Vera Bradley bags - What do you like about them?

[Disney-Kim]

I love purses and am a purse snob. I carry Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Coach...you get it...

and I love Vera. I got into them about 3 yrs ago. I am 43 and I used to think they were grannyish but that was before all the great colors and patterns came out in the last couple of years. They are very popular with young girls/college girls here. We have a Vera store that is in a very high end mall....next to Saks and Apple

I initially bought them for travel...all the pockets and sizes really make them great for travel. and I didn't have to worry about my expensive fancy handbag when flying. Vera is relatively cheap compared to the usual for me...so I can get fun colors and new styles whenever I want. the colors really do grow on you too...going to the store is so fun...you get all excited and want every new color/style.

I just bought the Carnaby pleated tote to use as my plane bag for WDW and I also bought the new Imperial Toile that just came out a few days ago in the tote. I am carrying that as a purse right now.

I love love the french wallet with the 2 snap compartments...it truly is one of the best wallets I have carried. and I even use it with my Louis sometimes.

so for those who think its not stylish or granny...LOOK AGAIN !!!

 

[JEmaryland]

I checked out the website. Seems kinda pricey for what appears to be quilted cotton.

 

[bookgirl]

I was not a big VB fan but on a recent sale they had the LIBBY which is a smallish single compartment top zip bag with an adjustable strap (long enough to go over head and hang cross body). I was looking for something like this as a vacation bag. (you know something practical but that still looked like a purse, and was small and could go over my shoulder, yadda yadda).

So I found the least colorful one I could and bought it. I don't carry it everyday but it's great for travel. I did buy a small tech holder for my ipod and one for my camera since I would like those to be easy to find in a bag, but for an everyday purse, no way. Too busy.

I have this purse and tech case

http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?colorid=18&sku=10384:18

http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?colorid=18&sku=10490:18

camera case

http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?colorid=911&sku=10490:911

Oh and these were on sale when I was looking for a lunch bag so I bought it. It's actually a nice one but I got the most boring dark color I could find.

http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?colorid=1628&sku=10612:1628

My mom LOVES the bright patterned, wild print ones. In this area though I go more conservative.

 

[Scurvy]

I initially bought them for travel...all the pockets and sizes really make them great for travel. and I didn't have to worry about my expensive fancy handbag when flying. Vera is relatively cheap compared to the usual for me...so I can get fun colors and new styles whenever I want. the colors really do grow on you too...going to the store is so fun...you get all excited and want every new color/style.

This is why I got into them as well. They aren't for everybody, but really nothing else is either. I like that they are affordable enough that I can get crazy colors that aren't particularly practical without feeling like I'm wasting lots of money. I love how easily I can stay organized using those bags.

 

[powellrj]

I live in Indiana and they have been popular here for years. I never got one until about 5 years ago when a friend invited me to Ft Wayne to the big sale. I got several and haven't looked back!

I love them because they are so light. I have osteo arthritis and they are the perfect weight for me to carry. I love the Hipster and the mini hipster. I have several totes, but seem to always carry the hipster bags. I know people say they don't want a washable handbag, but to be honest, its really nice to be able to just stick it in a pillow case and throw it in the washing machine. I also love all the little pockets and the fact I can wear it across my chest and keep my hands free.

 

[Angelhalo]

we are slow getting styles around here - so what's the style near you now Angel? Maybe I should start the new trend here before everyone else -

Coach and Louis Vuitton stuff is really in here. I didn't realize that it was only here that the Vera Bradley bag phase had faded out. It started with 30 somethings, then got super popular with high schoolers and college girls, then fizzled out. Pink and blue seemed to be the most popular here when they were the craze.

 

[3boymthr]

I've had VB for years. I started with the MIMI which is now retired. It was perfect for when my kids were little. I could throw it on my back. It was lightweight and washable for when baby things happened to it. I still like them. I especially like the travel bags for my beauty products. I don't like the duffles or suitcase though. I moved on to the bucket tote and sold all my back packs but i still love VB. although now that my kids are older I'm thinking of going back to leather.

