Looking for a cute laptop bag!

[Dee*Jay]

I figured a new bag was in order to go along with my new laptop.

Aside from Acme (link) and BuiltNY (link) does anyone know of any other companies that make super cute bags?

(Of course the whole *point* in buying such a small laptop was that I could just slip it in my purse...

)

 

[Skippy123]

Dee, Acme has some super duper cute ones! What about Franklin Covey? I went in there once and saw a cool lime green leather one; totally stylish and a red one too. You might check them out. Yay, I am so excited for you to get your computer!!! When does it get to your house?

 

[OUpearlgirl]

I would check out Target or Stein Mart because sometimes they have adorable ones!

 

[laine]

I got a neoprene sleeve for mine (on sale at target for 5 bucks!), it zips closed and fits perfectly (look at the actual dimensions, not what it says it will fit), and I love that I can throw my laptop in whatever bag I''m carrying and it''s kept safe.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 10/31/2007 12:12:21 AM
Author: OUpeargirl
I would check out Target or Stein Mart because sometimes they have adorable ones!

Lookie, Target does have cute ones http://www.target.com/Mango-Tango-Quilted-Suede-Laptop/dp/B000GWE7N8/sr=1-8/qid=1193839580/ref=sr_1_8/601-6221214-5847315?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Alaptop%20bag&page=1

 

[darkeyesredshoes]

I''m a fan of Talene Reilly because her bags don''t scream "laptop bag!" Mine looks like a nice structured bag, and it has tons of room for my other books and plans for work.

 

[aljdewey]

Believe it or not, Circuit City and Staples have an incredibly large selection of bags.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Thanks for all the ideas! I think tomorrow I''m going to take a walk around town and see what I can find. Unfortunately I''ll probably have the bag before I actually have the laptop because I wasn''t paying attention last night when I placed the order and I didn''t change the default from free shipping and now the thing is being carried across the country strapped to the back of a donkey, or something equally as fast...

 

[zoebartlett]

Earlier today I was admiring the laptop bag a coworker has so I decided to look online for it. I''m not sure where she got it but I''ll ask tomorrow. I did find this site though which has some cute things: www.kolobags.com.

 

[zoebartlett]

Here''s one I found. THe bag I mentioned in my previous post is similar in style but it has tan and brown (and dark orange or red??) wide vertical stripes. This one is cute too though. Sorry the picture''s so small.

 

[zoebartlett]

Okay, what about this one? It''s the Mango Tango laptop bag from http://www.luggageonline.com. Somehow I''ve made it my mission to find a cute bag for you Dee Jay. Maybe I''ll let you chime in before posting any more.

What kind of bag are you looking for?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Zoe, oh no--please don't stop! I REALLY do appreciate the help, and I didn't post after your frst one becuse I was out on the kolobags site looking around.

Now that I've spent (literally) hours looking at different options on line I do my best to describe what I *think* I'm looking for. In a perfect universe I want the smallest lightest bag I can get that still has a place to put the cord and other stuff and has both a handle and a shoulder strap option. Easy, right? NOT!

Let me post a couple with the things I do and don't like about them.

Here is the Acme Designer Slim. I like the sleek shape of this one, but as far as I can tell there is not room or any pocket to put the cord and stuff, and the handles look like they were kind of an "afterthought."

 

[Dee*Jay]

There is also the Acme one with the pocket to hold stuff, but now it''s starting to seem a little bulky to me. And again, those handles...

(BTW, I think of the fabric options this is the one I like the best from Acme.)

 

[Dee*Jay]

And here is one from BuiltNY that I like. I saw the solid colored lime green version of it in the store last night and was just struck by how much it appealed to me. My hesitation is that the base color is brown and that there is space in the sides to put the cord and stuff but i wonder if it will look all "lumpy" since the bag is pretty unstructured. In the absence of finding an option that I like more I will probably go this route, BUT when I tried to order one today as my "back up" it was not available in this fabric from the BuiltNY site. The Apple site says I can get it, but sometimes you order things and then find out a few days later that they are actually not available so I'm going to the Apple store by me tomorrow just to see if they have it.

 

[Dee*Jay]

That pic turned out a little small; let me see if this one is better.

 

[zoebartlett]

Well, one of us created a monster because now *I* can''t stop looking at bags. And I''m not even on the hunt for a laptop bag.

I''m seriously considering buying the striped Mango Tango I posted and using it as a school bag. I''m kind of sick of the teacher-type canvas bag I''m currently using. Is it a coincidence that I just decided this?

I have to take a break to watch Private Practice but I''ll keep shopping later.

 

[Dee*Jay]

And here it is in the striped fabric. I''m posting this one because you can kind of see what I mean about the potential "lumpiness."

