Ricardo Beverly Hills "Beyond a Bag" Super Tote Review

Before my honeymoon, I wanted to get a new carry-on bag. I know many people carry backpacks, others carry old duffle bags, and others buy really ugly carry-ons from the store. I was on the lookout for something girly AND functional at the same time. When I found the Ricardo Beverly Hills Beyond a Bag Super Tote, I was sold. I was even willing to pay the $40 price because I knew this bag would be with me for a long time. This bag is in great shape even after being to Florida, Las Vegas, the Bahamas and Chicago in the last few years. I like it so much, I even take it on Road Trips as my second piece of luggage.

It's Pretty!

This bag comes in red or black, but red was the only color for me! I love red and figured a red bag would stand out more than a black one so I wouldn't lose track of it. The Ricardo bag looks like a large purse, a very large purse, which is why I think it's a girly-bag. The shape, the design, everything about it just screams to me "this is a purse". It comes with double straps which seems to be stronger than one alone would be, but it can also be annoying as the one strap will fall off my shoulder. The best solution to this is to carry some kind of clip to keep them together while you are carrying it. Besides being pretty, I also think it looks professional enough to bring on business trips as well.

Protect your Laptop

Although Pretty was on the top of my list, the second thing I needed was a way to transport my laptop safely and securly. I was afraid of throwing my laptop in the overhead bin and it getting all banged up. This bag is PERFECT for laptops! The laptop sleeve is actually in the middle section so that you have a whole section on each side of it that adds additional padding. Luckily I've never had to throw my bag in the overhead bin since it fits under the seat easily, but I have had to place it in the under part when I took a smaller plane and there were no problems.

Lots of Pockets

I love to be organized and this bag has many compartments of various sizes so I can put a lot of stuff in it that is all easy to access. From folders and notebooks to spare change, there is a spot for everything. The middle section is actually large enough for my laptop, my laptop cord, my camera, and even my purse! I usually toss a few snacks in there too. The front section has many dividers and is ideal for handy things like kleenex, pens, gum and other things you want to access easily. The back pocket can be just for folders and books, or you can do what I do. I take a fairly large throw (see picture) and fold it up small so I can fit it into the back pocket. It might make the bag a bit more bulky but it still zips and I've made use of it on overnight flights. Finally there are a few outside pockets, one with a zipper and two without. The small zippered area is perfect for change and the non-zippered parts are great for keeping your tickets seperate and ready to grab.

Stays in Good Shape

After all these trips, the bag still looks good. There are no rips or tears and the zippers are all still functioning perfectly. I know now this was worth the $40 purchase. You could buy a cheaper bag, but you'll probably end up replacing it in a few years. On the other hand, I see this bag coming with me on every vacation for years to come.

Overall

I don't see the Ricardo Beverly Hills Beyond a Bag Super Tote for sale on Amazon anymore but I do see it on various other sites throughout the web, still selling for around $40. This is a great investment no matter how much or little you travel by plane. Even if you just travel locally, this bag fits so much stuff that it's worth bringing with you anytime you're going on an overnight trip of any kind. The best part is, you never have to worry about your husband stealing your bag, unless he doesn't mind carrying a girly bag. Enjoy!