I go for functionality, sturdiness, and fashionable when it comes to a bag whether a high-end one or a low-end one. I won't buy a bag that I think is very plain Jane or unattractive as I love handbags and handbag designs. They are like art to me.

Happy Travels!

"people who use the lovely open top designer totes are nuts"
LOL, nice comment from someone who recently started a thread complaining that people weren't civil enough on Fodors.

"...mostly you just carry it to your car, from your car to work or mall, then back to car..." Justineparis, before you make assumptions, you should get the facts. I haven't owned a car since 1998. I DO carry my tote with me all day when traveling and have had no problems. I've used it for several trips to Paris (most recently in October 2012), to Milan, Turin, Brussels, Prague, Frankfurt, Dresden, London and most recently, Bucharest. The tote has long enough handles that I can carry it as a shoulder bag and keep it secure against my body when needed. (In a way, I do compare myself to the locals since I've been living in Europe for almost 15 years.)

I don't use messenger bags -- fine for other people, I just don't like them for me.

It's a pity your not going to Amsterdam, since there is a handbag museum there;
http://www.tassenmuseum.nl/en

There are so many knockoffs overseas that people carry around that seeing something like Prada just screams to me "knockoff"!
I am currently in London and saw a ton of Longchamps,kors,etc. on the tube yesterday-many of the Asian tourists around the world carry nothing but top end suitcases and bags like "Louis Vinyl" and no one makes a big deal about it.

Well be a little careful in Italy and at some French/Italian borders as fakes can be taken by the police and destroyed

You see some beautiful handbags being carried in Europe, so you won't stand out. I wear a nylon Prada cross-body bag because it's comfortable, light weight, and expands as I stuff more and more stuff inside. Because I'm paranoid about someone unzipping it, I secure the zipper with one of those "C" shaped links that twists closed. On the plane, I carry a large Louis Vuitton tote, into which I stuff my Prada bag, travel pillow, water bottle, etc. My daughter carries her open LV tote all over Paris. I wish she wouldn't. I spend too much time watching her back to be sure nobody sticks their hand inside on the Metro.

I'll have to try to get back to Amsterdam now, just to get to that handbag museum. Smiles.

Happy Travels!

I never use a bag when I travel. DH keeps all the money, cc, and passports in a money belt. It is so freeing not to have a heavy bag to carry around. DH also uses a back pack for maps, camera, water etc.

lucky you, yipper.

would you care to rent him out?

I am taking my Louis Vuitton luggage and bags to Poland and surrounding regions. My Gucci bag lasted 20 years after visiting the Orient, Middle East and South Pacific. Just keep an eye on your things like you do in the USA, and be careful. Have fun!

Weisertee most people do not take that statement as a personal attack on them, if you did I am sorry to have hurt your feelings. Its an expression really saying " someone is nuts" , as I doubt one can actually ascertain a persons sanity by simply observing what type of bag they carry. I forget how very sensitive some people are.. must be the strain of carrying their tote bag clutched to their body all day.. lol

This is what men are for. They always have lots of pockets. Including inside zippy ones that you don't usually find on woman's clothes.

Give them all your goodies to carry - purse full of heavy coins, pink mobile phone and case covered in Swarovski crystals, tampax - they're always more than happy to help. And if you don't have your own with you, you can rent a bloke at those racks round the city - like bikes. Or supermarket trolleys.

Watch out though, as demand varies with the seasons!

Sometimes there's just not a bloke to be had...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/140833533

Peter

Some of us ladies travel solo ( cause we are not afraid to) and we don't need a man to carry our stuff .

I am not single, I am extrememly happy, and yes, I sometimes travel solo.

A timely reminder Peter, thank you.

Some of us ladies travel solo ( cause we are not afraid to) and we don't need a man to carry our stuff .

I'll be sure to remember that the next time you haul all your worldly goods onto an airplane and stand there "helplessly" hoping some stud will lift it into the overhead bin.

Locals manage to carry designer bags and not get robbed blind.

I have also been using designer bags of many brands. My favorite is Gucci, because I always found handbags of Gucci very stylish and matching with my dress. Even the <a href="http://www.craftedlogo.com/">logo design</a> of that brand is very professional and according to the choice of women in handbags.

cindy, no advertising allowed here.