Kipling Women's Elysia Crossbody Bag

I'm comparing this with my other favorite handbag, the Baggallini Avenue Tote. Both bags: * Are LIGHT when empty. Since I end up carrying so much stuff, I'd rather my bags not weigh a ton to start with. * Water resistant/stain-resistant fabric. (Not sure if it's billed as such, but these don't get as marked up as other bags do) * They look very nice, without the leather/leather-like price point. In other words, cheap for a nice handbag. * They clean up well. * Strong, solid hardware. Zippers and clasps always break first on bags. These hold up well to wear. * Range of nice colors to choose from. * Multiple interior and exterior pockets. * Heavy-duty straps for the win * Interior tethered clip so you don't loose your keys in the jumble Kipling Pros: * Shine -- I really love the metallic options on the kipling bags. They add such a lovely shimmer to an otherwise neutral color. Makes a practical bag more fun. * Zippers -- are thicker on the kipling. I find they zip more smoothly. Time will tell if they hold up as well as the baggallini (the zippers of which are still going strong) * Pockets -- There is one zippered main compartment and 2 magnetic clasp compartments on either side of the main compartment (so, 3 compartments 1 big, 2 thinner) and then 3 more zippered pockets: one on each outside + one inside the main compartment. It also has a number of pen-holder/wallet-sized pockets in the main compartment. (Hope that made sense). *Fits wallet, keys, glasses, toiletries, cell phone, and a book/notebook very well * Shoulder or cross-body carry -- The shoulder straps are a bit small for me (I'm 5'9") but the crossbody carry is great for hands free. * Straps are very comfy. * A bit more 'young' or teenagey or... 'fresh'? than the baggallini. The baggallini looks like a Lady Bag. This is a Chick Bag. (Chick Bag? Is that even a thing? I don't know. That's how it reads to me, stylewise.) ** HANDBAG -- this is a great handbag size -- it is big enough to comfortably fit a Moleskien notebook and a paperback (so, IPad size). It's perfect for shopping runs. Baggallini Pros: * Bigger. WAY bigger as you can see in the pictures. I like that sometimes -- but other days you just don't want to take a huge bag with you. And there are other Baggallini totes that are even larger. Kipling Totes, too. * Point is, the Kipling Bag is a handbag, not a Tote. * Pockets: Baggallini has a laptop sleeve in the main compartment (not super padded, so, be careful with that laptop), 2 outside pockets with magnetic clasps, one small inside zippered pocket, one small outside zippered pocket, and pen pockets. * I find that the size-to-pocket Ratio of the Kipling bag is MUCH better. Kipling bags are ALL pockets. The Baggallini has pockets, but they feel thinner. Also, many of the Baggallini pockets are not well clasped -- as in, they have a big pocket with a single clasp. Things fall out easily, that's what I'm saying. The Kipling holds things in better. * Baggallini looks more 'matronly' ... ish. I think. Kipling looks a bit younger. * Has a sheen to it, but not a shine like the Kipling. Kipling Con: This is a silly thing, but I was sad that this came with the metallic monkey, and not the old-style fluffy Kipling monkey. I liked those fluffly monkeys (alright, not a reason for a grown woman to buy a bag, but still. Monkeys!) Overall, I like this bag a lot. I will likely get nothing but Kipling and Baggallini bags from now on. Oh! And a final note -- check out the Kipling website, even if you buy the bag here. They have an excellent 'try me on' function where you can see how big the bags are in comparison with your height, size of laptops, etc. Very useful for making a decision.