Shoppingfilter: new mum wants a posh leather backpack, is getting a bit neurotic about it

January 16, 2008 12:18 PM

I used to have nice purses. Now I have a baby. I want a posh, probably leather, backpack to tote around for the next few years.

Previous bag threads have had some good answers, so here goes...

I have a few 'good' purses that I rotated -- mostly Coach -- nothing with logos or fancy designs; just very sturdy high-quality leather, plain and classic. I want the backpack equivalent.

Most nice-looking leather backpacks are wee things, purse-size. I need something large enough for use as a diaper bag. Most large leather backpacks are a little blah-looking, like somebody took a bookbag design and sewed it together with mediocre leather.

My thinking was that nice purse + nice shoes = better-looking jeans and t-shirt. Now that 95% of my wardrobe really is that sloppy, I am a bit neurotic about getting the bag and shoes just so.

I bought this. The idea was fine but the quality is surprisingly lousy; it's going back.

I think this is sweet but I'm not sure I'm ready to blow $450. This is an okay plain design but I don't know what the quality might be like...

It must be mailable to Canada. I have no firm budget in mind. Brand names are fine but I'm not a fan of logos. Please, suggest away!

posted by kmennie to shopping (9 comments total)

Kenneth Cole

eBay Coach
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:30 PM on January 16, 2008

Have you considered Longchamp? Women's backpacks are in the ladies' bags section.

Mrs. Haddock has one, and it is very nice.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 12:31 PM on January 16, 2008

I really meant to link to all the leather Coach backpacks on eBay, there. There are quite a few!
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:32 PM on January 16, 2008

I had seen and liked the Longchamps -- too small, though.

eBay would be great if I was not totally fed up with eBay. Too many fakes, and I kept getting being charged a pile for shipping, to have something wrapped in old newspaper and sent for $4. (Yeah, you can complain, but nothing happens.)
posted by kmennie at 12:34 PM on January 16, 2008

As a 25-year-old, childless, unmarried male, I'm almost embarrased that I know this, but:

Petunia Pickle Bottom.
posted by rjacobs at 12:55 PM on January 16, 2008

I read that wrong at first.

Mulholland Brothers. They have cool backpacks (no-logos). Some are alligator but most of it is leather.
posted by wfc123 at 1:09 PM on January 16, 2008

I have their luggage. It's high quality leather.
posted by wfc123 at 1:10 PM on January 16, 2008

Sometime there are interesting things on Novica. Maybe one of these?
posted by carolr at 1:15 PM on January 16, 2008

I'm not sure if you're looking to "tote" baby things as well. But, if so, I second Petunia Pickle Bottom and direct your attention to their Scout line -- I got the Journey Pack for my sister in law and the quality is great. It's rather large but could totally work for non-baby things and just to use as a travel bag. That one was about $130 here in Portland as I recall. Their Rubicon backpack looks pretty swank.
posted by amanda at 1:37 PM on January 16, 2008