Tumi on a Target budget?
April 29, 2011 10:47 AM Subscribe
I love this Tumi bag! ...is there anything similar but less expensive?
I love the Tumi Buckle Tote, and I want it! But $325? Having a hard time justifying that. I don't mind spending a bit of money, I'd rather get something that will last, but I am hoping for less than $325.
Any suggestions for a similar work tote? It needs to be able to carry a laptop, some files, a book or two, purse miscellaney. Color is flexible: black, taupe, brown, tan, or green, but any suggestions welcome. I want it to look professional, hold up well, and look more feminie than a standard brief case.
I love the Tumi Buckle Tote, and I want it! But $325? Having a hard time justifying that. I don't mind spending a bit of money, I'd rather get something that will last, but I am hoping for less than $325.
Any suggestions for a similar work tote? It needs to be able to carry a laptop, some files, a book or two, purse miscellaney. Color is flexible: black, taupe, brown, tan, or green, but any suggestions welcome. I want it to look professional, hold up well, and look more feminie than a standard brief case.
Hmm. Well, my friend has one or two of these seat-belt bags - they are pricey, but still less than the one you're looking at, and super-crazy-tough. If you like that sort of thing. : ) (Look around, there are a variety of sizes, colors, etc, some funky, some more straight-up, and various sizes).
posted by bitterkitten at 10:59 AM on April 29, 2011
posted by bitterkitten at 10:59 AM on April 29, 2011
ebags women's laptop bags section has a lot of good choices. Just quickly, here's a few:
Franklin Covey, Piel, Franklin Covey 2, McKlein USA, Franklin Covey 3, Etienne Aigner, etc. etc...
posted by brainmouse at 11:00 AM on April 29, 2011
Franklin Covey, Piel, Franklin Covey 2, McKlein USA, Franklin Covey 3, Etienne Aigner, etc. etc...
posted by brainmouse at 11:00 AM on April 29, 2011
How big is your laptop? That will probably be the biggest concern. Check out something like this selection; I liked the look of the McKlein bags before I got my Tano (which is too small anyway).
Check out TJ Maxx; they often have great deals on bags of all sizes.
posted by Madamina at 11:03 AM on April 29, 2011
Check out TJ Maxx; they often have great deals on bags of all sizes.
posted by Madamina at 11:03 AM on April 29, 2011
I find LL Bean bags totally indestructible and it's always my first stop for tote-type stuff -- the closest match is admittedly not super-similar but, for what it's worth -- Town and Field Tote, Leather. (Also Leather Messenger Tote) At "LL Bean Signature" this Bean's Heritage Nubuck Tote is nice, well-reviewed, on sale for $70...
(Don't forget retailmenot.com and similar for coupon codes; easy to find discounts for this sort of purchase)
posted by kmennie at 11:31 AM on April 29, 2011
(Don't forget retailmenot.com and similar for coupon codes; easy to find discounts for this sort of purchase)
posted by kmennie at 11:31 AM on April 29, 2011
I've had my Tumi bag for 5 years and it looks just as good as the day I first bought it. I say spring for the real deal. Consider it an investment.
posted by quadog at 11:35 AM on April 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by quadog at 11:35 AM on April 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
What about something like this Halogen bag? Or this one? Or this Cole Haan?
I've been browsing the department store sites looking for totes that seem to have similar dimensions, handle length, and pocketiness. There are some good options out there! My technique for stuff like this is to prowl for designer brands whose quality I know and trust in the sale sections. Big stores need to move merchandise quickly, so if you are strategic, you can get good stuff.
I do agree with quadog though, a daily use bag is something worth investing in!
posted by chatongriffes at 11:39 AM on April 29, 2011
I've been browsing the department store sites looking for totes that seem to have similar dimensions, handle length, and pocketiness. There are some good options out there! My technique for stuff like this is to prowl for designer brands whose quality I know and trust in the sale sections. Big stores need to move merchandise quickly, so if you are strategic, you can get good stuff.
