Any Vera Bradley fans here?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Although I don’t own any VB bags (or even any knockoffs for that matter), I am thinking the microfiber styles would be a perfect gift for my mom who struggles to carry handbags that have any weight to them. Do any VB retailers discount the current styles? (I’m hoping the answer might be yes in the current economy.)</p>

2

<p>Don’t know about if they are “current styles” (Lol, they all look very similar to me), and I might be mistaken, but I believe that I saw some hanging in Marshalls.</p>

3

<p>Verabradley.com has some on sale, and is an ebates participant (I think you get 3% through ebates). For something specific like this, I usually run through bradsdeals, retailmenot, and ebates. You might also check out handbags made by Sak - they are light weight, and what I’d buy for my mother-in-law when she struggled with anything heavy.</p>

4

<p>Our local T.J. Maxx had VB bags (current styles) at 50% off. You’re right about their light weight–I got my mom a backpack style purse that she uses whenever she travels. The wallets are also very light.</p>

5

<p>I think that the Sak is a great idea because they come in solid colors.</p>

6

<p>I have a few VB bags. It’s funny - I used to dislike them and thought of them as too “old fashioned” looking but they have some really nice and cute patterns these days. I love my oversized carry on -lightweight and perfect for trips. I do tend to get neck pain when I carry a heavy bag for too long , so have started leaving my heavier, if more fashionable, bags at home when I have to go out for an extended period of time. Longchamp bags are also great lightweight totes and come in many sizes and solid colors - I’ve been using my black microfiber and leather one as a handbag a lot lately and find it great for trips as well.</p>

7

<p>My teenage dd has a VB tote that she got for free … Hallmark ran a promotion whereby if you gave them your name and address, they put you in a drawing. You had to be 18, though. She put in my name and didn’t tell me, so I got a call from our Hallmark saying that I’d won a VB tote! I told her and she claimed it, LOL.</p>

<p>I’m getting her a VB suitcase for the holidays. I didn’t buy it at a discount, but I bought it through a local charity that had had it donated so part of the purchase price goes to the charity.</p>

8

<p>Also saw some at my TJ Maxx - sounds like you should check them out.</p>

<p>Don’t have any myself, but the Headquarters/Warehouse is in Ft. Wayne, Indiana about 2 hours from my area. I have a few friends who make a trip there every summer when they have a warehouse sale where people apparently go NUTS and buy mega quantities of bags. I’ve heard stories of carts piled high with bags. Yikes. </p>

<p>I do think they are cute and I love the patterns and colorfulness of them.</p>

9

<p>Don’t know what pattern you are looking for, but usually the older patterns can be found discounted. Here are a couple of sites that have VB discounted:</p>

<p>[Vera</a> Bradley Purses Outlets | Vera Bradley Purses | Designer Vera Bradley Purses](<a href=“http://www.designerpurseoutlets.com/buy/vera-bradley-purses]Vera”>http://www.designerpurseoutlets.com/buy/vera-bradley-purses)</p>

<p>[Vera</a> Bradley Handbags & Luggage Up To 25% Off - eBags](<a href=“http://www.ebags.com/vera_bradley/brand_search/index.cfm?brandid=10548&sourceid=ADWP347988&couponid=55583734&keyword=“Vera+Bradley”&gclid=CIKRjYSFjZcCFQMQswod-nWk_Q]Vera”>http://www.ebags.com/vera_bradley/brand_search/index.cfm?brandid=10548&sourceid=ADWP347988&couponid=55583734&keyword=&#37;22Vera+Bradley"&gclid=CIKRjYSFjZcCFQMQswod-nWk_Q)</p>

<p>[Luggage</a> & Travel Gear, Vera Bradley Handbag and Luggage Collection](<a href=“5524小时娱乐网站|首页”>5524小时娱乐网站|首页)</p>

10

<p>my girls each have a ‘set’, meaning a large duffle, backpack, and something smaller. It is perfect for weekends away, even Thanksgiving, spring break, etc. They are able to cram a lot in their duffle.</p>

