eBags Blog

A wallet is a wallet is a wallet. Well, not really. There are many types of wallets out there. Certainly men’s and women’s wallets are popular types, but do you know the difference between checkbook wallets and breast pocket wallets? Are you asking yourself, “What wallet should I get?” Can you name some brands of wallets that can be carried by themselves like clutches? Well, this post will help answer these and other wallet related questions. Here is a rundown of some of the types of wallets out there today.

Bifold Wallets: A bifold is a wallet that folds over once - usually in half. Typically, bifold wallets have room for cash as well as a few credit cards. Some have pockets or areas for coins. Bifold wallets tend to be a little less bulky than other types of wallets.

Trifold Wallets: A trifold is a wallet that folds over twice (so you have three folds). Trifold wallets have even more room than bifolds for money, cards, photos, and sometimes even checkbooks. Trifold wallets are usually more bulky than bifolds, but they are perfect for people who like to carry a lot of stuff.

Coat Wallets or Breast Pocket Wallets: These are longer, often thinner wallets that are designed to fit in the inside pocket of a dress coat or overcoat. Sometimes these are called billfolds. In a coat wallet, the wallet folds the long way so that the cash in the money pocket lies flat (and doesn’t fold). These rarely have any room or pockets for coins. The Bosca Nappa Vitello Flight Attendant is a great example of a breast pocket wallet.

Credit Card Wallets or Credit Card Holders: Just like the name suggests, these are wallets that hold credit cards - lots of them. Sometimes sites will lump in card cases with credit card wallets. Card cases are designed to hold only cards and very little else. At eBags, you’ll find credit card wallets from brands like Johnston & Murphy and Bosca and card cases from brands like Ogon and Clava.

Checkbook Wallets: Sometimes called checkbook covers, checkbook wallets hold your checkbook, cash, and cards all in one. They are obviously longer than other wallets to hold standard checkbooks. Look for stylish checkbook wallets from brands like Anuschka, Buxton, and Osgoode Marley.

Money Clip Wallets: You’re probably familiar with money clips. Well, money clip wallets are wallets that incorporate money clips. So now you can visibly carry that wad of cash and have room for your credit cards and ID. Brands that offer money clips wallets include Tumi, Lodis, and Derek Alexander.

Clutch Wallets: Stylish women’s wallets that can be carried by themselves, instead of inside another bag, are often called clutch wallets. That’s because they look like clutches but incorporate the features of a wallet including credit card and ID slots. Clutch wallets are perfect if you tend not to carry or don’t want to carry a purse but you still need something nice looking and functional. Look for beautiful clutch wallets on eBags from brands like Lovcat, La Diva, Cole Haan, and Anuschka.

Front Pocket Wallets: Slimmer and sleeker than your average bi-fold or tri-fold wallet, front pocket wallets are designed to fit in your front pocket (not a huge surprise). Why would you choose a front pocket wallet? Because they are harder for pickpockets and thieves to steal. Look for leather front pocket wallets from Royce Leather and British fashion front pocket wallets from Ben Sherman.

Travel Wallets: Travel wallets can refer to anything from wallets designed to protect your money from thieves while out and about to wallets designed to hold travel documents like passports and airline tickets. However, all travel wallets do one thing - they keep you organized while traveling. For travel wallets that’ll hold your travel documents, you should shop passport wallets and document holders. For wallets to carry with you while sightseeing, look for neck wallets that keep your valuables close to your body or security wallets that have features that make them less prone to theft.

There are many reasons to carry a colorful backpack: to be stylish, to be unique, to be seen, to identify your bag easier, etc. Regardless of your reason for wanting one, you can find a huge selection of colorful backpacks at eBags. Start by visiting the Backpacks department and narrow your search by type: hiking backpack, rolling backpack, laptop backpack, school backpack, etc. Then click on the color you’re looking for. It’s just that easy.

Here are some of my favorite colorful backpacks.