I do agree with quadog though, a daily use bag is something worth investing in!
posted by chatongriffes at 11:39 AM on April 29, 2011
Re. that LL Bean bag -- I bought that based on an AskMe I did a while back and there's a pretty serious amount of fraying at the seams in the bottom corner and at the point where the handle meets the bag. I wouldn't recommend it, though I do like it. (I figure at some point I'll take it to a shoe repair place and ask them to put in some new, heavy-duty seams.)
posted by A Terrible Llama at 11:44 AM on April 29, 2011
posted by A Terrible Llama at 11:44 AM on April 29, 2011
I love Tumi. But I needed a particular kind of square tote that I could take to conferences and work meetings, and it needed to fit your exact specs: "It needs to be able to carry a laptop, some files, a book or two, purse miscellaney. ...I want it to look professional, hold up well, and look more feminie than a standard brief case."
I also wasn't willing to buy high-end. I travel on day trips a lot, and I was weary of trying to look out for my nice work tote while it got shoved on its side in a bin for the TSA metal detector... or tossed atop my rollaboard as I ran to a taxi... or otherwise beat up while out on the road.
While at a conference, I saw a lady carrying the EXACT style and shape of bag I needed. My dream tote. And it came with a padded laptop sleeve insert, and looked exceptionally professional. I asked her where she got it.
She looked around, leaned over, and whispered, "Target. Thirty bucks." She wasn't kidding. I promptly bought three. When I beat up the first one, I will move on. In fact, just from talking about it and reminding myself of the awesomeness, I might stop at Target on the way home and buy a fourth in case they've discontinued it before I wear out the first three.
Bonus: no exaggeration, it really doesn't look like a $30 Target bag. The other day, the Coach specialist at the Dillard's handbag counter asked me if it was from Brahmin's new croc line.
The one thing I can't speak to is how it holds up. I bought the first one in January, and I carry it maybe two days a week, more if I'm at a week-long conference when I'll use it as my main bag.
posted by pineapple at 1:49 PM on April 29, 2011 [3 favorites]
I also wasn't willing to buy high-end. I travel on day trips a lot, and I was weary of trying to look out for my nice work tote while it got shoved on its side in a bin for the TSA metal detector... or tossed atop my rollaboard as I ran to a taxi... or otherwise beat up while out on the road.
While at a conference, I saw a lady carrying the EXACT style and shape of bag I needed. My dream tote. And it came with a padded laptop sleeve insert, and looked exceptionally professional. I asked her where she got it.
She looked around, leaned over, and whispered, "Target. Thirty bucks." She wasn't kidding. I promptly bought three. When I beat up the first one, I will move on. In fact, just from talking about it and reminding myself of the awesomeness, I might stop at Target on the way home and buy a fourth in case they've discontinued it before I wear out the first three.
Bonus: no exaggeration, it really doesn't look like a $30 Target bag. The other day, the Coach specialist at the Dillard's handbag counter asked me if it was from Brahmin's new croc line.
The one thing I can't speak to is how it holds up. I bought the first one in January, and I carry it maybe two days a week, more if I'm at a week-long conference when I'll use it as my main bag.
posted by pineapple at 1:49 PM on April 29, 2011 [3 favorites]
Just in case you don't love any of the other suggestions Tumi does have sales on discontinued colors at around 40% off about twice a year.
posted by oneear at 2:12 PM on April 29, 2011
posted by oneear at 2:12 PM on April 29, 2011
I don't know if this would work for such a seasonal item, but I've had success getting discounted Tumi products in the past. I found the nearest Tumi outlet and called them on the phone. Since I knew exactly what I wanted, I asked if they had it in stock, and if they would ship it to me (they're further than I'd like to go). They did, and they did. Outlet prices, delivered to my door.
Your mileage may vary, but it's worth a try.
posted by nadise at 7:32 PM on April 29, 2011
Your mileage may vary, but it's worth a try.
posted by nadise at 7:32 PM on April 29, 2011
Did you already see this Coakley bag?
Regardless, I have been really pleased with the quality of my last few Merona product purchases so I think Target is really making an effort where their in-house designs are concerned.
posted by squasha at 3:58 AM on May 3, 2011
Regardless, I have been really pleased with the quality of my last few Merona product purchases so I think Target is really making an effort where their in-house designs are concerned.
posted by squasha at 3:58 AM on May 3, 2011
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posted by chowflap at 10:56 AM on April 29, 2011