Longing for Luggage: Form plus Function
According to my online shopping history, I’m a man. As someone who has been using the ladies room for over thirty years, I’m a bit shocked to come to this realization. Clearly, I have a lot of apologizing and explaining to do–mainly to ex-boyfriends. Sorry, guys!
You see, I’m looking for a functional-yet-stylish carry on set. My first search was for a personal-item backpack or messenger bag. Something that will carry a Macbook and a dSLR camera; ideally something that is checkpoint-friendly. There are many, many bags like this suited for every style and personality and of course, you all know that Macy’s has always been my go to for everything, so I made sure to go online to find a few options, knowing that I had a macys coupon also made my life easier. There are crunchy granola-type messenger bags, like this one:
There are sleek leather options, like this one–though it is a computer bag, it is still quite beautiful (but note the man-hands):
There are rugged and metro-awesome canvas bags like this one (that I actually really want, man-purse or not):
To be fair, the company that makes the bag pictured above–Ona Bags–does make bags for women. But they are camera bags only, and cannot accommodate even a small laptop. Almost perfect, Ona Bags, almost perfect.
There are even geeky, super-functional bags like this one:
And they are all styled for and marketed towards men. I found two supposedly checkpoint friendly bags designed for women. The first one wasn’t even technically checkpoint friendly. And it had a bloody poem written on the top of it and a flower embroidered on it. Bitch, please.
The second was just insulting–they took a man’s briefcase and made it pink. Because, apparently, women like pink. We just can’t get enough of it. Pink, pink, pink, 24/7. Wretch.
Which begs the question–where are the stylish, designer bags for female business travelers? I know female business travelers exist–and I assume that if a man is willing to shell out upwards of $300 for a stylish bag, many women would be, too. Why should we be forced to carry a man-purse–or worse, the flowered monstrosity pictured above?
Were I a bag designer, I’d get on this market quickly. Here’s what this female business traveler is looking for:
Form Plus Function: The Three Bag Solution
I’m tired of constantly packing and unpacking; I want one place to keep everything I need no matter where I am–at home or away. One of the most stressful things about leaving on any kind of trip is The Changing of the Purse–that is, switching from the bag (and wallet) I carry every day to the bag (and wallet) I’ll carry when traveling. Because I carry an extremely travel-un-friendly purse–a white leather Coach shoulder bag–taking it with me on a trip is a non-option.
At the same time, I’m looking to make traveling as easy as possible. I don’t want to check a bag. I don’t want to schlep a heavy backpack through countless terminals (seriously–US Airways Gate 20C at the Philadelphia airport is at least a half mile from where you check in. I am confident of this.) I need to bring a variety of electronics everywhere I go. And I want to look good doing all of these things. Thus, I am looking for:
My super-not-practical (but oh so pretty) everyday purse.
1. an everyday purse that is small enough to fit inside a personal item but that is still stylish enough to use every day; think stylish, well-organized clutch with a thin (or removable) strap.
2. a personal item that ‘s equipped to carry a 13-inch Macbook pro and a dSLR camera (and the small everyday purse) which can be attached to the handle of…
3. a small rolling carry-on bag that isn’t so big it will be repeatedly gate-checked.
Bonus Features:
-I’d like the everyday purse to be leather.
-I’d like the personal item or the rolling bag to be checkpoint-friendly–meaning I’d not have to take my laptop out of it to go through security.
-I’d like the wheeled carry-on to have at least two separate compartments–one for paperwork and one for clothing.
In a perfect world, all of those things would coordinate. And ideally, none of those things would be made out of black nylon. That last part is the dead end–everything practical is made from black nylon. Case and point–what appears to be my best bet for a personal item–this as-ugly-as-it-is-functional backpack from Lowepro. It is perfect for my needs. It has everything I want in an under-the-seat personal item. It is reasonably priced. And it is so, so ugly I can’t make myself purchase it.
So basically, I’m looking for one magical purse, one multi-functional backpack or messenger bag, and the perfect business travel wheeled carry-on. And I want them all to coordinate. And I want them all to be made out of quality fabric and in a classic, simple design, once I find these I’ll make sure they last forever, I’ll get a Laser Engraved Luggage Tag to put on them so that they never get lost. I don’t want to look or feel like I’m too busy to care about how I look–even if that may be the case.
Suggestions anyone?
OMG, I can so relate to your reaction to the bags designed for women. What the hell is up with assuming that all women want flowers and pink all over everything? Ugh. To me, that’s a sign that the people creating these things have very limited imaginations. (“I know–let’s make it in pink and call it a women’s bag!”)
