The Vine: May 11, 2012
I am on the hunt for the perfect work bag. I have tons of large shoulder purses that would work, but I do a lot of walking and have a lot of stuff in my bag, and the shoulder purses always strain my back/neck/shoulder area too much.
I went to a conference last summer and part of the welcome package was a canvas-like messenger bag. This is PERFECT. It’s light and holds everything I need. The problem is that it’s bright red and has the conference information printed big and bold. I am a graduate student who teaches classes and works, so I want something more professional and that distinguishes me as not just a student. Essentially, I am on the hunt for a grown-up messenger bag.
I’d prefer under $50 but am willing to pay a bit more (no more than $100). I have checked Target, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Amazon and DSW with no luck.It does not have to be leather (faux-leather is fine), but I do not want soft cloth or what is clearly a laptop messenger bag. I’d also rather not have a print on it. I’d prefer something that is not too heavy on its own, but am more concerned with it being able to hold lots of stuff and also be cross-body.
Any help from you or the readers will be great!
This Red Bag Clashes With My Purple Jacket
Dear Red,
I would try Zappos and Endless, if you haven’t already — a quick Zappos search of messenger bags priced $50 or under turned up this cute quilted one and several dozen others — or Google “blank messenger bag.” Companies like Branders often offer plain messenger bags and totes, so one of those might work for you.
L.L. Bean also has this one; it could be too casual, but Bean stuff tends to last forever.
And last but certainly not least, this exhaustive list from the readers from back in the day.
Readers? Any specific brands?
Tags: Ask The Readers retail
Try http://www.ebags.com.
Just checked it and they had over 200 “women’s messenger bags”. They do also have leather if you decide to go that route.
I love my Namaste Mini-Messenger Bag. It’s faux-leather and is usually priced around $75.
I second the durability of LL Bean Bags. I have a cloth messenger bag that was given to me by my boss when I graduated from college and it still looks like new. And to give you perspective on that, my 20th college reunion is this October.
I know you don’t want cloth, but just attesting to their longevity.
I use a black canvas diaper bag from IKEA. I think it cost me $10 and my son is almost 9 so I can vouch for its being indestructible. It has a black-on-black IKEA logo that’s virtually invisible. It is a bit narrower than a typical messenger bag but not a lot, it fits my laptop and a bunch of books/notebooks well. I rarely travel without it.
I have YakPak messenger bag that I randomly found on clearance at TJ Maxx last summer for $15. It’s canvas and might be too student-y for Red, but I’m pretty happy with it as a bag to carry random stuff (lunch, umbrella, binders, tiny purse) to and from work in.
Rothco is a brand of military style canvas bags, if you like that sort of thing. Not very spendy, super sturdy. They’re sold all over, including Amazon.
Dakine is another brand I’ve bought before with happiness, but they vary their designs enough that they don’t have messenger bags every year (or at least ones that I like). Worth a shot.
I don’t know if Red is a man or woman but I find that when you browse sites like J. Crew, Banana Republic, or Gap, the messenger bags usually show up under the MEN category. So I would suggest those sites, or even department stores like Nordstrom, but check the MEN section. Also, Coach has some great prodcuts but again, check WOMEN and MEN.
You might also have some luck with Etsy, and you have the added bonus of buying hand-made and directly supporting the seller! Just about a year ago, I bought a custom purse from this seller and it’s been awesome. I use it every day and it’s holding up great to that, and it’s one of the few purses I found that has enough pockets. She was easy to get a custom purchase from, so if you don’t like any of the color/design combos, you can specify.
There are also approximately a billionty other sellers on Etsy who make purses, too, of course. A general search for “messenger bag” should give you lots of options- purple messenger bag turns up these options, for starters, and at least one should match your coat.
Someday I will get my links right the first time. Sigh.
I found mine via folksy and etsy
I picked up a Kate Spade diaper bag, of all things, at an outlet for under 100$. It’s nylon and easily cleaned and has lots of nice pouches to keep things separated. I took out the change pad and gave it to my SIL, and you’d never know it wasn’t a messenger bag. I know it’s a bit of a stretch, but if you have a KS outlet near you, it’s worth a peek. (or even worth checking the baby sections at your local department stores). I love my bag.
