In 1982, a graduate of Marymount College named Barbara Bradley Baekgaard sat in an airport noticing how luggage lacked a certain "feminine appeal." It was at that moment when she teamed up with friend, Patricia Miller, and founded a company that would launch some of the hippest, most attractive bags on the market today... Vera Bradley Designs, Inc., or as the rest of us like to refer to them simply as VERA BRADLEY BAGS.

Creating stunning bags known for their soft and brightly patterned textures, there are now currently over 3500 retailers that sell the Vera Collection, from quilted cotton luggage, handbags to accessories, you're sure to find a bag that represents a fun unique style, hip colors and patterns, durability and above all else... feminine appeal.

Vera Bradley bags come in many sizes and styles, as well as many different patterns and colors. There are travel duffels, medium sized totes, large totes, purses, wallets, watches, belts, glasses cases, cosmetic cases, dog leashes, dog collars, and dog bags. There are also umbrellas, napkins, placemats, rolling luggage, tableware, bedding, furniture, fine rugs, accessory coverings, and stationery. Pet collars, beds, leashes, and carriers for small dogs, cats, and rabbits are also available. The purses come with a variety of names such as the Sherry, the Bucket Tote, and the Amy. Prices start at $10.00, with the most expensive bag being the Boxy Tote and the least expensive is the Katie.

So please continue browsing. We've got plenty of links to some of the best Vera Fashion and Vera Designs.

Vera Bradley Bags - Vote For Your favorite Bag - Get Bags at Discount Prices

We just launched our new Vera Bradley Bags site. We scour the web so you don't have to! We syndicate the Vera Collection from your favorites stores, showing you the best prices. You can vote for your favorite, grab RSS feeds which get updated hourly. Click on the banner above and start saving money today! Or click on any of our specialty links below, as we've got links to:

Vera Bradley Accessories | Vera Bradley Blogs | Vera Bradley Fall Colors | Vera Bradley Handbags | Vera Bradley Limited Edition | Vera Bradley News | Vera Bradley Retired | Vera Bradley Stationary | Vera Bradley Luggage

Need to know what's been retired? Then have a look at our Vera Retired swatches. Then click on a swatch to see if there are any bags selling in that retired color. We make it so easy for you that you'll never shop anywhere again for your Vera Collection. Visit us today!

Vera Bradley released their lineup for the Fall of 2008. These colors are bold yet and have a certain flair of mystery to them. The colors are called Frankly Scarlet, Puccini,, Caffe Latte and Night Owl. My personal favorite is Puccini, but I do love them all! Take a look at them, and then let me know what your favorite color is by casting your vote just below. :)

Here a few of the more popular, trendy items that young girls are crazy about in college, so perhaps you might want to look into some of these as a nice "I Miss You" gift while they're away at college.  :-)

 

Caffe Latte Small Duffel
This travel bag has long handles and loads of room, yet is still carry-on compliant. One easy-access end pocket. Comes in a variety of different colors.

22" x 11½" x 11½" - 15" strap drop

Click on the bag to locate one for a good price.

 

 

Night Owl Ditty Bag
The "everything bag." Take it to the gym with shower essentials, or pack it with lunch for school. Lined with plastic, our Ditty has a simple drawstring closure. Comes in a variety of different colors.

8½" x 13½"

Click on the bag to locate one for a good price.

 

 

 

 

 

Puccini Weekender
So good you'll want to plan a trip just to carry it. Everything tucks neatly away in the four interior or two front pockets. There's also a full zippered back pocket. Packing is a breeze thanks to a wide opening with double zippers and a sturdy removable base. Elegant metal hardware holds the 48 ½"-inch removable strap. Perfect! Comes in a variety of different colors.

18 ½" x 12 ½" x 8 ½" - 6 ½" handle drop - 48 ½" removable strap

Click on the bag to locate one for a good price.

 

 

 

Frankly Scarlet Large Duffel
This travel bag has long handles and loads of room, yet is still carry-on compliant. One easy-access end pocket. Comes in a variety of different colors.

