Kipling New Rita Medium Shoulder Bag

I have the espresso bag, and there are tons of features that make this bag one of my faves. Here are some of those features: FULLY ZIPPERED TOP The main opening is not only protected by the flap, but it is also fully zippered. This comes in handy when you're somewhere where the bag will be swinging around a lot. Shopping with small children or working your way through the crowds at an amusement park are just a couple of reasons why the zipper is super handy. You can flip your purse and kick it around if you wanted, and nothing would come out. Also great for added safety/security. I always worry about purses with non-secure openings when it's hanging behind me. No worries here! Also, the flap has a Velcro closure between the two front pockets so it won't flap around. RUGGED FABRIC The fabric is water-resistant cloth, so it's easily cleaned. Another plus for busy moms with bustling kids and lots of spills. Also great in the rain. I love that it's not super shiny tacky-looking fabric. It is very matte and has a sort of crushed texture which also hides little stains (until you can wipe them up). Its soft but durably thick fabric even maintains shape when overstuffed. You can even wash the whole thing (via hand wash)! MORE SECURITY PERKS There are two zippered pockets in the front under the flap. These are great for cell phones and Kleenex, keys... anything you need quick access too. I like how these are also zippered so you don't have to worry about anything falling out. There's also a key-finding tether inside your purse so you can easily keep your keys without losing them amongst other purse contents if you choose to keep them in the main compartment. ROOMY The bag is incredibly roomy. I love taking it on trips because it fits my camera (my camera is not a super slim one, it's a slightly larger point-and-shoot) and it also comfortably fits a small water bottle. It also has three inner pockets: One larger pocket across the back that is zippered, and two pockets on the front side that fit credit cards, lipstick, etc. Also along the front interior are two mini pockets for pens. CROSS-BODY STRAP The adjustable strap adds to the convenience and versatility. You can go from shoulder to cross-body with ease. The strap is super durable. Kind of reminds me of a climbing strap or something you'd find in a hardware store. My only negative comment is that I wish the strap were slightly wider. At 1 1/4" wide, it's just slightly too narrow, especially when my purse is overstuffed and I'm wearing it cross-body. Even a quarter inch more would make it much more comfortable (or, I guess I could stop trying to stuff the kitchen sink in my bag!) Overall, I LOVE this bag. I take it everywhere and it holds everything! And remember, as with all Kipling bags, it comes with the cute stuffed gorilla keychain!

I. LOVE. THIS. BAG!! It's very comfortable and feels light to carry, even when stuffed full (I have back/neck problems, so this is GREAT as other bags caused me more pain). The inside is a light color, with plenty of pockets so everything is really easy to find! No more digging around in a dark bottomless pit for my phone, a pen, medicine or lipstick, they're right there in the pockets. I've only had it a few days, so I can't comment on the longevity, but it's very sturdy and well made so I'm sure it will last me a long time. It looks great too, the fabric is also dog hair resistant - very important when you have a lot of dogs like me - there's not a hair on it! I've spent LOTS more money for bags of this quality, it's definitely worth it. UPDATE: I've had this bag and have used it EVERY DAY as my only purse for EIGHT years. Eight years!! The outside still looks new. The inside has the usual pen marks, makeup stains, etc. but is still in good shape. The only thing that hasn't lasted is the main zipper, it just won't zip anymore, but there is still the outer velcro flap. Well worth the price, this bag will definitely last!

I ordered the Kipling New Rita Medium Shoulder Bag to replace an older model of the classic PacSafe Citysafe purse I had used for several years, both for traveling on trips and for daily use. I just wasn't sure if the Kipling purse could measure up to this high standard, but I was pleasantly surprised! The New Rita is smaller and lighter than my old purse, which is a plus, but still roomy enough to carry my most important essentials. It has two outside zipped compartments, one of which I find useful for my phone. The top zipper and the velcro flap keep everything safely inside. The New Rita purse is well made and has a fresh, clean style that makes it very versatile. Update On My Purse: After having the purse for three months, I have had to take it in to get the zipper reinforced at one end where it was ripping away from the fabric. I've also done this for the other end as a preventive measure. Although I have been enjoying the purse, I'm disappointed it would need a repair after such a short period of time. For this reason I've downgraded from five stars to four.

