30 June, 2011

Hols Abroad Travel Bag

Hi there Summer Is A Verb . . .

Your blog is the way I start my day : ) You've always got something interesting to share and I love reading about your adventures. We have similar taste (Hermes, Goyard, Kiehls, Belgians, etc) so I'm writing to ask for your humble opinion about a travel bag.

I was re-reading your posts about the last minute winter dash to Paris and was curious which handbag you used. We are taking the kids to Scandinavia this summer, which will involve lots of planes, trains & automobiles, along with leisurely strolls through the European capitals of design. I'm desperately afraid of looking like a tourist (I've been obsessively reading Stockholm Style) and also afraid of being pick-pocketed while being distracted by 2 Lego obsessed little blond boys. Your story of the stolen LV scarf in Paris still sends shivers down my spine.

I will be leaving my Birkin at home and am looking for a chic, black or neutral bag and wondered if you might have some suggestions.

Cheers,
Laura P

"Humble opinion" is correct Laura cuz my bag collection is just that. Birkin, in my dreams! I took my Gucci Horsebit Hobo to Paris but, mostly used it for carrying goodies (such as an Hermès scarf to fashion into a sleep mask) on the plane. I carried it the day we arrived but, was so spooked by the pickpocket warning I had received that I walked clutching it to my chest and it never left the hotel room again. But, luckily, I had Babe to mule my lip gloss, camera and mobile. Annnd, I did not have kids who needed me as their mule!

Our dear friend, and traveling companion, Amy (muleless) carried a Longchamp Le Pliage which was totally appropriate and functional...

Très French, zips up, doesn't look too flashy, and can hold lots of kiddie necessities. Plus, you can easily throw those babies into a washing machine for removing travel grime...

If you want something a smidge more chic, I'm currently lusting over the Courage. b Andre handbag I spied in the June issue of Hamptons...

It could be your Birkin stand in. Btw, keep the cash/cc's to a minimum on your person or, better yet, have the hubs mule. Wishing you a safe, exciting, pickpocket free trip abroad Laura. And, may you always be mistaken for a local...

Kindness of Babe for never complaining about his mule duties. Althoooo, now that I think about it, if I'm hands free, that means I'm also purchasing power free. Mmmhmmmm, well played Babe. Well played...XXOO
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20 comments:

  1. mary anneJune 30, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    I have three Longchamps bags and love them for travel. Good for in town, too. Reasonable, foldable, many colors, what more could a girl ask for? (besides Goyard)

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  2. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    I live in Hamburg, Germany and I would vote for the Longchamp Le Pliage since they are water resistant. It can be rainy in Scandinavia in the summertime...We had quite a rainy 5 days in Bergen, Norway some years ago...

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  3. pve designJune 30, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    Dear Alice-
    The Longchamps is light and can hold up well. I think that and a slim clutch for nights out - I spied that Andre bag too which is chic but could be heavy.
    As always you have an arsenal of excellent tips.
    pve

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  4. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Thanks for the post. Very timely as I'm about to switch from carrying a diaper bag for my little one to a Longchamp Pliage. I've seen them at the big stores for about $140 for the medium size. This website link you've included seems to have them for about $70 and it's $85 w/ shipping. Looks like the authentic Longchamp website. Have you ordered from the website and was it a smooth process? Thanks very much.

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  5. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Thanks for the post.Have you ordered from the longchamp website you linked to? Just wondering if it's legit (looks like it's longchamp's website) because the prices seem to be significantly less than retail. Thanks.

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  6. ilovelimegreenJune 30, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    My tried-and-tested surefire anti-pickpocket solution is to keep cash, credit cards, etc. in an interior coat or jacket pocket. That way, you can carry an impractical/frivolous bag and not worry too much about thieves and pickpockets. NB- I utilized this method for 15 months in London and it worked for me; I think I was the only person in my MA program who wasn't mugged.

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  7. Summer is a VerbJune 30, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Yes, my sister and I have ordered quite a few Le Pliages from this website over the past years. Idk why they're less expensive but, that's why I linked them. I generally prefer to hit the Longchamp store on Mad when in NYC to see colors in person but, this has become my fallback place...XXOO

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  8. LisaJune 30, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    I don't know about throwing the Longchamp bag in the washing machine because of the leather trim. I've always spot-cleaned mine.

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  9. Summer is a VerbJune 30, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    I've thrown mine in multiple times without incident. But, by the time they're at the point of needing to be thrown in, the leather's already pretty broken in, if not worse for the wear. No dryer though...XXOO

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  10. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Longchamp is a nice safe choice. it's durable and packable. If that is what you want then go for it. however, as you know the scandanavian countries are way ahead of the curve stylistically and if you want to look "not American" as you said, try something different For instance the "Henry Beguelin" line is really fantastic and has a low key brand recognition yet it is very hip. Check out their website or Ebay. Ebay has some great prices for these bags and they're beautiful.

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  11. CherylJune 30, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    I love the Courage. b Andre handbag ... so happy you posted it! My Longchamp's have all gone in the wash, and look fine... I am now in search of a handbag with "dividers".... I am so tired of searching through the bottom of my bags!!!

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  12. JennipherCJune 30, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    I have an old-school nylon prada cross-body bag that I always use for travel. It's just big enough to hold money/credit cards, phone, camera, sunglasses and lip gloss/hand gel. Since it's cross-body, I always feel that it's secure, even on crowded trains, etc.

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  13. PatsyJune 30, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    if you are afraid to toss your longchamp in the washer, put it in the top rack of the dishwasher. i wash all kinds of non-dish related stuff in there!

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  14. bisbeeJune 30, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    I agree about either Longchamp or Prada if you want to be more stylish.

    As far as not looking like a tourist - don't worry about it. You will look like a tourist. How you behave is much more important as far as not making yourselves targets for unsavory characters!

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  15. A.U.G.June 30, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    A.R.-The I see the Longchamp Le Pliage all over campus. Every other women/girl seems to be toting a monogrammed navy blue. They seem rather versatile.

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  16. Summer is a VerbJuly 1, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    So true Bisbee. 'Twas très guache to walk while eating or drinking in Paris. The only place you'll see a Starbucks cup is IN a Starbucks...XXOO

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  17. KristenJuly 1, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Another good and subtle option is Boulevard's "Friday" bag: http://www.blvdbags.com/ProductDetail.aspx?id=332&itemid=1180&category=Handbags&topoffset=270&leftoffset=375&sizefactor=75

    I'm thinking red with gold monogram...

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  18. AnnaJuly 3, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Hi there,

    Long-time-lurking Scandinavian reader here. I can confirm that any Longchamp, especially the Pliage and Planet and other canvas versions, are very popular at least in Sweden and Finland. And as the original poster was going to spend time in design capitals, and my birth town Helsinki is THE design capital of Europe of 2012, I must recommend getting a bag from Marimekko. Their poppy prints were made famous by Manolo Blahnik and Carry Bradshaw (shoes and curtains!), but the iconic Finnish brand is decades old and has some very sturdy and practical bags.

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  19. Summer is a VerbJuly 3, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Well, kiitos for coming out of the shadows to leave such a helpful comment Anna! I will email Laura P pronto, lest she let a Marimekko opportunity pass her by while trapsing 'round your hood...XXOO

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  20. ArchitectDesign™July 6, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    Must just put in the aforementioned goyard tote -so many cute colors too!

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