Vera Bradley

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Vera Bradley

13 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 4, 2025

  Stylist (women’s) work backpack that fits a 16” laptop

  Are we the same person?! I am also a grad student with a 16" laptop and a 24oz owala!! My recommendation is this one from Cotopaxi, the Mente 32L Daypack: [https://www.cotopaxi.com/products/mente-32l-daypack-cada-dia?variant=41740904169533](https://www.cotopaxi.com/products/mente-32l-daypack-cada-dia?variant=41740904169533) . If BIFL includes proper repair, then Cotopaxi is BIFL. I've had mine since 10th grade and with a few repairs and some good cleanings, she's still going strong. The repairs were all pretty minor, I re-sewed part of the strap that connects to a buckle and another small rip in the main pocket seams. Nothing noticeable unless you really inspect it, and the functionality is the same as the day I bought it. If you want something even more colorful and fun and a little smaller, they also have a 26L backpack that comes in surprise colors! [https://www.cotopaxi.com/products/allpa-26l-daypack-del-dia?variant=42666730618941](https://www.cotopaxi.com/products/allpa-26l-daypack-del-dia?variant=42666730618941) I've also known adults who are still using their Vera Bradley backpack from middle and high school. I don't know if Vera Bradley has kept up with the quality, but something to look into if that's more your style!

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• #2Feb 7, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  I have my duffle from 2007 as well!!! Still looks brand new!

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• #3Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  I miss these! This was such a good style

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• #4Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  This was my favorite print back in the day! I believe it is called “green cupcakes” or something. I still have a large tote that I use from time to time

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• #5Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  I really like my backpack made out of recycled bottles, I've used it regularly for 6 months at a time for the past 3 years. The shoulder strap needs to be cleaned but I still get compliments. Not sure about their other stuff. My convertible duffle suitcase barely gets used. 

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• #6Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  I’ve had mine for about a decade and I love it. It’s the perfect size for travel.

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• #7Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  My wife has one. I dislike it because it is in a weird middle ground of always being too big to fit where I want it, too small for her to pack all of her stuff, but big enough for her to overpack it such that it is never zipped closed and thus awkward to hold. All of these are really her using it wrong though. But I’ll be damned if the thing isn’t BIFL. It’s the same age as your lunch bag (possibly up to 4 years older) and other than it being kind of dirty, there are no issues with it whatsoever.

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• #8Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  I have a Scottish terrier; I think in winter of 2015(?) Vera Bradley released a special LE pattern called ‘Houndstooth’ as an homage to her Scottie (the repeats in the pattern were ‘hounds’/Scotties!). I ended up being gifted nearly every piece from the line, and I have a hard time letting go of my triple-zip hipster…the current ‘version’ doesn’t even have straps - they’re strings! I agree with what another person posted - they used to be a great small business/company, but now it seems like their quality has gone the way of those that are too big to care to maintain that quality.

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• #9Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  My suit case set, weekend bags, and sling backpacks have been all over the country with me since early 2010’s. No matter how many new bags or suitcases I buy I always go back to VB. My only dislike are the wheels on my suitcase, they’re not the 360 rotating kind they only roll front/back, however I know that’s the exact reason they’re still working to this day and can appreciate it!

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• #10Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  I still have a super old vera Bradley make up bag. I think it pre-dates college, and I graduated in 2010.

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• #11Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  I had that exact bag! Loved the pattern. It kept going strong as my daily lunch bag until a couple years ago, when one of my cats decided the bag offended her and... well, let's just leave it at that. While the bag is gone, I still have - and use - a Vera Bradley wristlet and a couple ID cases with the attached key ring.

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• #12Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  I had one of their duffel bags that I got in 2002, and it lasted till last year with a lot of abuse. It traveled to 3 continents and got thrown around in airplanes and baggage claim (I would STUFF that thing full), and it still was a workhorse. It finally ripped last year. I still have the smaller size duffel that I now use as my baby’s travel bag. It’s about the same age and in great condition. 

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• #13Feb 6, 2025

  Vera Bradley lunch bag from 2007: 18 years of everyday use

  The sewing on this bag was excellent. None of the fabric has pilled or discolored (except a coffee stain on a corner, mb). I wash it regularly with some pretty strong chemicals too.

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