Thanks for feeling my pain! The thing about women’s bags is that they don’t DO anything. I mean, they HOLD stuff. But the men’s bags have camera inserts and TSA friendly laptop compartments. Which to me implies that men actually DO things and women just carry around a sack full of crap. Which clearly pisses me off, as that’s SO not the case!
I just wish I could look stylish AND be practical at the same time. Because when forced to choose between the two, I choose ‘practical’. Thus the nylon messenger bag I’m currently looking at. Sigh…
Check out FUL powerbags(imagine a – over the u and pronounce it FULE)at http://www.mypowerbag.com/
They make some great bags in backpack, messenger and briefcase style. AND they all have batteries that will charge your devices (the cords are even built in! So you just charge the bag – even in a hotel you only need 1 outlet!!! I got my husband a backpack for his birthday last July and we then wound up getting me one too. I can charge my iphone 4s 3 or 4 times before I have to recharge the bag. Hubby took his ipad mini last time and was able to charge both it and his iphone 5. Great for the airport waiting area- no fighting for a seat near an outlet.
I’d also suggest chekcing out REI. They have a great selection- espeically their daybag and sholder bag sections.
Rick Steve’s bags are also good. We bought his convertable bags more than 23 years ago and they still look almost new. He makes a good, light weight rolling bag and has a varitey of daybags.
I actually did look at the powerbags site. Which added an additional item to my must-have list–the ability to charge. But my top two priorities are 1. TSA friendly (I don’t want to have to take my laptop out at security; I’m going to be flying A LOT in the near future. Like semi-daily) and 2. fits over the handle of a wheeled bag. See how I kind of want it all?
Though to be fair, while not stylish in a traditional female sense, they are far less ugly than most things I’ve found.
I’m leaving on my next trip in 13 days (unless one happens before that). I guess I should get on this, huh?
Are the trips for what I think they are for? If so be sure to let me know when you are ‘assigned’ to come to Charlotte!!!!!!!!! WE HAVE TO MEET UP!!!!!
I have nothing scheduled yet, so don’t get too excited! But of course you will be the first to know when I’m in that area. Which I’m hoping will be soon!
Another site for you to check out- Baggallini. I’ve had several of their bags- used some as day bags, some as purses. Sturdy, and NOT PINK!!! LOL
http://www.baggallini.com/
Toni–you are my favorite blog commenter and favorite virtual friend ever. BUT–I need to say this because I suppose I should have said it in the original post (and I know you won’t be offended)–I HATE BAGGALLINI. I truly wrote ‘if anyone suggests baggalini I will cry’–and then backspaced it. I’m a bag person. I like structure and style and…well, leather. I can not feel good about myself in day-to-day life carrying around a big plastic sack. Yes, they are practical. But practical is only half the battle. Stylish is the other half. Thus my need for the three bags–one too-small (designer, leather) bag for everyday use (I can get by with VERY little in everyday life). I need to be able to put my bag down on a table (or bar) at a restaurant and feel good about it.
Definitely NOT offended. I’m am just about the opposite when it come to purses. Organization and funtion is ALL I care about. Just so long as it’s not to fru-fru- and it has to be a shoulder bag. And I actually prefer black. I’ve even used a ‘convertable’ fanny pack as a purse (about the smallest I’ve ever had). LOL! I have to carry my life and half of everyone else’s life, too (hubby’s mother-in-law’s, etc.)so I need space. I think I could actually survive out of my purse for 3 days if I added a change of undies to what I normally carry. I’ve even used a couple as overnight bags a few times. I don’t care what anyone else thinks about how it looks!!! I’ve actuallly had Coach bags given to me that I hated. My sister,my daughter, and hubby think I’m weird. So what. When hubby asks “do you have ____?” I can almost always say “YES!” And I don’t carry a purse when we travel.
But, I do understand your need. Is there a Target near you? They usually have a great selection of bags (purses and suitcases, too).
Thank you for not being offended! I suppose my needs are different, as I only have to concern myself with what I need. Though ‘what I need’ is changing, as I’ll soon be traveling for work. But still–it is all about ME. 😉
I decided to embrace the man-bag thing, at least for the two purely travel bags. I ordered a Timbuk2 messenger (this one http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/commute-laptop-tsa-friendly-messenger-bag/2363402) and a matching Timbuk2 roller bag (this one http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/copilot-luggage-roller/1734717). Yes, they are very manly. But for everyday use I’m still going to buy a small, leather bag or clutch-with-a-strap that will fit easily into the messenger (to avoid the whole having-to-switch-purses thing; I want a purse that acts like a wallet. I’m looking at something like this: http://www.michaelkors.com/p/MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-Extra-Large-Astrid-Python-Embossed-Clutch/prod16810002/?srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=30-132576593-2&ecid=MKCIGoogleProductAds&ncx=n&uEm=%25%25CSE%25%25.
