silverline swagg review....with pics

[nfowife]

I know there have been some pics posted over on babybags, but I haven't seen any here so I thought I'd post my review and pics for those of you considering this bag.
First, this is a great bag! It isn't tiny, but it is nice and sleek and compact and a great quick trip/everyday bag if you are not an overpacker. I'm a pretty light packer and don't go out for entire days, usually just a max of 2 hours before I need to get back home for DD's naptime. Anyhow, I really wanted to try the swagg and I'm so glad I did! I tried it out today for the first time at the zoo. It carried all I needed (I did pack a seperate small cooler for lunch but everything else fit in the bag). I loved the backpack feature, even though I'm not a big backpack purse kind of girl. It was really nice to have my hands free but still be able to have my bag with me when we had to park the stroller and leave it to go on the playground and carousel at the zoo. The bag held all I needed it to and still had some room left if I had needed to pack more. It is a vertically arranged bag, so it has a lot of vertical packing space if you are willing to stack items on top of each other when packing, you will fit in a lot more, but it also makes it harder to get things out because it's quite deep. It fits a lot more than it looks like it can, that's for sure! And even thought it's not very wide, I was able to hang it using carabiners to the diaper bag hooks on the handle of my Peg Perego Atlantico, so that was nice and convenient. I think this bag is a winner! And it is very nice material as well, and no plastic- all the hardware is metal and very nice. It looks quite classy, I think!

Here are some pics:
-front of bag, packed:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33094.jpg

side of bag, packed:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33095.jpg

What I had packed in it today for the zoo (plus my digicam!):
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33096.jpg

How the backpack straps attach to the bag:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33097.jpg

All the pockets:

under the flap:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33098.jpg

First zippered section:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33099.jpg

middle open section (vinyl lined in case of spills):
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33100.jpg

back zippered section:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33101.jpg

And there is a zippered pocket on the back of the bag (you can see it in the backpack straps pic).

If you have questions, please feel free to ask! It also comes with a nice changing pad, but I prefer disposables for the ick factor and they take up less space, so I use that instead.

[pinkmomagain]

Thanks so much for this review....I've been thinking about this bag. I'm not a big packer and I've been using a beautiful LV tote that my DH got my for Xmas, but am getting a little tired of it slipping off my shoulder and bonking things....My beautiful Fluerville ST that's been used 2x is collecting dust. So this may be just the thing.

I'm a little wary of the depth, but then again I don't know that there exists a backpack that isn't deep. My question to you is: Does the exterior fabric seem easy to clean? And does it feel lightweight on your back (I would imagine so without all that plastic)?


Thanks,

Gina

[nfowife]

Hi Gina, I had a slingtote and it was so pretty, but too big for my needs and so HEAVY! That thing weighed a ton unpacked. I do have the new mini sling tote as well, which is so cute. I can fit more in the swagg, although the swagg looks more compact, because the swagg has more places to put stuff. The mini sling tote has 2 elastic pockets on each interior side, and once I put stuff in them- a sippy cup, diapers/wipes/pad, camera, etc., there is very little room in the middle of the bag for misc. items. Although I do love it as a tote and it is super nice looking and not anywhere near as bulky or heavy as the original. I think the exterior fabric would be quite easy to spot clean. It is a very sturdy microfiber fabric and I think you could just wipe it clean for the most part. It feels very lightweight on my back when I had it on their yesterday- I didn't have the straw cup of water in there when I was wearing it on my back (left that with the stroller), but I didn't feel like I had a ton on my back at all. And it also lays very nicely when worn messenger style.

[gr8danemom]

Thanks for the review. I have been debating over getting this bag for everyday use to replace my sling tote, which I agree is WAY too heavy. I think you might have made my decision for me! Now, what color should I get........:-)?

Patty

[Maromy]

Thanks for the review and the great pictures! I have been debating whether or not to buy this bag, and I think you just sold it for me! I recently bought a SH Dash, but it is just too big for me since I am a light packer also.

I do have one more question for you though: Can this be worn as a shoulder bag easily? The straps look really long and I am only 5'5. I am afraid that it will hang too low and I am not much of a backpack person.

If the Swagg will adjust to a good length, it may be the perfect bag for me!

Thanks!

Amy

[nfowife]

Hi Amy,
Here are 2 pics I just took of myself wearing the swagg (please forgive my appearance, I just got DD to bed after a bath and DH is out of town so it's all me all the time right now and I'm not primped!). Also I had to take the pics of myself and we have no full-length mirrors so forgive that too! I'm 5'3" on a good day, fyi.

Messenger-style, which is how I prefer to wear it:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33105.jpg

On the shoulder, with the straps as short as they'll go:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33106.jpg

[LiznSeb]

Thank you, THANK YOU so much for this great review and the pictures. They are so helpful! I am currently using a Fluerville ST (original size) and it is way too heavy, not to mention big. DD is 14 months, DS is 4 y.o. and I am a pretty light packer most of the time.

I have a Timi and Leslie Large bebe bag that I love, and used it last spring/summer...but now that I just got it out to start using again it is way too big as well (at least it's not as heavy or bulky as the ST though).

I prefer to wear my bags messenger style, and the Swagg looks really cute on you that way...I think I am going to go for it, maybe as a MOther's Day gift to myself.

Anyone know of any places that sell the SWAGG that are offering any special deals or additional coupon codes?? Thanks!

Liz

[nfowife]

Jen @ expressivetoys.com offers a coupon code (vendor10) for 10% and she has free shipping too. Email her to see what she has in stock because most vendors were out a few weeks ago when I was looking to buy them and were getting them in mid-April!

If you love your ST, I also just got the new mini tote version of the ST. It is much lighter and quite smaller. MUCH more functional for me. It can fit just about the same amount of stuff as the swagg, maybe a little less actually because it's not as well organized.

[Maromy]

Thanks Margaret! The bag does look really cute on you. I ordered the black/pink one from expressive toys! :) I am excited!

Amy

[tina-t]

Great pics and review!

[hudsonam]

Thanks for the review and pics! I like it much better on you than just seeing it by itself. Hmm… maybe this is my next bag. ;)

[carolines mommy]

Thanks so much for the review and pics. I ordered one last week from Jen at Expressive toys, but have to wait because she doesn't have the chocolate one I want in stock yet. That bag looks like it will be perfect for me since I am packing so much lighter these days!

Erika
Mommy to Caroline Nov 03 and Chelsea April 05

[gr8danemom]

Margaret,

I was wondering if you ordered your bag from expressive toys? I ordered the Lipstick Red/Orange one over the weekend and when I received it today I got the Red/Pink one like yours. I've emailed them already but I was curious if you had ordered the Red/Orange one originally as well.

Thanks,
Patty

[nfowife]

Hi Patty,
I knew mine was going to have the pink lining because it wasn't a new one (it was new when I bought it but a new shipment just went out that I think has some differences and the orange lining is one of them and mine was not from the new shipment). Definitely contact Jen @ expressive toys and she will work with you to make you happy. I've ordered from her (not this time) tons of times and she is awesome to work with and will definitely do her best to make you happy if you didn't get the item as described. It was probably a mistake on silver line's part but jen will make it right!
Take care!