Bags that zip + have compartments

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lat34

lat34

Member
Apr 17, 2022
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#1
I've spent the past few months researching a bag to commemorate defending my dissertation. (I'm not a designer handbag owner, but have lots of friends who are, so I've gotten tons of ideas from them and from reading these forums).

Something that I don't understand: why do so few designer bags that look interesting zip (or close super securely)? And have internal (or external) compartments that are useful for keeping your purse contents well-organized? I travel quite a bit to Europe and North Africa and so think a lot about security when selecting a bag, as well as look. (I love the origami like shapes in particular!) I imagine the lack of zippers in particular has to do with how bags will lay - but it seems crazy to me.

It seems to me that designers bags with zippers in the under $3000 zone are limited to Balenciaga Classic City, Loewe Puzzle, Givenchy Antigone, Fendi by the way (reviewed here by a blogger I love) and Celine Belt or Cube. But none of these have much to offer in terms of internal (or external) compartments/dividers to try to keep things organized inside the purse.

Am I missing something? I'd love to know! Otherwise, I'm thinking I'll go with a Balenciaga neo-classic city used and just appreciate the structure of the bag (the Celine cube is hard to find and appears to be just like a box on the inside, as does the Fendi By The Way, and the Loewe Puzzle & Givenchy Antigone seem to be quite pricey even on resale. I'm not a huge fan of the MCM bags. I love the Polène numéro neuf but it's just so... open!).

Any suggestions welcome and very appreciated! Thanks!
 
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#3
As a fellow lover of compartments & pockets, I can tell that, sadly, not many designer bags have these. One solution to this problem is a purse organizer - the most popular, I think, is Samorga, but there are lots of other (and cheaper) options. Some of them would be made specifically for a particular bag, i.e. an organizer for an LV Speedy 30, etc.

As for bags that come with the 'pre-installed' organization and close securely, I can only think of two off the top of my head aside from the ones you've already mentioned, although they don't sport a zipper but rather a flap.

Proenza Schouler PS1+ (the regular PS1 has one main compartment, so it's a little bit less functional in that way; but it comes in the size Large, if you need more space):
proenza-schouler-ps1-medium_12163195_11246755_1320.jpg

and the Senreve Maestra, it's not a luxury brand, but a contemporary one, although the prices could've been a little less steep! :thinking:
Maestra_Interior_PebbledIce_1200x1200_WebMedium.jpg
 
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#5
I agree, it's baffling! Especially with larger bags it is so easy for things to get lost and jumbled without compartments. I really like the type with a center divider & a small zip pocket within the divider. I understand not wanting to put pockets on the outside since they visually change the design but inside needs to have more. With some bags I feel like I am getting a beautiful form, excellent craftmanship and history, but then they fall below on function.
 
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#6
Come to think of it, a few of my bags have pockets but not enough do.
My 2 coach outlet bags have both zip & regular pockets & close completely with a zipper.
My coach rogue has a center zippered compartment.
My 2 bvlgari bags are flap but have a divider & zip pocket .
The rest of my bags are black holes
 
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#7
The Prada reissue and the Celine ava shoulder bags both have zippers.
Longchamp bags have zippers.

I do think it has to do with design, structure, and type of leather being used.

A lot of structured bags with stiff leathers would not do well with a zipper. A zipper requires some flexibility from the leather when zipping shut, even if you put in extra pieces of leather on both sides. (which would require more material and labor)
The zipper will pull the sides of the bag in and together, which may not be the look the design is going for or may be something that the type of canvas or leather cannot handle over long periods of time (maybe higher risk of creasing or cracking, especially when people over stuff bags).

Feedback from clients also may play a role. The old version of the Lady Dior used to have a zipper. But many people found the zipper to be in the way (may be due the boxy structure of the bag) and so they did away with the zipper and put in an inner flap closure instead.

It is interesting to think about though. :idea:
 
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#8
A bottle of Red said:
Good questions that I wonder as well.
Many ppl use bag organizers inside their purse but it's kind of odd to have to do that. Like please put in a pocket or two.
And no closure or zip for security & so nothing falls out is very annoying to me as well.
What about a flap style bag? The flap covers the opening so it's more secure.
Click to expand...
That's a great suggestion! Thanks! I was looking at the Celine blade bag for this reason but haven't found many used...
 
#9
IntheOcean said:
As a fellow lover of compartments & pockets, I can tell that, sadly, not many designer bags have these. One solution to this problem is a purse organizer - the most popular, I think, is Samorga, but there are lots of other (and cheaper) options. Some of them would be made specifically for a particular bag, i.e. an organizer for an LV Speedy 30, etc.

As for bags that come with the 'pre-installed' organization and close securely, I can only think of two off the top of my head aside from the ones you've already mentioned, although they don't sport a zipper but rather a flap.

Proenza Schouler PS1+ (the regular PS1 has one main compartment, so it's a little bit less functional in that way; but it comes in the size Large, if you need more space):
View attachment 5419892

and the Senreve Maestra, it's not a luxury brand, but a contemporary one, although the prices could've been a little less steep! :thinking:
View attachment 5419895
Click to expand...
These are great! I love the Senreve bag, but I've read different takes on its quality. Do you have one and if so what do you think of quality? Thanks a bunch!
 
#10
A bottle of Red said:
Come to think of it, a few of my bags have pockets but not enough do.
My 2 coach outlet bags have both zip & regular pockets & close completely with a zipper.
My coach rogue has a center zippered compartment.
My 2 bvlgari bags are flap but have a divider & zip pocket .
The rest of my bags are black holes
Click to expand...
I will take a look at Bvlgari! Have never looked at any of their bags!
 
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#11
lat34 said:
These are great! I love the Senreve bag, but I've read different takes on its quality. Do you have one and if so what do you think of quality? Thanks a bunch!
Click to expand...
Don't have one, but I, too, heard mixed reviews. I think - just based on what I've seen on YT - the quality used to be good, but then it slowly changed for the worst when the brand gained popularity.
 
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#13
Vanilla Bean said:
I love my Balenciaga bags but I think their lambskin is too fragile for a travel bag. My chevre bags are much more durable but all of them have only the one outside zip pocket, small inside pockets and no compartments. Your best bet might be the Coach Rogue which comes in a variety of sizes and colors. Nice bag.
Click to expand...
It does get heavy though
 
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#14
Vanilla Bean said:
I love my Balenciaga bags but I think their lambskin is too fragile for a travel bag. My chevre bags are much more durable but all of them have only the one outside zip pocket, small inside pockets and no compartments. Your best bet might be the Coach Rogue which comes in a variety of sizes and colors. Nice bag.
Click to expand...
Thanks that so useful! So the Balenciaga grained new classic city doesn't strike you as a good bag for frequent use?

I love the Rogue! But it does look heavy. Beautiful bag though...
 
#15
It’s super annoying!

I have a Saint Laurent Jane bag, a Balenciaga city and an old Jerome Dreyfuss Carlos that zip, but most of my large bags do not.

I don’t love bag organizers as I feel it just adds to the weight.

My favorite smaller zipped bags are my Celine trios…just 3 zipped pouches snapped together.
 
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