Thursday, September 13, 2012

Vera Bradley Pleated Tote Review

Ok, so some of you may remember my post a few months back about the differences between the new campus tote and the pleated tote.  I feel I didn't really give the pleated tote a chance, I was just going off second hand information.  I will stand by my statement that the campus tote is more of a purse and the pleated tote is a tote, but now that I have both, I am with the countless others wondering why in the world this bag was ever retired.  I received my pleated tote in the mail a few days ago and it has quickly soared into my top spot.  If you're the type of person that is looking for a purse, this bag is too big for you.  Sometimes, I just need to carry a bunch of stuff with me and the campus tote is too small to do that.  The reason I wanted the campus tote was because I heard it was a replacement for the pleated tote, but there is nothing campus about that bag.  My algebra book won't even fit in it, let alone my notebook.  Now this is not a bash the campus tote post, this is a BRING BACK THE PLEATED TOTE post.  Let this post serve as an online petition to Vera Bradley to please, please, please bring this beloved tote back to your loyal customers.

Now, let me step down from my soap box, lol, and get this review going!!


My new beautiful pleated tote in Mocha Rouge
Once again, I fell for a color I once said I hated!!  I love the pinks on the brown background with little touches of white and black.  This may be an older color, but I still love it.  I had to find this beauty on eBay, since verabradley.com has zero!!  Usually you can get things that have been retired for several months after, but not this baby.  That should tell you how loved this bag is.  (If you're going to shop on eBay, be very careful. There are very shady people trying to sell low quality and fake Vera items.)  The size of this bag is huge!! 
 
 
Pleated tote and the Campus tote
You can see the overall size of the pleated tote is larger, which is why I say campus makes a great purse. 
 
 
The pleated tote is taller, not by much, but enough to notice the difference when carrying.  Another difference are the side pockets.  The pleated tote has much larger side pockets, I noticed this when I put my bottled water in, it slides in much easier.
 
 
My entire hand fits in here!!
 
 
 
Zipper closure!!
I will never understand why Vera got rid of the zipper.  I love zippers and I think that's a major reason why I love this bag.
 

 
3 slip pockets on the inside
These are very wide and deep slip pockets.  The campus tote has 2 pockets, but I think they had to do that to downsize the bag.  I love these pockets and they actully give you more room in the main compartment.  I can easily place my small kisslock wallet, zip ID case, gum, lotion and hand sanitizer in these pockets.
 

On the opposite side of the bag there is a HUGE zipper pocket.  This is probably the largest zipper pocket I've ever seen.  I put my iPhone charger, headphones and personal items in this pocket.  If you're using this bag for school this would be a great place to put pens or pencils or something of that nature.  If you're using this as a baby bag I could definitely see where baby wipes could fit in here.  (I think the inside of Mocha Rouge is so cute, lol!!)
 
 
 
I can fit my large cosmetic bag, planner, and Kindle in the main compartment, with plenty of room to spare.  I also usually throw in a snack or breakfast.  I've heard a lot of people say they use this bag as their school bag, and school stuff does fit, but my 15 inch laptop will absolutely NOT fit.  This is a nagative for me becuase my current class is online, so my laptop is a must.  I also believe the handles would be a bit problematic if you decided to tote around your school things, but I'll get back to the handles in a minute.
 
 
Everything that goes inside
 
 
The handles are not quilted.  I feel like if you're really going to load this bag down, the added comfort of a quilted handle would go a long way.  I think the campus tote wins this round, those rolled handles are, "oh so comfy"!!
 
So overall, both are fabulous bags, and I love them both for very different reasons.  But this pleated tote is now one of my all time favorite bags.  I feel like it has so many uses and I'm so excited to find out what those are. 
 
Leave a comment below if you want Vera to bring the pleats back!!
 


 
 
 

19 comments:

  1. I knew you would be the first signature lol!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Grrgh! I bought a pleated tote, then returned it because I wasn't pleased with the quality - a certain part of the fabric looked white instead of a color. My friend also ordered one with me to get free shipping, and hers arrived with the zipper damaged! Needless to say, we didn't have the best experience with them, but now I'm second guessing myself. Perhaps I'll look for one at the sale in April. Thanks for the detailed post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with them :-/. What sale are you referring to in April?

    ReplyDelete
  4. :O You dont know!!!!!!!!
    http://discountfabrichandbags.com/blog/lines-prices-and-patterns-at-the-2012-vera-bradley-outlet-sale/
    and
    http://discountfabrichandbags.com/blog/2012-vera-bradley-outlet-sale-ticket-information/
    and
    http://discountfabrichandbags.com/blog/register-online-2012-vera-bradley-outlet-sale/
    and
    http://discountfabrichandbags.com/blog/2012-vera-bradley-outlet-sale-price-list/

    This is where I saw it! Its the biggest Vera Bradley sale ever, each year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Omg the Outlet Sale. I have less than subtly let my husband know I want to go! Are tickets on sale yet? It's probably 9 hours from me. I hate that part.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Omg you luckies!! Maybe someday I'll get to come too :-( Angela look for me a pleated tote lol.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Last year the tickets were available Feb 1st. Lets keep our eyes peeled.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks, Sarah! It's okay, I'm hoping to have a future better experience with the pleated tote. The outlet sale!!! :>:>:> I'm about 3 and a half hours away. I've heard that the prices decrease substantially on the last day, Sunday, which is open to the public for free admission. However, if you are looking for something specific, it may be gone by then. I went in 2011, but did not go this year, and plan to go in 2013.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are definitely lucky. I've read about it and seen a few pictures but I'm hoping someday to experience it for myself. What all do they have there? Like new stuff or retired colors/styles?

    ReplyDelete
  10. They have a mix of new and retired colors/styles. I got soooo much stuff :>. When I went, Blue Lagoon was a new color, and I got a Clutch Wallet in it. I was really excited to have gotten a color from one of the newer releases (at the time)! I never knew that much Vera even existed! It was quite an experience - if you ever go, bring some patience with you :>.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh for sure!! And my pepper spray, lol, totally kidding. If any of you ladies get the chance to go and find me a pleated tote, I sure would love you forever!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'll get one for you if I end up going, which I should unless something comes up for work. I'll probably go during the week and end up taking a day off :>.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Haha, love the pepper spray joke, although you may change your mind once you're there!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yay!! You're awesome!! Hey, if someone tried to snag what I was getting I probably would pepper spray them lol. Do people fight over stuff? Take plenty of pics for me!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've heard that people fight over stuff, but thankfully that didn't happen when I was there. They were, however, generally rude. Haha, I was showing a friend the pics of me at the sale yesterday - the first pic I look really excited and by the last pic I look really stressed out.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bet you're going to take some pepper spray now. Haha, or a whistle lol so you can call for backup.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This and the squared away bag are my all time favorites, both retired. Neither looks obnoxiously huge (important, as I am 5'3"), but they fit SO MUCH STUFF. Plus they both have pretty big/useful outer pockets and most importantly, ZIPPERS. Anyone who lives in the city and takes public transit knows the importance of zippers. I've had my wallet stolen once, won't let it happen again (fortunately, wasn't a vera wallet!).

    The new Glenna bag appears to me to be the "new" pleated tote, and as for squared away, I am still waiting for a rebirth.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh my!! Thank goodness they didn't get your Vera!! I would straight up cut someone if they touched mine, lol kidding. I've seen the pictures of the Glenna, and I'm not crazy about it but I've been known to change my mind after I see things in person. I'm crazy about that new two way tote!!

    ReplyDelete