owners of Vera Bradley "Hipster" bags

[FINFAN]

I was thinking of getting one as a gift for my SIL. Fortunately I am within 8 miles of a VB Outlet which allows me to stay in budget. I , personally do not own a bag, but have seen them. Main thing I am concerned with is that it doesn't "cut" into the shoulders. I like them since they are cotton making them light-weight She would wear it cross-body style. I think the size is good, and nice selection fo pockets. I also like that the inside is print...makes it so much easier to find items inside, not like dark linings.
So, do these bags hold up? While I like the weight of the cotton, does it wear easily by the strap rings? Do they wash well? I have a Piazza by EBags that I have thrown in the washer 3 or more times a year and it is still holding up great. I would go that route for her, but it has almost too may compartments for her taste, and I know she likes VB stuff. I can get one in the Very Berry paisley ( a pattern she likes)or Mocha Rouge for a smidge over $25m which I think is a good deal for VB, right? I like that both patterns can go with black or brown shoes/coat etc. I wish I could get the Provencal pattern for that price, but those are not even at the Outlet, and the regular store wants $60 for it
Anyway..if anyone can offer constructive reviews, I would appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[FergieTCat]

I was thinking of getting one as a gift for my SIL. Fortunately I am within 8 miles of a VB Outlet which allows me to stay in budget. I , personally do not own a bag, but have seen them. Main thing I am concerned with is that it doesn't "cut" into the shoulders. I like them since they are cotton making them light-weight She would wear it cross-body style. I think the size is good, and nice selection fo pockets. I also like that the inside is print...makes it so much easier to find items inside, not like dark linings.
So, do these bags hold up? While I like the weight of the cotton, does it wear easily by the strap rings? Do they wash well? I have a Piazza by EBags that I have thrown in the washer 3 or more times a year and it is still holding up great. I would go that route for her, but it has almost too may compartments for her taste, and I know she likes VB stuff. I can get one in the Very Berry paisley ( a pattern she likes)or Mocha Rouge for a smidge over $25m which I think is a good deal for VB, right? I like that both patterns can go with black or brown shoes/coat etc. I wish I could get the Provencal pattern for that price, but those are not even at the Outlet, and the regular store wants $60 for it
Anyway..if anyone can offer constructive reviews, I would appreciate it! Thanks!

I love the hipster. I always take it on vacation and it seems to have held up well. It's a good size and it works as a cross body. I've never washed it, so I can't tell you about that. I have it in Symphony in Hue and I love that it matches everything. I think it's a great gift.

 

[bookgirl]

I have my original hipster which is 3 or 4 years old. Seems to have held up fine. It's big enough to fill up though so that would make it heavy. I'm not a fan of the redesign so i haven't really used it, since i prefer the older one, but my mom has multiples of the new one and she washes a lot and the look good. The straps and zippers have done great.

 

[lucyanna girl]

My daughter and I both have several Hipsters. I really like a cross body bag both for comfort and security reasons. I have not washed a Hipster but have washed other Vera bags with no problems, I don't machine dry them. Either pattern you mentioned would be a good choice.

Penny

 

[riley2008]

I use my hipster for everyday. I've had it about a year - in the black and white pattern. I was actually go to wash it today (not so bright white right now), but not sure how it would hold up in the washer. I'm heading out of town in 2 days, so I'll wait till I get back to clean it.

Surprisingly, it really isn't showing wear on the fabric, other than getting dingy on the bottom - I sit it on the carpet under my desk at work and sometimes on the floorboard of my car.

 

[clh2]

My DD (18) has a "new design" of the hipster.

She hated the old design...and when given one for Christmas actually wanted something else. (Which I did...heck - too much money for them not to love it.) She was 14 at the time, and she was just about ready for a band trip to Spain. But - nothing doing.

But now that she is in college - she LOVES the new design. Her hipster has enough room for her camera or her kindle (not both), and whatever else she needs. It was a great bag on our recent trip to NYC. She really likes that it is a crossbody.

 

[powellrj]

I have both the old and new design. I like the old design better, but the new design isn't bad. I wash them in a pillow case and they seem to do well. I never put them in the dryer. I love them because they don't cut into your shoulder, are lightweight and you can do crossbody or on your shoulder.

 

[Snoozan]

I have washed all my VB bags and they have looked like new afterwards. I throw them in the washer, but do not put them in the dryer. Just remember to take out the piece of cardboard that is in the bottom of the bags! They slide right out. I wash my bags after the end of each season as I change colors with the seasons.

 

[cabanafrau]

I love the hipster. I always take it on vacation and it seems to have held up well. It's a good size and it works as a cross body. I've never washed it, so I can't tell you about that. I have it in Symphony in Hue and I love that it matches everything. I think it's a great gift.

Got younger DD the Symphony in Hue hipster for Christmas as a surprise since it's retired now & she was sad she didn't pick it up when we had the chance.

We have lots of Vera here & they wash up beautifully. I always use the lingerie bag in the washer & then air dry. The hipsters don't have any cardboard inserts to remove before washing. After a great deal of wear, the fabric will eventually begin to fray along the edges, but that's only happened with a couple of bags that have been heavily used over several years.

The hipsters are very comfortable to carry, and the crossbody style is great for travel -- and very secure if you're wary of your surroundings, i.e. midwesterners in NYC.