LeSportsac Basic Backpack	Roxy twenty 20	Hurley Honor Roll Backpack
Burton Metalhead Pack SS10	Dakine Garden Pack	JanSport Super FX Series - SUPER STRIPE

Increased airline fees. New fees. Ticket price increases. Gas prices on the rise. It’s enough to make you want to stay home. But if you’re like me and you’ve done the staycation before, you’re feeling the urge to get away. Don’t let all the news about fees and price increases stop you from getting a little R&R this spring and summer. With a little careful planning, you can avoid airline fees and find great travel deals.

One area that you can definitely save money in is luggage. If you need luggage, a suitcase that meets carry-on requirements, or need to replace a worn-out luggage set, budget luggage is the way to go if you want to save a few dollars. But don’t confuse budget luggage with discount luggage or cheap luggage. In the luggage world, you often get what you pay for. In other words, discount luggage and cheap luggage may save you money right now, but they may not last very long. In fact, they may not even make it through your next trip. That’s not a good value at all!

So how do you find quality budget luggage? Shop at eBags! Start by narrowing your search for the type of luggage you want. Are you looking for a luggage set, a hardside suitcase, a carry-on sized bag, or are you simply browsing for an upright with wheels? Once you’ve narrowed your search to one category, you can sort the products by price (low to high) so you can see the least expensive bags first or sort by Top Rated to see which bags other customers love.

Then start reading about the luggage that catches your eye. Don’t just look at price. Pay close attention to customer comments and reviews because these are the people who will give you honest advice on whether you should buy this bag or not. Read the features and understand if this bag will meet your needs or not (size, internal organization, material, warranty).

At eBags we try to go one step further in helping you spot high quality luggage quickly. Look for our Best of the Best symbols to tell you what luggage has been rated highly by other customers. Our Best of the Best distinction is only given to products that meet the following criteria:

• The overall rating for the model is 9.0 or above.
• 90% or more of the customers said they would buy it again.

When you see the Best of the Best symbol on a luggage product page, you’ll know quickly that you’re looking at a quality suitcase. Combine that with a low price and you can rest assured you’re buying budget luggage that’s a real value.

Start shopping quality top-rated luggage by price below:

Shop Best of the Best Carry-On Luggage
Shop Best of the Best Rolling Luggage

If you’ve been to nightclubs, you know that even the smallest purse can be a burden. You have to carry it with you or find a safe place to stash it. Shoulder bags get in the way and clutches always keep one hand full. You need something to carry a few items in like ID, money, and lipstick, but you probably aren’t wearing an outfit with pockets.

Well, I’ve got the perfect solution for you. The garter purse. It’s the alternative clubbing handbag.

A garter purse is just as the name suggests - it’s a purse you wear like a garter (around your upper leg). Something like the Bisadora Black Silk Garter Purse can be worn under a skirt or dress and holds a few essentials, hands-free, without getting in the way. And because you wear it, there’s no worrying about where to sit your bag so no one walks away with it.

The Bisadora Garter Purse is not only the perfect danceclub purse, but it can also be used for travel and special occasions.

At $25.00, this is certainly an affordable solution to a common handbag problem.

Handbags or Purses?

It’s been asked numerous times. Is there a difference between handbags and purses? Well, it depends on where you are from.

The British English meaning of “purse” is a coin purse, wallet, or pocketbook. If you’re from England, you might carry a purse inside of a handbag.

The American English meaning of “purse” has become synonymous with “handbag” which means the term can describe all types of handbags including clutches, satchels, totes, hobos, and more.

So if you’re in America, the answer is no, there is no difference between purses and handbags. If you’re in the UK, the answer is yes.

Now I’ve seen several explanations as to why some in America say “purse” and others say “handbag”. Rumor has it that men say “purse” more often than women, but I can’t find any proof of that. Some speculate it has to do with age and generation, but I have heard both “handbag” and “purse” from people young and old. I have also read that some prefer to say “purse” when describing shoulder bags and “handbag” when describing bags carried by hand such as satchels and clutches.

