I've been considering this purse for my travels because the bag opens up so widely making it easy to get what I need. It doesn't have an outside pocket nor is the strap long enough for a crossbody. The latter part I can remedy as D&B sells longer straps. But the no outside pocket makes me wonder if that will be a nuisance when traveling.
Does anyone here use the purse and, if so, do you like it or not? Thanks.
(No, I'm not going to 'ditch the purse')
:-)
IMHO, as a travel purse, it would be too big and too heavy.
I think a trip to Europe isn't a great time to make a major change in the style of purse a woman carries. That said, I carry considerably more in my purse on a European vacation than I do at home: water bottle (at home I'd be using a tote bag if I needed a water bottle), passport, local maps and brochures, excerpt from guidebook, small notebook, sometimes a snack or small purchase. For me it's critical to have some sort of expandable open pocket on the outside of the purse where I can cram paper items I may need to refer to frequently, like maps. Otherwise, that sort of material would use up too much of the space in the zipper compartment, and I'd have to unzip the bag on the street too often--a security risk.
Another issue I'd have with the D&B bag is that it is leather. When I'm traveling I'm all about weight, and I prefer something made of nylon. I also don't want to take such a nice/expensive bag to Europe. With all the walking I do, I'd probably scrape it on stucco or concrete walls, etc. I'd also worry about exposure to rain.
I have the one you're referencing and I think it would make a terrible travel purse. Outside pockets are a must for umbrellas, water bottles, Kleenex, you name it. Plus the strap is very thin and digs in to the shoulder. Look online at Pacsafe brand travel purses.http://www.pacsafe.com/
Good travel purses - here are some brands to check out; ameribag, Ebags brand, travelon. These companies have been making good travel bags for years and know how to design for travel. You can find all of them at ebags.com. Know your personal criteria to help with selection. (i.e. Strap type, type of pockets, what are you going to carry in it, weight, fabric.)
Thank you, everybody. This has been very helpful. Not having an outside pocket bothers me. Having to open the main compartment does make it a security risk. I've always had bags with an outside pocket. I initially liked how the width is larger than the height and that the bag expands open with side gussets to prevent things from falling. I don't like it enough to lose that outside pocket as you all have reminded me.
Yeah. I was pickpocketed a couple of years ago when I had my purse unzipped to switch from regular glasses to sunglasses. Since then I've made sure to carry the glasses I'm not wearing in an outer pocket so my wallet is not exposed unnecessarily.
If you are concerned about theft - decide which compartment will be your "secure" place for your most valuable stuff. Then, you can use a large safety pin, s-biner clip, key ring cable, various clips, or a small luggage combination lock to secure this pocket. Clips can be found in hardware stores, camping supply stores or departments - screw-type key ring cables can be found in the key section at Wal-Mart. The luggage lock would be the most secure. Anything to slow down a thief can act as a deterrent.
I like using these Locking S-Biners to secure my zippers.
Yeah. I was pickpocketed a couple of years ago when I had my purse
unzipped to switch from regular glasses to sunglasses. Since then I've
made sure to carry the glasses I'm not wearing in an outer pocket so
my wallet is not exposed unnecessarily.
How awful. Thanks for the heads up.
I have the one you're referencing and I think it would make a terrible
travel purse. Outside pockets are a must for umbrellas, water bottles,
Kleenex, you name it. Plus the strap is very thin and digs in to the
shoulder.
I don't need a strap that digs. That right there makes me not want to get the bag when I return. Dooney does have a problem with thin straps. I have the pebble leather crossbody; the strap is as annoying as the dimensions of being more of a north/south bag than a wide bag. The pebble leather however IS waterproof. I've gotten caught in downpours when there is only so much an umbrella can do and I still have a 12 minute walk home from the subway for example. The leather is never damaged.
To those who recommend nylon, is it waterproof? My carryon is ballistic nylon and is pretty good in pouring rain but not for too long. The advice about not trying a new purse before going overseas makes perfect sense.
I also use this Shoulder Strap Wrap which pads the strap so it doesn't dig into my shoulder. I try not to carry too many items in my cross-body, but just adding a bottle of water will add weight to it. This strap molds to your shoulder and makes it very comfortable. Love it! Of course, anything that Tom Bihn makes is awesome!
Also, if it's pouring rain, I simply wear my cross-body underneath my rain jacket. I purchase my rain jackets one size larger so I can layer and include my cross body underneath the jacket.
I have a Coach mid-size zip-top crossbody that I've used on a couple of trips, but being leather does make it heavy, so last trip tried a LeSportsac Everyday crossbody and it was perfect. Small zip pockets on the front and bigger one across the back--just right for my map. Interior has another pocket and is divided plus has a zip-around gusset to make it a bit bigger--perfect for when I needed to stuff a light sweater or purchases inside. Comfy wide adjustable strap. Lightweight and did fine in the rain. Comes in a huge variety of colors, solids and prints.
