Subject: Corporate Conundrum
Hey Cheap Jap,
I’m consummate shoe girl who’s a bit clueless when it comes to fashionable arm candy, so I’m coming to you for some of your canny handbag advice. I’m starting a corporate job next month with a business casual dress code and a sizable office-issued laptop to be shlepped back and forth to work each day. I’d like to spend under 200 bucks on a bag that’s meant for laptops (can’t have my computer getting rained on in an open-topped tote, smashed by some careless person at Starbucks through a supersoft leather side, etc.) and will fit comfortably over my shoulder. I prefer a deep tan or a dark leather, canvas, or nylon (no black, please). The Marc by Marc Jacobs Slim Sloane is to DIE for, but its $288 price tag is a little out of reach. Help?
Love your blog, and thanks for the help,
Corporate Chica
Subject: Re: Corporate Conundrum
Hey Corporate Chica,
Dollface, if your dream laptop bag is the MJ Slim Sloane, you are sooooo not clueless re: fashionable arm candy. Many thanks for the uber-detailed descriptors of what you’re looking for; they made my search just breezy (I’m not into black bags either – snooze!). While some of these are a teeeeensy bit over your $200 limit, do keep in mind that you’ll be schlepping your laptop around five days a week. You might as well carry it in a bag you love, no?
Some options of the functional, go-with-everything ilk. The Moonsus Urban comes in Mocha too, no worries. (From left) Cross Gramercy Laptop Tote, $150; Moonsus Urban Laptop Tote, $240 (reduced from $330).
Both of these briefcase-esque bags are from laptop tote specialists Clark & Mayfield – and not outrageously priced either – yaay! Mapleton Tote, $169; Quimby Laptop Brief, $189. (The detachable shoulder strap isn’t pictured for the Quimby, but I’m fairly sure one’s included).
These two are my faves. I know we said dark colors, but for serious – this red, square number is so ridiculously chic you can’t even tell it’s a laptop bag (and STILL in your price range, ta da!). The brown leather bag looks like an amorphous blob at first glance, but it’s one of the few laptop carriers that’ll save you from regular visits to the chiropractor. You still wear it across your bod like a messenger, but it sits higher up like a one-shouldered backpack. Uber comfy. Metrochic Paris Laptop Bag, $199.99; J’tote Maeve Laptop Bag, $230.
Best of luck at your new nine-to-five gig my dear. Go get dressed for success 
Mwah!
Cheap JAP
tags: 
Great advice — I love the first pick in each row, actually nicer than the Marc one I think!
this post is awesome. i have the same dilemma, so you’ve been extremely helpful. i LOVE the red one.
So it might be too late, but look what I found! Check this out- $60 for a water repellent, padded, ultra chic laptop bag by get this, (drum roll, please) DVF! I know you don’t want black, but the cognac straps contrast nicely to make it look less matronly. Even if you bought a bag already, why not get another one? It makes a good backup. I would recommend trying to find it in store first because you know, DVF pleather is still pleather. But eBags is having a site-wide 20% off everything sale today and they have free returns (as does shoebuy) so you can always send it back if it looks too “Target” for your taste.
http://www.ebags.com/diane_von_furstenberg/lizard_on_the_go_flap_brief/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=105003
http://www.shoebuy.com/diane-von-furstenberg-sexy-lizard-briefcase/226871/487805?cm_mmc=frooglelist-_-none-_-none-_-none