Women Travelers - Need Suggestions for a new Purse

This past week was my last suboptimal travel experience! I'm completely re-doing my travel cache. I need a new carry-on (my Trade Winds carry on that I purchased at Macy's over 10 years ago has served me well). I also need a new purse. I always have items bursting out of my purse. I need something that is durable and big enough to hold a netbook, wallet, book, magazine, mp3, etc but is chic enough to be my purse while traveling. Help ladies! My current bag has to go. Rather, it should go back to being a purse that I use around town--NOT travel with. :(

I need something that is durable and big enough to hold a netbook, wallet, book, magazine, mp3, etc but is chic enough to be my purse while traveling.

You must have one sturdy back to be able to carry that in a purse! Not sure a 'purse' can fit a netbook. ;)

I've been eying the LV Odeon MM. It's slim, can be worn across the body and has an outside pocket and zippered top. there's an even larger size ... too big for me but I love the shape of this bag.

Perhaps, Prada. There are quite a few choices in the collection that meet your criteria.

I've become a fan of Sherpani purses/totes, and I like this bag:
http://sherpani.com/product.aspx?bO3FscouH=1&GQd0EjaqX=4&pmdoXJC4W=203

I know exactly what you mean!! I have to have a large purse because I need all of those things you mentioned, plus my knitting and travel toiletries, when going on the plane. I made a blog post (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/roadwarriorette/2010/01/18/what-does-my-purse-look-like/) about this, but basically I like these purses:

http://www.ebags.com/leatherbay/allison_leather_handbag/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=123769&productid=1321207

http://www.ebags.com/latico_leathers/bettina_north_south_slim_porter/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=93500&productid=6668026

http://www.ebags.com/etienne_aigner/stella_tote/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=144459

another good option--go to ebags.com and check out their large purses.

Good luck! purse shopping is so fun.

Thanks for the suggestions! I can't see myself taking another trip without getting a new bag. :(

You must have one sturdy back to be able to carry that in a purse! Not sure a 'purse' can fit a netbook. ;)

Sure they can! There are lots of small netbooks that can easily slip into a purse. :cool:

Sure they can! There are lots of small netbooks that can easily slip into a purse. :cool:

I love Ameribags and only the extra small one cant fit a netbook, My latest bag is a leather backpack style that I have been using for work for a week to get it nice and squishy before I take it on a trip

My mother-in-law bought me this bag (http://us.burberry.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3986359&cp=2119866.3701089.3757925&parentPage=family) for Christmas. I haven't used it yet, but it definitely seems like it is big enough to hold all that you describe.

Sure they can! There are lots of small netbooks that can easily slip into a purse. :cool:What size are these purses? How much do they weigh after all of what you want is in them? :)

I adore Coach, but not this current batch of Coach which focuses a lot on canvas bags. I love their station bag, legacy bag, city bag (all 3 can be seen on this link: http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/ProductDetailWrapperView?storeId=10551&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&partNumber=9951&langId=-1&storeId=10551&storeId=10551&catalogId=10051&cid=SFYa0048&bannerCode=SFYa0048&viewTaskName=COABannerCodeDirectorCmd) and in particular, I love this bag: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24279680&ref=cat2_gallery_18

These bags are of a bygone era it seems. There is more focus on canvas and metal it seems and not on Coach leather. The metal, in particular, can be heavy for me.

Also, my purses of choice are the kind whose straps are long enough that you can wear your purse across your body. I don't want anyone grabbing my purse off my arm!

Good luck with your purchase!

You might try a PacSafe CitySafe 200, my go-to travel companion. I'm not sure if it would fit the netbook plus other items you mentioned. Maybe what you need is actually what most people would call a tote. Lots of those can be found on ebags, as previously mentioned. I have my eye on the ebags UneXpected Laptop Tote for about $42, the grey color coordinates with my new TLS Mini roller bag. I'm SURE that bag would fit your must haves.

What size are these purses? How much do they weigh after all of what you want is in them? :)

I adore Coach, but not this current batch of Coach which focuses a lot on canvas bags. I love their station bag, legacy bag, city bag (all 3 can be seen on this link: http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/ProductDetailWrapperView?storeId=10551&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&partNumber=9951&langId=-1&storeId=10551&storeId=10551&catalogId=10051&cid=SFYa0048&bannerCode=SFYa0048&viewTaskName=COABannerCodeDirectorCmd) and in particular, I love this bag: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24279680&ref=cat2_gallery_18

These bags are of a bygone era it seems. There is more focus on canvas and metal it seems and not on Coach leather. The metal, in particular, can be heavy for me.

