<p>College-student D needs a bag for packing clothes for weekend trips. She has an adidas bag that she has used for years but it is a bit big for what she puts in it. I am looking at a Vera Bradley duffel on ebags and am wondeirng whether it is worth the cost. D doesn’t care that the bag is “Vera Bradley” but likes the style. Can anyone recommend a good-quality bag that is similar?</p>
<p>Which one is she looking at? The wheeled one or the one without wheels? If you are willing to spend a few more $$ (well, quite a few), take a look at Longchamp travel totes. They are amazingly light, sturdy and fashionable, although they do not have wheels. CC members have reported that they have used their Longchamp bags for years and washed them, leather straps and all!</p>
<p>No wheels. I’ll look at the Longchamp totes–thanks for the suggestion.</p>
<p>Beware, they are not cheap. There is a thread dedicated to the tote, and someone reported that they bought an expandable Longchamp duffel and loved it.
My friend still has and uses her Longchamp luggage that she bought when she was working on her PhD in France many moons ago.</p>
<p>My daughter received a beautiful Vera Bradley overnight bag as a HS graduation gift last spring. She uses it as a weekend bag for trips home, etc. It’s really not comparable to a Longchamp bag, which is more of a tote. Vera Bradley is a distinctive look with many color and pattern options, while Longchamp is a more tailored and neutral - certainly a matter of preference. My daughter used many Longchamp bags in HS, but doesn’t care for them anymore because she says the material is too lightweight (although the luggage is probably very heavy duty). She also thinks that they are now too ubiquitous, and she doesn’t like to see others with the same thing.</p>
<p>The VB is made of heavy, quilted cotton and even though it is soft sided, it stands up on its own and has a bit of body that makes it a good, practical bag. There are numerous interior pockets for stashing odds and ends. The cotton material is more stain and dirt resistant than one would imagine, and my daughter’s bag still looks great after heavy use.</p>
<p>D is still using her VB duffel and hanging bag that she got 7 1/2 years ago. With a school 2 hours away, she didn’t have to fly to/from and the VB pieces have been great. She has a sturdy LLBean wheeled duffle that did flying trips like study abroad as the VB wouldn’t have stood up to the wear and tear of checked baggage. It’s been a great investment for her.</p>
<p>I have the Vera Bradley weekender bag in day and night. The pattern is black and white and I find it a little more modern than the other patterns. The pockets are perfect for my needs. The first one was stolen and I actually rebought it.</p>
<p>Be very careful if you are taking any plane rides with that bag;
most smaller planes (CR700 and Embraer 145) will not allow carry-ons of that size anymore so they “gate check” them to go under the plane with cargo…last Thursday night it was monsooning on most of the East coast;
you got it; bag got SOAKED; all clothing had to be cleaned…it was a mess…</p>
<p>It should only be used for weekend trips that are by car, bus or train…or in beautiful sunlight!!</p>
<p>I love all of my many Vera bags. They’re lightweight, easy to wash, and they hold up extremely well. I usually use the small duffel for overnight/weekend trips…I have one that’s nearly 7 years old and still looking great! If possible, I’d advise you to buy a bag in one of thee darker patterns, as the light colors do show a lot of the dirt they pick up. My favorite pattern right now is the Boysenberry.</p>
<p>I just got an email from Vera Bradley that said all rolling luggage is 20% off with free shipping. My daughter has a large duffle and has been using it for several years. She loves it and can get everything she needs in there.</p>
<p>I went to the Bradley site & I like some of the prints, but we trade bags in my house depending on need & I can’t see my H with poppy or purple paisley. ( well…depending on what he was wearing)</p>
<p>I don’t care if I see someone else with same bag- I would just think * they have good taste* 
I mainly care if it is going to be durable- & if I can find my stuff in it.
[now these are one of a kind!](<a href=“http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss11/bags/unisex/harvest/northrup%20ii/repurposed”>http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss11/bags/unisex/harvest/northrup%20ii/repurposed</a>)</p>
<p>If she wants a lightweight, colorful and water resistant bag (a must in my neck of the woods, which is why I’m not a fan of VB’s cotton), she should take a look at this brand:</p>
<p>[LeSportsac</a> - Travel](<a href=“http://www.lesportsac.com/external/travel.html]LeSportsac”>Travel Bags and Luggage Sets | LeSportsac Travel Collection)</p>
<p>Lesportsac bags can me found at Nordstrom Rack for 50% of their retail prices. I like this one: [7185</a> Large Weekender](<a href=“http://www.lesportsac.com/store/7185_4064.html]7185”>Cute, Fashionable, and Affordable Bags for Everyone by LeSportsac)</p>
<p>Another suggestion for a lightweight, colorful and water resistant bag that is also very inexpensive are the products available from MixedBagDesigns:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“Fundraise Online for Any Cause | Boon Supply”>http://www.mixedbagdesigns.com/]Home[/url</a>]</p>
<p>My D’s school newspaper sold their products for a high school fundraiser and we love them. Plus, for the price you can get different designs and if they get lost/disappear it’s not a tragedy.</p>
<p>I love my Kipling “Sherpa” tote for weekends and carry-on.</p>
<p>[Kipling</a> - Luggage & Travel: Sherpa Carry-On Tote](<a href=“http://www.kipling-usa.com/product/index.jsp?clickid=body_featured_product_img&cp=2999464&productId=2993469]Kipling”>http://www.kipling-usa.com/product/index.jsp?clickid=body_featured_product_img&cp=2999464&productId=2993469)</p>
<p>I just discovered that I live about 45 minutes from a Vera Bradley outlet. Would it be worth a trip? A few local stores have a few styles of the large duffel but I haven’t seen the weekender or any other of the larger bags.</p>
<p>Nankeen has a large duffel. Their bags are gorgeous.</p>
<p>[weekender</a> women - Nankeen](<a href=“工業部門の発展に欠かせないアイテム｜レーザ変位センサの豆知識”>工業部門の発展に欠かせないアイテム｜レーザ変位センサの豆知識)</p>
<p>If the VB duffel is the one she wants, I think you can feel good about the purchase.
We bought D one when she was a high school junior. It was a large duffel in a print that has long since been “retired”. That bag has been EVERYWHERE, washed a few times (beautifully) and all the zippers/pockets etc still work like the day it was brand new.
She’s used it for going on 9 years and still likes it. It is a great size for weekend trips, especially for a girl who isn’t a light packer. </p>
<p>I have to say I’ve considered buying one myself after witnessing personally the abuse it stood up to. Plus it folds down flat when not in use and takes up no space. True, it isn’t waterproof, but that’s about the only real negative. She’s used it as am airline carry on more times than I can count with no problem.</p>
<p>Ebags.com has all sorts of travel totes and bags, and most have reviews. I like the Sherpani line as well as Le Sportsac as someone else mentioned above. I have bought my husband a PacSafe backpack and own their handbag. Great for travel, esp. to places where pickpockets may be a problem – tons of security features.</p>
<p>My Ds have LLBean bags, that stood up through years of the every other weekend divorced kids house to house trek, and they still are fine after 4 years of college. Nice colors, less water absorbing than that Vera cotton. They come in a large variety of sizes, and are durable enough to check in on a flight if necessary. </p>
<p>Personally, I like the charm of my bags from Otavalo in the Ecuadorean highlands. Wool, handwoven duffles. But wouldn’t throw them around like nylon bags.</p>
<p>Forgot to answer your question:
YES it’s worth it to head to the VB outlet. Many would feel lucky to be able to do so!
Let us know what you find.</p>