Customer Reviews Vera Bradley Recycled Lighten Up Reactive Drawstring Family Tote Bag

Bigger than I expected. Therefore, item reti. Otherwise, quality of material = 5 and pattern = 5.

It's a pretty bag and large. Expected better quality, the one I received doesn't seem to have been sewn correctly it doesn't sit right when opened. Drawstring doesn't move smoothly either.

A good canvas bag but the description does not mention canvas. I saw one in the store and it was lightweight material. This same product in a different design is heavy. Please add product weight in the description to help buyers determine if the product will work for them.

Beautiful but too heavy to use.

I would love to love this bag because I love the colors but it is just too big for me. Its more like a beach bag. I wanted a simple tote to take to work just to put stuff in.

It's a little heavier than I thought it would be, especially more so after filling it with beach towel, water, lotion etc.

Very large tote. Drawstring good. Pattern not what I expected

To large

I have a very old large Vera tote that I use for a beach bag. Would carry the families towels etc. loved all the many pockets so lotions in some, wallet in another, phone in another, bottle of water, etc. this bag isn't the usual Vera Bradley organization! Only the one pocket outside. Now I have to put the lotions in a bag, hope my water bottle doesn't make the towels wet, put my keys, phone, and wallet all together in that one pocket hoping my phone doesn't get scratched. I also find the netting on top annoying since it folds into the bag so it's a struggle for a quick pack. I kept it but probably should have returned it.

Needs more pockets like the last versions had

I prefer the regular material company always uses, like the quilted bags

Nice tote bag to carry essentials to the beach (beach towels, sunscreen, brush, sunglasses, etc).

Has strong odor

I thought it would be smaller in a ize

Too bad the measurement description is misleading sent it back

There needs to be pockets on the inside and also pockets on the two ends on the outside would be nice. If it had pockets it would be a great bag but sadly it doesn't. Guess I didn't read the description before purchasing. I just assumed it had pockets.

Way too large

I expected the straps and netting to be black, and I was really disappointed when it arrived and they were blue. Still a great bag, but what I received doesn't match the picture.

I purchased this bag for a beach tote in the Seahorse Stamp print along with the Little Hipster, makeup bag and beach slides. I like to have a matching set. This is my first Vera Bradley bag made from recycled water bottles. It's roomy and waterproof, which I like but the material is very stiff. As soon as I took it out of the bag I noticed a strong peculiar smell. I hope it goes away after being aired out. I was also disappointed that the color blue does not match the fabric of the other items. The makeup and little hipster are a dark navy blue. This tote is much lighter and more turquoise than navy. Like I said, I like to have a matching set and I did not see a difference in color on the website. I will probably keep it unless the smell doesn't go away. I have been a VB customer for many years and I have never experienced this before.

I loved these drawstring bags and have about 6 of them. They are perfect for storing and for carrying things around! However...with the new reActive fabric, they have shortened the tie string so much, you can no longer can tie the bag with a bow...it can only be tied partially or with a knot. The stitching is also not as good as the old style. While using recycled bottles is a great idea, they are also cheapening the product/quality and I seriously doubt it will hold up to the wear and tear and almost constant use we give the previous style bags. Disappointed...I doubt I purchase any more of them unless I can find them in patterns prior to the reActive fabric. Giving 3 stars because the size and mesh are still good. Taking 2 stars off because of the stitiching and shortened tie.

Disappointed with my purchase. I thought it would be sturdier.

I wish in had zippered pockets inside for phone and wallet. And a outside compartment

I bought this bag because I thought it was a perfect match to my other go fish coral items. It doesn't match at all! I don't understand why it's pattern name is the same but the pattern doesn't match my other same pattern name items I own. Disappointed.

Love the idea of the bag. Would buy it in a jiffy if it only had an outside pocket(s). It needs more pockets! Hope this is taken into consideration for the new Drawstring Family Totes as I want one really bad~.

Used this as a beach bag the last time my family went. Is a great size for beach towels, etc. Love the lighten up material and lined interior makes it really easy to clean out. Even used the turn it upside down and shake it to get the sand out feature, which was more fun than I should admit. The biggest flaw though is that there are NO outside pockets! This is an absolute pain when you're in a swimsuit and have to go undoing the draw string and fishing inside just to get your keys or wallet or phone. An exterior zippered pocket, in the same water-resistant material, would make this bag 100% more useful, IMO. As it is it's a great sized catchall for travel but if I go to the beach with it again I'll have to take another bag, which is a real bummer.