Also, my purses of choice are the kind whose straps are long enough that you can wear your purse across your body. I don't want anyone grabbing my purse off my arm!

Good luck with your purchase!

I remember those style of Coach bags from the 80s. I like the Court bag as well. ^

You might try a PacSafe CitySafe 200, my go-to travel companion. I'm not sure if it would fit the netbook plus other items you mentioned. Maybe what you need is actually what most people would call a tote. Lots of those can be found on ebags, as previously mentioned. I have my eye on the ebags UneXpected Laptop Tote for about $42, the grey color coordinates with my new TLS Mini roller bag. I'm SURE that bag would fit your must haves.

Yes, I think you're right. I need a large (preferably leather) tote bag.

I adore Coach, but not this current batch of Coach which focuses a lot on canvas bags. I love their station bag, legacy bag, city bag (all 3 can be seen on this link: http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/ProductDetailWrapperView?storeId=10551&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&partNumber=9951&langId=-1&storeId=10551&storeId=10551&catalogId=10051&cid=SFYa0048&bannerCode=SFYa0048&viewTaskName=COABannerCodeDirectorCmd) and in particular, I love this bag: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24279680&ref=cat2_gallery_18


Thanks for posting this - I really like the station bag! Is it big enough to hold a laptop?

I remember those style of Coach bags from the 80s. I like the Court bag as well.Interesting how long those bags have been in demand. I started wearing those bags in the mid 90s. Classics really can be timeless.

Thanks for posting this - I really like the station bag! Is it big enough to hold a laptop?I don't think it is wide enough for a netbook unfortunately. Deep enough, maybe. It's a real shame you can't just go into a Coach store or even a Coach outlet store to find out for yourself. But they've weakened their line to canvas and metallic decorations. But if that's what sells for them, those of us who love their traditional fine leather are in the minority. :eek:

Interesting how long those bags have been in demand. I started wearing those bags in the mid 90s. Classics really can be timeless.

I don't think it is wide enough for a netbook unfortunately. Deep enough, maybe. It's a real shame you can't just go into a Coach store or even a Coach outlet store to find out for yourself. But they've weakened their line to canvas and metallic decorations. But if that's what sells for them, those of us who love their traditional fine leather are in the minority. :eek:

I still love my coach bags :) I have a large Madison Sabrina in Graphite leather that is fantastic for daily use - it functions as a satchel most of the time, but if I need extra storage space I can unbuckle it and it becomes much more tote-like.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zPWupNk8M_I/SnG6NIVXs5I/AAAAAAAACTA/c9wBRhwWz8c/s320/12937_svlg_a0.jpg

The long strap fits perfectly underneath the bag. Pull it out, and the bag completely changes:

http://handbagsweblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/coach-madison-sabrina-handbag-pink.jpg

If you can find it, I highly recommend it.

The new Peyton tote looks like it might fit the bill too.

Interesting how long those bags have been in demand. I started wearing those bags in the mid 90s. Classics really can be timeless.

I don't think it is wide enough for a netbook unfortunately. Deep enough, maybe. It's a real shame you can't just go into a Coach store or even a Coach outlet store to find out for yourself. But they've weakened their line to canvas and metallic decorations. But if that's what sells for them, those of us who love their traditional fine leather are in the minority. :eek:

I agree! I LOVED my leather Coach bags because they were so versatile and durable. I had one canvas Coach purse and it didn't wear as well as the leather ones.

I travel with my eeePC, together with its USB wireless modem and a selection of memory sticks in its neoprene case, in one of two bags.

The first is a dressy red leather backpack, with the main compartment just an inch or so longer and wider than my eeePC I sewed an elastic strap inside to hold my netbook neatly against the back of the bag. There is plenty of room left for an A5 notebook and the ripstop bag for charger(s) and cables, a small waterbottle, a pashmina and my "grooming pack" - this fits into a nice leather pencil case. A small folding umbrella and a pair of gloves, and a thinish paperback will still go in. The front panel has two curved, zip pockets which can hold cellphone, pens and keys. The back panel has a deep slip-in pocket thet can hold travel documents, and a zipped pocket that will take a notmal two-fold wallet and a passport, safely between the straps in the middle of my back.

