine bag, have a look at some of the bags offered on Levenger. They can be quite expensive, but they have good sales from time to time. I just bought a tote with space for a laptop in a gorgeous purple leather.

Levenger bags are wonderful and many do come in a selection of colors. The quality of their merchandise is outstanding.

just a note......i found out only one carry on bag threw out europe.....lap top went in back pack......also watch wieght of luggage 20 kilos is much different than 50 lbs

The One Bag rules have changed and likely will change again. The best method is to be adaptable and to be prepared for traveling with One Bag if you have to. Flying from Canada to the US is yet another issue as right now it is NO carry on bag at all. Laptops are allowed only in sleeves and that is all you can carry on.

Ridiculous!

I am specifically looking for something on the girly side. Not pink or frilly or anything like that, just not a standard-issue laptop bag. Something that looks more like a very large purse/ tote bag, perhaps.

Personally, I only like open top tote bags. In my current collection I have:

* 2 Coach leather tote bags - this is the style they originally marketed as a diaper bag but changed to a "tote" after 9/11 - have one in black, one in tan - both have held up well after years of use

* 2 canvas totes I've picked up from Swoozies (solid black canvas with printed lining). Both have monograms on them. I can't remember the brand but Swoozies had some great totes.

* 1 Vera Bradley large tote (this is the one I'm carrying at the moment)

* 1 black leather open zip top bag in a black "gator-like" texture - I think I got this one at Staples or Office Depot a few years ago.

I had the same dilemma last month and finally decided on an Acme Made laptop bag (The Slim Cargo in grey). It's super lightweight and has the perfect number of compartments for my needs. I've since traveled with it and don't know how I ever lived without.

www.acmemade.com
(They have some great totes as well, and looks like there's a sale on!)

My favorite laptop (tote) is by Ricardo. It's traveled around the world and I'm amazed the straps are still intact with all of the stuff I throw in. I'm able to fit my (small) pocketbook and all the compartments are handy. It has places for business cards, bottle of water, easy access for my boarding pass and a paperback; it even has an insulated compartment to keep food warm or cold.
(Mine is black but there are an assortment of colors)

http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_253396_ricardo_beverly_hills_beyond_a_bag_18_re views#bz-model-reviewTitle

I LOVE Ricardo luggage and I think a woman must be designing cause all the compartments, etc make sense :D

Check out mobile edge tsa friendly line called ScanFast (or one of their other products from the ladies collection if you don't care about the hassle of removing it at every checkpoint).

http://www.mobileedge.com/laptop-bag-collections/scanfast-checkpoint-friendly-laptop-bags

http://www.louisvuitton.com/us/flash/index.jsp?direct1=home_entry_us
I have drooled over this one for a while, and may treat self for B'day. A friend has one, and she carries everything in it. Laptop, small blanket, various travel sized toiletries, change of clothes and shoes. It is like a magic trunk all the stuff she manages to pack into this thing.