I believe that the use of purse vs. handbag is simply a personal preference which is not necessarily tied to other factors like age or type of bag.

So which do you say? Comment on this post and let us know. I prefer handbag myself.

Has this ever happened to you? You’re shopping for a handbag, you see one you like, and you read about the bag’s details only to discover it is made of a material you don’t recognize. What exactly is raffia? Or nubuck?

Well, here is a list of various handbag materials and explanations to help you the next time you’re shopping for a new bag.

Why is this important to know? Because when buying a handbag online, you can’t pick up and feel the fabric for yourself. Knowing what the material is like will help you understand how your bag will feel and what you should expect in terms of stain or water resistance, wear and tear, and fabric care.

For more handbag material definitions and other bag terminology, see our bag glossary.

Antique(d) Leather: Leather that has been made to look worn. Also called distressed, worn, or rubbed off leather.

Canvas: A closely woven fabric that can be lightweight or heavy and is often a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Often found on totes

Chenille: A heavy woven fabric that is soft and bunchy. Often found in sweaters.

Cordura: A high performance nylon. Sometimes found in motorcycle, military, and performance apparel.

Corduroy: Cotton fabric with vertical ribs (raised lines).

Cradle to Cradle Wool: Wool that has been Cradle to Cradle certified, meaning it has been reused and/or can be reused for another purpose.

Crochet: Fabric made using a knitted loop technique. Often seen on bedspreads.

Denim: A coarse woven cotton. Usually found in jeans.

Flannel: Soft, wool or wool-like fabric. Sometimes seen in men’s shirts.

Flax Linen: See linen

Fleece: A soft, bulky fabric often found in winter jackets, snow jacket linings, and blankets

Full Grain Leather: The most genuine type of leather. It has not been treated other than having the hair removed. Same as Top Grain Leather.

Jacquard: Fabric where a pattern is directly weaved in or knitted in. Jacquard fabric often has a raised pattern effect and sometimes resembles tapestry material.

Leatherette: Imitation leather

Linen: Fabric woven out of fibers from the flax plant. Often found in summer clothing because it is lightweight. Sometimes used in tablecloths and bedding.

Nappa Leather: Soft, flexible, and smooth full grain leather made from unsplit animal skin - often sheep or lamb. Nappa leather is often dyed.

Nubuck: Brushed leather similar to suede, but unlike suede, it is made from top-grain hide.

Nylon: A strong man-made fabric that is highly stain-resistant

Pack Cloth: A tough, durable material often coated for waterproofing.

Patent: Glossy finished (shiny) leather or faux leather.

Peau de soie: A type of satin with a dull appearance often used in evening bags.

Pebbled Grain Leather: Leather with a finish that resembles small pebbles. (think basketball)

PU: Short for Polyurethane. A type of synthetic leather.

PVC: Short for Polyvinyl Chloride. A type of shiny, flexible plastic often used in place of patent leather or rubber.

Raffia: A natural, weavable fiber from palms.

Rayon: A synthetic material that is similar to silk, but more elastic. Sometimes used in undergarments.

Satin: A smooth fabric that is made from silk or rayon. It typically has a glossy surface and a dull back.

Seagrass: Grasses that grown in marine areas or coastal waters.

Suede: Leather with a napped or brushed surface. Usually made from the inner side of the hide.

Taffeta: A stiff, crisp, and smooth fabric with a glossy shine on both sides. Often used in evening bags.

Top Grain Leather: The top layer of leather (leather is split into multiple layers before it is used).

Twill: Fabric woven with a pattern of diagonal raised lines.

Velvet: A dense, soft material often used in evening bags.

Vinyl: See PVC

Other handbag materials not listed above include cotton, silk, wood, calfskin, lambskin, goatskin, metal, straw, croc, and alligator.

Did we miss anything you’re curious about? Comment on this post or Contact Us and let us know.

Tote bags are perhaps the most versatile bags out there, which is why most women have at least one in their closet - be it fashionable or functional.

