Monday, August 23, 2010

Vera Bradley bags

You wouldn’t think that Vera Bradley would scream “An American in Paris,” but when I was strolling the cobbled streets of the City of Lights, I was continually blinded by American tourists tricked out with Vera Bradley’s treacly quilted backpacks, suitcases, and totes who were looking for the nearest Starbucks.

It was at this point I adopted a Canadian accent when ordering up a café au lait.

Don’t get me wrong. J'adore quilts. But I like them on my bed, not on my shoulder or the overhead compartment. The accessory equivalent of a Beanie Baby, Vera Bradley bags are a paisley pastiche of granny not-so-chic, a five-year-old’s pajamas, and the clearance aisle at Linens N Things, with a bit of QVC's Quaker Factory thrown in.

If I had a fat quarter for every time I wanted to punch a Vera Bradley purse in the face, I’d have a queen-sized quilt.

(photo: only-designer-handbags.com)

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOL I make quilted bags and quilts and I thought this was a riot!!!

Heather said...

That thing is ugly...

My Irish is Up said...

It's not something important, like a golf bag, so who cares, right?

WendiWee said...

If they weren't so paisley and matchy matchy, they might be better? Yes, that's a question, not a statement.

Jennifer Worick said...

Well, the paisley and the matchy matchy is a problem, but I also have issues of wearing such patterned fabrics as a purse or suitcase. Call me conservative, but I like a bag that can't be thrown in the washing machine. I want a solid or really graphic bag that will go with everything and not look like my bedspread.

Marlublu said...

I think it needs a horse.

Liz Burdick said...

I think it is not the bag which is so offensive, but the kind of person who wears it, along with their Brighton Jewelry and perfect kids.

Jennifer Worick said...

Liz, totally spot on with the Brighton jewelry! Blargh.

Rebel Without a Clue said...

A-Freaking-Men!!!!

Parabolic Muse said...

Oh, you're not kidding. I don't want to carry quilts with things in them. I have a fabric bag, but it's just a fabric bag. It doesn't make a friggin statement. And if it did, I'd shut its sassy mouth.

Anonymous said...

That bag may have been made from a quilt, but if so, the quilt was surely stolen from a cheap motel. Nobody in her right mind would sleep under anything that nightmarish in her own home.

brandeye said...

Haha. I'm a quilter and I hate the bags as much as you do!

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you on this. I thought my sense of style has dissipated since I think VB's look atrocious while others treasure them so much. It so comforting to know that there are plenty of awesome people out there who share my point of view. I do think VB's are overpriced for what they look like. In my opinion, they look cheap. I guess, I am not really a fan of busy patterns that reflect a granny's quilt or kitchen apron/oven mitts. Even if someone will give me a VB bag as a gift, I can never imagine myself utilizing it. As rude as it may be, I will return it and add extra cash to buy a higher end classic handbag that I can use for a lifetime.

Anonymous said...

Late to the party here but I've gotten so sick of seeing the ugly ass over-priced Vera Bradley bags all over the place I had to google to see if there were others who thought the same. I can't understand this trend at all. The fabric, for one, seems impractical, and looks like it would get dirty fast, machine wash or not. The patterns are hideously garish and would clash with almost anything, the quilting pattern is just like what the previous poster said, oven mitts. Supposedly expensive but look cheap as hell. I don't understand why so expensive when the materials are not. Nothing beats a well made classic leather bag. I really bet in the years to come, this will be one fad that will be made fun of- "what were we thinking?"

Anonymous said...

Haters back off! Vera Bradley is beautiful!!!!! I have probably over 100 things from there and I love all of them!!!! They are not impractical they're amazing! The patterns especially alpine floral are beautiful!!!! Vera Bradley is what I live for it is my favorite thing in the world!!!!!!!

Gigi, age a very youthful 56 said...

Great thoughtpiece!

As with every fashion statement, there are likers and dislikers. I have a few bags because they actually have a great variety of shapes and styles that support my busy lifestyle. So why not add a color or pattern that the owner likes? For example,.I personally dislike pastels, but I understand that others love them. I just keep begging for more red and solids and continue to smile making myself happy with my purchases.

Chaqun a son gout, mesdames!

CaptainM said...

Hahahaha hahahahaaaaahahahaaaaa. Yeah they are hideous.