<p>I love the Longchamp totes. D2 discovered that on the Longchamp website you can create your own bag–you pick the tote size, basic color, and then a contrasting swatch of color; you can also select the type of handles and if you want you can add initials. I’ve had one of these bags for almost 4 years.</p>
<p>Oh, Bunsen. DH is a techno geek. His idea of a wonderful present for me is a new neoprene sleeve for my computer. I have several colorful sleeves. So romantic</p>
<p>I want one. I could ask for one for the holidays. My big problem is I am so stuck that I would get black, taupe or graphite. Or if I went wild Navy! I need to break out of my lack of color mode!</p>
<p>Mom60 - wait til I get my bilberry and I will tell you whether that was a good choice for color restricted women like us. I have a hunch it will be okay. </p>
<p>I also have a restricted color mode. I have a limited clothing allowance so I must buy classics and items that work well with existing scarves, jewelry, shoes, etc. I look like I have alot of clothing because I plan so well. I think the bilberry is better than the navy. I will report shortly, dear fashion twin.</p>
<p>This is a big PS for all of you. I don’t have a sister. I have many good women friends in IRL, but I is is so nice to let all my feeling just hang out with my CC pals. This silly purchase has been so much fun for me. Thanks so much. You will never know how much I needed this!!</p>
<p>This was a fun thread. Longchamp is new to me too.</p>
<p>Here’s my favorite purse tip - keep the Visa card in the change compartment of the wallet. (This works best if you carry minimal change, and the change compartment is split into two sides). </p>
<p>A few years ago I realized that the vast majority of my transactions were done with Visa…now I can pay by just snapping open the change compartment. No need to take out the whole wallet, open it up, fish the card out of the slot…)</p>
<p>I have other nice bags that I will often leave at home in favor of the LC just because it’s so comfortable and lightweight. I also love them for travel. So far I have gone pretty boring with a black and brown leather and a lighter tan (for summer). D recently got the chocolate bag to replace a navy she’s had for years. My black one is over 3 years old and still looks great. The only complaint I have with them is they could use a few extra compartments. </p>
<p>The bilberry looks like a great choice. Online it looks not quite eggplant but a bit darker than medium purple. I will have to go check it out - enjoy!</p>
<p>I couldn’t agree more. I think they don’t, however, so you’ll buy their change purse for $45 and some other smaller inserts. So far I’ve resisted – I just use a variety of free make-up bags that I’ve received through the years. One for make-up, one for “office supplies” like pens and post-its. I do wish the Longchamp had a center pouch with a zipper where the wallet could hide.</p>
<p>I agree that the bag needs a better interior pocket. That little pocket at the top is too shallow, and without a zipper, I’m afraid to put my wallet in there. So, my wallet ends up at the bottom of the bag and I have to fish around for it. I use a zipper pouch for makeup and odds and ends, but it doesn’t make sense to put my wallet in yet another container. Maybe someone at Longchamp will read these comments and recommend a change!</p>
<p>But not TOOOO many pockets. I am spending hours with mom these days and there is nothing worse than waiting for an older person go through five different pockets and the divider thing in the middle. Yes, if she put the keys in the same pocket each time that would be efficient. But she doesn’t. I love her but it takes every once of self control not to grab the darn bag out of her hand and look for the keys myself.</p>
<p>At least if our wallets are in the tote, we just have to reach in, do a little swoosh with our hands and voila! We find the darn thing. </p>
<p>Insert pockets - We always get free cosmetic bags when we buy cosmetic from the dept stores. I use them as insert pockets for my Longchamp or other large bags. It’s handy, with several different sizes (and colors), I can sort everything.</p>
<p>VH–answering your question late. I’ve got a fuschia tote with a brown stripe and a navy tote with a lime green stripe. D1 has light blue tote with a brown stripe (Tufts’ colors). We got these from this website about 5 years ago. I haven’t looked at all the options on the website–don’t know if those colors are still available. I agree that a bigger pocket on the side would be helpful.</p>
<p>I absolutely love the color. If you only have one bag, this color looks great with black, brown, khaki, green, etc., and looks dressier than some other colors. </p>
<p>Yesterday, I headed over to the rehab hospital and had my kindle, my medical notebook, umbrella, wallet, two glass cases, and room to spare (Actually, I also had a bottle of wine to drop off to someone on the way home). It made life less stressful (the tote, not the wine, although I have certainly needed a glass or two these past few weeks). I packed up what I needed before I left the house and didn’t have to think twice.</p>
<p>I do agree that it needs a zippered pocket on the side. I plopped my keys and cell in the open pouch, but I would have liked it to be a little bigger and zipped. Overall, small complaint. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, dear virtual friends, at least I will LOOK pulled together even though some days I am hanging on by a thread!</p>
<p>Ah, this brings back memories. Back when D was in middle school, Longchamp bags sat alone and unwanted in the sales bin at the local Saks. Since D was at an age to start using purses, whenever Saks had their “X off already marked down prices” sale, I would pick one up for her. I told other mothers about this, but they preferred buying waistpacks for their daughters. D took those Longchamp bags - that no longer sit unwanted and unloved at Saks - to college. None of her former classmates waistpacks have seen the light of day in years. </p>
<p>Yes, with room to spare. I thought maybe the large one would be TOO large, but it is so light and well designed that it doesn’t feel clunky next to the body.</p>
<p>^ Ohhhh, they have it in stock at my Nordstroms. All I have to do is push that button and send one of my kids to customer service to pick it up. I have carried a tiny clutch for so long, that much space kind of scares me. It would be so nice to have a bag large enough to carry…well actual stuff! Maybe I’ll have to get a Kindle to fill it up! :)</p>
Would the large tote be able to fit a laptop?</p>