Carryall Bags

What is a carryall bag? It is essentially any bag with a large capacity in which you can carry a large number of items. When searching for stylish carryall bags for women, any large handbag can fill the bill, including hobo bags, messenger bags, totes or even a large purse or book bag. The key to finding the perfect carryall is that it has the capacity to hold everything you need to carry while fitting within your budget, taste and fashion sense.

Stylish Carryall Bags for Women

Just because it’s big doesn’t mean a carryall has to be clunky and unfashionable. Today’s handbags make a statement, and a carryall is no different. Most handbag manufacturers and designers now make a variety of large capacity handbags that will perfectly suit your needs for a carryall without sacrificing style.

Styles

No matter what your favorite handbag style is, there’s probably a large capacity version that will serve you well as a carryall. Some handbag styles that are in fashion that will work well as a carryall include:

 

Totes – These large, casual bags may just be the original carryall. Totes are large, rectangular bags with handles that can be held in the hand or carried over the shoulder. They come in a variety of materials like canvas, straw and even leather. They also come in neutrals or a variety of eye-catching colors and patterns ranging from animal prints to stripes. Totes can be found for all budgets, tastes and styles. Coach has even taken the tote carryall upscale. If this shape of bag appeals to you, then you’re certain to find the perfect tote bag to use as a carryall.

 

Hobos – Hobo handbags also make good carryalls. While sizes on hobo bags vary, there are a number of very large capacity hobos that will work perfectly well for this purpose. As a style, the unstructured, slouchy look of hobo bags make this a fashionable carryall choice for casual dress or bohemian chic.

Messengers – These handbags, also known as cross-body bags, have grown in appeal over the past several years. This makes them the ideal choice for the style-conscious. The bags are typically large capacity structured bags that are worn across the body, much like a bicycle messenger would carry his bag. Most handbag designers make a variety of messenger or cross-body bags that would be perfect as a carryall. This type of bag would be perfect for business wear and travel.

 

Laptop bags – It used to be that when you thought of laptop bags, you thought of boring, boxy black briefcases. This isn’t the case any longer. Since so many people carry a laptop now, laptop bags have become a must have fashion accessory. No longer just boring and black, laptop bags come in a wide variety of colors, materials and patterns for even the most discriminating fashionista.

Along with room for a laptop, laptop bags typically have extra storage so that you can carry all of your other necessities, as well. Trendy laptop bags can be found everywhere – from discount and office supply stores like Walmart and Office Depot to upscale handbag purveyors like Nordstrom and Coach.

 

Where to Find

Almost any shopping trip provides the opportunity to find a stylish and fun carryall. Fashionable bags that will suit this purpose are available at discount retailers like Target, Sears, Kohl’s and JC Penney. They are also available from high-end retailers and designers like Sondra Roberts, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs and Bloomingdale’s.

No matter what your personal aesthetics are, and no matter what your budget is, it’s easy to find a stylish carryall bag that will not only please your personal sense of taste, but will also suit your lifestyle.

Be Careful of the Word “Outlet”

Thinking of outlet shopping conjures up images of unbelievable deals – deals so incredible, there’s no reason to shop anywhere else. Not quite.

Things to Consider

Outlet centers, factory stores, and outlet malls all deal with major manufacturers trying to move stock. There are many reasons for this.

• A retailer ships inventory to an outlet store because it isn’t moving fast enough elsewhere or is general overstock.
• Products have been slightly damaged or improperly made. Depending on the gaff, merchandise is still good enough to be sold, just not at a prime retailer.
• Companies shift old stock to prepare for seasonal/industry changes.
• Products never sold, perhaps for a reason, so rather than throwing them away, manufacturers breathe life into the products one more time through outlet sales.
• Retailers and manufacturers have gone out of business, and transfer inventory for resale at an outlet.

Matching Their Bottom Line to Yours

The bottom line is that companies still want to make a profit, so not everything is going to be slashed to the rock bottom price all the time. There are still stages of sales cycles to go through, even when outlet shopping. Know what normal retail pricing is before hitting an outlet. Additionally, if the item isn’t on your “usual” shopping list, the outlet price still may not be a bargain. If you normally wouldn’t pay $200 for a designer sweater, buying it for that price at an outlet center doesn’t make it a deal.

Research Online First

Finding Discounts

Most major outlet centers have websites now, so you can plan an outlet shopping strategy easier than ever before. Many of these websites have printable online coupons and sales offers that made aid or sway your bargain hunting. For example, Tanger Outlet Centers, with more than 30 outlet malls in North America, has a special page that leads you to a nearby center. Once there, you can preview all pertinent sales, download coupons, and even plan to receive free samples and promotional gifts when you visit a particular store.

Tanger also offers AAA members special savings booklets and gift cards. The membership that provides hotel and travel discounts has many shopping affiliations, too. Tanger’s offer is explained on their website.

Finding Outlets

A helpful guide to North American outlet centers and factory stores is OutletBound. Search by location, or types of stores. If you’re looking for particular stores, such as Mikasa, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, and other designer and specialty products, you can set up a search that way as well.

Tips for Outlet Shopping

Get out the good walking shoes and grab the water – it’s time to go outlet shopping!

• Once you’ve done your online research, make a list of where to go and what you need.
• Establish a spending plan so you can monitor the outlay.
• Make the best use of your list by doing a little comparison shopping throughout the outlet center before purchasing. Most shops will hold items.
• Consider your time to be as valuable as your money and budget for that as well. Choose to go during off-peak times (usually early morning), days (Monday – Wednesday), and even seasons, especially if you’re in a tourist area.
• Remember, not all items are in perfect condition, so look everything over carefully, plug in electronics, and try on clothing.
• The best deals are commonly found in the front and back of the store.
• Make sure you understand the return policy. It often varies widely by store and product.

Frequent Shopper Clubs

A number of centers encourage frequent outlet shopping by rewarding customers with incentive programs. Usually for a small club membership fee, ($10-$25), shoppers receive ongoing benefits of coupon booklets, free stroller and wheelchair rental, exclusive sale opportunities, activities and gifts for the children, and a variety of other enticements. Loyalty incentive programs like this hold a number of advantages if you plan on doing most of your shopping with the outlet or parent company. The evaluation is strictly up to you: will you do enough smart outlet shopping to offset the cost of belonging to the club? If so, then take advantage of the club membership. Most have easy cancellation policies if you decide it’s not for you.

With a careful strategy, you can still greatly benefit from outlet shopping, with or without a frequent shopping card.