Vera Bradley returns to The Q 🌸 - Page 4

febe1 · ‎01-22-2012

Strangely, I've been thinking of a new weekender, and last night she appeared.

I got that beautiful paisley with red. I know I'm going to love it. I had a 20% coupon, so everything fell into place.

I also have just one of her bags. It's maybe five years old and everytime I take it out, someone stops and likes it. I can't see donating it in the near future, like I do so many.

roeroe1005 · ‎03-13-2010

I worked at the VB outlet in Rehoboth Beach, DE, for several years before returning to NY.

I will say, the most "selling" I did was to help customer choose between colors/prints. Those bags & accessories do sell themselves.

I'm not a big fan of the prints in the bags either, except when we went thru the flamingo stage. Most of my bags are solid colors. Loved their "old" totes, like the Miller bags.

One of the craziest/busiest time for us was mid July thru Labor Day. Families on vacation would shop for their school backpacks, lunch boxes, school accessories, etc. When the beach towels would come out (February), we would easly sell several hundred a day. Holiday time, the blankets sold like crazy.

Yes, there was a major rebranding when the lastest CEO came in last summer. It hasn't been as successful as was expected and I understand they may be returning to the some previous materials.

I do miss working there (sometimes).

Catch71 · ‎03-09-2010

It will be interesting to see how they sell. About 7-8 years ago my granddaughter who was in middle school just had to have a Vera Bradley lunch bag. All the girls were carrying them. We have a V B store in my mall and they used to do very well. I have not been in the store in years since I retired, but they are still there. A few years ago, a fellow teacher of mine retired and put about 7 VB bags on a local garage sale page and tried to sell. No one seemed to want them.

UpNorthGorgy · ‎09-19-2024

@RescueLover I recall a few years ago college students were into VB bags. We had a store for awhile in our touristy town but it didn't last.

lynnie61 · ‎04-28-2010

I have a few totes and weekenders. They are probably from 2010-2012 - I can't wear them out! Bought SO MANY gifts back in the day. I was never into the print purses, but always loved the lanyards, totes, make up bags, note cubes, pens. The online outlet prices were crazy. Beach towels were the best quality. The old throws were the best.

Years ago, I went to a Vera Bradley event in Florida. It was a 2.5 day event, it was so much fun. So many giveaways. I think I left with 6 or 7 pieces that I received. Let alone, the few hour shopping event. There were speakers, the founders visited with everyone. The VB staff was so nice. It was in Orlando. The event was to be ticketed, I think $100, and then they waived everyone's fee. All VB lovers there so it was quite fun.

CrazyTimes · ‎01-16-2025

I don't like printed cloth bags. They clash with other prints I'm wearing. I carry a solid leather handbag all the time. I do like VB for cosmetic organizers and tote bags.

charsha · ‎03-28-2010

What does the re-branding consist of? I have purchased bags and other items in the pase, but have not followed VB recently. I am curious as to what the changes are, is it the leather? I still see the prints and solids offered.

Thank you.

40sgal · ‎01-21-2012

Vera Bradley at its beginning was a Hoosier/Indiana brand, birthed by two Ft. Wayne area women. In the early 80’s I was in a “Indiana made” downtown Indianapolis store and happened upon a lovely toddler, jumper type dress w/a matching tiny cross body purse (back then we did not call “cross body”, just a “purse). The fabric was feminine and well made. I thought the name of the brand odd: “Vera Bradley”. The dress and purse appeared hand made. I purchased the dress and purse and thought so different and carefully crafted from chain store “little girl” dresses.
Fast forward a year or two later, I was in a Bloomington Indiana, very “trendy” boutique after a basketball game and spotted shelves of quilted purses, totes, etc. As I recall, the centerpiece was a gorgeous love seat sofa in a beautiful pattern, supposedly also VB, flanked by all manner of colorful VB bags and totes. I recalled my purchase of the jumper/purse a year or two earlier and recalled the brand name of Vera Bradley: Oh, they’ve gone really big. I still thought it was an Indiana thing until traveling and saw VB in airport shops and in “beach” towns in FL and Michigan.
I was not “sold” on VB because it appeared to me to me too common as I recall, there was a print and then bordered on either end by a contrasting trim. I thought it too predictable and maybe “old lady”, (although clearly I was approaching “ old”). And, a friend or two said “I hate VB”. In the ensuing years, I purchased VB cosmetic bags, and hot iron holders, my fav were gathered hobo type bags for shower w/compartments on the outside for holding razors, files, etc.
Fast forward a few years later and the Q was selling VB, and easy pay made VB more affordable. I purchased the quilted travel wardrobe, and the large duffle bags. I gifted for the holidays, and purchased a lot. I bought a solid color that coordinated w/prior purchases and also plaid and tiny floral prints.i bought too much thanks to easy pay.
And, the friends who said they hated VB asked me “where” I purchased the travel bags and admired. Check👍.
I also discovered VB outlet and purchased blankets, robes, and more travel bags and hanging cosmetic holders. I needed none of the above but the prints were so pretty, and a wider selection than the Q.
I never purchased a purse and rarely a “tote” tote. Me? I thought too predictable and expected.
I discovered “Lug” when the brand first came to the Q. Frankly, I thought too pricey, I did purchase 2-3 “totes” and still use the black nylon tote w/seams outlined in bright neon colors. A winner. I then branched out to small Lug cross body purses. My fav is a gold color, maybe capuchino (msp) color, quilted on the front side, w/3 zipper compartments as a LTS. This is my go to purse. Perfection. And, I washed it in the washer and air dried, looks brand new. I have never washed a VB item. I have seen VB in consignment stores, items clearly washed and they look faded. Me? I have so much VB, I alternate, there is no need to wash. And, retired now, I do not utilize items daily but still enjoy “rediscovering” what I purchased thru the years
And, I will say thu the years at the Q, I purchased a good amount of Dooney and Bourke, and a few other brands, clearly investments. I still have many of my DB purses and love. However, unless I want to impress a dear friend who is enamored w/brands, I stick to my small Lug purse and in travel, my VB favs and my Lug tote.
In an attempt to pare down my “acquisitions” I have consigned my D&B purses and VB travel bags to a local consignment store which sell quickly but I receive only
a pittance in return. BUT the point is to purge what you do not use. Right?
I just purchased the newly “branded” Vera Bradley, tiny cross body in nylon in the lime green, it really has no compartments. We’ll see. But I wanted a pop of color for summer. As long as I can fit my iPhone, my small plastic CC holder and lip gloss, I am fine.
I am now 80 and not budging a year more. When I meet my “Maker”, the Q will surely miss me…..😉