Anthropologie has some cute bags. There are a couple under $50, and some very cute ones in the $60-$80 price range.
I’ve had a large Timbuk2 messenger bag since college (read: it’s a decade old and still kicking), and what’s great about those bags is that while they are spendy, you can design your own, choose your own size, and basically put together your ideal bag. They have a variety of fabrics, colors, and configurations.
If you just want basic black, REI carries them as well and puts them on sale from time to time.
Patagonia also makes a few good bags–the “Mass” line and the Daily Grind bag come to mind. Also spendy, but they last forever and Patagonia usually has a pretty spectacular August sale.
I was just coming here to suggest http://www.ebags.com. Their reviews are really thorough and helpful. I don’t know if they have any messenger bags, but I have had a lot of luck with the eBags house brand. Also check out http://www.retailmenot.com for free shipping and discount coupons.
I have this Sherpani bag that I bought right before grad school. It’s not super professional, but it’s certainly a notch above “student-y”. It’s also weathered a whole year of rain in Seattle and protected all my crap, and still looks good. It’s also way roomier than it looks on the website: I can fit a laptop, three voluminous books, about 2 fat notebooks and two stuffed animals (for daughter when I drop her off at daycare) in there without any problems.
Darn, link didn’t show properly:
http://sherpani.com/sherpani-verve.aspx
My fiance has a messenger bag from Fossil that he really loves (it was a gift from somewhere who works there and gets a good discount), but I’m guessing it’s way out of your price range. I looked at their website and found all the nice messenger bags listed as men’s products, but they would work for women. If he didn’t like his so much and use it every day I would totally steal it for myself. Still, if you’re willing to save up and spend more, or if they have a sale, it might be worth keeping an eye on.
I highly recommend Queen Bee bags. I have been using my Truckette for about 3 years and it hasn’t aged a bit. The Trucker is larger and better for laptops/books/lunches, etc. I also think their new Harper Satchel looks like it might work for you too!
Also, if you see some name-brand ones you like but they cost too much, try O.co — or Bluefly.com, which I am about to be living on because it’s shaping up to be one of those “17 weddings and 4 showers” summers.
Namaste’s bags are highly covetable. There are a couple messenger options there. (:
Namaste’s bags are highly covetable.
http://www.namasteinc.com/products/handbags/handbags_all.php
I have this bag from Troop London (they appear to do worldwide shipping). It’s waterproof on the inside, and it is has enough compartments that things stay sorted, and it’s a decent size.
http://www.trooplondon.com/epages/es114527.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es114527_es122149120482/Products/TRP0207/SubProducts/trp0207-0005
I have been carrying a spiffy canvas Manhattan Portage messenger bag for three years now. This thing has been through the wringer and has held up extremely well so far…
If the issue is the logo and you don’t mind the bright red figure out how to cover the logo. Head to a fabric or craft store and see what you can find in terms of an iron on patch. You could also try a shoe repair shop (mine also repairs backpacks, luggage and purses but we’re a small town and he’s the only one. . .) and see if they could cover the logo by stitching a piece of leather or canvas–perhaps even creating a pocket! Might be more budget friendly.
You’ve probably thought of this, but have you checked the conference bag to see if there’s some sort of maker’s label? Or checked with the conference folks? They may be able to give you the vendor’s name who might be able to give you a brand name.
I love the Pacsafe CitySafe bags. They’re not the world’s most stylish, but they’re plain and sturdy and decently professional-looking, hold tons of stuff (in tons of pockets), have some nice security features (anti-slash straps and body, locking clasp for the zipper toggle, etc.), and most importantly for you, have an adjustable shoulder strap so you can carry it as a shoulder bag or cross-body.
The CitySafe 200 is messenger-bag sized (I’ve crammed it with a fat 3-ring binder, a sweater, and a sizeable SLR camera in addition to regular purse contents with no problem, although it doesn’t fit a 15″ laptop very well). Zappos has it for $70, but it’s probably available elsewhere for cheaper.
L.L. Bean and Land’s End make sturdy bags. You might try Travel Smith or Territory Ahead too.
