Bag for Law School- please help

[LuxuryBagsEtc.]

Originally Posted by LulaMaeBarnes

http://www.yoogiscloset.com/burberry-brown-bridle-nova-check-messenger-tote-bag.aspx This is the bag I've been lusting after for awhile now. I think it'd be perfect for law school. It's no longer on Burberry's site but some other places like above have it. Burberry Bridle Check Tote

That is a super classy looking bag! I might have to swipe one of those up for old mom for mother's day! The price looks great!

[chaussurewhore]

pick the largest and lightest bag that you like with a shoulder strap and short hand held straps that is durable to carry heavy books. very heavy books.
dont even consider a bal work, way too small...

[emma*puppy]

I'm starting business school in a few weeks and I'm using a Marc by Marc Jacobs softy tote to carry around a 14.1" Dell (school-approved) laptop (in a sleeve) plus a book. I'm only 5'2" so I definitely would carry the tote as a shoulder bag. The Dell is pretty heavy (probably 6 lbs or so). The tote is funky enough to be young/hip but not incredibly juvenile. The one I'm using is bone (which I, coincidentally, bought from a tPFer off Bonanzle) but it also comes in fuschia (very cute) and bat brown. It's fairly heavy once I pack everything in there but it could just be that I'm weak and frail. Because it's leather, it's definitely heavier than a nylon bag, such as the Le Pliage. That said, I'm not walking across the entire campus or anything so I figured that I can choose style over utility.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

This is a link of the tote I have.

[ladakini]

[vesna]

Hi, I teach at the University and carry a lot all the time. Look what I found on ebay for $180 !!! Betsey Johnson funky with kiss lock front pocket, has great betsey lining . before I used Linea Pelle Dylan large bowler, the strap snapped, I used YSL oversize Muse (there are great colors are some sturdy leathers on sale now, look at YSL forum Deals and Steals) - but I am afraid to overload it ....Betsey is the winner, and it is so fun (16" x 14" x 6") - you can pack it all, and it has a nice shape structured, always easy to find stuff

But I am a physicist , I do not know the "requirements" for the law school fashion.

cheers, Vesna

[amy84023]

Originally Posted by jordanjordan

I'm definitely leaning towards the Treesje. I want an Avalon or Asher but I can't decide if the regular or grande is the best for me. My laptop is 13" by 9" so it seems like it would fit in the regular of either. I don't want it to be stuffed but I also don't want the bag to look like luggage and be huge!

I just got a regular asher, and my macbook doesn't fit in it. Yesterday I was only able to get my family law book, marc jacobs flat case with cosmetics in it, mac plug, and a water bottle in it. And, with all of that stuff in it, I was barely able to zip it. I carried my laptop.

If you are going to look at the asher, I would check out the grande...I have never seen the grand in person, so I can't give you any advice about that.

Also, I wasn't saying that you said you "thought" law school students dressed older. I was just stating that they don't. Even the older students (45+) who currently have professional jobs and take classes at night (I have a couple late night classes so I have some of these people in my class) don't even dress professionally. Everyone wears jeans and is very casual looking. Thats cool that you want to dress older and more professional, I was just giving you my experience.

Also, to add to my experience, the summer before first year I blew all my clothing budget on professional/older clothes because I wanted to try and dress older as well. When I got to school, I looked a bit out of place because everyone was completely casual. It was a total waste of money, and in retrospect, I think it alienated me from many people because there are a lot of people who I meet in my classes now who say that when they first saw me (fist year) that I looked like a snob.

Either way, I was just trying to help. There are some things you won't learn until you get there...and I was just trying to bring my experience to the table.