The second is a very soft black leather bag styled like a funky messenger bag with a strap can be adjusted long enough to wear cross-body. It has a zip pocket the width of the front flap, which closes with two magnetic clips. Underneath that it has two roomy slip pockets and three pen pockets and the zipped main compartment. Everything that fits in the red bag will go in there, along with a small assortment of clothes or a lever-arch sized folder. There are zipped and open pocketsinside the main compartment as well.

If you like Coach, an appropriate bag for all you're asking of it might be one like this:

Coach Leather E/W Gallery Tote (http://cgi.ebay.ca/COACH-LEATHER-E-W-GALLERY-TOTE-13759-HANDBAG-PURSE_W0QQitemZ260547961599QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_C SA_WH_Handbags?hash=item3ca9de62ff)

No, I'm not the seller, but I've gotten a few Coach bags (New with Tags) from e-bay and have been very happy with them. That particular bag comes in a number of different colours as well.

Ebay can be a good place for deals, but be careful: a LOT of the bags sold as "authentic" are fakes.

Before making any purchases, I'd check the bag's authenticity on the purseblog forums. There's an entire forum dedicated just to Coach, with a thread for authentication. It's located at forum.purseblog.com.

Ebay can be a good place for deals, but be careful: a LOT of the bags sold as "authentic" are fakes.

Before making any purchases, I'd check the bag's authenticity on the purseblog forums. There's an entire forum dedicated just to Coach, with a thread for authentication. It's located at forum.purseblog.com.

^+1

I have read very thoroughly (including the purseblog forums mentioned above) and have learned how to find the differences between real and fake. It's also important to read the seller's feedback. Any Coach you see on e-bay that is "too cheap to believe" probably isn't real. I've paid a good buck for the ones I've bought off e-bay and haven't been stung yet. I won't buy anything that doesn't show pictures of the actual item (not pics stolen from other websites) and pictures of the inside coach creed patch (because that's a good way to spot a fake -- there are specific things to look for there). Most of the people who are selling real Coach bags on e-bay live near a Coach outlet store and are re-selling merchandise that they have gotten on sale there. Since I have no access to a Coach outlet store (there aren't any in Canada), it's a good way for me to shop discount Coach bags, but you do have to be very very careful.

Since I have no access to a Coach outlet store (there aren't any in Canada), it's a good way for me to shop discount Coach bags, but you do have to be very very careful.

Tell me about it. I'd LOVE to have a Coach outlet in Canada! High time they made an outlet either in Canada or online with shipping to Canada IMO :)

FWIW - I've been to numerous Coach outlets and they're just not what they used to be. I haven't purchased anything from them in several years. It's all high priced vinyl bags with various combinations of their name.

I much prefer the leather bags and when I need another, I'll be buying from the website. The outlets used to carry some of the leather and no longer do.

I agree with Mary2e, once again. I often am near a Coach outlet in my travels but haven't spent money in one for a very long time. Haven't given up hope so I keep looking.

I swear by Longchamp bags. The Pliage and Planetes series of nylon bags. They wear like iron and always look good. Plus lightweight and water resistant. Their leather bags are also great.

FYI- the Coach outlet bags for the most part are only made for the outlet. Not the same styles or quality as in the "regular" retail stores. The misleading part is that they give you a comparable retail on the tags- and there really is none. They were never meant to be sold for that price and they were not!

FWIW - I've been to numerous Coach outlets and they're just not what they used to be. I haven't purchased anything from them in several years. It's all high priced vinyl bags with various combinations of their name.


I agree. It seems harder to find a deal on a good leather purse from their outlets. Are they putting styles that aren't selling in the outlets?

I agree. It seems harder to find a deal on a good leather purse from their outlets. Are they putting styles that aren't selling in the outlets?

I've been seeing more leather bags in the Coach outlet recently. Some are smaller, probably made from remnants, and some are of a good "personal item" size. The detailing might not be as intricate and perhaps a bit of striation in the leather so it's not suitable for the regular retail bags. I prefer the simpler non-patent style so I like the outlet bags more sometimes! Also, the outlet bags usually have less decorative hardware and probably weigh less than the current leather retail ones.

I usually get e-mails with a 20/30% outlet coupon but they hand them out at the store as well. The patterned nylon bags have been getting really popular and I usually see less of them at the outlet! So if you're looking for a bargain on a leather Coach style bag, try the outlet and ask for the coupon.