I’m a pinko-commie-homosexual, but I love functional shit and of course cosplay/dress up role playing games (TMI, tough shit, reader), thus I feel obligated to tell you to check out army surplus stores in your area. They are just hotbeds of unique stuff which can be multi-purposed into everyday use. I’m gearing up for a trip to the London Olympics and found the best line of bags at my local military surplus. Check out these sites & the have dealer locators to help you find a store front so you can go visit not knowing what treasures you may encounter:
Voodootactical.com
Foxoutdoor.com
Condoroutdoor.com
Good luck!
I love my Baggallini! I have a cross-body one that I take just about everywhere and I can’t even describe how much stuff I cart around. Mine is made of nylon, which holds up to everything; and, there re about a bazillion pockets. Also, I love the “designed by flight attendants;form meets function” philosophy of the company.
There are dozens of styles, but perhaps this one would work for you: http://www.baggallini.com/the-collections/classic/odyssey-bagg/
Oh! And if the cost seems high, I know TJMaxx has them sometimes :)
It may be a little too ‘school-kid’ for the OP, but I’m a teacher and I haul my mountain of grading around in a Jansport messenger bag that I bought from JC Penney. It’s plain black, ridiculously big, and has withstood almost seven years of constant, painful abuse (I can cram in about three weeks’ worth of assignments coming from almost 200 students).
What I have noticed, having gone on messenger-bag-quests myself in the past, is that the ones that are more ‘stylish’ and/or ‘professional’ tend to sacrifice space (or be just oversized laptop cases). If that’s what you want/need, it’s not a big deal, but if size is the main requirement, you may want to check out the companies that tend to do bookbags and school gear.
I second or third LL Bean. They have a bunch of Messenger Bags and hold up really well. When I was a kid, I had a backpack from there forever and a few years ago, broke down and replaced my messenger bag too. I use it for travel with my laptop and as an overnight bag. Plus I believe their stuff is guaranteed forever so even if it breaks, you can send it back to them and they’ll replace it.
Good luck!
Look at Ameribag (you can find them on eBags and other places and they also have their own website). They have a lot of bags that are as roomy as messenger bags while looking more handbaggy. Even their Metro New Yorker, which looks small, can fit my iPad and all the usual purse stuff. More to their point, their straps are wide and really made to carry a full bag.
I’m the Etsy seller Agnes was talking about. If you send me a picture of the current red bag I can get a feel for what you are looking for and create something custom (that will match your purple jacket!) Sounds like it would cost about $50-$60 depending on the size. I can give you a better estimate based on the photo. If you are interested my email is AmanDesignBags@gmail.com
Can you get your hands on some dye and dye the one you already have that is perfect aside from the color? Or that, in conjunction with some additional fabric/patterns/tweaks from a crafty friend or seamstress?
My Dad recently treated me to a bright red Batchel from http://www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk/shop for my birthday and it’s a perfect work/study bag – leather, a choice of colours, hard wearing – you can even get it embossed with your initials. It’s not cheap (and in uk£ so the exchange rate may not be in your favour) but I think this bag will last me the next 30 years or so, so investing now will work out as cheaper in the end…
I treat it as a combination briefcase & handbag and have already had a tonne of compliments…
Can’t believe no-one’s mentioned Crumpler yet! My husband (whose bag choice of preference is usually a plastic supermarket carrier bag) bought one of their black messenger bags when we were on holiday once and uses it to tote large quantities of student assignments to and from university (he’s a lecturer), do the shopping and pack for a weekend away. It’s an Australian brand but available internationally. They have a small logo on and come in plain colours. They do up with (very) strong Velcro and my only minor gripe is that sometimes people turn round to see what the ripping sound is when you’re in a quiet lecture theatre…
http://www.crumpler.com/AU/Casual-and-Messenger-Bags.html?LanguageCode=EN
I second Queen Bee bags. They are pricey, but they will last and you’d be supporting a handful of really cool people.
I’m a professor and I traded my shoulder bag for wheeling laptop bag that I got at Target for like $30 or $40. I seriously suggest you explore this direction. Cheap, looks very professional, holds lots of things, and no matter how heavy it gets, it never hurts you.
The only downside is stairs. I carry it up and down the stairs if needed, but my school also has an elevator I use occasionally.
If you don’t want a rolling bag, I’d still recommend checking out laptop bags because they’ll get you the most options, particularly with looks that are suitable for work/business.
Messenger Bags
Laptop Bags (Including Rolling)