What is it about totes that makes them so useful? A tote is basically a medium to large square double-handled bag with one main compartment. Unlike other types of bags like backpacks and satchels, totes generally have very little in the way of organization, but that’s the beauty of their design. By not having multiple interior pockets and dividers, you can carry just about anything in this bag without worrying about it fitting into individual compartments. Plus, many tote bags are not designed with any particular use in mind which means you can buy one and use it for multiple things. For example, you can buy a tote bag to use mainly for work but also occasionally for travel.

There are probably hundreds of uses for tote bags, but here are some of the most popular:

Uses For Tote Bags

• Reusable shopping bag - an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags
• School bag - a stylish alternative to the school backpack
• Gym bag - gym totes are sporty yet stylish
• Knitting/Crafts - carry your supplies from place to place.
• Beach Bag/Pool Bag - stash your flip flops, sunscreen, a good book, and a towel in a tote and head for the water
• At the Mall - don’t carry tons of individual shopping bags. Consolidate and save your arms.
• Carry-On Bag - carry on items when you’re checking your luggage.
• Book bag - great for trips to the library
• Trade shows/conventions - put your company logo on a tote and carry it to your next trade show or convention. Or give them away to prospective customers. See eBags’ Corporate Sales site for trade show totes.
• Laptop bag - put your laptop in a sleeve and carry in your tote or use a laptop tote bag with a built in sleeve.
• Mailing Packages - carry packages to the post office in your tote
• Picnics - Don’t have a picnic basket? Pack your picnic in a large tote bag.
• Diaper bag - diaper totes are versatile and stylish baby bags

When purchasing a tote bag, consider what you will be using the bag for. If you’re looking for something fashionable for when you’re out shopping, a designer tote may be your best bet. However, if you want a tote bag for work that doubles as a travel bag or beach bag, look for something that is large and durable.

How do use your tote? Comment on this post and let us know your own uses for tote bags.

It may still be winter but everyone here is talking spring - as in spring handbag trends. What do we have to look forward to in the new collections? What are designers doing differently and what trends are carrying over from fall? To answer these questions and others you may have, here is a sneak preview of the spring 2010 handbag trends.

New Handbag Trends for Spring 2010

Boho

Boho - as in bohemian - is back baby! It’s been a couple of years, but this season you’ll see boho-chic handbags with hippie influences make a comeback. Look for slouchy hobos and bags featuring tie-dye, tassels, fringe, and tribal prints. The Rebecca Minkoff Fringe Darling is a perfect example of this style with its hobo shape and leather fringe.

Textured Bags

Gone are the days when a simple leather tote was considered hot. Now it’s all about texture: braided handles, woven leather, ruching detail (tight folds), and pleats. Check out the detail on the Treesje Huntley Tote for a great example of this trend.

Bright Colors

I mentioned tie-dye above, but bright colors in general are going to be big this coming spring. Not only will you see the usual pastels like pinks and light blues, but you will also see neon colors in the mix as well as jewel tones like purples, blues, and greens. The purples you see in Joe’s Handbags new arrivals and the neon green in the Heather Hawkins San Tropez clutch are exactly the types of bright colors you’ll see from a lot of brands and designers.

Small Bags, Long Straps

Our handbags merchandisers note that they have seen some small bags with long straps recently like the Kipling Silvia and mini cross-body bags many with chain straps. It’s something to be aware of if you’re not into the hobo bag look or you’re still carrying around that oversized tote.

Returning Handbag Trends for Spring 2010

Hardware

Hardware was hot for fall and is still in this spring. Again, this means bags embellished with studs, grommets, and other metallic features such as exposed zippers and buckles. It’s great that this trend is continuing because you can find bags with studs and grommets on sale right now in the eBags sale section. You can get a trendy bag and save a little cash at the same time. The B. Makowsky Taipei Large Hobo is a great example - it’s on sale, it has stud details, and it comes in light spring colors.

