I need to buy a new teacher bag, and I've been perusing my Thirty-One consultant's website for close to an hour now. I can't decide what I want/need. Please help! I've been using the "organizing utility tote" all of this past year. It's pretty worn out from all the wear and tear, so, at the very least, I need to replace it. Most days this tote was exactly what I needed, but every now and then I wished I had had something just a tad bit larger. So, I'm now considering the "super organizing tote" instead. When I asked my consultant for her advice on which one to get (she's also a teacher and would know what teachers need), she brought up the Cindy tote. So, now I really don't know which one to get. Any recommendations? I'm open to bags other than Thirty-One also, but I do think they're cute... And now she thinks she's getting a sale, so I have to buy something. Thanks!
Which one do you have? I'm thinking of getting the "get carried away" tote but I'm not sure if it will be TOO big. It's hard to tell from the pictures. I don't want to be carrying around a large piece of luggage! I had the "go round" tote this year and it help up very well, but ended up being too small- I couldn't fit my computer or my lunchbox in it with all of my other stuff.
I have the large laptop tote from Vera Bradley in Indigo Pop: http://www.verabradley.com/product/...iantId/180395/pc/638/c/0/sc/642/p/1001882.uts I really like it. If you look at the sale colors it's not as expensive. Waterfall-I think the Get Carried Away tote is REALLY big. But I remember someone on here uses that one.
Oh, and I fit a TON into the large laptop tote. I bring way too much stuff home! I don't think a lunchbox would fix in it though.
I use the Organizing Utility Tote with the Fold and File Insert. Since I am also a consultant, I received it in a package and I wasn't sure how much I'd like it, but I love it! I know some people that use the Cindy Tote, the Super Organizing Utility Tote, and even the Casual Cargo Purse. If you do not want/need a $10 Large Utility Tote, wait until July 1 to order. July's special is spend $31 and get any item 31% off.
I have a Vera Bradley Messenger bag. I love it! Just enough for all of my daily needs... the only time it isn't quite big enough is when I'm schlepping 130 essays home. I don't carry a purse to work (I use a clutch wallet), and I carry my lunch in a separate bag.
I wouldn't get another bag from a company whose previous bag wore out after only one year. I also use a Vera bag...same one for 3 years so far and looks brand new.:thumb:
I also use the "organizing utility tote" and I love the size, I just wish their was some type of closure (zipper, magnetic button, whatever) on top.
I need a new tote too. My bags just don´t last. I guess I always go for the cheapy ones, but by the end of the year they are sad looking.
I have a Vera bag (possibly Get Carried Away) and I LOVE it! I've had it 3 years now and it still looks great. It is big (I used it as a carry on) but I can put all my teacher folders/binders in and my lunch box and my spare shoes when I'm wearing pretty shoes and my work out clothes. You get the idea. If you don't carry a bunch of stuff, it may be too large for you though. Lots of women in my building carry several smaller totes and a purse. I just prefer it all in one.
I have a Vera Bradley Vera bag that I use and I love it. It's got 6 organizing pockets on the inside of the bag and two pockets on the outside of the bag. I can fit two binders and lots of other things in there with no problems. I'm on my second year of using it and the last one I had lasted me for 5 years. Definitely worth it, plus you can throw them in the washing machine.
I have the regular tote from Vera Bradley. It's nice for a few things, but not big enough at all. I end up carrying an extra bag a lot of times.
I have that one as my teacher bag. It is big, but it's soft. So if you don't have it stuffed to the brim, it will collapse and not look as large. If you're trying to fit in a computer and lunchbox, I think the carried away tote would be perfect.
I have three different patterns of the tote from Vera Bradley. It is small, but I don't use a big bag. I also have the 31 Organizing Utility Tote. I rarely carry it because it is too big. I have an older style Vera Metropolitan bag that's nice. It holds my 17" laptop nicely.
Another guy here, so no Vera for me. For the past seven or eight years I have used the same bag. It is a messenger bag made by Aerostich intended for motorcycle courier riders. It isn't even close to being worn out. They have a variety of colors and sizes.
I'm on the hunt for a new teacher bag this summer, but I can't bring myself to give up the one I've been using. It was a gift from student teaching in my favorite color with my name on it, it's just not big enough with the storage I need. Looks like I'll be at a Vera Bradley store this summer.
I got the Cindy Tote from Thirty One and I LOVE it! I got my name put on it and I use it for taking stuff back and forth to school every day! It's got a good amount of room without being bulky. Plus it zips at the top which helps for rainy days. Happy Teacher Bag Hunting!
I also have a Vera bag and love it! It manages to hold everything I need and then some. I just need to toss in the washer and it will be ready for next year.
Same here! And it's the PERFECT size! I love that I can take it on field trips, use it to bring home papers to grade, or bring my ipad/netbook to PD in it! I. LOVE. IT.
I'm also on the hunt for a teacher bag. I've use a laptop rolling bag, a carton cart and I've used a Vera Bradley bag. Frankly so far none have served my needs well. I know I'm a bit picky but I want a bag that cam house a small laptop along with handheld devices, my hand bag and my lunch bag. I would like it to be some sort of rolling tote so I don't have to do too much heavy lifting. I also want it to be stylish. I know I'm being high maintenance but I have to be happy with it if I'm going to invest, So having said that, you have to think about your needs and what will work for you.
Me, too! Although I will admit that I am considering purchasing a Vera Bradley bag to supplement my rolling laptop bag (it will ride on top, which is good for my bad back).
Which one do you have? I'm considering getting the "get taken away" carry but I'm not sure if it will be TOO big. It's difficult to tell from the images.
I love the Vera bags and was going to get myself one for next school year, but I saw that my school was selling a heavy duty tote bag with the school logo on it for $16 so I'm going with that
I'm looking for something as well - I actually used a professional-looking (or as professional-looking as one can be) backpack during student teaching & subbing. I felt a little silly about it, but then again it allows me to carry everything I need. The downfall is that I also need to carry my purse. And I already have enough trouble distinguishing my short, young-looking self from the students. So, I'm looking at a Franklin Covey leather laptop tote. Here's a link: http://www.ebags.com/product/frankl...257984?productid=10254840#ratings-and-reviews It's spendy, so I'm not sure about it yet.
I have a small wallet that I keep in my teacher tote bag, so I don't even carry a purse. If I need to run into a store I just take the wallet with me.
I have this one from Franklin Covey that I got on a sale at Staples for I believe $75 that I really like and have gotten several compliments on. I'm 4"10" and very young looking as well, so I understand your dilemma http://www.ebags.com/product/frankl...leather-laptop-tote/257973?productid=10254820
I have the 31 Bags Super Organizing tote. (This isn't the print, they don't make my print any more.) I've used it for 2 years now and love it. It's held up really well, still looks great, and gives me enough pockets and storage to keep everything in there.
