Any Vera Bradley fans here?

[new_mommy25]

I got a coupon in my email for Vera Bradley and want to buy MIL a purse for her birthday next week. After looking at the website and watching videos on QVC, I've narrowed it down to the Saddle Up or Hipster. MIL's current bag is on the small to medium size. She wears it with a long strap on one shoulder. She carries her long wallet, checkbook, iPhone and a few other small things (sanitizer, kleenex, chapstick, etc). She does have an iPad2 which she doesn't normally carry but it might be nice if it could fit in the bag, I think. Any opinions on which would be the better choice? I don't have time to go to the mall and take a look at the bags IRL. I'm kind of leaning toward the hipster only because the rounded bottom and the magnetic closure of the Saddle Up gives me pause. However, I do think the Saddle Up is a very handsome bag.

Saddle Up http://tinyurl.com/6lze47m
Hipster http://tinyurl.com/7jbqefx

[kristenk]

How about the On The Go?
http://www.verabradley.com/product/Category/Crossbody/On-The-Go/154758/defaultColor/Camellia/pc/638/c/0/sc/883/p/154758.uts

The Hipster is what I see a lot of teens around here using. If you put too much in it, it can look sort of goofy.

The shape of the Saddle Up looks dated to me. I've seen in IRL and came close to buying it b/c I liked the size and it was in stock in the color that I wanted, but I just couldn't do it. It reminded me of a purse that my grandmother would carry. But maybe that's not a bad thing considering it's for your MIL?

The On The Go sort of seems like a cross between the Hipster and the Saddle Up. It's a decent size and I've put my ipad in it in a pinch without a problem. The two pockets on the ends are sort of worthless. It would be nice if a phone would fit in there, but it doesn't. Tissues and chapstick would fit nicely, though, and, due to the depth of the pocket, probably wouldn't fall out.

[jhamman]

I really like the Hipster because it fits nicely against your body without shifting around
(I wear it cross-body, but you could shorten the strap and wear it on one shoulder).
Since it's cotton, it's also much lighter and softer than most of my other handbags.

I just checked, and it holds my husband's iPad with room to spare
at the top, so zipping it closed is still easy.

I haven't tried the Saddle Up yet; I'm sure it's nice, as well!

[artvandalay]

Hmm. It's kind of hard to say because it depends on whether she likes cross-body purses or not.

I have the Hipster (I wear it cross body) and I really like it. It is lightweight and perfect for shopping. It holds more than it looks like it would.