We test fashionable carry-on travel totes

If youre going to be limited to one piece of carry-on luggage, dont lug a gloomy bag onto the plane. Instead, take aboard one of these trendy totes.

By Times staff writers

June 15, 2008

Lighten up the next time you board a plane. Black or other dreary carry-on totes are as dated as the terminals at LAX. Each new fashion season brings a broader selection of colors, shapes and styles from the travel accessories industry. The new crop of women's bags, many designed by women, come in bright and light colors; some add fun illustrations, polka dots and other lively prints to the mix. Six women from The Times' staff teamed up to test some of the new models. Here's what they thought.

SNAKE YOUR BOOTY

First look: This roomy Perlina Studio bag will hold a newspaper, a magazine or two, a paperback book and a change of clothes. Or you can tuck a laptop inside. (The bag is 15 inches wide by 16 inches deep and weighs 1 pound, 7 ounces.) The soft leather tote comes in snake prints, black, cashew, off-white and wine. There are five roomy organizer pockets and a small, removable zipper pouch. There are zippers and snaps on outside pockets and at the top of the bag.

Likes and yikes: The bag, especially in the eye-catching reptile prints, adds an attractive wardrobe element. Because it's lightweight, flexible and soft, you can fold it up and stick it inside a suitcase when you don't need it. Its size may be daunting for a small woman, but it holds a lot.

The 411: Perlina Studio, $178; available at www.perlina.com, www.nordstrom.com and www.zappos.com or call (718) 788-2838.

-- Rosemary McClure

CORNERS THE MARKET ON CUTE

First look: In perky green with orange-and-brown silhouettes of birds, Yak Pak's Lucille Bowler is cute. It's also functional, with 13 pockets and measuring 16.5 inches by 15 inches by 4 inches.

Likes and yikes: The bag is super organized and large enough to hold a laptop, peripherals, a blouse and more. Covered in sturdy cotton twill, with water- and tear-resistant coating, the bag carries a 10-year warranty. Did we mention cute, cute, cute? But at nearly 3 pounds when empty, Lucille is far from svelte. We'd also be happier if the carrying straps were adjustable.

The 411: Yak Pak Luggage, $199.99, available at select Bloomingdale's, including South Coast Plaza.

-- Jane Engle

PARISIAN, BUT BLUMP

First look: Rian Bag's Tower Tote is eye-catching. Big, bold and red, it has a Parisian Eiffel Tower scene with moms wheeling across the front, sides and back. Other bags come with images of New York's Times Square and San Francisco.

Likes and yikes: I loved this well-made, sturdy leather tote and the fact that several women complimented me on it. The bag has a roomy interior with nooks to stash stuff inside -- pockets for water and a folding umbrella, a tab for keys, a place for wallet and passport. It has a magnetic closure and small studs on the bottom so it doesn't have to rest on the ground. But it has weight and price issues. Empty, it's a hefty 2 pounds, 7 ounces. Once I filled it, I walked lopsided, and it doesn't have straps to sling it across your chest.

The 411: $305 at www.rianhandbags.com and www.ebags.com, (800) 725-8229.

-- Vani Rangachar

DUFFEL, DONE BETTER

First look: This overnight bag is a definite upgrade from my usual less-than-stylish black backpack (no wheels). The arresting red quilt Cinda b Vacationer redefines the word duffel; it drew a lot of second glances when I took it on two road trips.

Likes and yikes: This is basically one huge compartment -- 24 inches wide and 14 inches deep -- with two outside pockets. I particularly liked the design, which allowed me to fold each end of the bag flat. One caveat: It's such a pretty bag, I wouldn't dare check it as airline baggage.

The 411: $144. Info (404) 312-4585, www.cindab.com.