JOIN USStyle, cut, design, colour – all matter in not just apparel but also accessories. Especially when one particular accessory encases one of your most prized possessions – the laptop. In the age when iPads, iPhones, Androids and tablets are no longer referred to as gizmos, the laptop still holds a special place for professionals.
Today, the young professionals want to make a fashion statement with not just their dress but also their laptop. Hence the various models in market. But to add to this, even the laptop bags are going in for a makeover. Gone are the days when classic (read standard and boring) designs of laptop bags were most sought after. Now Gen Z wants to coordinate the laptop bags with dresses and vice-versa.
Talking about styles, the market has a laptop sleeve and sling in abundance. Though the laptop sleeve is not yet a craze, its popularity is increasing gradually. However, when available in quirky colours, these get sold out soon. “Our bestsellers are the pink laptop sleeves with black hearts and the Indian firecracker retro laptop sleeves. The hippie one is also a favourite amongst youngsters,” informs Jacqueline Kapur, MD, Ayesha Accessories adding, “We are trying to give a fun-look to an otherwise boring looking machine. The laptop bags are a fashion statement combined with the required functionality.”
‘Functionality’ is the word of utmost importance even when the design and looks of a bag attract a prospective buyer. “Most customers prefer to keep their laptop bags functional with additional pockets or zips to store documents, papers, USB sticks etc,” shares Dilip Kapur, president, Hidesign which usually offers, “Blacks, browns, tans, reds and classic fashion colours like aubergine, mid-night blue and forest green”. However, Dilip agrees, “Select customers have started asking for brighter colours. Strong colours add fashion element to the gadgets and it is the same with laptop bags. People are opening up to experimentation and asking for more colour options.”
Thus, comes in the shocking pink in design inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs, brown sling with stamps design and even a pom-pom inspired laptop bag. “The idea arose due to my personal needs. Specially for girls, black and greens look outdated so I thought of introducing laptop bags which match a woman’s sense of design and dressing,” says Monica Gupta, co-founder of craftsvilla.com who has designed these bags keeping in mind the needs of the younger generation.
Over time, women have also moved away from carrying their laptops in their handbags and even avoid carrying huge laptop bags. “All handbags (size permitting) are now being made tablet compatible and we design separate laptop bags which are more like sleeves, says Dilip. “This keeps the laptop safe, is easy to carry and looks a lot more sleek.”
Don’t worry if you fall in love with one of these sleeves and feel compelled to buy even though it may not match your office attire. You could probably change your dress to suit your bag. Ultimately, it’s all about making a style statement!