<p>NYMomof2: I like Brighton bags a lot. I also like Hobo International. </p>
<p>(I currently work for a particular fashion designer company so I like “our” bags a lot, since I get them at a huge discount. But that doesn’t count.)</p>
<p>Brighton makes great wallets. They are virtually indestructible.</p>
<p>I also love Hobo bags and wallets. The leather is so nice and the designs are sleek. </p>
<p>I just sent this to my daughter who either wants a huge tote or the minimalist approach:</p>
<p>[Dooney</a> & Bourke: Dillen II Mini Flap Crossbody](<a href=“http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=52771&minisite=10020&respid=22372&dbdcc=2PBX2PBX]Dooney”>http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=52771&minisite=10020&respid=22372&dbdcc=2PBX2PBX)</p>
<p>I am thinking of getting one for myself, which I will put IN my longchamp tote when I am traveling.</p>
<p>For years I carried a Fossil “wallet on a string” as well as a Longchamp tote. The wallet on a string was for running out for lunch, etc. The tote had makeup, umbrella, work files, etc., and I could put the Fossil piece in it.</p>
<p>Things were very flexible that way.</p>
<p>Notes from my recent trip: Longchamp totes seemed to be very popular in Paris, carried by both the locals and the clueless tourists. I made the right decision about bringing mine along - it was quite handy to carry our daily necessities. I spotted one of their stores and dragged MrB into it. To my big surprise, Mr Hates Shopping helped me to pick a tote for little Ms B and a shoulder bag for big Ms B.</p>
<p>Sigh. A good friend wants the Tree of Life tote really badly. I have to hunt it down for her on eBay or in consignment stores since it is out of production.</p>
<p>I hope they have a large tote on sale this summer at the Nordstrom sale. D1 took my first bag and D2 is constantly stealing my replacement bag.
The bags are expensive but I am so thrilled I took the plunge. They make great carryon bags and it can be used as a oversized purse while traveling.</p>
<p>Question BB, how were the prices in Paris? Just wondering. My sister bought one of their leather baga a long time ago and said it was a substantial discount. Glad Me B was happy to shop with you. My H is a shopaphobic. :)</p>
<p>deb, I have not looked at their leather bags, since they are out of my price range, discount or not, but their totes were cheaper even without tax refunds. Plus, they had such a nice selection of totes of all shapes, colors and sizes!</p>
<p>D has hinted she would love one of these and I would love to surprise her with one before she heads off to college. What is the best size for carrying around a 13 inch MacBook?</p>
<p>Price comparison: this crossbody was 110 Euro or about $140 (not counting the tax refund) in Paris and will cost $195 (plus 10% sales tax) in WA:</p>
<p>[Longchamp</a> - Le Pliage Hobo - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446369304&R=671194091022&P_name=Longchamp&sid=71340033405319&Ntt=Longchamp&N=0&bmUID=jv.qZ_t]Longchamp”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446369304&R=671194091022&P_name=Longchamp&sid=71340033405319&Ntt=Longchamp&N=0&bmUID=jv.qZ_t)</p>
<p>The Pliage shoulder tote ($145) holds a MacBook - my daughter wore right through the corners of the tote after one semester, though. The nylon fabric may not be not sturdy enough for daily use as computer bag. I gave her one of my heavy LV shoulder totes, which should last her for the rest of her college years.</p>
<p>One of my D’s likes to use a tote type of purse for her laptop and books. If she had a Longchamps tote she would use it for books and laptop. For High School she has gone to Ross and found something she likes because no matter what you spend they will get a hole in the corner or the strap will break.
My other D used her Longchamp tote (Pliage $145) when she had an interview or meeting on campus. Otherwise she used a backpack.This D rarely took her laptop to campus. In photos I notice she is using it as a purse in China.</p>
<p>Here’s a sneaky tip to keep the corners of your Longchamps from wearing through:</p>
<p>When you first get the bag – yes, when it’s still brand new – on the inside of the bag, cover the four corners with duct tape. </p>
<p>Yes, you heard me right. It protects the corners from wearing through. Keep an eye on it and, when the duct tape wears through, put another piece on top of it.</p>
<p>Shhhhhh – No one has to know. ;)</p>
<p>My dad always said you could fix anything with duck tape and a little WD40.</p>
<p>I don’t think the Longchamps totes need WD40. :)</p>
<p>Excellent advice all around - esp. like the duct tape advice! The Longchamp tote would be a secondary bag for my D, so IF I get one for her, I will be sure to alert her to the fact that it may not last if used every day for toting around her laptop. We did buy her a very nice Cole Haan distressed leather messenger bag at an outlet mall that will be her primary bag for school. I esp. like the idea of saving the Longchamp tote for occasions where you need to look a bit more professional!</p>
<p>I put a neoprene laptop sleve as a divider in my Lonchamp tote (it is an older design with a zipper all around so it can be made smaller) and carried it all over the world in the past year. The tote held up pretty well.</p>
<p>Glad to have shared my duct tape trick. I love CC.</p>
<p>
My d did the same thing. Longchamps replaced the bag, no questions asked. Love those lifetime guarantees!</p>
<p>What a fun discussion. Sigh… Want. One.</p>
<p>Chevda, That’s great that you got a new bag. Did you return to the place of purchase or the company? How old was your bag? Did they ask for a receipt? </p>
<p>I have a large LC Pliage that gave me years of good use but I retired and replaced it when the corners finally wore through. It was in otherwise good shape. I wouldn’t have thought of sending it in after this amount of time. I’m curious about how long you owned yours because the website says that based on the age of the bag, they may give only partial credit toward a new bag vs. repair or replace.</p>