Need A Feminine Day Bag

March 28, 2011 10:14 AM

Trip to Europe. Need a day bag that holds an iPad and other useful stuff. I really like the Tom Bihn Co-Pilot but am looking for something a little more feminine.

Requirements:

Lots of pockets for separate storage (like the Tom Bihn bag).
Capable of holding an iPad
Capable of being carried easily (shoulder strap/backpack)
Not be enormous
Be appropriate/stylish for a woman

I'm inclined to use a backpack but I don't feel that's very stylish and probably too big for just a day bag.

Anyone have the perfect bag recommendation?

posted by shew to Shopping (11 answers total)

I took my 13" satchel from Cambridge Satchel Co with me to Australia, and it was perfect. Just big enough to hold my iPad, passport, wallet, camera, and a small bottle of water. It's cute, not too heavy, and pretty durable. Shipping was actually fairly cheap and super quick, even though it came from the UK. (I have a smaller one that was monogrammed - that'll take longer if you so choose).
posted by katillathehun at 10:19 AM on March 28, 2011 [1 favorite]

Maybe the Waterfield Designs Sling? It's not specifically an iPad case, but I suspect it would work.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 10:32 AM on March 28, 2011 [1 favorite]

I like the Deluxe Everyday Bag from LeSportsac. An iPad would fit in the big back pocket, there are a bunch of other pockets (perfct for people like me who tend to lose things in purses) and it can easily be worn messenger-style if you loosen the strap all the way. Plus, many cute patterns!
posted by leesh at 10:45 AM on March 28, 2011

Tano bags are beautiful. Mine doesn't have a lot of interior pockets, but that's probably the easiest thing to overcome, either temporarily or permanently. It's very well-made and has been a great work bag since I got it for Christmas 2009. Bonus: it's got that slightly aged look that stands up well to getting banged around without looking old and saggy.

I think I have the Lingo, but obviously they have a crapload of styles. The shoulder strap is pretty good, too.
posted by Madamina at 10:46 AM on March 28, 2011

I just got (literally, FedEx dude came today) a Timbuk2 Harriet bag for day/travel-to-Europe use. It's lightweight and fairly feminine in shape, but pretty casual/rugged material-wise. I like the adjustable strap for cross-body or shoulder wear, and it has a ton of pockets. The main section zips shut, which I really wanted for foreign travel.

As for the iPad aspect, it depends on what sort of sleeve you're using. Mine is in a Dodocase and with that slight extra girth it's hard to fit the iPad in this bag easily. If you're using a thin sleeve or skin, I think it will be better.
posted by dayintoday at 11:07 AM on March 28, 2011 [1 favorite]

I'd suggest taking a look at Travelsmith. They have a lot of bags that look like what you are seeking, both under handbags and totes, and shoulder and messenger bags. Here are the top rated bags per customers.
posted by bearwife at 11:35 AM on March 28, 2011

Crumpler also makes really nice bags which are suitable both as a purse/handbag and laptop bag. I think what I have is the Moderate Embarrassment, and I love it, and have traveled with it extensively.
posted by kch at 1:42 PM on March 28, 2011

Take a look at Acme's Slim Cargo, which has many pockets consolidated into one uber-pocket. I bought a Slim case five years ago and it's just now starting to fray at the corners, after a lot of abuse. And every time I carry it, someone asks where I got it.
posted by dogrose at 3:48 PM on March 28, 2011

I like the PacSafe line of bags; I used the small one on a trip to Europe and it really put my mind at ease not having to worry about it being stolen. If security is a particular issue for you, I recommend them. I also got the PacSafe wallet to put inside my bag; my boyfriend thought it was overkill, but I knew we'd be spending a lot of time in crowded, touristy places and I didn't want to worry about losing our passports and money. The bags don't look like it, but they have steel cable in the straps so they can't be cut and the fabric is very tough and difficult to cut as well.
posted by WorkingMyWayHome at 9:33 PM on March 28, 2011

Oh, and I should mention that the PacSafe bags have lots of pockets and are generally thoughtfully designed.
posted by WorkingMyWayHome at 9:34 PM on March 28, 2011

I am a lady using a Co-Pilot and I totally Work It. It is really awesome and holds everything you want it to plus some--it is very small but amazing. I understand what you mean about it though; I put a Marimekko charm on it to girly-fy it a little.

I have a couple other bags that have millions of pockets and are thusly wonderful, but they are leather and I am afraid of getting them wet or scuffing them up or such and such. The Co-Pilot has none of those worries.

I'll see if I can find information on my best leather pocket-ful purse when I get home--I am pretty sure it was big enough for an iPad.
posted by that girl at 12:59 AM on March 29, 2011