Straw Handbags

Nothing says spring and summer like straw handbags so of course these are coming back in style. Look for woven raffia in particular to make a splash this season. These are bags that don’t necessarily look like they’re made from straw (like the Lisa David Designs Raffia Small Doctors Bag), but indeed they are made from raffia woven into fabric. In the coming months, we’ll definitely keep you posted on the new arrivals in the straw bags category.

Exotic Leather

Exotic leathers and exotic print faux leathers haven’t left the scene quite yet. You’ll continue to see bags with exotic prints like snake and croc both faux and authentic.

Stay tuned to our blog for more on spring 2010 handbag trends as warmer weather approaches. We’ll be sure to keep you up to date on the latest new arrivals at eBags.

Everyone has heard of the risks of theft during travel, but not everyone knows how to protect themselves from it. From pickpocketing to stealing items from your luggage, travel theft is more common than you might think.

There are some steps you can take, though, to lower your risk of having something stolen not only from your luggage, but also from your travel bags while you’re out sightseeing. Here are some tips to help protect yourself from luggage theft and general travel theft:

when traveling…

• Replace the locks that came with your luggage with TSA approved luggage locks. While security screeners may have to open your bag at the airport, the locks will help protect you on the baggage carousel and at the hotel.
• Do not check valuables in your luggage. In fact, leave anything you cannot bear to lose at home or ship it ahead of time.
• Keep your most valuable items at the bottom of your carry-on bag so they are not easily accessible.
• If you set your luggage and travel bags down in the airport, leave a hand or foot on them at all times.
• Whenever possible, use the area under the seat in front of your for carry-on items. It is more difficult to access your bag there.



• If you want to use an overhead bin, try placing your carry-on bag in the bin across from your seat so you can keep an eye on it.
• Wear a neck wallet that holds your vital travel documents such as passport and tickets especially if you plan on sleeping during the flight.
• When you arrive, head directly to baggage claim.

 

when at your destination…



• Use a bag that can be worn across the body (cross body bag) so it sits closer to your body. Or use a travel bag designed with anti-theft features such as slashproof handles and protected pockets. Check out Pacsafe - a leader in anti-theft travel bags.
• In restaurants, do not place your bag on the back of your seat or on the floor. Keep it within sight. Try using a purse hanger such as a Pursehook to hold your bag out of the way but still within sight and reach.
• Never leave anything valuable in your hotel room unless it’s locked in a safe.
• Handle money discreetly. Do not flash your money around. Do not talk about how much money you have left where others can hear. Don’t pat your wallet over and over. Consider using a money belt which is hidden from plain sight (although sometimes these are more trouble than they’re worth).



• To protect your travel backpack or bag, use a carabiner to clip zipper pulls together so the bag cannot be unzipped. Consider a bag protector like one from Pacsafe with anti-slash protection. Check out this Pacsafe video to see how they work.
• Don’t look like a tourist. Dress like the locals or in plain clothes. Even if you cannot dress quite like the locals, do not dress like you’re wealthy or others will assume you are.

For more travel safety and travel theft prevention information, check out these sites:

Travel Safety Information from The Scholar of Thievery
10 Tips For Preventing Theft from The Lonely Planet

Travel safety, heightened airport security, and carry-on rules are back in the spotlight, so it is now more important than ever to know the rules BEFORE you pack and leave for the airport. A prepared traveler is a smart traveler.

You might be asking yourself, what can I pack in my carry on? What bags can I take on a plane? What can I bring on a plane? You’re not alone. Searches online continue to rise for these and other similar questions which means many people are trying to make sure they understand the rules so their trip goes as smoothly as possible. For answers to these questions and more, check out these carry-on tips and the airport security information below.

