Whenever Vera Bradley releases new patterns, I head over to my favorite Vera Bradley retailer, my source for the last seventeen years. This season, I looked at (the unfortunately named) Twirly Birds Blue and Twirly Birds Pink.
Twirly Birds Blue and Twirly Birds Pink, with the Blue reversed
I liked the pallet more than the pattern on each. And surprisingly, the linings, with their smaller repeating motifs, looks better than the outer fabric. This means that they work best in one one of two ways:
- First, the two new patterns will work for smaller items, like a cell phone case.
- Second, they can be used in the " Vera" tote when reversed.
Twirly Birds Blue's Outer Fabric (A good navy)
It is interesting to compare this season's offerings against what I would consider to be Vera Bradley's apex, 2004. You can see here how much easier it was to find the right combination of palette and pattern. (And of course shown in the discontinued "Mimi Backpack".)
From my old catalog
I still prefer my older Vera Bradley patterns, like this "Vera" tote in Apple Green.
13 comments:
I cherish my older VB bags, totes, and accessories because I preferred the patterns. They seemed to be based on Provencal fabrics and I liked them better.
I just pulled out my pink ribbons & lily of the valley (can't recall pattern name, but it was used for their Breast Cancer Awareness campaign a number of years ago)tote.
I agree that "Twirly Birds" is an unfortunate name. I've only seen the new patterns online and look forward to seeing them in person at my local VB shop. I think some of the newer patterns are a bit garish.
2004 was a good year for Vera Bradley; I have a number of the patterns shown. It's also the last year, I think, when you could pick up a bag, any bag, & know, without looking, it was made in the US. Buying American was one of the reasons I bought Vera Bradley bags. I'd love to see the company bring the production back to the States.
But...you didn't say...did you bring any Twirly Birds home? :)
Cheers!
lottie
Hi Lottie,
You caught my deliberate vagueness! I am still undecided.
Your Vera Bradley posts bring back pleasant memories for me. I closed my little shop in 2006. From '00 until I closed the shop I carried VB so have many of your top 10 picks. I agree that the more recent items have been under par.
The pink bags were always the first to go so the only pink I have is a Bermuda Pink, small duffle with a broken zipper. I need a pink tote to round out my Vera wardrobe. I was excited to see some new offerings in this seasons collection. Dispite the unfortunate name, (Twirly Bird Pink), I plan to pick one up this weekend from the shop back home that we passed the line off to.
I got a Vera Bradley reversible Kensington belt that I was very fond of but the other day I took it off and the 'tortoiseshell' buckle broke. I think I'll call them and see if they might send me another one...
Nice rugby shirt, Muffy!
John - It is generous of you not to mention the less-than-desirable white stitching!
I must have been admiring the pinstripe motif under the collar. It kind of surprised me to see you sporting that design, but you wear it well!
I agree though, RL really needs to offer some conventional rugbies again. I was lucky to get a few before everything became "custom fit," or had entire polo matches emblazoned on the back, but I never did get all the colors I wanted. I need maroon and white!
I have the large duffle, small duffle, garmet bag, dittie bag and tote in Classic Black. That is my favorite pattern, but it was retired a few years ago. I have other odds & ends in different patterns. I even have a white with blue toile eyeglass case that was designed for Colonial Williamsburg. That was my first VB purchase.
I am loving your blog Muffy...it takes me back. We lived in Greenwich Connecticut before our travels began. Coming to your blog is like visiting home again. I do not come across many like yours. This New England girl at heart relates!
I use to spend hours deliberating between Very Bradley prints...agree, the older ones are my favourite too.
Jeanne :)
Muffy,
So funny the you pointed out the "white stiching" on your rugby shirt. When I saw the picture I did think... "My, my, Muffy, aren't we veering from the path a bit with the non-traditional white stiching and the oxford under-collar.
Your loyal reads are keeping a close I on you! Though I do agree with John, you rock the look!
Muffy,
Perhaps even more humorous is the fact that niether John nor I even mentioned the fact that you are carrying around a "hen" as if it was the most natural thing.
keep up the good work!
Michigan and John - I HATE the white stitching! And I'm not too keen on the striped oxford cloth on the underside of the collar either. It was a weak purchasing moment, but I really loved the shade of Navy and the White not the usual Off-White. I wouldn't do it again.
It is the most natural thing to carry around hens! I do it all day long, for they are always trying to either lay on the wicker chairs on the porch; coming to the window and squawking while my husband is on a business call; or simply walking in an open door.
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