Please help me find an attractive travel purse
 

Here's what I'm looking for. A purse with shoulder strap that I can wear across the body and lay flat. Something large enough I can put a travel book in. Something that doesn't scream "travel purse". Something that is fairly light weight. Maybe even something a bit chic. Any ideas? annieladd

I hope someone has some good suggestions for you because I'm looking for the exact same thing (and have been unlucky in my search so far)!

Me too!!!

I have this one and it doubles as a fantastic carry on. It is great for day use when shopping and has zippered inside pockets. Also, the shoulder strap is adjustable.

http://www.aldoshoes.com/eng/storeSe...temID=59575642

I have one by Hobo International - they have several that match your criteria. The one I like has a flat organizer with a pouch in the front. The pouch holds my camera, a small sunscreen container, lipstick and a few other small things. The flat part holds the rest. I've used on several trips and really like it.
www.hobobags.com

How about this one:
http://tinyurl.com/g8tk3

I saw it last week and thought it looked promising for a future purchase.

Thanks for the links because I have been looking too!

Mountain Equipment Coop has a large range of packs, shoulder and computer bags that look more casual if that's what you want.

www.mec.ca

I absolutely love my collection of Hobo International Bags (different bags for different purposes). Often you can find them at TJMaxx (for a fraction of the prices elsewhere). With web searches, you can find all the different styles (some sites have better photos/views than others), then price shop.

My latest favorite is this one http://www.coloradobaggage.com/cbc/p...CJPHHLNCC&

This one has an inside section, with recessed zipper (for security) (also with inside zipper pocket) large enough small essentials and a paperback or tour guide. On one side is an outer pocket, with inside slip pockets (for cards, camera, pda, phone...) with double zipper pulls, which are fabulous for security. when pulled to one side or the other, even twist-tied together if you like. (Those thin black twist ties from the grocery store bakery are invisible.)

On the other side is an open (with hidden magnets) pocket, great for maps, notes, slim guides (such as a MapGuide), while out and about, or securing your passport and boarding pass at the airport.

This bag is made of gorgeous and durable microfiber. Though leather is dressier, it's not practical when it's raining... I love the wider (comfortable, even over your forearm for a long while...) shoulder strap, which is easily adjustable all along (for across the body, shoulder, or handbag that doesn't drab on the ground when your arm is relaxed), and the straps are attached to one side of the bag, so it lays flat nicely. It's not too big, not too small.

These might be a little too casual, but are cute http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/4496340/c/57591.html - Also probably more casual than what you're looking for, but timbuk2 bags are the BEST for travel! The metro is a perfect size for a digital camera and a travel guide.

DJK - I think your suggestion might be MY next travel purse purchase! thanks!

I bought one at Wilson's Leather a few years ago that is my absolute fave and has gotten raves from my travel friends.

It had everything you asked for, long strap across the body, there was a small snap pocket in front where I put my sunglasses and lip balm, it is kind of squared so my wallet AND my digital camera fit in the main area, then the back actually zipped open like a portfolio and that was where I kept my passport and two credit cards. On the back of that is a little zippered compartment where I store all my receipts. It is also nice leather so it could pretty much go anywhere. That said, don't know if Wilson's still has the bag but you could check it out.

Oh, best part? I got it on sale(:

I really like my Kipling (altho the color in this photo is not as attractive as mine, I actually have the hot pink - the 'new black').

http://www.luggageonline.com/product...roduct_ID=1793

Why?
1) Its 'crushable', so I pack it in my daypack for airplane flying so it doesn't get 'lost' while overnight.
2) Its lightweight so doesn't add bulk or weight
3) adjustable shoulder strap so I can wear messenger style
4) When spending the day with my SLR and lenses, I put entire padded camera bag into this purse. Admittedly, it doesn't hold much else, but I'm not carrying around an ugly camera bag advertising expensive equipment.

They are sold at luggage stores, so you can check them out before you buy and not pay shipping.

Oh, the angst over bags... good luck :)

I just bought one at Eddie Bauer, but they don't have it online to show. I also bought this one from Nine West:
http://www.ninewest.com/s?namespace=...&cid=1005#

Nine West has several different styles and colors of messenger bags.

I also saw a cute one at Coach:
http://www.coach.com/aspx/content/pr...ategory_id=647

I am waiting to see what the one from Nine West looks like and will either use it or the one I got from Eddie Bauer.

Let us know what you end up buying.

Do you carry these bags while touring through a city? If so, aren't you afraid that someone will slash the strap and steal your stuff? I do need something for our trip in May, so let me know.

Hi Mari - the one I've been using is leather and has a thick strap so I haven't worried too much. When I'm in a crowd, I hold the strap with one hand. I also don't take it off during a meal, I just move it to the side so it isn't in my lap. Have a fun trip!