After a good 5 and a half year run, my everyday bag was literally disintegrating and falling apart at the seams. As much as I love that old bag, I knew it was time to move on. For the past year I've been on the lookout for a replacement which is my style, and for the past few months have been actively searching online and in stores. I'm very picky about what I want in an everyday bag. Functionality is very important, but I also like simple designs that don't look too masculine or asexual. This bag meets the criteria, and I couldn't be happier that I finally found what I was looking for! I was expecting this bag to be a little larger than what it is. However, I'm actually pleased that it is smaller than expected, as I love the messenger bag style but I don't have a need for a full sized messenger bag. I'd call it a mini messenger bag. It could easily hold a netbook or some small books and papers if you need it to. As far as typical essentials (keys, wallet, cosmetics, phone, feminine stuff, etc), this bag holds it all, and keeps it organized with plenty of pockets! The nylon material is thick and sturdy, and feels waterproof. Even though it is made out of nylon, it is not a sporty looking nylon. Looking at this bag from a distance, I would think it was made from cotton or canvas. I agree with some others that the strap could be a bit wider, but I don't usually carry anything heavy so it shouldn't be a problem for me. If you're a heavy loader then you might want to take that into consideration. Overall I'm very pleased with the bag and look forward to many years of use! Gotta love the fuzzy monkey, too. As chance would have it, my monkey's name is the name of one of my best friends who moved far away. Now I've always got a nice little reminder of my friend. Icing on the cake! :)

This bag is obviously well-designed and made, with several small inner bags and solid zippers. Basically every stuff I need to carry everyday, e.g. purse, keys, pens, cards, could easily find their own place in the bag - a bliss for people who like to be organized. It is multi-functional because it's casual-looking - perfect for shopping and travel, but also a little bit formal so it goes well with dress or suits and fits different occasions. Also good for school when you don't have to carry too many textbooks and don't need a big backpack. One thing I am not very satisfied with is that I find it difficult to put any A4-sized file into it, but maybe it's not specially designed for such purposes. In sum, this is a versatile bag with good-quality.

The bag is fine, was a gift for my wife. It's just much smaller than I realized. It is especially so when you consider it cost approx. $80.

I was extremly disappointed when this arrived. I needed it as replacement for a lands end bag. It is not the dimensions in the description and will not meet my needs. I need red canvas bag 17" wide x 14" high x 4 - 5" thick.

I don't do purses. I have had a messenger GAP bag for a really long time but it was falling apart and beyond repair after having made several repairs to it over the years. I have been looking for 2 years for a bag that is almost exactly like it and this is it. I have very specific requirement and these fit all of them. -It has two small front pockets that have an optional closure. The closure is zipper instead of magnetic like my previous bag which is fine with me. I put my cellphone, sometimes wallet, keys, and other smaller items in these pockets. -The main compartment has to be wide enough to fit a standard hardcover size book, a water bottle and a small tupperwear containing my lunch. This can fit all that. My previous bag was about one inch wider so it wasn't as snug but this works. -A plus is that there is a zipper closure for the main compartment. My previous one had a clasp that attached to the tab but it wasn't effective. If you zipper this closed (if you don't have it packed with large items a book, water bottle and tupperwear), nothing will be falling out of this baby. -Has a front flap which can be securely closed if I want it to be. The previous GAP bag had a magnetic closure, this has velcro. It is sufficient for what I was looking for, it's just that extra quick security from things falling out when I dump it on the floor or in my car. -Sturdy material. I strongly believe this bag will last me many years. The zippers seem good quality, the canvas like material is thick and durable and water resistant. -Another plus is it has several organizational pockets in the main compartment. The one on the "inside" (that lays against your body) is large and zippered. I usually keep my wallet in it. The inner "outside" it has a nice pocket for a cellphone and another one for other small items. This makes up that there is no large secure pocket on the outside on the bag where it lays against my body like my previous one had. I have no complaints about this bag. It is exactly what I was looking for as a replacement. To sum it up it us a good, sturdy, medium messenger bag that is good for every day use.

I think it's now my favourite Kipling I have 5 of them now they are great little bags that hold a lot

I loved this bag as soon as I got it but yesterday I noticed it was fraying on the strap. Please advise what I can do? Joy.