What are your thoughts about an open top bag?

[Mekinfrance]

I have some open bags... they are good to reach things easily... but the zippered ones are better if you want to have everything organized and safe... You can always have some of both styles... dep on the occasion and the use you need at the moment... Just IMO...

[ari]

well there will be a problem when traveling by plane - usually they put your bag sidewise and all thing might get lost under the scan..

[starkfan]

I tend to prefer bags with a zipper closure. If it's an open top bag, a magnetic snap does help a great deal, IMHO, at least as far as restricting access for possible pickpockets. Having things roll out is a whole other ballgame, but I'm usually conscious enough of how bags sit that it's not a major issue for me for my day-to-day use. If I'm travelling, I'd definitely choose a bag with a more secure closure, though, e.g. zipper or a large flap. For open top bags without magnetic snaps, I'd also usually at least try to make sure it's deep enough that pickpockets can't reach in too easily to snatch my wallet, phone, etc.

Specifically WRT the RM Nikki, though, it seems like it should still be fairly secure since the top is meant to fold down in order for you to wear it properly. I just probably wouldn't use it when travelling, since laying it flat when you're going through security or when you're on the plane definitely increases the likelihood that something could fall out.

[yeliab]

Majority of my bags are open top and even if they do have zippers or closures - I hardly ever close the bag, unless I have to.

It's easier access for me to get into my purse... but I am wary about people who are lurking a little to close - I'll pull my bag closer to my front chest area so that the opening is closed and in the front of me.

If I'm going on trips where I need a closed bag - I'll either use a crossbody type that I put in the front of me with a flap or zipper (closed of course)... or a backpack that's zippered and tied down completely.

Other than that - it's open season!!

[heather123]

Funny you mention this. I'm about to switch to my open-top Gucci Monogram. I love this bag and have had it for years. Like a lot of people my main concern is stuff falling out when I set it down, rather than theft. The bag is deep enough to make theft fairly unlikely, and I can always stash my wallet in the big interior pocket. DH and I are on a break in France just now and yesterday something slightly unexpected happened. I was struggling with shopping mall packages and trying to get into my Balenciaga City, when DH said, 'That bag is a terrible nuisance to get in and out of, isn't it?'. I had never noticed this before, and suspect it was just because I was laden down with other things. But it's what immediately made me think of my open-topped Gucci. I could just have dumped stuff in it, no problem. At the end of the day, that's the beauty of having several bags to rotate.

[chikapinku]

I prefer zip top bags personally, but would be open to trying a semi-open top bag. Fully open though... no way! Though, with the one you're looking at, isn't it designed for the top part to... flop, sort of? So it wouldn't be totally open top anyway, right? I'm not too familiar with RM bags but it looks more secure than something completely open.

[alatrop]

Sometimes I will leave my bags unzipped, but I prefer to have the option to close them if I so desire. I won't buy bags without zippers now.

[NagaJolokia]

Ugh, I hate open tops even with a small snap closure. Hell, I even hate it when the zippers aren't attached all the way to the end, but stop short, KWIM? You have a big gap on one side of the zipper and the other end of it is sticking out like a tail? Yeah, I hate those even though they're better than a little snap closure for the same reasons as a lot of other people, i.e. theft, things falling out, things falling in. However, I've bought a lot of them because looks (of the rest of the bag) have always been much more important than function ever since I became passionate about bags. I swear only like 7 of the purses I bought have a completely closed top.

I'm amazed at how popular the open top with small closure is. Seriously, was there some huge survey that had more women who preferred no zippers or fully closed top or something??? I would think with all the theft, precipitation and all, the zipper or a completely closed top would be a must.

[BgaHolic]

Thanks for your input everyone! I'm still on the fence about an open top that has open corners only because they haven't made cars or suv's yet that can hold a large bag so it always falls down and out spills the contents. So, I guess I wanted to see how the majority feels...

[TejasMama]

I generally prefer zip-closure bags but the Nikki is pretty secure because it has a magnetic closure AND it tends to fold over at the top under your arm. As a precaution, I generally put my wallet inside the inside zipper pocket; it keeps me from losing it inside my bag and gives me extra protection.

When I travel, I try to take zip closure bags.

[karmenzsofia]

^ Ditto. If they have a closure or zipper, I never use it, and I've never lost anything.

[isabellam]

Never open top for me. My absolute, iron-clad rule is that a purse must close firmly at the top. My favorite type of closure is the clasp or kiss-lock type. They open very easily and you can usually see the entire contents of the bag at once. My second favorite type of bag is a zip top, but with at least one outside deep pocket for my keys to go into so that I can access them easily. I hate fumbling for keys in a parking lot - I feel it attracts crime.

[Vintage Leather]

I only own three opened top bags, and two of those close with drawstrings. I prefer them when I am shopping. The rest of the time, I'm carrying a close to the body bag, with a complete fold over top or zipper.

When I do have an opened top bag, I always use a pouchette or wristlet inside the bag for all my important items. It makes them much easier to access, and a bit more secure.

[runner22]

I don't mind them. I have a couple of totes that are open top and they're handy when I have a bunch of stuff. At the same time they can get annoying if stuff falls out.

[KittyKat65]

Love them! The perfect one is a Chanel GST. I like being able to just get to my stuff.