Mariamack---Magellan makes a leather bag with steel cable hidden in the strap so it can't be cut.

Personally, I prefer a small (6" X 7") leather bag which is both more comfortable and more attractive than a large bag. I wear it diagonally (across my body) and have never felt the least bit "at risk" in any city. It will not carry a book; I put my book, water bottle, map, etc. in a separate tote bag. Nothing that I would care to lose goes in there---but still I have never had a problem.

Take a look at the lesportsac line. The bags are very light weight AND washable, and they come in a variety of shapes and colors, some pretty florals. I have several, but the one I travel with has pouches on both sides (one for sunglasses, one for keys or a cell phone), two outsize and one inside zippered compartments, and a zipper around the bottom that allows you to expand the bag when you need more space. Very versatile!

I just bought this one. Very lightweight, and of course, black. Lots of pockets and zippers. LOVE it.

http://www.ebags.com/kipling/caronia...?modelid=19147

This will work for most sightseeing. At night I will probably downsize to a smaller shoulder bag.

Thanks for the information!
I found this posting useful.

You can get a Prada messenger bag with a wide strap on ebay -- I use the smaller size but a larger one would accommodate a travel book. The length is adjustable, and I wear it crosswise as well.

Surfmom, I didn't realize until I checked back on this post that we have the same bag, different colors. You might have suggested this bag to me a while ago. Haven't used it yet, but will soon. It looks perfect for my needs.

The Kipling bags are very functional, but in Europe, they are carried mostly by kids and college students. The Hobo bag suggested by CLS2Paris looks like a more "adult" choice.

mariamack, I can't answer for anyone else, but I do use a purse in the city. However, I never keep valuables in it. I basically use it to hold a guidebook, maps, sunglasses, a small journal, maybe a compact umbrella, and things of that sort. My credit cards and most of my cash are always carried in a money belt that is concealed under my clothes if I'm in a larger city.

I use a basic black woven bag that is non-structured so I can throw it into my suitcase if I don't want to carry it home on the plane. This allows me to stuff it with the guidebooks and other things that may not always fit in a structured bag.

Tracy

I've used a Fossil handbag for every trip, and have been satisfied. However, we have an outlet store near us where we can pick them up at a very discounted rate.

If you go to www.fossil.com, select Women's Accessories, then Handbags (Medium), it looks like there are hundreds of styles on their web site. The handbags are sold under the name Relic.

I got a Daymaker 7-pocket organizer. You can find them at Bag-n-Baggage stores sometimes, or order directly from the guy who makes them at http://tinyurl.com/qmrhg

They aren't huge, but are big enough for a small guide book, and I love the two side pockets--one for an unbrella and one for cell phone or a bottle of water. PLus they have a steel able in the strap so it can't be cut and snatched.

LeSportSac. Lightweight, lots of pockets, variety of sizes, colors and patterns. They can be found occasionally at T.J. Maxx at a discount, but a web search will yield other sources.

Thanks everyone for all your ideas. Glad to see I'm not the only one looking for the "perfect" travel purse. Ann, I like the Prada ones the best on ebay. I've never bought anything on ebay though... any tips?

Thanks..this info is great

Upon recommendation of another Fodorite last fall, I bought this purse for my trip and was extremely happy with it - just the right size for a small wallet, map, travel guide, & digital camera, but it laid flat to the body and the cross-body strap was very comfortable.

http://www.fossil.com/shopping/produ...ctedcolor=1836

I'll stick with my Kipling bag. Maybe I will be mistaken for a college kid...

My wife says to tell you to look at the Ameribag... Metro... Rio.
She just ordered online and got one in black.
http://tinyurl.com/lpp8t

What a GREAT topic. I have been on a quest for the right travel purse for years.

On last years trip to Japan for two wks., I used a thin but large Coach purse w/long strap that was big enough to fit a full 8" x 11" sheet of paper flat (without folding) in the outside pocket. This was great, as I take travel notebooks w/me where I place pages i have printed from the internet re where we are going, hours, how to get there, etc., and I could just take those out of the notebook each day and put them in the outside pcket and never have to fish around for them. And if I wanted (althoguh I never did) a guidebook would have fit inside.

This time (another 2 wk trip to Japan coming up at end of this wk) i decided to try an Ameribag, the "healthy back bag". See it here, it is the metro collection New Yorker bag, which lays flat across the body w/a wide strap in front and arocss the shoulder and back:

http://www.ameribag.com/metrocollection.html#

But I tried it out on a trip to LA last week and found it cumbersome and heavier than I like and I don't like the built in card pockets, etc.