 

[Dee*Jay]

I really do like the Mango Tango bag that you posted (yes, Zoe, you SHOULD have it!), and I've seen a few other fabrics on line that I like it in too, but my problem is that I'm... um... SHORT. I didn't think of this until I was on my way back from somewhere today and was carrying a bag with longer handles, but I find that with a lot of bags with longer handles if I hold them with my hands down at my sides (and I do try to do that because otherwise my shoulders get really sore from all that weight resting on them) they can bang against the ground. I thought that might not be such a good thing with a laptop, LOL!

It just occurred to me that the Museum of Modern Art store carries some cool things. Since it is right by the Apple store I should check that out tomorrow too.

 

[Skippy123]

You girls are making me want a fun whimsical bag too! I actually bought a black leather roller bag in case I go back into auditing; I will have a stylish rolly in boring black.

 

[asscher_girl]

I love the designer Angela Adams and she has a few cute new laptop bags this season.

http://www.angelaadams.com/individual_handbags.php?sn=39&ssn=17

I first heard of her because of her amazing custom rugs but she started doing handbags a few years ago. I have one that will fit a laptop but it''s kind of a large handbag and I love it.

 

[zoebartlett]

I love all of these bags! I checked with my coworker today who had her bag with her, and it''s the wide striped Mango Tango bag I posted above. I think I''ll have to make a trip to Target this weekend to see if it''s there.

 

[Dee*Jay]

When what a day! I went to Office Depot, the Apple store TWICE (more on that later... ), the Museum of Modern Art store, That's Our Bag, and Staples. Maybe somewhere else too... I can't remember...

Anyway, at the Apple store (on the second trip) I bought the dotted bag. But I'm SO glad I was able to see them in person and didn't just get one off of a website because the dots are ALL DIFFERENT on them--different colors and different sizes (by design I'm sure--that's just how the fabric is). The store had about 10 of them and I took them all down and spread them out on the floor and eliminated them one by one until I got to the two that I liked the best (ironically they were totally different; one had mosly tiny dots with a lot of purple and green and one had mostly huge dots with a lot of orange and blue, and then I realized *each bag has two sides* so I had to start over. Security was quite interested in my activities (not, I think, becuase they suspected I was going to steal something, but rather because they suspected I was *crazy* LOL).

It was kind of interesting to look at the various bag styles in different stores though. I swear many of them weighed several pounds by themselves, and then you have to put the computer and all the accoutriments in there... Geez! I tried to weigh the bag I got on our kitchen scale just out of curiosity and I think it's 1.4 lbs, and without the 3 oz shoulder strap it's just over a pound. Is that a lot? I stopped by my old office and the HR person said the bag felt heavy to her, but the IT manager said it felt light, so I really have no idea.

Coincidentally UPS called me while I was in the store playing with the bags and I got an electronic message that my laptop will be coming tomorrow (YAY! and that's with the free shipping no less!), so long story short (or is it already far too late for that?!) I will know tomorrow how the whole package goes together. I won't take the tags off the bag until I put the laptop in and am sure it's OK, but if it it all seems good once I get the computer I'll post a few pics if anyone is interested.

Zoe, are you going to get the Mango Tango bag? It really is VERY cute!

Skippy, for *one brief moment in time* I was overwhelmed by all the different dots and *almost* came home to order the bag in black, but I stopped myself in the knick of time. I guess that means I can never go into auditing!

ETA: I think (NO--I'm SURE) I put more time and effort into picking out the laptop BAG than I did into choosing the laptop ITSELF, ha ha!!!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/1/2007 11:14:43 PM
Author: Dee*Jay
When what a day! I went to Office Depot, the Apple store TWICE (more on that later... ), the Museum of Modern Art store, That''s Our Bag, and Staples. Maybe somewhere else too... I can''t remember...

Anyway, at the Apple store (on the second trip) I bought the dotted bag. But I''m SO glad I was able to see them in person and didn''t just get one off of a website because the dots are ALL DIFFERENT on them--different colors and different sizes (by design I''m sure--that''s just how the fabric is). The store had about 10 of them and I took them all down and spread them out on the floor and eliminated them one by one until I got to the two that I liked the best (ironically they were totally different; one had mosly tiny dots with a lot of purple and green and one had mostly huge dots with a lot of orange and blue, and then I realized *each bag has two sides* so I had to start over. Security was quite interested in my activities (not, I think, becuase they suspected I was going to steal something, but rather because they suspected I was *crazy* LOL).

It was kind of interesting to look at the various bag styles in different stores though. I swear many of them weighed several pounds by themselves, and then you have to put the computer and all the accoutriments in there... Geez! I tried to weigh the bag I got on our kitchen scale just out of curiosity and I think it''s 1.4 lbs, and without the 3 oz shoulder strap it''s just over a pound. Is that a lot? I stopped by my old office and the HR person said the bag felt heavy to her, but the IT manager said it felt light, so I really have no idea.

