Which Kipling??

[slinkyboo]

I have narrowed down my search for a holiday bag to Kipling. I like their lightness and quality. (The monkey is another matter but it's detachable!)

I have a large Kipling for hand luggage but I want a handbag-type for every day use. We will be visiting theme parks, beaches, shopping malls etc. It needs to have zips and compartments and be big enough for my stuff and kids' paraphernalia (no nappies or sippy cups though). The Alvar looks too small but I don't want a nappy bag sized one either.

Does anyone have THE Kipling that I'm after??

And then I have to decide on he colour...I like the lilac and the soft grey...

for any help!

[KindleMum]

I've just got the Rachele and wish I'd found it years ago. Quite a lot of the colours are reduced on Amazon and I'm seriously trying to justify to myself buying a second one.

2 good sized zipped compartments, the usual key chain etc inside and one velcro pocket at the front which I use for wipes and a couple of nappies just to give you an idea of its size. I like it because it's not a change bag, it's my bag that just happens to also hold the basics when I'm out with the kids and also hangs perfectly on my Maclaren.

[slinkyboo]

Will check it out, thank you Kindle!

[slinkyboo]

Argh it's perfect but I can't get it into my basket on Amazon for some reason...maybe they're all sold out?

[patchesmcp]

Have you tried QVC? They have lots and a 30 day try and return policy..

[Glossynotflossy]

Have you looked in tkaxe as they have had quite a bit of kipling bags in recently. Last year the had some designer limited edition kipling bags in

[KindleMum]

I can get it into my basket - what colour were you trying to get?

[KindleMum]

It's £62 on qvc and lots of the colours are £33-35 on amazon! I am so tempted to get it in a second colour. Must resist...

[slinkyboo]

I got it in the end but then panicked and thought it was too big. Then I put an Alvar in my basket then panicked and thought it was too small. Kindle, is the Rachele quite deep and long when you wear it? I'm only 5'5" and worry it will swamp me a bit.

Will check out QVC but I live abroad so not sure if they deliver here...
Sadly we have no TKMaxx here

I got completely bogged down googling Kipling bags last night...I also like the Gracy but not sure if it's a bit 'student' in style...I gave up!!

I will return with a fresh head this evening

[slinkyboo]

Kindle...give in to the temptation...do it!

[leastsaidsoonestmended]

If you Google the Kipling style you are interested in there are usually more images to look at so you can assess the size better. Also check QVC as they may have a product video and rtherapy often have product videos of Kipling bags on YouTube which may help you decide if the size/colour is right.

The Alvar is a nice bag - is just big enough to fit my iPad in its case in the back section, and has several compartments but has very little depth so would be difficult to fit in lots of bulky things.

A good useful size cross body Kipling bag is the Jarita

If you are not bothered about it having shoulder straps as well as a cross body strap, then have a look at the Defea or the Adomma

[butterflybuns]

Thanks Kindle- just got a Rachele for £28.50 from Amazon. Bargain and perfect as a summer bag.

[KindleMum]

Right, I've just taken the tape measure to my Rachele in the hope that helps you know if it would swamp you or not. It nowhere near swamps me and I'm 5ft 8. At its shortest I make the shoulder strap 27 inches from one side of the bag to the other. Top to bottom of bag 12 inches. Side to side a bit under 12 inches. Front to back of bag measured across the bottom just over 3 inches. Much smaller and I doubt you'd get bits and bobs for the kids in. I don't think it would swamp you but maybe you could draw the shape on paper and see what it looks like? It is hard when you're buying on the internet from overseas.

[KindleMum]

Butterfly - great! Which colour?

[butterflybuns]

Says it's soft grey but it l

[butterflybuns]

Says it's soft grey but it looks more a light browny colour- it'll go with everything then. Safe choice (and the cheapest) but I get fed up of heavy leather bags in the summer and have fancied a Kipling for ages. Monkey will be eBayed!

[slinkyboo]

Keep the monkey - my DCs love the monkey on my other Kipling bag and she comes in handy as an emergency toy

Thanks so much, Kindle...and yes, I'd rather go a tad too big than a tad too small, especially as this bag is for days out etc which always necessitate the carrying of extra clothes and snacks even though my Dcs are 5 and 7!

Just doing bedtime and I will get onto Amazon later. I'll let you know what I choose!

Leastsaid many also! I checked out your links. I like the Jarita but sadly it only comes in three colours on Amazon, none of which I'm keen on...how fussy am I?!

[slinkyboo]

Oh and thanks for the comment about the Alvar...I think the lack of depth would really bug me, unfortunately. I find the info re how many litres they hold (on the Kipling website) useful and the Alvar is only 5...

[slinkyboo]

Yay I did it! Rachele in Light Brown on its way

Thank you all. I will smile at anyone I see with a Rachele now, just in case it's a Mnetter

[KindleMum]

I do hope you like it. I think it's a good colour too. I have teal and am eyeing up warm grey and true blue. Quite like berry as well. Hmmmm, I wonder what I'd like for mother's day!

[slinkyboo]

There is a lovely new blue colour they are doing...pale blue, think it's called denim blue?
But I can't justify another bag...although if I see one in the States I might be tempted as it'll be cheaper

[slinkyboo]

UPDATE - Rachele arrived today and it's even better than I'd hoped! Smart, compact and the perfect colour for me.

Thank you KindleMum!

[KindleMum]

Phew! I'm relieved! I was never a fan of Kipling bags but I'm a total convert to the Rachele.
I was doing really well at resisting buying it in another colour and then I saw on MSE today that Amazon are doing 20% off various Kiplings and other bags and accessories for London Fashion Week. Code is LONDON20 (apologies if I'm not allowed to post codes) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr_p_4_0?rh=n%3A355005011%2Cn%3A%21425627031%2Cn%3A%21425629031%2Cn%3A2551727031%2Cn%3A362353011%2Cp_n_target_audience_browse-bin%3A363840011%2Cp_6%3AA3P5ROKL5A1OLE%2Cp_76%3A419159031%2Cp_4%3AKipling&bbn=2551727031&sort=price&hidden-keywords=-dc%20-animal&ie=UTF8&qid=1360787947&rnid=419150031&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21