So I now have bought a Vera Bradley fabric bag (dark fabric design, w/lots of pockets). I like it because it is very lightweight and lays against the front of my body w/long (or short) adjustable strap, and the ockets arae great and lay flat against the inside and outside. I'll have to see how it works out.

I am not worried about someone cutting off my purse in Japan. In other places, I'd want a more secure strap I think.

Heavens, great minds think alike! Unfortunately, my non-belly baring clothes give it all away... I used my Kipling bag again today to chaperone a field trip for little ones... held my camera, tissues, emergency forms, etc.

Annieland, when buying on ebay, wait until less than 2 minutes left, put in your 'highest' bid, pick an odd amount (if it must go up by increments of $5, add $6.50 or something - sometimes that extra little makes you win), and hope :)

Heavens, great minds think alike :) Unfortunately, the non-belly baring clothes give it away...

Annieladd, when buying on ebay, wait until the last few minutes and have a fast computer. Put in an 'odd' amount (ie. $6.50 if minimum increments are $5) - it might be enough to make you the high bidder.

I like the idea of bags with the steel reinforcement in the shoulder straps, but unfortunately even that wouldn't have helped me in Thailand. I had the perfect travel purse that I borrowed from my mom. It had 3 pockets inside with the center pocket zippered. It also had a small zippered pocket and one open pocket in each of the other two sections (on the inner walls) as well as a pocket on the outside where I could slip my notes of the sights for the day.

As I said, the steel reinforced straps wouldn't have helped me. I had my wallet in the center zippered section with just enough money for the day and kept more money in the small zippered pocket mentioned above. I thought my wallet would be pretty secured, but someone slashed the side of my purse with a razor blade in the Pratunam area. Either I was completely oblivious being jostled around in the crowd or they were very good and very lucky. They were able to slash through my purse, the lining and get to the middle section to take my wallet without my ever knowing.

Luckily, it was our last day, so it didn't ruin the rest of our trip. Also luckily, I had cleaned out my wallet beforehand so there wasn't very much of value except for a couple of credit cards, pictures, the wallet itself (which I still miss as it was a gift from my BF) and the money I had just put into the wallet for the day. Unfortunately, I had forgotten that I always keep $200 "emergency" money hidden in my wallet and didn't take that out, so they got a bit more money.

One thing I now always consider when looking for a travel bag/purse is the width of the strap.

I purchased and used a Hobo travel purse on my last European trip - it was absolutely perfect as far as size, number of pockets for organization, being lightweight, etc., etc. The one thing I didn't consider was the width of the strap, which was maybe about 3/4" wide.

I wore the purse across my body, and by the 4th day the area on my shoulder where the strap laid was very sore and tender.

I alternated shoulders throughout the rest of the trip, but even so the strap caused quite a bit of discomfort. I wasn't carrying a whole lot of stuff in my bag, either.

For my trip this coming June I ended up buying a small messenger style bag - the strap is a couple inches wide, plus it has a pad built into the shoulder area.

I would note that I, personally, carry my cash and cards in very deep front pockets of my slacks or skirt, never in my purse/tote.

I prefer a purse/tote just large enough for my essentials (notes, pen, maps, slim guidebook). Along with my PDA, camera and phone. A comfortable and secure strap is essential so as to be able to hang onto the bag and (hopefully) not be relieved of the entire bag anywhere. As someone mentioned above, the excess books, bottle of water, sweater, umbrella, are carried in a simple additional tote bag, if being dragged around that day.

My cash and cards, however, I always carry in a very deep front pocket of slacks or skirt (best are those with zippered security pockets, such as the fabulous microfiber slacks available at LLBean) or an inside zipper pocket of a jacket or raincoat (again, fabulous offerings at LLBean).

I never, ever, carry a "wallet" or use card slots in any bag for cards.

When venturing out for the evening, without deep pockets or a jacket, I may carry a card and some cash in the inside zipper pocket of a small purse. But, I'd be walking within blocks of the hotel or traveling by taxi rather than metro.

Try TravelSmith.com They have some nice bags in different styles. I decided to try one of their bags that converts from a small backpack to a shoulder bag this year for travel.

I have ordered a purse from Travelsmith with the steel strap, but didn't think about the adjustable, padded portion of the strap which is very obvious. I think it might be more obvious that I'm a tourist and wonder whether I should look for another bag. Any comments on the Travelsmith bags?

I agree with hazel1 about the Fossil bag. I used it after a recommendation on this forum and I loved it! Very lightweight, it has one large compartment which was perfect for my camcorder. There is another zippered pocket under the flap and a small one on top.

Everything is very secure, with the exception of the small top compartment. Just keep valuables in a money belt or otherwise inaccessible. The bag is sturdy enough that it would be difficult for anyone to cut the strap - although fortunately I did not have anyone try. I was pickpocketed, though! :)