Who hasn’t heard of Vera Bradley? I have been a Vera Bradley fan for over 13 years now. The first item I ever owned was my daughter’s diaper bag, a surprise gift from my husband. Of course, he had no idea who Vera Bradley was back then, he just thought I would really like it, and I did (I still have it). Ever since then, I have been a bit obsessed with Vera. What I’m really addicted to are the travel bags and accessories (smaller pouches, phone cases, beach towels). I became a real fan when we lived in Raleigh a few years ago, where Veras were sold everywhere and everyone uses them. Eventually, my daughter became obsessed too. She loves all the binders, pens, sticky notes, and every year she gets a new backpack and lunch bag with the latest pattern for school. We now live in Miami, and you don’t see many Veras around this neck of the woods, but we still love our bags! And lucky for us, there is a Vera Bradley store at the Falls Shopping Center.
The large duffel bag in beautiful prints. Photo courtesy of VeraBradley.com.
What I like most about these bags is that they’re washable. We travel a lot as a family, and I’m a bit of a “germaphobe”, so I love the fact that once we’ve returned from our trips, I can just pop these bags in the washer, and they’re ready to go again. They are also full of great compartments and pockets, which make packing a carry-on bag very easy.
A Vera fan from the start!
I also like that they’re quite durable. My daughter’s backpack is always in pretty good condition by the time schools ends, and I usually wash both the backpack and lunch bag several times during the year. This makes it very easy for resale on eBay or to give them away to friends.
Now, they are a bit pricey, but they are really well made. They only drawback that I see, is that in the past few years, they have changed the patterns and styles quite often, making it difficult to complete a collection (not an issue for me). But if you’re lucky you can still find some of the retired patterns on eBay.
And of course if you live anywhere near Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Vera is headquartered, you can attend their Annual Spring Outlet Sale, always held in April, with discounts of 40-60% off retail prices. I have never been to one of these sales (probably a good thing), but I have had the pleasure of visiting their outlet store in Orlando, which was quite the adventure. People were running all over the place grabbing anything they could get their hands on, so I can only imagine the craziness that takes place in Indiana!
The latest in Vera…the baby collection. Photo courtesy of VeraBradley.com
Vera Bradley Annual Spring Outlet Sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Do you own any Vera Bradley bags, and if you do, which are your favorites?
i think some of Vera Bradley stuff is pretty. I don’t have any of her stuff, but my mom and nana have a bunch of her bags.
I’ve seen Vera Bradley bags from time to time, but I don’t own any. To me they just seem to have too busy of a pattern. But I do like how they’re washable (I didn’t know that before).
Yeah they could be a bit busy at times, but they make awesome travel and beach bags!
a mi me gusta tambien las carteras de Vera tengo varias para todas las estaciones de ano
I love the little shoes!! My daughter loves these purses but we had no idea that she had so many different products out. My daughter is pregnant with twins and I would love to get her a diaper bag and other things that would go with it! Will definitely be checking out online!
Your daughter is adorable and I love that you’re starting her young! I can only imagine what that outlet sale must be like!
I am a Vera addict! Their new line for fall is amazing!
I’ve never known who Vera Bradley was until now, makes me feel like I’m missing out on something.
Oh browse their website, you’ll fall in love!
My daughter received a mini makeup bag for her birthday. It is cute! She has not broken it in yet. I do love how they are washable.
Did you say outlet? I need a few large duffles. I will have to look into more sales and outlet discounts.
I’ve heard of Vera Bradley, I love the floral prints and patterns on their bags. I have a Vera Bradley bag that I use as my baby diaper bag because I love it so much.
The floral prints are always so much fun. Vera Bradley is awesome.
I don’t have any but I love these prints that you have pictured in this post. I might need to look into getting a bag. Your daughter is adorable and love that backpack and lunch bag. She must too!
I ADORE Vera!!! I have an overnight bag in one of the dark blue patterns, complete with the smaller toiletry bags that go in it – it’s the best carry-on I’ve ever had! And then I have multiple purses, and even my sunglasses case is Vera! Today I’m using my black and white Vera purse, actually!
Wow those bags are beautiful! That photo is stunning. I have a couple vera purses, but that sale? I would LOVE to go to. Darn being so far!
I don’t own any Vera Bradley items because they’re a little too pricey for me, but I noticed that the backpacks are all the rage for elementary school kids! My question – how can the parents afford them?! They are beautiful, though.
Many people get great deals if they live near an outlet, and they also buy them at discount at the stores, when a pattern is retiring. Also you can find great deals at Ebay.
I can’t believe I lived within shouting distance of Ft. Wayne and never knew about the sale. Oh, I wanna kick myself!
OH my gosh, those shoes. I laughed out loud because they’re so cute. I like Vera Bradley. It’s very easily recognized, and that’s hard to do in today’s society of so many brands for each product.
Vera Bradley is big here in Houston. Their items are so cute and colorful
Vera Bradley has a lot of cute stuff. I don’t buy them, but I see them at Hallmark all the time. It would help to have an outlet close by. 🙂
I was given a Vera Bradley travel bag for my High School Graduation, many moons ago. I love her line- the travel bags are super roomy!
I don’t own any but I love the point about them being washable! I think my daughter would love the bright colors too. And I LOVE those baby shoes …. how adorable!
I haven’t owned any but love how functional they are. I didn’t know they were so washable.
The baby collection looks awesome. I don’t own anything, but I am not a fan of patterns covering an entire object, so I would opt for something smaller (clutch size)
I love Vera Bradley stuff and I actually have a few of her stuff. My daughter got her backpack for the last year of high school and this year in college decided to go with Marc Jacobs.
They are quite convenient. Very helpful for most – I don’t own one though