22" x 11½" x 11½" - 15" strap drop

Click on the bag to locate one for a good price.

It was in 2006 towards the end of the year. I was meeting my future husband for the very first time. He was American and I was Russian. We had met on the internet through Date.com (believe it or not) and we fell in love. I must admit it was rather scary, though more so for him, since he moved his life out to Russia just to be with me and see how things would go.

He got off the plane and I was very nervous. He smiled at me and immediately gave me a present... a Vera Bradley bag. It was the Vera Bradley Tropical Silk Limited Edition Kelly. I must admit, at first, I was a bit thrown off by the colors and flower patterns, After all, in Russia, I was used to knock off leather bags such as Prada, D&G and Chloe. I only liked leather bags too -- but of course, the quality was very poor being that they were replicas.

My husband told me, "This is a Vera Bradley Bag. They are light and fun -- not to be compared to the likes of Prada, but are gaining more popularity in the states. This is suppose to be a limited edition." I didn't know what to say, so I just smiled.

I then said to him, "Well... yesssss... interesting colors and flowers." :-) I, of course, was only being polite, as I really didn't care for it that much. I then put it in the closet and left it there as a "souvenir" -- and that was my excuse for not using it to -- "Oh honey, this is the first gift you have ever given to me, I cannot use it. I shall keep it safe and clean." :-) Over the next 3 months, I never even used it until my husband and I got married and traveled to Istanbul, Turkey for our honeymoon. I brought the Vera Bradley bag only because I wanted something light to carry and I didn't want to ruin my leather bags due to the winter weather. It was during this time that I really started to understand the whole "Vera" popularity.

When traveling to Istanbul, if you ever go, you will understand that Istanbul is the CAPITAL OF THE WORLD when it comes to the best quality replica bags. Their quality is sooooo good, in fact, that only CoCo herself could tell the difference between their bags and her Chanel brand. Now mind you, this is the type of shopping I'm used to -- because in Russia, this is all we buy -- REPLICAS.

But while I was there shopping for bags, so many people stopped me and asked me where I got my Vera bag. I would smile and say "What? THIS flower bag of mine?" I thought they were kidding, but each time, someone else would approach me and ask if it was a knockoff and where they could find them. I had no idea they were so popular -- and only THEN did I realize, "Wow, Vera Bradley must be quite popular." That was when I started to appreciate the bag more... and when I got back from Turkey, everyone asked me where I got my bag from and I had to say "Oddly enough, I got it from my closet, as it had been sitting there for nearly 3 months collecting dust." Everyone wanted my bag and I just didn't know why.

But that was then and this is now. I am now a huge fan and quite a collector. While I may have fell in love with the bags through an unorthodox way, I have now arrived, and that's all that counts. In all honesty, I just can't imagine how silly I was carrying around those heavy leather bags all my life... Vera bags are so light weight, soft and durable. I am so glad I have been introduced to them. And that's my story. :)

Ebay and Amazon stores sell Vera Bradley Bags, backpacks, designer handbags, designer purses and other fashion handbags at discount prices. And while most women do like to collect them, many also think they (diaper tote bags in particular) make the perfect gifts for Mother's with newborn babies. The diaper bags have lots of style and suit well within the current trends of today's summer fashions.

Speaking of which, since this is the Summer time of the year, another great representation of gifts for all occasions would Vera Bradley Sunlgasses.  Their latest designs will surely please any woman sitting on a beach relaxing by the ocean spray. I mean, it is Summer after all, we girls can't shop at the shopping malls all the time, can we? Ok, well maybe we can! :-)

And with the end of Summer coming, it will be back to school for those hard working college kids.  And what better gift to send them on their way than a Vera Bradley Backpack for their books... or maybe even a new tote bag? And if your daughter is traveling outside the state, then a new set of luggage should be in order too.  These are all perfect gift ideas to consider when the occasion calls for it.

In the end, Vera Bradley has so many great things for women this Summer, that it's hard to imagine you'll be soon shopping for that next great Christmas gift.  But you better you plan ahead, because by then, it just may be too late or "out of stock."  :-)