<p>I, too, used to think it was ugy, but I like their prints now, and may have to start my own collection. I also have a Longchamp that I love for travel - my laptop fits right in, along with room for other things.</p>

<p>My favorite casual clothing line, Fresh Produce (kind of like resort wear), now carries VB in their stores - really, the only thing they carry in their stores other than their own brand of clothes.</p>

11

<p>I have several VB pieces - got them all on ebay. All those folks that go to the factory sale sell them. You just really have to be aware of the pricing. I’ve seen things go for more on ebay than on the VB site. Right now the VB site has some good deals on discontinued patterns.</p>

12

<p>I love, love, love my VB handbag (black with pink elephants). Don’t be afraid to look at the d/c styles – some are very cute. That’s how I got mine at a big discount.</p>

13

<p>I have bought VB at discounted prices on ebay. I have sold a few too, when I have gotten tired of them.</p>

14

<p>When I was on crutches for much of 2007 I got a VB backpack to use as a purse. It was wonderful, light and versatile. I really like some of the patterns. At first I couldn’t decide if VB was “old ladyish” or “sorority girl-ish”, but I think it is fun stuff. One really neat piece is the wallet. It is light and holds a lot. Purses can get to feel like carrying a boulder around by the time you load up with your Blackberry, fifty million credit cards and frequent buyer cards etc.</p>

15

<p>My college-aged D started collecting the Java Blue pattern this summer and has hinted that she would like to have more pieces - LOL! Now, this reminds me that I should add this to her “list” that has been sent out to the aunts and uncles for Christmas/Hanukkah!</p>

16

<p>I have a Vera bag that I use for short trips. It’s the perfect size to hold a couple of days worth of clothes and toiletries. I love it.</p>

<p>I also have a Vera Bradley set of clothes…they don’t make clothes anymore…quilted jacket, border trim skirt, cami top, and sash. I would LOVE to know if it’s a collectors item.</p>

17

<p>I’m sure it is, thumper! I’ve never heard of such a thing - how about posting a photo of you wearing it?</p>

<p>I love VB stuff because it’s so beautifully made. I have several pieces (makeup bag, travel toiletry bags) in the discontinued Jasmine pattern - bought at a discount after the pattern was “retired” - here is a page of photos of all their retired patterns. </p>

<p>[Google</a> Image Result for <a href=“http://www.verabradley.com/App_Common/Images/RetiredColors/31_jasmine.jpg[/url]”>http://www.verabradley.com/App_Common/Images/RetiredColors/31_jasmine.jpg](<a href=“http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.verabradley.com/App_Common/Images/RetiredColors/31_jasmine.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/Retired.aspx&usg=__6SFA4STFELXcyULtYGecV2KAMDE=&h=108&w=150&sz=11&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=6hSphY7iklZeJM:&tbnh=69&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvera%2Bbradley%2Bjasmine%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN]Google”>http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.verabradley.com/App_Common/Images/RetiredColors/31_jasmine.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/Retired.aspx&usg=__6SFA4STFELXcyULtYGecV2KAMDE=&h=108&w=150&sz=11&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=6hSphY7iklZeJM:&tbnh=69&tbnw=96&prev=/images&#37;3Fq%3Dvera%2Bbradley%2Bjasmine%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN)</a></p>

18

<p>I appreciate all the help and the links you’ve all provided. I was leaning toward the solid brown microfiber due to its versatility and the fact that I’m not sure how my mom would feel about a patterned purse. I’ve seen some fuchsia and bright teal microfiber bags on the discount websites but just wondered if anyone slashes the current models.</p>

19

<p>How do you clean VB items? I’ve never bought one because they don’t look washable.</p>

20

<p>worrywart -</p>

<p>Last year I got my Mom a chocolate brown microfiber bag at Kohls. I believe the brand was Chaps. Got it for the same reason - she needs a lighter bag. She has used it daily for a year now and it still looks great. She loves it and it has really helped her due to being lightweight.</p>