Suggestions for Grad Present/Work Bag

[wisconsin]

I am a physician as well many many years out of residency.
I currently rotate between an LV bag, Burberry tote and Black Balenciaga part time for work.
I used to use only the Bal part time as I liked being understated but then realized that no one really cares and LV is kind of ubiquitous and I did not want to ruin my leather balenciaga with daily and rough all weather use.

 

[puppyfriend]

I am a physician as well many many years out of residency.
I currently rotate between an LV bag, Burberry tote and Black Balenciaga part time for work.
I used to use only the Bal part time as I liked being understated but then realized that no one really cares and LV is kind of ubiquitous and I did not want to ruin my leather balenciaga with daily and rough all weather use.

I may just have to come up with a solid work bag rotation, in that case!

 

[valerievo]

Congratulations on your recent graduation! I'm actually looking along the same lines as you, for a workhorse bag that can fit most things and last a long time. I tried the MG lady bag recently thinking it would fit a 13" laptop but alas, it doesn't. While it was beautiful it went back to the store. I'm not crazy about lv neverfulls because they don't close at the top, so if they tip over, your stuff spills out if full and if it rains, your stuff gets wet.

Hope this helps!
Val

 

[puppyfriend]

I think I've actually decided to split my budget in two: one for a durable tote (something like a Neverfull) and then a separate luxe bag to use for outside of work-- I'm thinking maybe a Celine Mini Belt. Thanks for all your help everyone

 

[papertiger]

Congratulations!

Given what you need it for I wouldn't go for a pre-loved Bolide. Although I love mine utterly, even a 35 will not be big enough for all your things because of its wedge shape, it will be permanently open. The older ones are more structured and if you over-stuff it on a regular basis it will begin to lose it's shape even with a organiser and the leather interior will suffer. The Hermes Victoria may be better and these can also be picked up for a good price if you're lucky. A practical colour, all-leather Garden Party may also work with an organiser, the wide flat base keeps everything just where you put it whether popped open on the sides or not, and it's very sturdy. I use mine for work and it looks surprisingly smart and professional (I'm also a Dr. but not an MD)

 

[lvfanaddict]

The Peekaboo seems like a very good option, preferably the Selleria version if you can swing it. Another option is the Gucci Jackie Soft Tote (I think it's been discontinued but you can still find them around). Other brands to consider are Tom Ford and Valextra. I've just ordered a Tom Ford tote after a very positive experience with a cross body bag. Tom Ford bags seem very tough to me.

A couple of very large-capacity options in between the Kate Spade and Hermes ranges are the Proenza Schouler PS1 Large and the Mulberry Oversize Alexa. These bags can hold almost anything .

Good luck, and congratulations!

Sorry, off topic.
Hi! Can you tell me which Tom Ford tote you purchased? Was it the T tote? Thanks...

 

[Kbuzzbuzz]

Congratulations!!! We seem to have similar taste in your bag selections. I'll just focus on what I have experience with.

I love my LV Totally MM (in DE) and would recommend it as a workhorse bag. I used everyday for a bit over a year when I had to haul my sons stuff with me. I mean you can fill that thing up and I'll forever use it as my travel bag or days in which I carry alot. It's really lightweight so you don't have to worry about filling it up like you do leather bags. Theres a new version of this bag called the Iena-lots of people are liking it. I don't think it's as pretty as the totally though-but you might It has no side pockets and just a zip pocket on the outside.

I love my fendi selleria peekaboo but I'm not sure I'd like it in a hospital setting. I use my peekaboo for going out on dates with my husband and sometimes to church. She's thick and substantial but I just love her too much.

I've been to the Faure Le Page store in paris and my husband purchased a wallet. They have amazing customer service and the quality is lovely. I like the carry on style one and have considered it. I don't really have the need for it with the Totally though. BUT I also like their rigid Parade bag but that would be more of a fun canvas bag to have not a workhorse probably. I love their pattern more than Goyard or LV to be honest. It's subtle and underrated in a very different way to LV's DE.

If you want a open tote-I might go for Louis Vuitton since you can walk into a LV store and send it off if it needs repair. Faure Le Page you'll have to send it back to Paris. I'm not super partial to the Neverfull but many people LOVE it. I do love the ones from Liberty London as well: http://www.libertylondon.com/uk/brands/l/liberty-london/bags/

I own a chloe marcie and I love her. It was my first ever designer bag and I bought her in Paris with my husband. I've used her quite a bit but she is a HEAVY bag. This is my one and only Chloe and I'll probably never purchase another bag by them. Their customer service was bad. I had to send the bag in for repair at one point-now I can't remember why. BUT they had lots of issues with finding my bag-"we don't have it" "We have it". Really stressful to be honest. Chloe charged for the repair.

I would steer away from Celines belt bag as a workhorse-I've seen it out and about and lots of them look droopy. I have a Black Celine Edge bag which I like for winter days but the leather seems more fragile compared to my other bags. I also had to send the Celine in for repair-some fraying from the the zipper tassel-fixed without a problem though. Celine didn't charge for repair.