My order arrived today! I'm frightened to say... I loved the bags!
I got the laptop backpack in night and day (50% off) and the saddle up in totally turq (60% off). I also got the hipster in very berry paisley, but I feel absolutely sick that I paid full price for it.
So, here are my thoughts: The laptop bag is really light and it's not too big in my opinion. It looks as though some of the other backpacks are smaller, but I don't think this one is too big to take to the parks. I have four kids, though, one still in diapers. I was disappointed that my 15" laptop would not fit in the bag, but as my DH pointed out, I don't really take my laptop out of the house. I'm more likely to travel with my i-pad. I'm not 100% sure yet that I will keep the backpack. My DH doesn't know if he's willing to carry it (even though it's not an extremely "girly" print). If he doesn't ever carry it, it would feel weird wearing the hipster and the backpack myself. The backpack felt extremely light though. I packed it up with almost everything I would at the parks. I was probably missing some stuff. I didn't even put anything in the main compartment. I turned the backpack sideways and I put diapers and wipes in the velcro laptop sleeve. On the other side of the divider, I put an extra pair of clothes and a cosmetic case. I still had room, but I liked that it was neat and tidy and easy to access (in our old backpack, the diapers always ended up smashed at the bottom of the bag). I hate that the side pockets are so tiny. It would be awesome if you could put a water bottle in them.
The saddle bag was actually bigger than I thought. I will definitely use it as a purse at some point. I love the pockets under the flap and on the inside. This bag could make a good smaller park bag too. I think I prefer the hipster, though. It looks a bit wide next to the hipster.
The hipster looks like it will be awesome for the parks (as many, many have said on the DIS, which is how I was convinced to buy one). I love that it has a zip in the front and back and pockets on the inside, but it still zips up top. I could fit three size 4 diapers comfortably in the inside main compartment and a plastic travel wipe case, with room to spare. I may return this and wait until I can get one on sale in a color I like. I hate paying full price, but I'm definitely going to have one for my next trip (and for any other time I need a smaller purse).
I need a new diaper bag, and I'm considering the Get Carried Away or the Miller, but they both look really big, and I'm traveling soon and will be able to go to a Vera Bradley store for my returns (if I decide to) and to look at the bags in person.
I was wondering, though, for those of you who have the hipster, does your strap go up and continue over to the other side without twisting? My strap seems to turn sideways and I don't know if it was sewn on wrong - twisted - or if it's meant to twist because you wear it on your hip. Does anyone know what I'm talking about here?
Sorry for the long post, but I hope my "reviews" helped someone out!
I'll change the title.
