Lotsa, Lotsa Laptop Bags
Some women collect shoes … some women collect purses. I collect lots of laptop bags. I’ve got several from Franklin Covey (from when they had a local store where I could touch and feel a bag before I bought it), Briggs & Riley, Coach and others. I’ve got red bags, pink bags, black bags and white bags (I sound like a Dr. Suess title!), small bags, large bags, shoulder bags, wheeled bags. You name it, I’ve tried it. Only my friend Tamara is worse! I’ll use a bag for several weeks or months before boredom sets in; Tamara rotates to a different bag on a weekly basis. I’ve got bags that are best for short travels, other bags for long international trips because they hold more ‘stuff’.
My criteria:
Holds all my stuff:
- Business folders
- Kindle
- FlipCam and camera
- All the cords for charging my laptop, phone, Bluetooth, camera, etc.
- iPod, business cards, pens
- Magazines
- Journal
- Pashmina shawl
- Small makeup bag
- Protein bars, water bottle
- Neck pillow and eye mask (on long-haul trips)
Is durable and secure:
- Fits under the seat on my flights
- Closes securely
- Nothing falls out as the bag is going through airport security machines
Fits my style:
- Is professional and chic.
- Stays on my shoulder when I’m carrying it
- Stays put on my luggage when I’m running through the airport
My latest find: Coach’s Baby Bag (yes, a baby bag!). It’s my second Coach baby bag – my first is a beautiful pink bag. These bags are very roomy, have dividers and large zippered pockets, sections for my phone and business cards and huge outer pockets on both sides that have magnetic snaps. These outer pockets are great for holding a book, magazines, your boarding pass and anything you want fast access to. The best feature is the zippered closure that has no problem zippering even after all my stuff has been loaded up. Its size is perfect for me: 13 3/4 (L) x 12 3/4 (H) x 6 (W). Of course, since it’s a baby bag, there’s also a changing pad included. Toss that to the side, or use it on your lap when you have a laptop battery that gets too hot.
And since this smart woman traveler is also a frugal woman traveler, I bought my new Coach bag at Coach’s outlet store in Orlando. Retail is about $358, the Outlet store had the bag for $200.
I’m all packed and ready for my trip!