 

[Imzadi]

I just went to the website to look. I actually saw someone walking around with one earlier. I think NYers like them because we tend to wear so much black. This way, they can really accessorize with color with the bag. I would think that younger girls like them because they can really add "pop" with their bright accessories.

 

[Disney Doll]

I like that they are colorful....I get tired of boring black or brown bags.

 

[emma'smom]

My college students all carry them around---I like the new "cupcake" pink and green styles.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Coach and Louis Vuitton stuff is really in here. I didn't realize that it was only here that the Vera Bradley bag phase had faded out. It started with 30 somethings, then got super popular with high schoolers and college girls, then fizzled out. Pink and blue seemed to be the most popular here when they were the craze.

UMM - maybe NOT! With purses of THOSE prices! LOL That's just WAAAAYY to steep for any teenager IMO

 

[QVCshopper]

I love my Vera Bradley bags. I have a few, all which I rotate between. I don't think that they are loud or anything like that. They are pretty, lightweight, and highly functional. I really like the wristlet and the bigger bags because I have two young kids.

I also have some Coach purses from when I used to work full-time, but I'd rather carry a VB any day. Give it a try... they are like crocs. Once you have one, you're addicted.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

My college students all carry them around---I like the new "cupcake" pink and green styles.

My 10 year old has the pink cupcake large tote (she uses this for school), wallet and eyeglass case. They're popular here with middle schoolers (messenger, tote, etc.).

I think they're cute for kids. Not my cup of tea to use as a purse.

 

[The Princess]

My DD and I have them and we both like that you can wash them.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I started this thread with no VB purse and last night I *finally* bought my very first VB bag! Talk about obsession. On eBay I got a new Pink Elephant Bowler bag for $33 w/ free shipping. OMG! Its so beautiful. I discovered that I only like VB bags that have black and pink in it. It could be all black or all pink or a mix. Maybe on a good day I will own a blue bag. But am very happy and I hope I actually like the bag once I get it.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I started this thread with no VB purse and last night I *finally* bought my very first VB bag! Talk about obsession. On eBay I got a new Pink Elephant Bowler bag for $33 w/ free shipping. OMG! Its so beautiful. I discovered that I only like VB bags that have black and pink in it. It could be all black or all pink or a mix. Maybe on a good day I will own a blue bag. But am very happy and I hope I actually like the bag once I get it.

YAY! Pink Elephants is so cute.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I don't 'get them' at all, and no-one around here seems to carry them. Are they a fad in a few particular States or neighborhoods?

 

[luvmy3]

I don't 'get them' at all, and no-one around here seems to carry them. Are they a fad in a few particular States or neighborhoods?

I wouldn't say they have statewide popularity. They are not big where I am, but when I visit friends and family upstate, they are everywhere.
When I was looking for dd's lunch tote, the woman at the shop was so surprised that a tween wanted a VB bag, they are not popular with that age group here, dd likes them because she loves the funkier (not the old ladyish ) patterns. She has even gotten a few of her friends interested in them.

 

[jen0610]

I don't 'get them' at all, and no-one around here seems to carry them. Are they a fad in a few particular States or neighborhoods?

We live here in FT Wayne, where they have the Corporate office and HUGE factory/storage site. They hold their annual sale every spring here at the Coliseum. For years, my dad has worked there as an usher.

During the sale, there are people from ALL over the country. Dad has gotten to be good friends with this group that travels from TX for the show. There was a group that came from CA, but he didn't see them that the last show. You can walk the parking lot and be suprised by some of the license plates you see. Last year there were MO, TN, MN, NY, and AR that I recall seeing.

While DD and I don't mind VB, it's not something that we love. If we didn't live here, I very highly doubt we would own any VB stuff. But, since we can easily get to the sale and buy for such a discounted price, we have some things.

 

[SydSim]

Just posted on the other thread that the only person who owns one that I know is a 79 year old NUN!