Yet another search for the perfect bag

July 14, 2015 8:30 AM

I'm in the market for a new handbag, that will hopefully last me forevermore (or at least long enough to justify the monetary investment - I don't want to be buying a new handbag every year because the old one wears out). Lots of snowflakes inside.

I have basically established for myself that these are desirable qualities in a handbag:

• Spacious. For reference, the sizes of various bags I already own and use fairly regularly would be, in cm:
  • 24x24x7 (bit too small to fit all my things)
  • 30x32x7 (nice but too deep)
  • 34x26x8 (closest to "just right" in terms of width x length)


• Made of canvas or leather, preferably canvas. I'm fairly rough on my bags and I tend to ruin anything pleather within a couple of months. Ideally it'd be something I can just toss in the washing machine if it gets dirty, and something I'd not be afraid to, say, set down on the ground for a moment for fear it'll be Forever Ruined.


• Reinforced bottom. I carry around lots of stuff and bags without a sturdy bottom end up looking like a shapeless mess.


• Lots of pockets. I regularly carry around my phone, tablet, cables and a portable battery for both, headphones (these, so they're fairly bulky), hairbrush, small Moleskine notebook and pens, wallet, various sets of keys, bandaids, tissues, pocket umbrella, plus a myriad other things depending on the situation. I'm sick of being that person who has to set her bag on the counter and rummage around forever to find her wallet, or who ends up pulling out three tampons, two bandaids, four packs of candy and a tiny confused kitten along with her keys.


• Multiple carry configurations. I usually carry my bag slung across my body with a long strap, but I'd appreciate also having handles so I can carry it by hand - provided the long strap and the handles both can be tucked into the bag when not in use so it doesn't look weird. If it also somehow includes two straps so it can be carried as a backpack in a pinch, that would be absolutely amazing, but I have a feeling this last wish is a unicorn.


• Main compartment(s) zips closed. Ideally with a flap covering it also, but if there's only one of the two I'll take the zip.


• As light as possible when empty. Already carrying around some quite heavy stuff, would rather not have the bag add to the issue.

I'm specifically looking for a handbag, not a messenger bag or backpack. I'm more concerned with function over form (I need to carry around all my stuff far more often than I need to look fancy and fashionable), but I'd like it to not be completely ugly.

Thinkgeek's Handbag of Holding is something I've found that ticks most of these checkboxes, and it's what I'll be going for if I find nothing better, but I'd rather know all my options first.

I'm in the UK, so keep that in mind when recommending.

Price cap around £50, though I don't mind spending more for something really good quality and long-lasting.

posted by sailoreagle to Shopping (9 answers total)

Duluth Pack's Zip Top tote has multiple carrying options, is roomy, comes in many colors, mostly canvas with leather trim. They ship internationally.

Rawrow's Mini convertible backpack is a backpack but looks quite sleek, has multiple carrying options, waxed canvas. Their zippered tote is also pretty cute and functional .

QWSTION bags are canvas and well designed. This one is expandable, lots of pockets, and multiple configurations. This one turns into a backpack.

Most of these options are a bit above your price cap, but they're pretty quality products.
posted by mlo at 9:36 AM on July 14, 2015

People also make much of the Tom Bihn bags for their design and quality, this one looks good.
posted by mlo at 9:40 AM on July 14, 2015

Best answer: Duluth Trading Co. has fantastic, super durable bags. I have several types of both leather and canvas, and will be a lifelong customer. I currently carry the "Lifetime Leather Travel Bag" (pg 2) as my daily bag, which is comfortable as a cross-body bag and sits nicely on the hip, or you can shorten the strap as a shoulder sling. Has loads of pockets and dividers. The leather has character and with the natural finish you don't need to worry about scratching it, scuffs will just rub out and it develops a patina. I'm really hard on my bags and have been using this almost 2 years and it's held up great. I also have a couple of the canvas bags (Day Tote & Sling Bag) and their features are also well-thought out, and washable. They're a local company to me but they do international shipping. (Also, FWIW, I've had the same Thinkgeek handbag of holding bookmarked for a couple of years, so we seem to have similar taste in bags.)
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 9:58 AM on July 14, 2015

A little above your price point, but for durability, roominess, organization, and versatility, I'd look into nappy bags, like Storksak's Noa.
posted by evoque at 10:02 AM on July 14, 2015

Above your price point, but half the women I know in New York carry this thing bc it's durable as hell, lightweight, comfortable to wear, and carries EVERYTHING. As in all your work stuff, a book or two, your gym clothes, an umbrella and some groceries. I've had mine for a few years now, in black, and it barely shows any wear or tear, so it was worth the $. It's nylon and tough as nails. Just make sure you get the large (there is also an extra-large I believe) with the long handles to fit over your shoulder.

I would buy another one of these in a second if something happened to mine.
posted by greta simone at 10:12 AM on July 14, 2015 [5 favorites]

Very slightly above your price range, but Timbuk2's totoes, shoulder bags and hobo bags are awesome. They come in ripstop cordura, are meant to take a beating and have lots of pockets.
posted by Brittanie at 10:12 AM on July 14, 2015

Well the Longchamp bag doesn't have lots of pockets, just a small inside one, but I've solved the tons-of-crap issue by putting all the small stuff (bandaids/tampons/hairties/etc) in a clear cosmetics bag, and using the small side-pocket for keys and phone and tissues (i.e. the stuff I use multiple times a day and don't want to rummage around for). Everything else--books, planner, umbrella, wallet, glasses case, headphones--are big enough to just feel for without needing to rummage.

You can also buy 'purse-organizer' things that can take care of the lack of pockets, if you really need pockets.

Seriously, you want this bag.
posted by greta simone at 10:24 AM on July 14, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I was just poking through Duluth Trading again and noticed they have a new model called the Lifetime Leather Convertible Messenger. It converts to shoulder straps, grab handle, or backpack. A little spendy, but might fit your "unicorn" criteria?
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 10:34 AM on July 14, 2015

Response by poster: Oh wow, that Lifetime Leather Convertible Messenger looks like it may well be my unicorn. Very torn right now between that and the Lifetime Leather Travel Bag. They're both gorgeous.

Bit more pricy than I was hoping, but looks like it'd be worth the money. Going to have to save up (or beg for one as a Christmas present from a family member).

Thanks all!
posted by sailoreagle at 12:33 PM on July 14, 2015 [1 favorite]