Hunting for just the right laptop holding travel purse

[Kristie]

I'm sure some of you have seen my post on Facebook but i figured why not make a thread about it and talk a bit about our favorite purses and WHY we like them

So I've been carrying my laptop with me everywhere for so long now and have tried so many different tote like purses that i think i've figured out what i want for a new purse. My current tote is a $24 target bag that has a middle section (too small to put my laptop in) that has ripped and now all the stuff in my purse is spilling out between all the pockets because the middle pocket doesn't attach to the bottom of the purse (creating 3 separate pockets). Plus, the card, pen, extra pocket is attached to the side only on the top, so the bottom of it SWINGS! argh....i get stuff stuck underneath it....I HATE IT! I have a hard time just finding my keys...so aggravating! every laptop purse i've used, i've for the most part hated after about a week because of this...or that...

so, I'm looking for a purse big enough to have a central zipped area that can actually hold my 15" laptop and maybe a few magazines, my iPad, a file here or there...I guess it'd have to be at least 16" or the zipper section needs to have some extension in order to open it wide enough to fit the laptop in.

Then i'm looking for interior pockets. at least 2 and if you have a central laptop location that completely separates one pocket from the next then i have my 2 pockets. If it doesn't attach to the bottom, then there's going to be underflow and I don't want that.

I like to separate my makeup/girlie items from my cell phone, keys, snacks, glasses, water bottle and other things. so that's what i want the 2 storage pockets for....then i'd like some interior pockets fully attached to the side that i can put my phone in, attach the keys to, sunglasses, pens etc so i can organize and find things so much easier.

I wouldn't mind the outside of the purse being those pockets BUT i plan to use this as a travel bag too (bye bye backpack!) so the outside pockets need to be securely closed....not magnetic, not a slit opening...but a nice secure closure do i don't have to worry about anything falling out or any hands getting in. A slitted opening might be fine for magazine or file holding but really, nothing else. since i want to use it as a travel purse too, i'm thinking the purse needs to be somewhat flexible (not stiff) too so it's easy to stick it under the seat.

Does anyone know of an actual *stylish* purse that does this? I simply haven't found anything that's diva or girlie stylish...they all look like man briefcase or regular laptop cases for the most part...i want color, i want functionality AND style all wrapped in one.

The biggest hurdle seems to be the inner central laptop pocket...most purses come with one pocket and a slip section to slide your laptop in on the side...tried that already, hated it because again, i couldn't separate the girlie items from the everyday use items which just means "lost in the kitchen sink" when i go to find my keys or sunglasses

I'm also looking for a cutesy everyday purse...something i can put money, gift cards, sunglasses, keys, water bottle, iPad....for when i don't plan to carry the laptop and for fun outings...i also want this purse to be able to fit into the laptop purse so that i can take it with me when i travel and NOT have to carry the big tote around everywhere traveling. i suppose that means it needs to be flexible...

keep in mind, i want girlie...pink, bling, cutesy and i really enjoy unique items that most people would ask "that's a purse?"...like once, when i was younger, i used a clear art box as a purse...obviously, that wouldn't work now. HAHA but uniqueness can be fun!

so far, i haven't found anything that matches my criteria above at Etsy, Miche or 31Gifts....and unfortunately, a lot of website purses don't illustrate the inside of the purse which makes it hard to decide if it'll work or not.

But if you're using this type of purse or have seen the type of purse i'm looking for...PLEASE let me know.

so what are some of your favorite little or big traveling or everyday purses and why do you like them??

[Hokuspocus]

I came across this when I was looking for one...http://www.ebags.com/product/sumdex/...fsogrqod1w0nkg

I usually just carry around my little wallet with a purse string that attaches to it. However when we go on vacation I usually use my camera bag as my "purse" I bought a mini backpack thats really well padded (and made for) the camera so when we go on vaca I shove my wallet in there as well as a light sweater chapstick and whatever, it works great because dh will even carry it! I don't take my laptop with me much anymore (since I got the iphone) though I do have a huge backpack that it fits in if I need to travel with it.....good luck on your search!

[elfygp]

Would you consider a messenger bag? I got one from old navy has to be 7 or 8 years ago now and its still going strong. I use it exactly the way you want to, when I travel my laptop and normal purse fits inside. It's canvas and has held up well. I used to get purses from Target but like yours they rip after a couple of months. This time I got a nice leather one at Marshalls. Even at half price it was still pricey but its quality is sooo much better. Maybe that helps you a teensy bit?

[mrs767er]

I'll say two things--a standard handbag does not hold a 15" laptop. Neither does a purse. You need a messenger or tote or briefcase.
BTW--a purse is a small accessory for coins. Ladies carry purses inside their handbags...
I sold both items to dept stores for several years.

[stc]

I took the plunge four years ago and bought a $400 Charles David large tote. I got it on sale at Macy's for $250. It was worth every penny. It holds my 15-inch laptop, my gym clothes, some books and personal items. It is just now crumbling a bit at the seams and I have been shopping for a replacement. But in general, I have become a believer in paying for a high-quality tote.

[aquariusangel]

Alright, this may have been a little obsessive of me. I took pictures of my own bag in use and attached, I love this bag and it's worked out so well for me and for $78. In the picture it has my laptop, iPad, notebook, wallet and umbrella in main pocket but there is normally food and a sweater in there as well. It has two internal zip pockets (one has a mirror and charger, the other lady products and medicine/moisturizer) There is a pocket for a cell phone but I use it for pens/pencils. There are two external zip pockets, one has my keys the other (didn't include) carries my phone and headphones. It has a leather bottom and straps so it can carry a heavy load. It zips all the way shut as well. It's big and fits a lot, it's actually not hard to find things in if you happen to just dump things in your bag. It has a lifetime guarantee as well and I just love owls so that's a plus for me but there are different designs. http://www.brooklynindustries.com/pr...inted-tote-bag There aren't many on the website but are easy to find on eBay I believe. This one is a bit different http://www.brooklynindustries.com/ba.../tote-bag-2011 doesn't zip shut (magnetic snap) and one less inside pocket.

Hope this helps! And I didn't go crazy overboard, I just love talking about tote bags that fit a lot of stuff.

[Kristie]

That's a cute bag! Looks nice and roomy.....Thanks for illustrating the inside!!

[stc]

Bill Cunningham has a video piece on large tote bags in The New York Times today.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2012/...am-upsize.html

[elfygp]

uh oh... just fell in love with a Brooklyn Industries bag... and DH and I just agreed to a spending fast! Argh!

[sazba17]

Have you thought about a neoprone protective case and then chucking it in any old bag? Is this just for flying, as mine gets taken out so many times for sec' it hardly seems worth buying a specific bag for travelling, especially as once you are there you most likely want something more feminine than all the big laptop cases you can get out there...