The Working Closet
with Susan Wagner
The Working Closet is your source for the best of what's hip and fresh in fashion and beauty. Susan Wagner keeps you up-to-date on trends and offers tips and tricks for making everything in your closet truly work for you.
You can also catch Susan over at Working Closet.
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Considering I’m traveling this week for the annual Blogher conference, I can’t think of a better time to chat about laptop bags.
Ahhh, the laptop bag - finding the perfect one can be quite daunting, right?
It seems more and more women are commuting to work with their laptops in tow, so the importance of a well-designed, stylish bag is paramount. Some of the criteria that crosses my mind while looking for a new bag are style, size, function, quality and timelessness. The first four are relatively easy to distinguish, as most of us have varying style preferences and needs. Are you a light or heavy traveler? Do you find shoulder straps more appealing than tote handles? Do you like several smaller compartments or one larger space? How much are you willing to shell out for a bag? All of these questions can really only be answered by you.
However, timelessness is key. Considering the price of quality bags these days, you need to get some bang for the buck. Sure, that vibrant orange and lime green floral pattern is fun, but are you still going to love it one or two years down the road? Maybe, but it’s something to think about before committing to a new bag.
Lucky for you (I hope), I have scoured the laptop bag market for some fantastic options. Most of these bags come in several different colors, so if you are interested in a particular shape or design, click the link for other colors.
Slide down my virtual rainbow, if you will. (Badum Chhh! I’ll be here all night, folks!)
Most the the above items can be purchased at Kolobags, which is a HAVEN of highly attractive laptop bags. I definitely recommend checking out their website if you are on the lookout, and please feel free to leave other stylish laptop brands in the comments. I’m a huge proponent of sharing the love, so join me in my quest to banish ugly laptop bags forever!
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[...] Looking for a stylish laptop bag? [...]
Elsewhere : whoorl | July 18th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I have a funky, fabulous laptop bag that i LOOOOVE from Mango Tango. Mine is leopard print, but they have faux leather, subtle stripes, you name it. It’s a great size, has enough compartments … I LOVE it. Oh, and I think it was like $50. Awesome.
Kristen | July 18th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Great recommendation on the Casauri — I’ve had the medium “Envelope case” in Luna Stripe for about four years now, and I STILL love it. It’s held up impeccably (and I travel a LOT) and I’m always getting compliments on it. Even better — the stripe has lots of colors in it, so it goes with everything!
Oh look, here it is:
http://casauri.com/products/cases/ev1614.shtml
Nothing But Bonfires | July 18th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Great post, and timely as I’m shopping for this right now - I’ll definitely check out Kolobags.
I am experiencing some serious longing over the laptop bags from Cross. I can’t decide if I want black or brown though, as my work wardrobe consists of pretty equal amounts of both colors. Augh, the dilemma!
Michelle | July 18th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ve got a great new job starting–I’m going to be toting a 15 in laptop, my packed lunch, and my pump stuff/bottles on a daily basis. None of these bags are big enough, I fear, but I’d still like something nice! Anyone else have any suggestions??
Audrey | July 18th, 2008 at 10:21 am
I just spent a few months looking for my perfect bag — I wanted a message strap (tote handles don’t do it for me), a drop-in, padded laptop container, no velcro anywhere, enough organizational pouches to keep me sane, and enough cargo space for a notebook, some files, a book, a water bottle, and a small knitting project. And I wanted something funky / fun / more attractive than my corporate-issued black bag. I ended up with the Mamba Saddle Bag in red from Booq, and I mostly love it, although I’m still working out the perfect cargo configuration.
Emily | July 18th, 2008 at 10:31 am
That orange McKlein is to die for. I love it!! Thanks for the finds!!!
Danielle | July 18th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I had a challenge finding a bag because my new laptop is the new larger size. Many, many bags were about 1/2 inch too short. I bought a fun souvenir that ended up doing laptop duty: a bag made from old sails! It’s big, it’s strong, it’s unique, it’s timeless. The only thing it’s missing is padding. If I do indeed travel with this laptop, I’ll add padding to protect it.
Daisy | July 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I’m kind of partial to Patagonia (does my name give me away?) though for the record, I’m not affiliated with the company at all. However, I’ve become a fan because Patagonia makes some of the highest quality bags available. They’re made to withstand the outdoors, and I just love the fact that I can buy one of their bags and use them for the next 15 years.
You lose a little in the office fashion/style department but if you work in more casual environment and want a bag that will last and be incredibly functional, their bags are the way to go.
I also have the Jack Spade Nylon Canvas Tech Field Bag (the one he made exclusively for Apple) and it fits my 15.4″ Lenovo laptop well and looks like it would even fit a 17″ laptop too. Heavy duty quality materials and construction and higher marks in the fashion department than Patagonia. Both companies are winners though.
PatagoniaCommunity | July 18th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Check out the custom laptop bags on etsy! I got a great, funky bag for a reasonable price and I’m supporting local labor, to boot!
Julie | July 19th, 2008 at 6:56 am
I’m so glad that I stumbled upon your post. I’ve made it my personal mission to rid the world of hideous laptop bags (www.careerbags.com). Women shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for professionalism.
A few of my personal favorites are the:
Park Ridge by McKlein – simple, elegant, classy Italian leather, and on sale!!
http://careerbags.com/catalog/mcklein-park-ridge-p-398.html
Travel Tote by Coakley® Contemporary Classic™ - versatile, great for travel
http://careerbags.com/catalog/coakley®-contemporary-classic™-travel-tote-p-610.html
Ellen Hart | July 20th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Drool…*plop plop plop*….Love ALL of these. Mine is black, boring and weeps at the site of these marvelous bags, seriously, i showed them to it, it turned away and said,, “no, i can see no more!”. Must get new bag, thanks for the great compilation of suggestions!
bethany | July 20th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I love ALL of these. I feel a new bag addiction coming on.
Kerri Anne | July 21st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
ive been looking for a bag for forever. LOVE that pink one!
brookem | July 21st, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Hi! You should check these out! http://www.flickabags.com/. My friend makes them, and I think they are so funky, I love them.
Lara | July 22nd, 2008 at 8:16 am
We’ve been fans of AcmeMade at our house for years. They make a great ipod case.
Isabel | July 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 am
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/totes/marina-computer-handbag
I’m on my second one. Love it!
Giana | July 24th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I recently purchased an Apple Sac based off a referral from a friend. I couldn’t find a lap top bag that wasn’t a million dollars and not UGLY.
And, most importantly, Apple Sacs come in Amy Butler fabrics. Woot!
I love mine and can slip it into any bag and know it’s protected from scratches and the like. Plus, it doesn’t look like a laptop when it’s in there so…THEFT DETERRENT!
Amanda | July 30th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
thank god for non ugly laptops bags
Lenovo notebook fan | November 4th, 2008 at 9:58 am