Vera Bradley help!!!

[mummytothree]

I know there are some of you here that are Vera Bradley fans and I need your help!!!

My 13 year old has let us know she would like a Vera Bradley bag/tote/ect for school this year instead of a backpack. Apparently it's the "in" thing at her school!!! I've stated more then once that I am very cheap...very cheap so the thought of spending that kind of money on a "bag" makes me ill!!! But I'm willing to look on, the agreement that whatever she get's she has to keep for x amount of years (I usually allow the 2 big girls to spend like $20 bucks on a backpack...so if she chooses a bag that's $80 bucks....she'll be carrying that thing for 4 years)!!!

But the problem is I know nothing about Vera Bradley....can you all point out some tote like bags that will be good for hauling books around!?!?!

I did look at the site a bit (and boy is it over whelming ) and I kind of liked these 2 (and if I can get her to choose certain colors they are really discounted) but not sure how they would work for carrying things!!!

Perfect Pocket Tote

Hipster

Also what are some of the more "popular" colors....My mom (who is 68) loves Vera Bags and I think they are very well suited for her...so I can't believe my 13 year old wants one!!! Any help you all give is greatly appreciated!!!!

[*Celeste*]

There are Vera outlets. So if you have outlets near you check. I can't imagine that a Vera bag would be sturdy enough for books.

[SirScrapalot]

I am actually pretty versed in Vera, seeing that DW loves them and wants them for every gift occasion. The Hipster I believe is too small to be a school bag, I don't know that many books could fit into it. I believe that The Vera may be more of the right size, or The Villager. I would also check out the "Frill" line. It's geared a little younger than the regular bags.

[SirScrapalot]

Originally Posted by *Celeste*

There are Vera outlets. So if you have outlets near you check. I can't imagine that a Vera bag would be sturdy enough for books.

My wife has used Vera bags as her teaching school bags for years now. They actually hold up pretty well.

[cardinalskate]

I honestly can't believe these would be popular for young girls. I mean, they're pretty, but they always seem kinda older-ish to me! Huh.

[MamaBee]

Have you checked ebay for Vera totes? I've done ebay a number of times for my Coach purses... can get a pretty good deal at times.

[MissKim]

I was going to recommend ebay. Just don't bid against me... I'm trying to get a hipster right now!

[mummytothree]

Originally Posted by SirScrapalot

I am actually pretty versed in Vera, seeing that DW loves them and wants them for every gift occasion. The Hipster I believe is too small to be a school bag, I don't know that many books could fit into it. I believe that The Vera may be more of the right size, or The Villager. I would also check out the "Frill" line. It's geared a little younger than the regular bags.

Oh thank you so much Aaron!!! And it's funny you mention that last collection...I did look at one of the bags in it but I thought it looked to small and when I clicked that link it actually shows a girl "wearing" that bag and it looks so much bigger (It was the teen idol tote)!!!! See...I knew you all would help me!!!!

[snaggletooth75]

I thought they were olderish at first BUT then i saw them in person and was like hooked LOL im 35 and i spend every extra dollar on my Vera stash LOL my DD who is 17 also is inlove with Vera too. I love the brightness of her patterns and everyone knows i just love color LOL
I have alot of the hipster bags and they wouldnt be good for bookbags LOL! the amount of books wouldnt fit in a hipster. I can barely fit all my daily junk into it LOL its not like a backpack. it kinda rests on your hip.

[snaggletooth75]

she actually has backpacks LOL though why the hipster is in that category doesnt make sense! it wont hold alot of books
http://www.verabradley.com/product/C...6/p/154883.uts
i dont own any backpacks so i cant tell you how they are.
okay i see a Metropolitian i must have now in stock ( Symphony in Hue) :| i better wait hubby will whip me LOL
ETA: didnt wait LOL

[emmasmommy]

i <3 my vera bags.
they have this on sale right now....

[SmallMoments]

This bag (the Tote) is the perfect size for books- my best friend uses it for everything! Also- the Teen Idol Tote in the Frill collection is VERY similar to the tote I use for school. (They don't have mine anymore.) I think either of those styles would be perfection.

[Amy Carey]

I have a Miller and it would be good for overnights or a book bag. When my daughter was in middle school and late elementary she carried some of my "cast off" Villagers, but that would not work for high school and the amount of books they have.

[mummytothree]

Awesome, thanks for all the suggestions!!! Now we were at Wal Mart tonight and she saw someone carrying a Vera "looking bag"...not sure if it was or if it was a knock off, but it was like a blue and pink paisley and she said she loved it.....any of you knowledgeable Vera lover's know what the print might be!?!?!?!

