Recommend to me a durable organizer/crossbody bag

In My Humble Opinion
1

So, my beloved Indiana Jones-esque crossbody bag is falling to pieces. I’m faced with the daunting task of finding a replacement that will fit my multiple needs. What I loved about my old bag:

  • Crossbody strap for security, plus where the bag sits on my hip makes for easy access.
  • A plain flap front, also part of the easy access feature – I can fasten and unfasten the buckle easily with one hand.
  • Pen holders for my pens, cell phone holder, etc – pretty standard, I reckon.
  • Internal pockets sized perfectly for my Moleskine pocket-sized notebook (about 3.5”x5”).
  • Zip pocket for lipgloss, etc.
  • Room enough for a legal pad/folder if I need it, my bulky sunglass case, a small bottle of water, and a pocketbook.

It is the perfect bag in every way but one, and that is durability. Some of the seams have come apart, which I have sewn back together with dental floss (it is leather). I am notoriously hard on my things, and for that reason I prefer to buy quality items known to be durable (hopefully with a good guarantee to back it up) or else I end up buying replacement products that never fit the bill and it all ends up costing me more in the long run. I’m looking for something that will last me at least 2 years.

I want most/all of the features of my current bag, plus durability. Style isn’t so much an issue as long as it isn’t a butt ugly pattern/color, and I’m willing to entertain any material so long as it falls under “durable” and “not a butt ugly pattern/color” (my style colors are dominated by black, brown, white, and green, typically darker forest green and olive tones). Also, I’d like to spend $100 or less. I know this is a tall order, so I’d even just appreciate shout-outs to brand names that are known for durability (I’ve already tried my beloved LL Bean but I find something wrong with all the bags I’ve seen on their site). I live in a dusty environment with three cats and I am a bit of a messy person, so washable material is a plus but not a must.

Thanks in advance, Dopers!

2

Zappos has about a gazillion bags. Here are the organizers: http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722143516/page/1.html
You can narrow down the search by color, price, etc. and they have free shipping both ways. Good luck! Purse shopping gives me a headache. Too many choices out there.

3

:smack: Why did I not think of Zappos?

Thanks, Kalhoun.

4

Check out the Baggallini line. I lucked out and got two at a discount outlet for half price, but, honest, I’d pay full price for how well-designed they are.

They have pockets for everything. I’ve found that, after the initial organization, they really help me keep track of where everything is. This helps with my scatterbrain tendencies. Love the Baggallini!

5

You might check out an army surplus store for a “map bag”. I have one similar to these, and I’m beginning to think it’ll be around longer than I will.

6

I actually got a great, sturdy canvas one from the Human Rights Campaign- they may still sell it.

Yes, it’s here.

7

I browsed up from the map bag and found this. That one is definitely in the running, although I’m probably going to order one I liked from Zappos that I liked and check it out before I commit. Thanks!