Vera Bradley Hipster ?

[sydneysmom]

Hi everyone ! I need some advice please ! So everyone talks about the VB hipster..... I was originally thinking about getting the Villager to bring (in the parks as a carry all). I like that it zips, it's kind of roomy..... I've never seen the Villager in person though. I've had the Betsy and love that, but it doesn't hold alot....

Is the hipster big enough for the zip around wallet , camera, glasses, water bottle and all the crap my family is going to throw my way ? Or should I stick w/ the Villager ? I don't want to be the clod walking around in the park w/ the big old tote bag, but I also don't want to not have enough room, you know? This is the first time we're going w/ our DD4, so I don't know what to expect. In the past I'd put everything in my pocket and go ! Now, not so much !! If the hipster is roomy enough, I'm good w/ that because I can sling it over and have free hands. ( that's a good option)

Any advice would be appreciated !!!

 

[ceecee]

I think the Villager is too big to tote thru the parks. I would go with the Hipster...it's plenty big. Unless you have a stroller that you could stow it. Personally the Hipster is too big for me, I use my Bagellini for the parks. Maybe a Mini Hipster with a coin purse instead of a wallet? I never carry a wallet in the parks, I'm all about comfort and not carrying a lot. I carry id and park card, sunglasses, camera, sunblock, hand santizer, lipbalm, travel lotion, raincoats (small dollar kind) and some money and that's about it.

 

[BCV2003]

I've used a VB Villager and a baggallini in the parks before. For my upcoming trip, I'm definitely going to get a new villager as I have overused my old one. I have a digital SLR camera so that fits in there with all of the stuff that you mentioned. I didn't think it was too large to carry around the parks at all. I may throw my baggallini in the suitcase as well in case I want to change it up at some point.

 

[Twingle]

I've used a VB Villager and a baggallini in the parks before. For my upcoming trip, I'm definitely going to get a new villager as I have overused my old one. I have a digital SLR camera so that fits in there with all of the stuff that you mentioned. I didn't think it was too large to carry around the parks at all. I may throw my baggallini in the suitcase as well in case I want to change it up at some point.

I just purchased a dSLR camera, and I'm trying to find a Vera bag for the parks that I can fit it in. Would you be willing/able to post pics of the inside of your Villager bag with the camera in it? I don't have a store near me, and the website doesn't show the interior of the bags. Thanks for any help!

 

[klacey1]

I love my hipster! However, you asked about the zip around wallet-- I think that's far too large and will weigh you down. You simply won't need most of the things you carry around daily-- I would invest in a VB zip-ID case for $10. You can put your ID, KTTW, bit of cash, a CC if you'd like, any Fastpasses, photopass card, etc. The zip-ID is much smaller and will free up the hipster for sunscreen, etc. I was able to fit my camera (Sony Cybershot in a VB coin purse), a large bottle of suncreen (water bottle size), wet-wipes, hand sanitizer, face powder, zip ID case, and my sunglasses when we were on rides in the hipster on our last trip.

 

[3boymthr]

I used to carry the bucket tote which is in-between the Hipster and Villager and size and I found the Hipster to be plenty roomy for the parks.

I reduced my wallet to this: http://www.verabradley.com/product/...781/pageSize/15/sc/683/c/0/currentIndex/0.uts

In the zip ID wallet I carried:
5 park tickets/room keys
my License
Cash - up to 20 different bills folded in half
our Fast Passes - up to 10 at a time.
My Health Card

Which was more than adequate for the parks. I reduced my wallet because it wasn't just about the size but the weight. I found no reason to carry all my cc and store cards around when there wasn't anywhere I needed to use them.

In addition I carried:
point and shoot camera
small package of baby wipes
tylenol for DH who was sick
my cell phone
DH's cell phone
a plastic baggie
and my inhaler.

Then during the day I could and did add a mix of the following items as we walked around - 2 or 3 20oz bottles of soda/water; a sun hat or two; a T-shirt; other small souvenirs (pencil sharpener, magnet, etc.) Sunglasses, several packages of cookies.

I found it more than adequate to carry all this stuff.

I did find that getting youngest DS' drink in and out all day was a pain so we bought him this at Animal Kingdom:

and made him carry it himself. He was six at the time and it was the best thing ever as he could get the drink in and out whenever he wanted it. And it kept it cold

One thing I learned if the kids don't want to carry it don't let them buy it.

 

[lazydazy8]

I've used the Hipster in the parks, but only on the two weekend trips I did without my kids.