[dana]

i just received two new VB items - an eeader case and a laptop case - both in boysenberry, which may be the blue/pink paisley you saw?! i must saw, i like it even better in person than i did online!

http://www.verabradley.com/catalog/s...nberry&x=0&y=0

[digideb]

Yeah, the hipster is a purse. Actually fairly small as it's flat. If I were in school & wanted a tote style, I'd totally go with the Perfect Pocket Tote! It's ADORABLE!! & I think it looks "younger" than just the tote or villager. Also, check & see if she likes any of the colors on sale b/c they're $33.60!
I LOVE Vera & have several pieces! I want one in English Meadow & Lemon Parfait!

ETA: And, women of ALL ages carry them here! Little girls, (like kindergarteners! all the way up to old women! )

[julifish]

Vera Bradley is very big with my middle schooler!!! Me to actually.

I talked her into a Jan Sport backpack which has a warranty if it breaks and they will replace it for free (other than shipping) for her every day books. We got her a smaller VB for her "purse" so she still has something cool.

We have some consignment stores here that focus on teen clothing and they have a nice selection of VB bags and backpacks. That might be another way to go to save some money.

I'd let her pick out her own print. Just getting to pick it out will be a fun thing for her to do and you can still make it a surprise in some way.

[nun69]

I have a Vera Bradley backpack and LOVE it {but I am not sure it is a full size backpack}...but I just wanted to add that if she is going to be carrying heavy books, I would recommend a backpack to be able to distribute the weight of her books. I have a shoulder bag {Pink Punk} for my camera and 2 lenses and I know after awhile it really hurts my shoulder because it is only a shoulder strap instead of 2 {like a backpack}...I hope that made sense


side note: my 18 y/o tried to take my backpack and probably woudl have gotten it except it has my initials on it

[MissKim]

OK, maybe I'll ask here... I'm looking for a bag to wear at Disney next summer. I want something that could fit my camera in a pinch. It's not a dSLR, but it's almost as big as one. I'll wear it crossbody most of the time (I have a long camera strap that I wear cross body when we're on vacation) but if we go on a water ride or there's an afternoon storm, I want to be able to put it in a big ziploc and inside a bag. Would the big hipster (not the mini) be big enough for that? I probably won't take my big camera every day, but I want something that can hold it in a pinch. I don't want to carry my Jo Tote all over Disney... that thing is huge.

[Amy Carey]

Kim, I don't think a hipster would open big enough for a camera if it's on the large side.

[digideb]

Originally Posted by MizAmyLou

Kim, I don't think a hipster would open big enough for a camera if it's on the large side.

I agree. It's a flat bag so it doesn't expand too well. I would try the Saddle Up bag if you want something crossbody.
http://www.verabradley.com/product/C...3/p/154944.uts

[4noisyboys]

I'm chiming in late here, but I was like you Elizabeth and totally surprised that the young gals (and younger women) liked these bags. Jac put a link to some new prints on facebook, and I had to go downtown to a store that I new carried some, and take a peek. I got a little obsessed. I bought a weekender, cosmetic bags, hanging cosmetic bag, a hipster, flat iron holder, etc....

then I found some at other stores, actually drove to a Vera Bradley store in Los Angeles, bought more there.

I have two Lizzy cross body bags and I use those for almost everyday. I ordered the grand traveler and just got a new cross body bag that matches (not even online yet) that I'm really excited about for traveling.

I'm sure I've spent well over $700 in the last 6 weeks! Crazy! I did get the Squared Away handbag that I'll use when I travel and it matches my Weekender.

I had many people comment on them when I was traveling the other day too. My bag was light, held a lot, and I love the fact that I can wash it if I need to.

Anyway...I know you didn't ask for all that! lol I agree with everyone here. Those two you mentioed will be too small. I'd go for one of the back packs. The Happy Snails one is one of their newest and very very popular with the younger gals. I bought a lot in the Mocha Rouge (another new print). I love the Very Berry Paisley too...and older print and harder to find. I bought several pieces in Slate Bloom too. I love the Safari Sunset too...another new one.

Have fun, and maybe get yourself something too!!!

[4noisyboys]

I'm not sure how long this will be on sale...they change them all the time, but here are the bookbags on sale. I like that they have the padded shoulder straps!

http://www.verabradley.com/product/C.../p/1001486.uts

[aggiefamily]

Originally Posted by MizAmyLou

Kim, I don't think a hipster would open big enough for a camera if it's on the large side.

It will.

I have a hipster and took it to Disney this year. Inside of it I had my Canon XTi with either a 35mm, 28-75mm or 18-55mm lens attached. I also had my iPhone, VB Clip Zip ID pouch, extra camera battery and card, lip balm and a few other small items. Still had room for a snack or two, water bottle and maps.

That thing has a bottomless pit. Once I got in the park I usually took my camera off and wore it (crossbody also) but it will fit inside. I also had a ziploc ready for rain or wet rides.

[4noisyboys]

I agree with Amanda. My camera would fit in my Hipster (I have a 50mm lens on it right now though) just fine with lots of other things.