Tuesday, April 20, 2010

ASK SANITY FAIR: PRETTY LAPTOP CASES

Today marks the introduction of a new column: Ask Sanity Fair. "If you want your roof inspected, eyebrows tweezed, or bills collected, just leave everything to me!" Oh wait - that's Hello Dolly. Anyway, Ask Sanity Fair (or Ask SF when I'm feeling lazy) is the place to ask your elusive home and style shopping questions - items you're curious about, struggling to find, or just want to see more options or opinions on. Got a question? Email me (sanityfairblog(@)gmail.com). I'll pick one a week, and answer it here.

Off we go! Here's our first question from Elise in DC: "Having to tote my laptop to work every day, I am always on the lookout for functional and fashionable ways to carry all my techie toys. While I take such care in choosing my handbags, I'm stuck with a plain black laptop case they sell in the Mac store. You should do a piece on fashionable laptop cases/sleeves/bags. There is NOTHING out there!" OK, so that was actually more of a statement. But, yes, there are a lot of wonderful laptop sleeves out there - just not usually in brick-and-mortar stores, and thus, much tougher to find. But lucky us. We all have internet access! Here are 14 great websites where you can get the case of your computer's dreams - prices and links included.
Carrie realizes she can't take her computer outside her apartment - no stylish case!

1. They had me at "zebra."This is my personal style favorite, and thus number one on the list. A series of smart and chic laptop, ipad sleeves, and computer bags from My Abbi, available at equally smart prices ($49.95 - $89.95).

2. Or, go subtle. De-glam your machine with this appropriately named Luddite Laptop Case, from Anthropologie ($68).
3. Want something a little more 5th Avenue? Saks has it in the bag:  Gucci computer case ($395) and Burberry nylon laptop sleeve ($375).

4. If plain and simple is your thing, try these smart sleeves from incase ($39.95 - $59.95).
5. Downplay modern tech with a charming blue toile bag from Etsy shop Lollington ($37.95).


6. Or go the opposite of girly floral:  a sleek, unisex case. Organic for J.Crew Kansai ($285).

7. Cheap 'n chic? Lil Slim offers these 10 fun patterns, and each is only $17!

8. If your laptop were stolen, would you cry over the computer or this case? Louis Vuitton sleeves ($670 - $745)

9. For all you Aussie readers out there, here's a great choice on your home turf (but despair not fellow citizens - Anthropologie carries them too):  darling botanical prints from charming company Mozi ($59.95 in AUS dollars or about $55 US).


10. Or go from country to the big city with creative graphics from Evan Hecox, available from incase ($59.95).

11. Feminine prints from Beach Audio will pretty up your machinery ($26.99).

12. Etsy shop JiuJiu makes these great covers in graphic prints, from Indian Ikat to nautical stripe. The prices are just as pretty at $18.99.
13. Still didn't find anything to tempt you? Boy, you're hard to please! If you like to choose your own fabric, or have a laptop in an unusual size, try something custom. Some Etsy stores, like Mabels, can work with you to match your needs (I'm in love with the Lilly Pulitzer print!) Available at $25 - $35.

14. And last, but most certainly not least:  the cadillac of laptop covers, at $830 a pop, by Goyard and featured in Vogue's Last Look. Those zipper pulls had better be platinum!
Shopping Tip:  Know your computer size (usually measured in inches). There are multi-size bags - and bags come in multiple sizes! Make sure you get the right one.

That's it for Ask Sanity Fair! Have a question you need answered? Comment below, or email sanityfairblog(@)gmail.com. I'll select a new question each week!

All images from companies, as attributed above.  Red laptop clutch from Cool Computer Bags. Pic of Carrie blackheartmagazine.com.

No comments:

Post a Comment