This is what I put in it:

Mini-fold over VB wallet- just fits my pass, license, some cash, FP's, Credit card
Glasses case (thin one- my double eyeglass case from VB is too bulky)
Camera- mine is a point and shoot pocket camera
lipgloss
small snack

Keep in mind that the Hipster is relatively FLAT. It does not have a gusset on the bottom of it so that it sits flat. It has a seam across the bottom of it.

I bring it on our family trips, but I'd only use it if we were going out in the evenings after dinner. The kids have their sweaters on (or they are tied around their waist), no need for water bottles and snacks.

I use a LL Bean backpack for our day bag and pack another sling bag in case my shoulder gets sore during the trip. I also have a beach tote for pool days. I know it sounds silly to pack 3+ bags, but I like having options depending on what we are doing each day/evening.

 

[MandM-Mom]

I haven't used my vb hipster in the parks yet, but I use my everyday, I can put my zip wallet, 2 diapers, travel wipes and bottle for my dd3 and still have room for my cell in the front button pocket and my keys in the back zipper. I plan on using mine in the parks this trip.

 

[jamounger]

I have used the hipster before. I don,t carry a big wallet in it and only the essential money/cards go in. Lots of water bottles wouldn't fit but 1 or 2 would. What I use the most, though, is the smaller back pack. it holds all need.Ii wear it backwards on rides and it looks sweet on my husband. The little pockets on the outside are perfect for quick access to cell phone and camera and the zipper pocket that is on the outside but against my back is a safe place to keep my money, cards and tickets.

 

[keishashadow]

the hipster is my new everyday fav, wouldn't want to try &
shove a water bottle in it

for day of travel to hold folder, etc. i use the mailbag (11-1/2 X 11-1/2)

http://www.verabradley.com/product/Mailbag/154872.uts

 

[java]

I carry the hipster- with the keys, sunscreen, tickets, some money, and a couple of granola bars.
While DH carries a camera bag- with obviously the huge camera and then I throw the water bottles in there.

I love the hipster- it's light, packs just what I need, and doesn't weigh me down.

 

[crusoe2]

Op, I considered getting the Hipster to use as a park bag but decided it would be a tight squeeze getting all my stuff in it. It might all fit but I would have to pull half of it out to get to items in the bottom - I hate having to do that. I've actually used my big huge Vera-style tote bag for a couple of our trips - great on room for all the junk but it does get heavy and it's awkward in tight spaces. Plus I would prefer a bag with the long strap that goes across the body so I can carry it hands-free. I looked at the VB Mailbag but I'm short and the flap on it was so long that it makes it awkward for me to get into the bag while I'm wearing it. So I'm thinking about getting the VB saddlebag for our next trip. Has anyone tried it?

 

[sau418]

I love my VB villager but would hate to take it all day in the parks, for this last trip I got a Sherpani that is similiar to the hipster but easily fits a water bottle and other must haves. I will definitely take it next year with both kids.

I will post a link when I get home.

 

[TiffanyK]

I recently bought a Hipster and I love it. i haven't taken it to Disney yet, but I will in 2 weeks. I've been carrying it around town with a large wallet, phone, sunglasses, lip balm, mints, post it notes, pen, checkbook. I still had space to put my DSLR camar in it. I wouldn't want to carry it that way a lot, but I wanted to stash it for a few minutes.

In Disney, I'm planning to carry my camara around my neck, but I also will put it in the Hipster sometimes, like when I eat. Even though the Hipster is pretty flat, the camar still fits in it - a bit awkward for carrying all the time, but it fits.

 

[sunshine74]

I love my mini hipster, I think it's the perfect size to carry the necessities but not so big I'm tempted to load it full enough to weigh me down. I can fit small ID holder/wallet, camera (point and shoot, not dSLR), cell phone, chap stick, other small stuff. I'm afraid if I took anything larger it would get heavy and I'd wish I'd just worn a small backpack!

 

[java]

oh by the way my 12 year old carried our water bottles in this some days (we are a family of 6 that's a lot of water bottles!)

http://www.epinions.com/review/Thermos_Sling_Pack_Lunch_Cooler/content_416476532356

But it looks like they don't make it anymore- which I don't get as it always gets 5*s

 

[kaismahma]

I bought my first hipster in Long Island. I love this purse so much! It can hold so much stuff and the shoulder strap does not dig into your neck. I can't wait to take it on our next Disney trip. I wish I would have invested in one before our last trip.

 

[sau418]

http://www.ebags.com/product/sherpani/pica/144390

This is the Sherpani bag from my last post, I compared it side by side with the Hipster and did end up with this one. It was perfect for taking on rides and holding a bottle to keep hands free.