Yeah, not "OMG how will I ever do all the reading" or "what in God's name is a tort". Nope, I was super concerned about finding just the right bag to lug my laptop and books in. Does that shock anyone? Ha.
And for those who are wondering - I did finally find the perfect bag.
Louis Vuitton Saleya MM
So, I'm in the market for a new bag. Well... I suppose I should say that I'm "in the market" for a new bag, because we all know that I'm unemployed, so a new handbag isn't quite in the budget at the moment. But it will be soon.
I am having a hard time finding something that isn't covered in studs/tassles/logos and that is structured enough so that it doesn't slump over and smush all your papers when you set it down.
So lady lawyers and other professional types - what do you carry? My LV served me well and I love it, I just want something non-logoed for every day. Preferably black, but brown is not a dealbreaker. It has to zip or have a flap that closes, so papers and computers don't get wet walking to the bus in the rain and so my stuff doesn't get snatched out by a bum if I decide to doze off and take a little nap during the commute to the job I hope to have someday soon. Pockets are good. I like pockets.
Oh and I hate Coach. So preferably not Coach.
(p.s. Dear LV - how about you just make the Saleya MM in plain black? That would be perfect. Thanks)
http://www.katespade.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4332528&cp=1863844.3744578
ReplyDeleteI love the Kate Spade bag in the link. It does say Kate Spade in small letters near the top of the handbag, but if it's turned towards the body no one will know, unless they know handbags.
http://xoxoebony.blogspot.com
I prefer slouchy bags, but probably because I carry all my work things in a separate tote. However, if I had to combine the two -- I'd pick this from Kate Spade in graphite:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.katespade.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4298772
Or this in either color:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/3115168?origin=category
check out ebags.com for lots of choices in 1 place.
ReplyDeleteI have a plain black leather carry-all that I found at the Coach outlet. Its the same size as my Neverful, but has a top zipper and the straps are a bit thicker. Its the perfect bag for interviewing, or other times when you don't want something with logos all over the place. Sadly I have never seen it in the Coach retail store, or on the website, but its always stocked in the outlets.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same! Will be looking for something new soon! For the past two years, I've primarily carried a nylon tote bag that I bought at Payless two years ago because it's water-proof and I need to carry a lot of stuff day-to-day... meanwhile, my beautiful Coach bag sits in it's dust bag and only gets to come out on special occasion cause the island weather and heavy duty loads were killing it! Would be keen to hear what you end up getting or at least looking at!!! Michael Kors does some lovely big bags that are affordable... $300ish...
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, your moving to Chicago and buying a place (and handbag) made me giggle. I feel ya... I was very concerned about my computer bag in law school. I didn't want to appear sorority girl, but didn't want to seem 85 year old with a wheely bag either! ha! :) Second, I dont care big bags anymore b/c I have very little to tote around these days to and from work, but try Michael Kors and/or Cole Haan.. Both have great lines out right now! :)
ReplyDeleteI always carried the standard Longchamp tote bag throughout college and law school. But you're right, its not structured, and therefore everything gets kind of smooshy. But the Longchamp "Happy" tote is a structured leather version of their classic tote, and it is (god willing that I ever end up with a paycheck) going to become my go-to work bag.
ReplyDeleteI'm not the professional type and I don't know how slouchy it may get... but have you looked at Mulberry's Bayswater in black or brown? I'm currently crushing on the Oak Natural and Camel Glossy...
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't get a bag until you have a job. You'll never know what you really need until you know what you're doing. My last job I didn't need a bigger bag to carry anything, so I just splurged on a nice purse that was big enough to hold a decent sized planner. But, for my job now, I'm hauling files to and from court all day, so I need a pretty big bag.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't want to get something now and realize once you get a job that it's not right!
This is probably not something you'd ever buy, but here's what I have: http://store.franklinplanner.com/static/catalog/products/lrg/36281_lrg.jpg
ReplyDeleteI have never been able to convince my husband that our money is better spent on a $500 bag than, say, rent, but when I worked in the legal field this summer, I wanted something exactly like you described-structured, with a zipper so my papers would not fly everywhere. I love this bag b/c it's super light, and it could be stuffed to the brim and still not be hard to carry. But it's definitely more of a briefcase than a purse.
You really don't need a briefcase or other big bag for interviews. In reality, if you have a portfolio with your resume and a legal pad, you're fine. If you can carry a portfolio with a small purse or even just stick necessary id/credit card/keys into your portfolio/dayplanner, then you'll be fine. You'll look sleek and competent in your interview. The more shit you carry around, the more high maintenance you'll look. And, indeed, the LV would make you look like Elle Woods (the blonde, not the dog), but in a bad way.
ReplyDeleteOnce you're hired (and, indeed, you will be!), then assess your options. Use the LV for the first couple of weeks. Wait to see if somebody buys you a briefcase/bag as a "you got a job" present. Then, after your first or second paycheck, you'll have a better idea of what you're looking for, how many files you're bringing home at night, whether you're toting a laptop home from work, etc.
Not to sound totally mom-ish and practical, but I have tons of bags from school/work that I thought would be perfect, but which wound up hanging out in the closet indefinitely.
I have a Dooney bag that I love. It doesn't zip, but it fits my huge work laptop perfectly. It is similar to this one:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=48401
I have many bag and I love all my bag but this bag also like it because so fancy and charming colour and fits for laptop also....thanks regarding..
ReplyDeleteOnce I get a paycheck (soon!) I'll be snagging one of these -- love love love! http://www.fossil.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=12052&catalogId=10052&productId=22186202&cm_mmc=goo2-_-feed-_-pdp-_-dly&mr:trackingCode=A98A63DC-D790-DF11-BC8B-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
ReplyDeleteI've heard you can sometimes find them in outlets for $70-80 and I've always been really impressed with the quality of fossil's leather goods.