[dazzlin]

i'm finishing up law school this semester, so just based on that experience, you probably want something as light weight as possible-- avoiding bulky leather or heavy hardware. personally, i've spent the last 3 years with nylon totes- mostly lesportsac-types, their stella line and boutique line are very well styled and more than just basic nylon & webbing. you can buy a few and rotate them so you don't get sick of them, and they will hold up to your use and abuse with books and a laptop --including things like coffee spills and rainy weather. i love leather, but i just don't know if law school is the place for a pretty bag given that you'll be throwing it on the floor in class and stuffing it with books- first year books are no joke, even if you have only 2 classes in a day. after first year, all that changes and i've been using my michael kors and foley + corinna totes instead.

a lot of girls at my law school do use gucci, coach, LV, DB shoulder bags and totes as their everyday bags, but a lot of them can't zipper up their bags once they fill them with law school junk anyway- so i don't know if it's even worth it then to invest in a bag that doesn't fully serve its purpose? so be very mindful of that when picking a bag, size matters! my suggestion is to save the splurging for bags that make you happy during your law school down time when you can get away from school. probably after your first semester you might want to invest in an interview/work bag too- but i wouldn't use the same bag for class and for interviewing/work.

if you really want a leather bag though, i would recommend you look at foley + corinna, and some of the roomy marc by marcs in the turnlock collection, since they're light on hardware. RM would be perfect too, but you already said you didn't love the duo

law school is far from a fashion paradise and sweats and backpacks and rollies are generally what people go with. if you do want to spend on a more law school appropriate wardrobe, going professional won't be exactly helpful for "fitting in." but i do know what you mean about building a more sophisticated wardrobe. i'm the youngest person graduating from my law school this year, and have had my youngness be an issue with a lot of the legal employers i have worked for during the last few years. i would suggest you invest in comfy pulled together outfits that are like wearing sweats but look more polished, but give you the same versatility: sweater dresses, flat leather boots, love quotes scarves, leggings, casual cashmere sweaters and cardigans, casual blazers (maybe knit blazers?), good sandals (no flip flops of course!) a few pairs of basic skinny denim/ trouser jeans, and knit tees that would work under a cardigan and equally well under a blazer for a more dressed up look when the time comes for that -- and of course, a few pairs of good pumps and 2-3 suits for those occasions when they come up too (but that won't begin happening until after 1st year is practically done with and the investment can wait)

good luck!!!!!!!!

[Loquita]

Originally Posted by ladakini

Great bag!

[jordanjordan]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess I should clarify that I'm not trying to dress more professionally or in any way that would alienate me, I'm just trying to dress a little more pulled together and neater. In college I pretty much wore jeans, birkenstocks, and a long sleeve tee with a fleece everyday. Now I'm wearing stuff like skinny jeans, flat leather boots, and a sweater, or straight leg jeans, ballet flats, a cute graphic tee and a cardigan. I hope that these kinds of outfits won't alienate me! I don't think I'm going any more dressy... just more put together and sophisticated.

Anyway, the problem with that is I think that some of the nylon totes and stuff will look a little casual with these kinds of outfits which is why I want something leather. I definitely don't want to pay designer prices for a bag that is going to get ruined, so I am hoping to scope out a deal (I found an Avalon for 350 and with a coupon code I think it would be pretty affordable!).

[Magdeline]

Originally Posted by dazzlin

i'm finishing up law school this semester, so just based on that experience, you probably want something as light weight as possible-- avoiding bulky leather or heavy hardware. personally, i've spent the last 3 years with nylon totes- mostly lesportsac-types, their stella line and boutique line are very well styled and more than just basic nylon & webbing. you can buy a few and rotate them so you don't get sick of them, and they will hold up to your use and abuse with books and a laptop --including things like coffee spills and rainy weather. i love leather, but i just don't know if law school is the place for a pretty bag given that you'll be throwing it on the floor in class and stuffing it with books- first year books are no joke, even if you have only 2 classes in a day. after first year, all that changes and i've been using my michael kors and foley + corinna totes instead. a lot of girls at my law school do use gucci, coach, LV, DB shoulder bags and totes as their everyday bags, but a lot of them can't zipper up their bags once they fill them with law school junk anyway- so i don't know if it's even worth it then to invest in a bag that doesn't fully serve its purpose? so be very mindful of that when picking a bag, size matters! my suggestion is to save the splurging for bags that make you happy during your law school down time when you can get away from school. probably after your first semester you might want to invest in an interview/work bag too- but i wouldn't use the same bag for class and for interviewing/work. if you really want a leather bag though, i would recommend you look at foley + corinna, and some of the roomy marc by marcs in the turnlock collection, since they're light on hardware. RM would be perfect too, but you already said you didn't love the duo law school is far from a fashion paradise and sweats and backpacks and rollies are generally what people go with. if you do want to spend on a more law school appropriate wardrobe, going professional won't be exactly helpful for "fitting in." but i do know what you mean about building a more sophisticated wardrobe. i'm the youngest person graduating from my law school this year, and have had my youngness be an issue with a lot of the legal employers i have worked for during the last few years. i would suggest you invest in comfy pulled together outfits that are like wearing sweats but look more polished, but give you the same versatility: sweater dresses, flat leather boots, love quotes scarves, leggings, casual cashmere sweaters and cardigans, casual blazers (maybe knit blazers?), good sandals (no flip flops of course!) a few pairs of basic skinny denim/ trouser jeans, and knit tees that would work under a cardigan and equally well under a blazer for a more dressed up look when the time comes for that -- and of course, a few pairs of good pumps and 2-3 suits for those occasions when they come up too (but that won't begin happening until after 1st year is practically done with and the investment can wait) good luck!!!!!!!!

