Bag search (Ladies please speak up)

[tandaina]

Alright folks I've read through the most recent bag threads and have gotten some good ideas. But so far haven't found anything that's exactly what I want.

/sigh

I need a bag to tote around my MacBook. I want something small and light. I am only 5'2" (on a good day) and petite and do not want a huge bag that weighs a ton and totally overwhelms me (been there, done that with my old Dell). I also don't want a bag that LOOKS like a laptop bag. I want something stylish and feminine.

This is proving hard to find. I can find casual bags (so far the sfbags are my favorites for that) but those will look odd with a long wool coat and a suit. Just not enough style there. I find $5,000 custom made alligator bags. But, umm, no. Must stay UNDER $200.

Finding reviews is getting frustrating. Any other Mac Ladies out there have a suggestion for something stylish, not too big, that can also be used as a general travel bag when I go on trips without the laptop? (I usually go overseas every other year and could use a nice tote to use as a carry-on/daybag.)

(So far the cheapest bags I've found that actually look pretty good are Kecci and are technically diaper bags. Too bad I can't find ANY shots on a model to see how big they are or really tell if they'd work as a computer bag. Bah.) (http://www.kecci.com/cgi-bin/tlsstore.cgi)

 

[moss918]

Why don't you try a good quality case for the Macbook and then just use a non-laptop bag? That way it'll be protected and you can have a nice girly bag...

 

[tandaina]

I've considered that. Still toying with the idea. But I'm often afraid that non-laptop bags won't have the water protection (gaps, etc) or padded bottom, etc. I suppose if I went with something heavier than just a slip sleeve that might not be as big an issue but...

I'll keep it in mind, though that just makes the options WIDER.

 

[deathtolife04]

Why don't you try a good quality case for the Macbook and then just use a non-laptop bag? That way it'll be protected and you can have a nice girly bag...

that's what i do.
i'm really glad i didn't buy an actual laptop bag.
i can toss it in a backpack, messenger bag, or carry it without a bag and it's always safe. you have more options that way for sure! i prefer my messenger bag, but sometimes carrying those hurts my upper back (which i have issues with as it is...) so i sometimes use a backpack...

got one at the mac store. $30. works perfect. and i always get compliments on it, too. black incase sleeve with lime green lining. ;-)

 

[DVaris223]

Definitely go with a sleeve rather than an actual bag. I use a Northface backpack and an Incase sleeve and I haven't found anything better yet. Well actually I have. The Neoprene Incase sleeve I have is nice, but the Canvas Incase sleeve is dead sexy lol..but it's $20 more (only downside haha)

 

[joism]

I use the STM Alley shoulder bag. It doesn't look like a laptop bag at all and it's small. It fits the Macbook perfectly with extra pockets. I'm pretty petite, so having a small bag without the need to feel "weighed" down was a priority for me as well.

 

[Lisa]

I have a this Casauri sleeve. It's simple but holds my MBP, charger, a mouse, mousepad, ipod, and a few folders/files. The quality is nice right down to the hardware, and I love the funky design. They have sleeves in all sizes. I got it at my local Small Dog Electronics.

 

[moss918]

I also have the STM Small Alley bag but I'm not small. I'm big. And the tiny strap makes me look bloody silly. Nice bag though...

 

[tandaina]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I've found a couple sites selling custom made sleeves with shoulder straps. Seems like the perfect compromise and I can just drop the laptop into whatever tote I'm using at the time.

 

[cath462]

Ditto on the sleeve here. I found a really cute bag at my local Nordstrom Rack, of all places, and my sleeve fits in there nicely.

 

[StevenH]

Hi, first of all, I have to agree that sleeves are the way to go. Especially with you being a girl, you don't wanna be hogging around a hefty bag instead of a sleek sleeve. Both me(guy) and my gf(gal!) both agree that most laptop sleeves are sexier than most laptop bags in general.

I have a waterfield's laptop sleeve. In my daytime travel to uni, I simply slip the sleeve into one of my non-laptop bags and off I go. It has been protected fine. Conversely, when I am at home, I simply carry around the sleeve by itself without the laptop bag. This is because I know that at home I won't experience large crowds i.e. I can be confident that I won't get as many knocks/shocks. In case you missed it, my point is - GO FOR A SLEEVE!

On that note, I think this may be what you are looking for: Wrappers.

Have a careful browse through their range: they have both girly and manly sleeves. However, you'll immediately notice the uniqueness of the sleeves, which is obviously a bonus if you're big on style. Remember to check out how the sleeve 'mouth' closes too - nice minimalistic functionality. You can also customise some sleeves with text e.g. my gf got her name stitched in pink on her sleeve!

The only thing I cannot verify is how well it protects your laptop. My gf hasn't received it just yet but the FAQ is fairly reassuring: "Our MacBook sleeves give all round protection to your laptop. We use high quality, tough, densely spun materials with a soft finish."

It is also VERY reasonably priced compared to other 'designer' bags/sleeves. They also ship worldwide for a reasonable fee.

If that's not to your liking, the only other one I can suggest out of experience is this:laRobe Pink: simply because its pink!

Good luck in your search, remember to post back to let us know how it goes!

 

[onecrazycowgirl]

Another vote for a sleeve ...

I have an older very well-padded nine west sleeve that I got for my older dell laptop, that was, I believe, a 14incher. I have a school-issue laptop backpack that came with my school-issue macbook, that I abhor. It's hideous, and the entire class of 350+ freshmen have the same backpack.

I always use the sleeve in another bag, and it fits in about anything, or it's even comfy to carry around by itself, and has a pocket that I can fit a textbook and the power supply in.

 

[tandaina]

In case anyone in burning with curiosity here's what I ordered:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5588914

Pretty, light, waterproof and will drop into another bag when I need to carry cables and extra stuff around. I have never, ever, ever, experienced a time when I thought "oh good thing I had my laptop in this big heavy bag".

Once it arrives I'll report how well it protects but since I'm pretty careful with my laptop anyway and not in crowded places like high schools I'm sure it'll be more than enough. Mostly I need something to keep rain/dirt off.

 

[Lisa]

Very nice selection!

 

[x59]

Crumpler?

 

[CrossBones]

Tray the Prada boutique.

 

[iKitten]

Nice choice, tandaina, very feminine!

 

[slashjunior]

This is what I got.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Be-ez-La-Robe...03313681QQcategoryZ141177QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The only problem being it doesn't hold anything else other than the laptop. It is available in different colours and is available for both the MacBook and MacBook Pro. I take a bag to university anyway, so I just put the MacBook in this and then put this in my bag and put the power adapter in my bag just incase I run low on batteries.

 

[iKitten]

Hey, Slash, that's really cool! I plan to get that same kind in hot pink. :flower:

 

[tandaina]

Yeah I look at a few like that, very cute and look good and protective. But I really wanted something with handles/shoulder strap.