 

[daughtersrus]

I got a hipster in Suzani for Christmas. I use it as an everyday purse. I haven't had the need to wash it yet but it's good to know that there aren't any problems. I have issues with my back and it's really made a huge difference wearing it across my body instead of on one shoulder.

I didn't know that the design changed. Mine doesn't have cardboard in it. Is that the only difference between the new and old?

Check Marshall's and TJ Max as well as the outlet. I've seen Vera Bradley there as well.

 

[lovin'fl]

I got one (in Symphony in Hue). Got it for cruising and Disney. Used it for Aug cruise 2011 and then Disney Xmas 2011 and didn't like it. It did make my shoulder sore, but maybe I loaded it with too much stuff (I had it packed chock full). Now I am using a bigger VB bag (Saddle Up, I think. In Provencal) and I can put a little more in it and wear it crossbody and it doesn't hurt my shoulder thus far. MIL got me the mini chain bag for cruising and it will be perfect (fit camera and room key card).

 

[Disney Doll]

I am not easy on bags, and Veras seems to last 2-3 years for me of pretty constant use.

They do wash nicely.

I like the Hipster for the long cross body strap and the fact that it is room neough to hold what I need it to hold.

 

[FINFAN]

thanks everyone! Wow, such glowing reports, I guess I will for sure get it then. I am really happy to be able to do it in the $25 budget we have set for gifts this year...I know the patterns arent the "current" ones, but they are cute. I just may keep my eye out for the Provencal pattern to hit the outlet, probably a year from now~lol~but I do like that pattern, so bright and cheery!
I AM going to spurge on the soft doubel eyecase for myself. I have reader glasses everywhere and it will be $6 at the outlet...ahhhh, the dangers of shopping for gifts...NOT getting things for yourself!

 

[SharonZ]

I'm not a huge Vera Bradley fan, but I do have the hipster in Island Bloom along with the matching weekender bag that I received as a gift. I used them when I traveled to Punta Cana and they both seemed to wear well, although that will probably be the only ocassion that I would use them.

 

[jenny105]

The hipster is great! I love mine. I've had it since 2010 and it has held up very well. It doesn't dig into my shoulder at all and I forget it's there most of the time. Happy shopping!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I was thinking of getting one as a gift for my SIL. Fortunately I am within 8 miles of a VB Outlet which allows me to stay in budget. I , personally do not own a bag, but have seen them. Main thing I am concerned with is that it doesn't "cut" into the shoulders. I like them since they are cotton making them light-weight She would wear it cross-body style. I think the size is good, and nice selection fo pockets. I also like that the inside is print...makes it so much easier to find items inside, not like dark linings.
So, do these bags hold up? While I like the weight of the cotton, does it wear easily by the strap rings? Do they wash well? I have a Piazza by EBags that I have thrown in the washer 3 or more times a year and it is still holding up great. I would go that route for her, but it has almost too may compartments for her taste, and I know she likes VB stuff. I can get one in the Very Berry paisley ( a pattern she likes)or Mocha Rouge for a smidge over $25m which I think is a good deal for VB, right? I like that both patterns can go with black or brown shoes/coat etc. I wish I could get the Provencal pattern for that price, but those are not even at the Outlet, and the regular store wants $60 for it
Anyway..if anyone can offer constructive reviews, I would appreciate it! Thanks!

Two things, first did you sign up for the mailing list? When you do you get a 20.00 coupon good off 75 IN the outlet also on your birthday and again 6 months later you get 20.00 gc with no strings attached.

Just two weeks ago the outlet had 40% off I got the hipster (not sure of the pattern black with multi flowers on it) with all the discounts......12.00!

ETA call the outlet before you go. If they are having an additional 25% wait a week or two they will up it to 30% or sometimes I have seen bogo. This was a long weekend so most likely you missed the extra savings. If you can wait till presidents day you will score big.

 

[FINFAN]

Two things, first did you sign up for the mailing list? When you do you get a 20.00 coupon good off 75 IN the outlet also on your birthday and again 6 months later you get 20.00 gc with no strings attached.

Just two weeks ago the outlet had 40% off I got the hipster (not sure of the pattern black with multi flowers on it) with all the discounts......12.00!

ETA call the outlet before you go. If they are having an additional 25% wait a week or two they will up it to 30% or sometimes I have seen bogo. This was a long weekend so most likely you missed the extra savings. If you can wait till presidents day you will score big.

I DID sign up for the mailing list, and I did get the email for $20 off of $75, but I won;t be spending enough to take advantage of that. I would love to have the birthday $20 one, but my BDay isn't until July...do they offer good sales then? I need to get SIL gift now, while $25 total isn't as great a deal as your $12 , I'm o.k. with it. I did also see the Limes Up pattern as well which I htought was fun, but mostly would go with black and not browns. Decisions, decisions......I did call the outlet and they will hold items too which is nice. They said returns/exchanges can be made ofr a generous time frame as well which is nice.

 

[TwoCortWort]

I have both a hipster and the mini love them both. The mini has an area for credit cards and money. Has enough room for my cell and coupon book. I travel with my mini and use it now most of the time. Both are comfortable for me, but depending on what she carries in her purse, it's a great choice in my opinion.