Dooney & Bourke Cross-body Bag vs. Drawstring Backpack

[squirk]

I honestly don't know where to post this question, but since it deals with tackling the parks, I figured I would start here. Mods - please feel free to move if there's a more suitable forum.

My wife loved the D&B drawstring backpacks. In her mind, they were the perfect "park bag" - comfortable; roomy (but not too big); easy to open/close; well-made. Those seem to have been discontinued, in favor of the cross-body bags.

For those who've had both, how do they compare, in your opinion? Do they hold equal amounts of "stuff"? Is one more comfortable that the other?

Please and thanks.

 

[Her Dotness]

Never had the drawstring backpack but use the 50th anniversary crossbody as my everyday purse.

It holds a fat foldover wallet, sunglasses case and 3 reusable shopping bags that stuff into pouches. Other than lip gloss, nail clippers and other small items, that's about all the crossbody will easily hold. Might be enough for her since it sounds like she doesn't lug as much stuff as I do. I like extra room to hold small souvenir buys, too.

I use a D&B totebag in the parks. It's easily big enough to hold a spare sunhat, my drink bottle and other junk.

 

[hilkaryic]

an equivalent cross-body in comfort will not hold as much stuff. I totally agree about those drawstring bags being really great. I'm super annoyed with the new mini backpack designs. I do think that D&B makes great crossbody bags, but they won't hold as much as the backpacks.

 

[squirk]

Thanks to you both.

D&B just released a great new DCL design that I thought about picking up for her for Mother’s Day, but I fear the cross-body bag won’t be big enough for her for a park day or shore excursion.

Her Dotness, she does indeed lug a greater amount of stuff than what you listed.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

Have you looked at Kate Spade? There is a Minnie drawstring backpack on their website: https://surprise.katespade.com/prod...nie-mouse-backpack/K4642.html?cgid=kss-minnie

 

[Her Dotness]

D&B just released a great new DCL design that I thought about picking up for her for Mother’s Day, but I fear the cross-body bag won’t be big enough for her for a park day or shore excursion.

No, I wouldn't think so. It's a fair-sized purse but doesn't hold very much.

Her Dotness, she does indeed lug a greater amount of stuff than what you listed.

Do consider the D&B tote, then. I love mine. It's done 4 or 5 WDW trips and still looks new. I had a couple people asking last trip where they could get that design, the black on dark gray Haunted Mansion wallpaper. I hated to have to tell them on eBay as it was discontinued about 6 years ago.

I still cringe at D&B prices, but they wear so wonderfully well.

 

[squirk]

Have you looked at Kate Spade? There is a Minnie drawstring backpack on their website: https://surprise.katespade.com/prod...nie-mouse-backpack/K4642.html?cgid=kss-minnie

Hm. My wife does like her some Kate Spade, too. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Not sure if she likes Vera Bradley, but those cross body bags hold a TON of stuff and because they’re made of cloth, are lighter and expand a bit easier. I have a D and B crossbody that I love for every day, but wouldn’t take it to the parks for my needs. I would go with my Vera crossbody (tons of Disney designs with hidden Mickey s etc) or a backpack.

 

[mrsap]

I use two different DVC crossbody bags for the parks… one is on the smaller size (holds my sunglasses and my phone when I go on a ride) and the other holds quite a bit of stuff (like everyone else’s sunglasses and phones when we go on rides, and maybe two water bottles and some small snacks.) Definitely depends on which one you buy! A tote will carry SO much more than the crossbody bags, but not as convenient to wear in the parks! Good luck deciding!

 

[mrsap]

I honestly don't know where to post this question, but since it deals with tackling the parks, I figured I would start here. Mods - please feel free to move if there's a more suitable forum.

My wife loved the D&B drawstring backpacks. In her mind, they were the perfect "park bag" - comfortable; roomy (but not too big); easy to open/close; well-made. Those seem to have been discontinued, in favor of the cross-body bags.

For those who've had both, how do they compare, in your opinion? Do they hold equal amounts of "stuff"? Is one more comfortable that the other?

Please and thanks.

Wanted to follow up to let you know Dooney’s newest collection includes a backpack. I posted the information on the shopping thread HERE.

 

[squirk]

Wanted to follow up to let you know Dooney’s newest collection includes a backpack. I posted the information on the shopping thread HERE.

Thank you!

 

[mrsap]

Thank you!

Happy to help!

 

[Her Dotness]

Wanted to follow up to let you know Dooney’s newest collection includes a backpack. I posted the information on the shopping thread HERE.

I recall seeing some of those when we were at WDW. They are teeny-TINY. Not much bigger length and width than a sheet of copy paper.

My 50th Anniv. crossbody bag is actually a little larger overall.

Those may hold more because they don't taper toward the zipper-top of the bag, though. Not a lot more.

 

[mrsap]

I recall seeing some of those when we were at WDW. They are teeny-TINY. Not much bigger length and width than a sheet of copy paper.

My 50th Anniv. crossbody bag is actually a little larger overall.

I just did a search to try and find pictures of the bags next to each other… hopefully they help OP a bit.






Lots of pictures HERE.

 

[Her Dotness]

Yes, my crossbody is the same configuration as the bag at the left.

Perhaps it's that I carry more junk in the parks, but I considered the backpack much too small.

Because it is fairly evenly deep front to back, it would hold more than the crossbody. Possibly sufficient for the OP's wife's needs.

Said "purse wannabe backpack" to me.

 

[squirk]

I just did a search to try and find pictures of the bags next to each other… hopefully they help OP a bit.

View attachment 649134

View attachment 649135
View attachment 649137

Lots of pictures HERE.

Hmm.....

 

[Mle8308]

View attachment 649911

Hmm.....

If she has used backpacks before, go with that. I switched from a crossbody to both a Dooney backpack (red Florentine for the holidays) and a Loungefly. I have a HM and a Skyliner tote, but they are too awkward for me to carry in the parks, but great for my MacBook!