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Fancy backpack ideas?

Fzang

Fzang

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 15, 2013
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My girlfriend really wants a real handbag. One of them expensive ones. I don't have any problems with that (whimper), except for the fact that she is by nature more utilitarian than finessed, and she uses her school bag almost exclusively because she lugs around a 13" MacBook and a pretty hefty notebook. Unfortunately, most of the established bag brands' backpacks are too small to fit in a 13" computer, so are there any other nice backpacks that you could justify dropping $200-300 on?
 
Fzang said:
My girlfriend really wants a real handbag. One of them expensive ones. I don't have any problems with that (whimper), except for the fact that she is by nature more utilitarian than finessed, and she uses her school bag almost exclusively because she lugs around a 13" MacBook and a pretty hefty notebook. Unfortunately, most of the established bag brands' backpacks are too small to fit in a 13" computer, so are there any other nice backpacks that you could justify dropping $200-300 on?
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Chrome bag. Great laptop carrier and nice looking design.
 
Does it have to be a backpack style bag? I always carry my Mac in my purse, and while it's a 13" MBA, it's still 13". I use a variety of "big girl purses" and business style satchels, depending on where I'm going and what I'm doing.
 
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AlliFlowers said:
Does it have to be a backpack style bag? I always carry my Mac in my purse, and while it's a 13" MBA, it's still 13". I use a variety of "big girl purses" and business style satchels, depending on where I'm going and what I'm doing.
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Her bag is always quite loaded and heavy, and she's a very small Asian girl.

I have considered those monster-sized handbags which would have plenty of room, but since she brings her bag around every single day I'm afraid a single-strap bag would be too uncomfortable.

Add: Marc Jacobs backpacks seem to be approaching the sweet spot. I'll ask her when she's home. Not too experienced in this field :p
 
Fzang said:
Her bag is always quite loaded and heavy, and she's a very small Asian girl.

I have considered those monster-sized handbags which would have plenty of room, but since she brings her bag around every single day I'm afraid a single-strap bag would be too uncomfortable.

Add: Marc Jacobs backpacks seem to be approaching the sweet spot. I'll ask her when she's home. Not too experienced in this field :p
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Have you looked into the stuff made by Colonel Littleton (leather bags and briefcases, pricey but very stylish), or Saddleback, (more rugged, but some very nice stuff). Saddleback have just recently produced a small computer bag - their new 'laptop bag' - which looks gorgeous.

Anyway, I am female, am somewhat vertically challenged (though nobody would describe me as 'a very small girl') and I have both and can attest to the fact that they are excellent.
 
Fzang said:
Slightly off the mark. She's not in the army.

Maybe I should've included an example. I'm thinking about something like this
http://www.michaelkors.com/rhea-small-leather-backpack/_/R-US_30S5GEZB1L?No=4&color=0606#

Only problem is that most of these kind of bags are a wee bit too small for a 13" laptop.
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It depends how fancy she wants to get. I will say, Michael Kors as far as a name has fallen off a lot. Brands that used to be considered somewhat fancy that are now not would be these days are MK and Coach.

I have to say I have had Gucci bags and they have all fallen apart after a few years. Burberry has some nice stuff, but for women's bags I don't think they have much that would also fit a laptop. I have a Louis Vuitton wallet and bag myself and have had them for going on 4 years for the wallet and 3 years for the bag and neither even show any signs of wear.

If you do go LV stay away from the classic monogram, which is what you see all these rappers have.........


I got my GF at the time this(only last year's model) http://us.louisvuitton.com/eng-us/products/kensington-damier-ebene-010026

I have the Keepall 55, the backpacks all run generally small so a laptop plus other stuff will be a tight fit.
 
Coach makes laptop backpacks. You may want to check those out.

And if you want utilitarian backpacks try looking at Eberlestock packs.
 
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It depends on whether you want a branded name, or something durable, as well as stylish. My experience with brands - such as Camel - who mad entice stuff was that they weren't particularly well made, and nor were they durable.

My rucksack is leather, (reindeer hide) and was bought in Stockholm over five years ago.

I was assured by the individual who sold it to me - her husband, whom I met, actually made it by hand, - when I asked how long I could expect it to last, that it would last longer than I can expect to last.
 
https://rawrow.us.com/collections/all

I have a "RAWROW 310 Waxed Haze" in the charcoal (dark grey), and it's a fantastic bag, affordable, etc.

There are women's styles as well, but I'm not sure about the pocket situation. Personally, I like mine.


Otherwise..............I only know of men's brands, but some are fairly unisex.

Barbour looks nice. The prices aren't though!
http://www.barbour.com/eu/all-collections/womens/bags-and-luggage/c/womens-bags?breadcrumbs=womens

Billy Kirk makes mostly men's bags, but it's quite unisex!
http://www.billykirk.com/collections/bags

Seventy Eight Percent is another.
https://www.seventyeightpercent.com/shop/bags.html?product_category=495#page=1&top=1132&

This backpack by Property Of is nice, and just a bit over $300.
https://thepropertyof.com/bags/backpacks/cedric-backpack-ss15.html


Is Haerfast too expensive? There are lots of options!
http://www.haerfest.us/shop/#
 
Abstract said:
https://rawrow.us.com/collections/all

I have a "RAWROW 310 Waxed Haze" in the charcoal (dark grey), and it's a fantastic bag, affordable, etc.

There are women's styles as well, but I'm not sure about the pocket situation. Personally, I like mine.


Otherwise..............I only know of men's brands, but some are fairly unisex.

Barbour looks nice. The prices aren't though!
http://www.barbour.com/eu/all-collections/womens/bags-and-luggage/c/womens-bags?breadcrumbs=womens

Billy Kirk makes mostly men's bags, but it's quite unisex!
http://www.billykirk.com/collections/bags

Seventy Eight Percent is another.
https://www.seventyeightpercent.com/shop/bags.html?product_category=495#page=1&top=1132&

This backpack by Property Of is nice, and just a bit over $300.
https://thepropertyof.com/bags/backpacks/cedric-backpack-ss15.html


Is Haerfast too expensive? There are lots of options!
http://www.haerfest.us/shop/#
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Not bad. I'll definitely keep those in mind, if only for myself ;)
 
Fzang said:
Her bag is always quite loaded and heavy, and she's a very small Asian girl.

I have considered those monster-sized handbags which would have plenty of room, but since she brings her bag around every single day I'm afraid a single-strap bag would be too uncomfortable.

Add: Marc Jacobs backpacks seem to be approaching the sweet spot. I'll ask her when she's home. Not too experienced in this field :p
Click to expand...

BernyMac said:
Coach makes laptop backpacks. You may want to check those out.

And if you want utilitarian backpacks try looking at Eberlestock packs.
Click to expand...


Another vote for Coach laptop bags. They are stylish and utilitarian. Coach has an outlet store online.
 
Fzang said:
Not bad. I'll definitely keep those in mind, if only for myself ;)
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I bought the RAWROW 310 to bring to work because backpacks distribute weight across both shoulders.

I have a VERY nice leather bag from Aunts and Uncles (http://www.auntsanduncles.de/collections/bags/good-old-friends-en) called 'Fella', and while it's really good, my shoulders and entire body felt a bit sore and imbalanced after 5 years of using it. I'm getting old....

Ooooh, they sell women's bags. Take a look. ;)
 
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Fzang said:
She eventually decided that no decision was the easiest decision of all that I showed her, and has kept her unsightly backpack ever since. Sigh.
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After all that, lol. Oh well. You tried. :p
 
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