Coincidentally UPS called me while I was in the store playing with the bags and I got an electronic message that my laptop will be coming tomorrow (YAY! and that''s with the free shipping no less!), so long story short (or is it already far too late for that?!) I will know tomorrow how the whole package goes together. I won''t take the tags off the bag until I put the laptop in and am sure it''s OK, but if it it all seems good once I get the computer I''ll post a few pics if anyone is interested.

Zoe, are you going to get the Mango Tango bag? It really is VERY cute!

Skippy, for *one brief moment in time* I was overwhelmed by all the different dots and *almost* came home to order the bag in black, but I stopped myself in the knick of time. I guess that means I can never go into auditing!

ETA: I think (NO--I''m SURE) I put more time and effort into picking out the laptop BAG than I did into choosing the laptop ITSELF, ha ha!!!

Dee, you made me laugh hard w/your shopping experience. We have an apple store; I might go look at the bags for fun. Wow, that is a lot of different kinds of dots. hehee Post a pic when you can of your bag and computer if you get a chance. I want to see

Yay for the computer arriving soon w/free shipping!!!

 

[pennquaker09]

Now I want a bag too!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Penn, then you must get one! I swear, buying the bag has been more fun than getting the computer to put in it!


BTW Penn, and I know this is a long shot, but you're not by any chance at Haverford are you?


***ZOE*** Did you get the Mango Tango?

 

[pennquaker09]

LOL

I''m at Penn, thus PennQuaker! Haverford is an excellent school. Along with Bryn Mawr, Villanova, and Swartmore. I actually applied to Swarthmore when I was in high school. I ended up going to Tulane, however.

I think I might be making my computer purchase in a minute!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 11/3/2007 9:52:39 PM
Author: Dee*Jay
Penn, then you must get one! I swear, buying the bag has been more fun than getting the computer to put in it!


BTW Penn, and I know this is a long shot, but you''re not by any chance at Haverford are you?


***ZOE*** Did you get the Mango Tango?

Dee*Jay, who went to Haverford?? I grew up in Haverford, and have fond memories of taking my kids to the duck pond when they were little. I think the bag you picked is really nice. Love the colors. I have one from Micro Center, it''s black and kind of blah...

 

[Mara]

i have seen the acme ones in person and they are great. my friend has one.

my suggestion is to start out with a simple neoprene sleeve. they come in cute colors and patterns as you have seen. and then you can just slip it into your purse. get one with handles so you can carry it if you have to. they are like $30 or less. oh and i tried to get a patterned one from target and the one near me only had black and a weird blue one. totally no patterns at all!!

then carry it around like that for a while in your purse. you will know fairly soon if that is enough for you or if you really need a laptop bag. honestly some people love to carry theirs in their purses and some don't..and want a separate bag. if you aren't sure yet, then don't invest in a real serious laptop bag just yet. try the sleeve first and see how you feel.

for me i like the idea of carrying it in a sleeve in my purse...but what if i don't bring a big purse? i also like to bring my plug in, my USB, my mouse etc...so i needed a bag. and also when traveling with a laptop, i throw a pen, a pad, a granola bar, whatever else in there. biz cards. so the laptop bag works for me. i was looking for like two months or something crazy, could NOT commit. finally i had to get something as my old one broke a handle...so i ended up at marshalls just trying to find something that could double visually as more of a purse than a biz style bag...and i got a really cute nine west tote with a front pocket for $24.99! it was hilarious because it's a cocoa tan color and it's got leather large tote handles and fits perfectly over my shoulder (a must, no way can i hand carry my laptop bag while running through the airport with a carry on luggage as well!) and has just a few pockets but not too many. i get a ton of compliments on it and i always laugh because it was literally $24.99! and i was ready to spend like $200 on something i really loved. oh well, so i figure i will stick with this for a while.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Penn and Lisa, My HH went to Haverford and his sister went to Swarthmore. I figured it was a long shot!

Mara, I considered just gettning the neoprene sleeve, but I don''t like to have my purse over my shoulder a lot and when I walk with my arm straight down I was afraid the bottom of the bag would hit against the ground since it would be weighed down quite a bit and I''m pretty, um, not tall... This dotted one seems to do the trick (although to this point the only place I''ve taken it is from one end of the house to the other, LOL) and the whole package, including the power cord, is only about 7 lbs total. Now the trick is not to cram all sorts of other heavy stuff in there too!

 

[zoebartlett]

Hi Dee Jay!

I haven''t gotten the Mango Tango bag yet but if I do, it will be to use as a work bag or a purse when I need one. I''m not really a purse person but I figure that one is stylish enough to use on occasion when I''m not using it for work. I don''t use my laptop away from home so I wouldn''t use it for that purpose.

My FI, who is never the more financially sensible one, pointed out that if I did by the bag, the money wouldn''t be going toward our honeymoon account. He''s right. That''s more important right now. We have a thing going. If I put $ into the account, he doubles it. If we want to go to Portugal, the bag may have to wait a while. But it''s only $45 so in all actuality, it might be a very short wait.