how to carry a laptop with (mid-century) style

Have you found any graceful and stylish way to transport your computer? You know, something a little mid-century modern. Like this?

Mid-Century Holzman bag from Etsy shop DejavuVintageretro

Or maybe like this...

1950s Majestic Box Purse from Etsy LuminousLadyVintage

Yea. Me neither.

Computers are bulky and unattractive. And most bags built for computers are similarly bulky and unattractive. When I thought I was a big-time professional career girl, I got this Grade A standard issue consultant Tumi bag and used it for YEARS.

Tumi Alpha. Get it? "Alpha."

At some point, I abandoned the Tumi bag for backpacks. Backpacks are handy, and you can stuff a lot of crap in them. They are comfortable to carry. And they transport onto planes easily, with even more crap smashed inside. But I find they look, well, a little collegiate.

And collegiate doesn't suit me. At all. Plus I over stuff my backpack and find myself hauling all kinds of unnecessary items around work and onto planes.

Additionally, I work in a really large corporate campus environment and frequently walk around from meeting to meeting. I can cover a few miles in a day. My pathetic over-stuffed backpack makes me look a little frumpy.

And annually, I do treat myself to a new bag. For several years, a post has stuck in my mind by one of my favorite bloggers, Penelope Trunk, called "How to Pitch a Blogger." Recently I went back and looked it up. Sometime in the summer of 2011, Aleysa sent Penelope a computer bag. I remembered that it looked good. We all know what happens next. I am so predictable.

If you unwrap a package on the dining room table, expect some help.

Jack and Annie help out.

The packaging is so pretty.

And a lovely little card. Alesya Bags.

More unwrapping.

All is revealed.

Computer slips right in. 15" laptop. Don't mock the well worn ThinkPad. Work pays for it.

Stylish.

Much better.

Official Review

Like

• Silver color is cool.
• Laptop pouch is plenty roomy for 15" machine.
• Zipper compartment on top provides easy access to keys, phone.
• Leather feels rich.
• Not too big.
• Wide strap is comfortable on my shoulder.
• Dragged it all over work today. Stuff pulled in and out easily. 
• Perfect for my around the work campus bag. In and out of the car.

Things to Consider (and counter points) 

• Leather vs. the nylon backpack material is surprisingly heavy. I work out. 
• No water bottle pocket.  God gave me two hands.
• My lunch doesn't actually fit in the bag either. But it fits in my oversize purse.
• A 13" computer would work better. I am ordering one tomorrow.
• I wish I didn't carry around 8 1/2" by 11" wire bound notebooks. What the hell, I'll go totally digital.
• Could I really take this on a business trip? I will try. Honestly, I carry around too much stuff.

So Alesya's strategy of sending bags to big-time bloggers worked. She got her bag on a big-time blog. She sold a bag to me (and hopefully others). And then I wrote about it.

 We hope Alesya is doing well.