Yes, I have issues. But you knew that!
I finally perfected my flying/traveling gear. I have a Baggallini purse (http://www.baggallini.com/) that I use for every day and for traveling. It’s cross body which I love.
I have this tote from 31 which goes over the shoulder or you can purchase a separate strap to make it cross body (I have both) (http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/Catalog/Product/19/index.html)
and then I have a small carry on suitcase from TJ Max that has 4 wheels and is small enough to not have to check. I also don’t travel with my laptop anymore. After having my mini ipad, the laptop is just too big and bulky to take with me.
Hurray for perfecting travel gear! I’m clearly still working on it.
I was wondering about cross-body vs. backpack. I’m confident that a backpack is more convenient, yet a cross-body messenger is more comfortable. And more built for the way I live/dress.
You got a bag at TJ maxx? I tried Ross and they had nothing. I need to shop around at discount stores. I’m sure eventually I’ll find something that works. After all, I don’t care if it is ‘this season’s’ bag. I just need it to WORK!
Re: baggallini purse–see my response to comment above. Sorry.
Here’s a few I found that might interest you. From REI, Target, Macy’s and even Walmart~!! Macy’s seemed to have quite alot to choose from. Not sure what your budget is- but Macy’s had a lot with REALLY GOOD SALE prices.
http://www.rei.com/product/805255/rei-aubrey-wallet-womens
http://www.target.com/p/merona-blue-crossbody-handbag/-/A-14299174#prodSlot=large_1_4
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Baxter-Designs-Envelope-Boa-Clutch/22282600
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Baxter-Designs-Envelope-Leopard-Clutch/22282605
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/kipling-handbags-alvar-crossbody-bag?ID=658792&CategoryID=46011#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D547%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D37
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/anne-klein-handbag-color-rush-cell-phone-crossbody?ID=816727&CategoryID=46011&LinkType=#fn=sp%3D2%26spc%3D546%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D73
I feel like I may have looked at baxter designs…? And the Anne Klein one is cute, too. Though not real leather. I seriously have an issue with real leather. My coats, bags, and boots HAVE TO BE real leather. I can’t explain why. Well, actually I CAN explain why, but it’s a really long, boring story involving the EPA and a corduroy purse.
Have you ever looked at Fossil? I know they are most famous for watches, but they have cute LEATHER handbags, too. Here’s a link to just a couple that I thought you might like.
http://www.fossil.com/en_US/shop/women/categories/handbag_silhouettes/crossbody_handbags/marlow_crossbody-zb5347p.html?parent_category_rn=331138&departmentCategoryId=331097&beginIndex=0&pageSize=1000&pn=c&cm_vc=331141&imagePath=ZB5347250
http://www.fossil.com/en_US/shop/women/categories/handbag_collections/austin_handbags/austin_convertible_clutch-zb5586p.html?parent_category_rn=331133&departmentCategoryId=331097&beginIndex=0&pageSize=1000&pn=c&cm_vc=339084&imagePath=ZB5586675
Oh I love Fossil! There’s a Fossil outlet at the outlet mall near me. I love it there. In fact, I think my current travel bag is Fossil. Though it is too small (and the strap is too big) to function the way I want it to.
I foresee spending a lot of time on the Fossil website this evening…
Tracy,
You’ve expressed beautifully, my problem with luggage. If there was a way to get what you’ve so aptly described, some bag manufacturer will be rolling in dough in no time! I’ve never understood why they seem to target men (and what they stereotypically travel with) and won’t address the specific needs of women….and if there is some semblance of that recognition….you are right….they are all ugly. Continue the fight and know that you have many standing alongside you in solidarity. 😀
I thought the same thing–about the dough rolling. And then I found these shoulder bags for women that accomodate a Macbook– http://www.alesyabags.com/ –and that company (started and owned by one woman who had this same problem) appears to be downsizing. Though she clearly had some success in the beginning, given her amazing media coverage. I’d like one of her bags, but they currently only exist in silver and black.
I’m seriously considering the sliver one. 😉