As I got into the elevator today, I noticed a well-dressed girl on her way into the office. She had the polished “corporate” look… cashmere sweater vest layered on a 3/4 sleeve dress shirt, freshly pressed trousers and pointy-toe pumps. I know she was stylish with a purpose — she carried a contrasting burgundy Balenciaga tote and took the time to straighten her hair. But the thing that made me notice her was not how well-put together she was, but how one simple thing could throw off an entire look: she had a generic, masculine Targus laptop bag slung over her shoulder.
I know this is a problem a lot of us face — we get company-assigned laptops which come with black nylon Targus or Dell-branded laptop bags that are just hideous. And the selection of “stylish” laptop bags and totes out there on the market does not make it any easier; they remind me of the dog bag fad a few years ago when Marc Jacobs lookalike doggie carriers started popping up everywhere. Plus they’re expensive!
So my simple solution is this: buy a (cheap) sturdy, yet cute laptop sleeve and pair with your tote of choice. Today’s neoprene varieties are enough to protect even the bumpiest of bumps (and even a short drop) and are so much more convenient than a bulky laptop bag. Carefully transport your sleeved laptop in a variety of totes — your oversized purse, a YSL or Marc by Marc shopping tote, anything really!
Here are some of my top picks for sleeves:
Gyms Pacific makes a variety of printed or solid neoprene sleeves priced at $30-$45. They come in exact sizes for your PC laptop or Macbook. Available at kolobags.com.
This Moonsus sleeve has a feminine flair that will look great with any leather tote. On sale for $27.99 at kolobags.com.
These reversible case logic cases pop with color. On sale for $17.99 at kolobags.com.
Acme Made makes some of my favorite laptop accessories — these sleeves are as durable as they get in terms of durability and protection. Range from $55-85. acmemade.com
9 responses so far ↓
1 divasoria // Mar 4, 2009 at 7:06 pm
i agree! it really ruins a look. i hate company-assigned laptop bags. i usually just take a sleeve and use totes to lug it around.
2 mooz // Mar 5, 2009 at 3:23 pm
But where would the charger, mice, and knick-knacks go?
3 CT // Mar 5, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I stick a charger in a small drawstring pouch and call it a day. No need for mice and “knick knacks”. That’s a boy thing.
4 PinkBow // Mar 6, 2009 at 5:41 am
they are cool, well spotted!
5 tami sunderson // Mar 6, 2009 at 9:03 am
the Moonsus sleeve is lovely.
cheers from NYC,
tami
6 Mademoiselle à Paris // Mar 7, 2009 at 1:24 am
I tried the laptop sleeve thing but it’s not all that practical. And if you have to carry papers with it, it’s just no good cramming the papers in your bag.
So I picked a cute and tiny messenger bag (barely the size of my laptop). It has pockets and if you’ve ever sprinted in an airport or train station, you’ll have wanted that cross-body strap too. Added bonus, it doesn’t look like it carries a laptop, so thieves are less tempted.
7 Jenn @ Workchic // Mar 7, 2009 at 5:39 pm
This is a huge pet peeve of ours! With one of these sleeves she could probably have slipped her lap top in her tote and maintained a stylish look. It you buy a sleeve slighly larger you can also slide a folder of papers into it without them getting wrinkled. Also a cosmetic bag is great for carrying charges and accessories.
8 LaptopBags // Mar 16, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Well said! Great examples of some beautiful laptop sleeves. I love so many of the new ones out these days!
Thanks for the post!
9 Grace J. // Mar 16, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I’m glad you posted this, I’ve been in a dire need for a laptop sleeve.
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