Sometimes it seems like campus is a blur of Vera Bradley. From wristlets and coin purses to backpacks and totes, everyone seems to love the brand’s colorful floral prints.
Both fashionable and durable, Vera Bradley bags are made of quilted cloth. They will hold your books and even your laptop and will last you a long time.
The wristlets many girls seem to be sporting are called the “All-in-One” or “Carry-it-All” wristlets. They’re convenient for holding your phone or iPod, ID card, credit cards and some cash.
As cute as Vera Bradley bags are, they tend to be pricey. The wristlets alone can cost up to $36. The Geneseo University Bookstore sells a small selection of Vera Bradley items, but the prices can still be too high for a student budget.
So how can a broke college student afford such great bags? Outlet malls, such as Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets in Central Valley, N.Y., sell designer and brand name items, including Vera Bradley, at much lower prices.
If you can’t get to an outlet, there’s always the Internet. Websites like yardsellr.com and style.ly work like eBay, except without the hassle of bidding. People sell their new or gently worn items at much less than what they paid for them originally. Some even sell Vera Bradley bags in retired prints that are hard to find elsewhere.
If these methods don’t work for you, just remember the holidays are coming up and a Vera Bradley bag could definitely be on your holiday wish list.