thank you! i really appreciate this because as i'm shopping now, i'm trying to keep in mind what would be appropriate for next year. at the university i currently attend, girls usually wear VS PINK sweats, juicy, etc.- practically no one even wears real "outfits" to class lol! (although, everyone is super dressed up to go out at night) next year, however, i don't want to be shlepping around chicago in sweats and yoga pants. so jordanjordan, i totally get what you mean!

on a side note, if anyone in law school really feels that "alienated" from me because of my bag or how i dress ... eh, it's probably for the best.

[melzy]

i am finishing my last semester of law school. while most girls not dressed up per se they don't go to class in sweats either. hth.

[Vikzenne]

It's a bit different here in the UK I guess, because people do law as undergrads, but everyone just wears casual stuff. Nobody really goes out in their sweats beyond the dorm, but the few guys (no girls!) I see that dress up in a shirt and slacks are the rare exception. And no offense, nobody seems to talk to them - they're like geeks. That said, how about a large Mulberry bag? It's classic, classy and cool. And comes in loads of different colors.

[onesmallchimera]

I graduated from law school last year.

Get a large leather tote that can take a beating. I actually got one from Wilson's Leather and it lasted a long time...until my puppy ate the straps.:) And keep in mind that you'll be toting a lot of crap around - books, laptop, supplements. You may not want to use a super nice bag.

[onesmallchimera]

Originally Posted by amy84023

I just got a regular asher, and my macbook doesn't fit in it. Yesterday I was only able to get my family law book, marc jacobs flat case with cosmetics in it, mac plug, and a water bottle in it. And, with all of that stuff in it, I was barely able to zip it. I carried my laptop. If you are going to look at the asher, I would check out the grande...I have never seen the grand in person, so I can't give you any advice about that. Also, I wasn't saying that you said you "thought" law school students dressed older. I was just stating that they don't. Even the older students (45+) who currently have professional jobs and take classes at night (I have a couple late night classes so I have some of these people in my class) don't even dress professionally. Everyone wears jeans and is very casual looking. Thats cool that you want to dress older and more professional, I was just giving you my experience. Also, to add to my experience, the summer before first year I blew all my clothing budget on professional/older clothes because I wanted to try and dress older as well. When I got to school, I looked a bit out of place because everyone was completely casual. It was a total waste of money, and in retrospect, I think it alienated me from many people because there are a lot of people who I meet in my classes now who say that when they first saw me (fist year) that I looked like a snob. Either way, I was just trying to help. There are some things you won't learn until you get there...and I was just trying to bring my experience to the table.

I don't remember anyone dressing up for class after the first week. I certainly didn't - I worked 3 years prior to law school and was happy to wear jeans again.

Now I'm stuck in a suit every weekday.

Dress comfortably while you can - once you get your bar license you'll have to dress more formally. :)

[Mukik]

For law school a leather bag that would allow you to organize and have space for your laptop and books, I would suggest Urban Junket. www.urbanjunket.com I have one of their bags and I love it for my laptop and for everyday use and the quality is awesome https://www.urbanjunket.com/index.ph...uct_style_id=4 this is the one that I have, mine has an orange laptop holder.