Know The TSA Rules

Check the TSA Website before you pack and leave for your flight. Knowing the procedures in advance will save you time and headaches. The TSA website has all of the information you need to get through security faster including lists of prohibited items, rules for carrying on liquids, tips for traveling with children, and information for travelers with special needs. Some of these guidelines include:

• The 3-1-1 Rule: 3-1-1 is the name for the rule about carrying liquids on board airplanes. The rule covers ANY liquids including toiletries, drinks, and food. The only exceptions are medications, breast milk, baby formula, juice, and other liquids necessary for travelers with children and travelers with medical conditions and in such cases, the items must be declared for inspection at the checkpoint. The 3-1-1 rule states that you can carry 3 ounce or smaller containers of liquid or gel in a 1 quarter-size clear plastic zip-top bag, and only 1 bag per traveler. The bag must be placed in the security bin (not packed in your carry-on luggage. See our collection of 3-1-1 Kits that meet these TSA guidelines. Many toiletries these days come in travel sizes that meet the 3 oz. requirements. Want to fill your own containers? Lewis N. Clark has a line of containers called GoToobs that are designed just for that purpose.



• Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags: For business travelers and other passengers who carry their computers on board planes, the rules state that you must remove the laptop from the bag and place in security bins separately. The only exception is when a checkpoint friendly laptop bag is used. Not all laptop bags are checkpoint friendly so make sure your bag meets these guidelines (even if the company claims it is checkpoint friendly): 1) bag has a designated laptop-only section 2) The laptop-only section unfolds completely to lie flat on the X-ray belt 3) There are no metal snaps, zippers, or buckles on top, inside, or underneath the laptop-only section 4) No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop only section 5) Nothing packing in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.

Check your airline’s website

In addition to reading the TSA rules, you should also check your individual airline for their rules. The airline’s website may list many of the same rules as the TSA, but the site will also provide information specific to their business including checked bag fees, additional fees for in-flight items, travel with pets, checking oversized or bulky items like skis, and, most importantly, carry-on luggage size and weight restrictions. It is particularly important to pay attention to the carry-on limits because even though a company claims their bag is carry-on sized doesn’t mean the airline will allow it to be carried on board - especially if you overstuff it. Be sure to:

• Weigh your luggage: Use a luggage scale to make sure your bag is under the weight limit - especially if you have a habit of overpacking. Check out our selection of luggage scales.
• Measure your luggage: Each individual airline has set its own carry-on luggage size requirements so make sure your carry-on luggage fits within those measurements. As a general rule, when shopping for carry-on luggage, look for pieces that are no more than 45 linear inches. This means that the height + width + length of the bag is no more than a total of 45 inches. The luggage you will find in the carry-on category on eBags meets these requirements.

Pack Organized

Forgot to remove your 3-1-1 kit? Are you being asked to open your bag so it can be more closely inspected? In the event that you need to open your carry-on bag in the security screening area, make sure you packed in an organized way so you can not only find things easier and quicker, but also so your belongings don’t spill out on the floor. The TSA website recommends packing in layers - clothes then electronics then more clothes then heavier items. Another great way to pack and keep your items safe, organized, and easy to find is to use packing cubes. For more information about packing cubes, read our packing cubes article.

Holiday Travel

Don’t wrap gifts. You hear this tip every holiday, but some people still don’t listen. You will be asked to unwrap your gifts if you do not follow this rule so do not waste your time wrapping ahead of time. The best option if you’re traveling during the holidays is to ship gifts or purchase them at your destination. If you must carry your gift on board, wrap it at your destination.

Want to bring food with you either as a gift or for the holiday dinner? Make sure you check the TSA website for the list of prohibited food items. Remember that liquid foods are subject to the 3-1-1 rule. Consider purchasing the food item at your destination, shipping ahead, or simply leave it at home. If you have purchased a food item at the airport after the security checkpoint, you can carry that item on board your flight.

Check It or Leave It

When in doubt, check it or leave it at home. You’ve scoured the prohibited items list on the TSA website, the airline website doesn’t say anything about it, and you can’t find the information anywhere else. What do you do? Pack it in your checked luggage. Don’t want to pay the checked baggage fee? Leave it at home.

Please note that these guidelines are subject to change so you should check for the most up-to-date information on both your airline’s and the TSA’s website before you pack and leave.

Information sourced from the TSA website: TSA.gov.