I also love the Lesportsac deluxe shoulder satchel. This is the bag I carried on the RS week in Rome trip several years ago. It's lightweight and you can wear it under your raincoat if you don't overfill it (I too wear a raincoat a size larger for this purpose). It doesn't scream expensive and draw attention like a designer bag might. I use this at home as well. https://www.lesportsac.com/Deluxe_Shoulder_Satchel
I had not considered Le Sportsac. I haven't worn one of their bags since the 80s! What an interesting idea especially as it's so lightweight! What do you think of this bag in black?
Christa, which Coach bag do you have? Do you have a link to it? I'm curious.
I like that shoulder strap wrap. I need that for my purse NOW. Thanks.
I think christa was referring to a slightly larger Lesportsac bag, also terrific: https://www.lesportsac.com/Deluxe_Everyday_Bag
I have this one as well. It would be harder to wear it under a raincoat but it holds quite a bit more and is still lightweight. Both are great bags.
Yes! That's the one I linked above after I edited my thread. There are a couple of Le Sportsac stores near me by subway; I will check these out. Thank you!
I carry a Kipling Alvar bag for everyday. It's deceptively roomy for its size. Lightweight, with a long woven strap that doesn't slip. The divider keeps my water bottle from electronics. I clipped a leash for my Tom Bihn wallet inside the bag, and keep Kleenex in the lower outer pocket, and use the upper one for sunglasses.
I took a security crossbody for Rome/Paris (needed locking zippers for that trip). But otherwise I travel with this bag, including to Uganda.
That LeSportsac is the one I use for a travel purse. I did get picked last April in Paris. But no harm done.
I’m back in Paris and added spring Loops (like a key chain loop) and s-biners to the zips. Inside I did the same for the zipper compartment for my wallet. I’m taking time to do them up every. Single. Time. I also sewed a spring loop to the inside bottom, another to the bottom of my OTC meds/misc pouch and attached them together with a plastic coil from DryDock. It has not added any noticeable weight but a lot of security...as long as I take the time to fasten things!!
Yes, that's the purse I have, Deluxe Everyday--extremely functional and they are quite well-made. I'm also a forever fan, started using them way back in the late 70s, currently also have a tote bag, toiletry cube for travel, makeup pouch, backpack and gym bag.
I use a small Coach wristlet as my travel wallet and when the wrist loop is opened it can be attached at the bottom of any purse with a clip or safety pin--that way I can pull it out to access, but it's not leaving my purse without my knowledge.
The Coach purse is an older bag, #10389, you might look on ebay--it suits my personal style perfectly but the combined weight of the leather and hardware made me give it up for travel.
I, too, love the LeSportSac everyday bag. Mine lasted quite a while until I managed to spill some rather medicinal hand lotion in it. The lotion attacked the vinyl(?) lining, and everything in the bag got coated with little bits of black stuff. I was really sad when I threw that bag away. Nalgene bottles from now on.
Thank you all very much!! I went to a LeSportsac and bought the deluxe everyday bag. I wanted it in black and they had it. They also are having a sale from today through Saturday that takes an additional 25% off any bag. So what great timing to walk into the store today! So the $80 bag dropped to $60. The sale is not online but only in-store.
I really like it. I like the numerous outer pockets and the divisions within the bag. I also like how it has an outer zipper than increases the size of the bag in case I need the extra space. I've had that feature on luggage but not on a handbag. I love how light the bag is too.
Thank you, thank you!!
I, too, love the LeSportSac everyday bag. Mine lasted quite a while
until I managed to spill some rather medicinal hand lotion in it. The
lotion attacked the vinyl(?) lining, and everything in the bag got
coated with little bits of black stuff. I was really sad when I threw
that bag away. Nalgene bottles from now on.
Acraven, did it make you wonder what ingredients were in the hand lotion to disintegrate the vinyl? Yikes. Better the vinyl than YOUR HANDS. I understand the sadness of throwing out a bag you like a lot.
Looks like you already got something, but you might want to look at Baggalini, too. They always have them at TJ Maxx for great prices. I had the adjustable strap cut and sewn to be able to remove two buckles making it even lighter and so I wouldn't have to fidget with the double strap nonsense. I love the compartmentalization and hidden pockets. I liked it so much on vacation that I've continued to use it as my all-the-time bag.
I bought a bagallini crossbody wallet type thing and used it on a trip to iceland this summer. Loved that it fit money, ID, passport and phone. For Europe where I will be doing more train and bus travel I have a medium crossbody tote that even fits my big camera, lens and a water bottle.
