Sunday, July 29, 2007

Vera Bradley

I don't get it. Why are Vera Bradley duffels, makeup bags, garment bags and rolling suitcases so popular? I understand that the founders felt that there was a severe lack of "feminine luggage," but this is their answer? Quilted bags (that look like they're going to disintegrate at the hands of one burly bag handler) in slightly ridiculous patterns that look like my grandma made them. Why have they become status symbols - at least, among a certain set (I've never seen Britney or Lindsay with one)? I think they're super gross.

If you really want "feminine" luggage, here's my suggestion: go to TJMaxx, Marshall's, or Filene's Basement - not quite first-run, not quite resale - and check out their suitcases. If you can't find one in a bright lurid pink, you'll be sure to find something in a fruit or animal print pattern. And you won't look like you pulled Granny's ol' quilted dog carrier circa 1974 down from the attic.

Vera Bradley - D (points awarded for identifiability at the baggage return)

7 comments:

equippedtofascinate said...

Are all the bags as ugly as the ones pictured? Or did you just display the ugliest ones?

christa said...

they remind me of pants that my gma used to wear... wierd.

Anonymous said...

I see people around here carrying bags like that. I don't get it.

Anonymous said...

It comes from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Nuff said.

singlegirlsnewyear said...

The fabric patterns utilized in these bags originate from the Provence region of France. When I was there in the August of 1998, I could have purchased any number of items to hold my makeup, toiletries, etc. I declined because I thought they were super fug.

They are ridiculous and not very substantial. It's a way for relatively affluent (not the paparazzi followed set) to demonstrate there "fashion sense," if you can actually call it that. BLECH!

amanda said...

I like that my friend Ashley said "THE August of 1998." It makes her sound so European.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with everyone. I've seen bags like this for YEARS (in fact I think my 70+ year old mother has a toiletry bag like it in her closet). It is a great mystery to me, but my teenage daughter and her friends have gotten sucked into the hype machine and want (me) to spend $$$ on these ugly bags for her Christmas gift. Grandma's searching the thrift stores for me as we speak:-)!