Vera Bradley, for those who have been living under a rock for the past 27 years, is a handbag and accessory company based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They're known for their cheerful patterned cotton bags, accessories and travel items - and have been a smash hit since the company's inception in 1985. Since the company was started by two best friends, and is named after one of the founder's mother, the idea of family and friendship runs strong throughout the company's focus and background - details that are not overlooked by the public.
The large Vera Bradley following is mostly made up of high school and college age women and their mothers (and even grandmothers!). There is a pattern and style to fit every taste and need - and the prices are on the higher end of accessible and affordable.
I remember the exact moment I became obsessed with Vera Bradley - it was early December 2007, in the middle of a Theology class during my freshman year of high school (between the hours of noon and 1pm). I had been admiring my classmate's schoolbag and pencil case for weeks at that point (I soon learned it was a Vera in Mod Floral Pink and a Brush and Pencil in Java Blue) and we finally got started chit-chatting about it.
At-this point, I was carrying a (terrible) Vera Bradley knockoff, but at that point I was unaware of my mistake. She just mentioned off hand that she "loved my Vera Bradley" and I was smiled weakly and pretended I knew what she was talking about. I committed the name to memory to Google search at home - but just being able to put a brand name to the bag I had been admiring for weeks was enough for me: the obsession was starting to grow.
It took just five minutes on the Vera Bradley website after a search and I was full-blown obsessed. I fell in love with the company, the patterns and all the styles and instantly trashed my knockoff, ashamed of my faux-pas. In the weeks that followed, I soon learned all the patterns names and even all of the styles. I can even tell you my first purchase - it was on my "Spring Break" down in Sanibel, Florida - I rode my bike to a boutique that sold Vera Bradley and purchased a luggage tag in Petal Pink. I was hooked - and my next purchase was a bit bigger, I ordered a Villager in the (then-retiring) Capri Melon.
My collection of Vera Bradley has continued to grow and flourish over the past four (almost five) years. But even though it's gotten larger, I still can tell you when and where I purchased every item, for what occasion and what I paid. It's all part of my Vera Bradley addiction, I guess you could say.
One of these days, when I'm home and have my whole collection with me, I'll post a photo of it in all its glory. Right now, not only are things back in Wisconsin, but most of it is packed up getting ready for my flight home - so I would not be giving it the full justice that Vera Bradley deserves. Plus - it's a pretty large collection, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to admit to myself the extent to which its grown: especially in the past few months, as I've lived right down the street (literally a 10 minute walk) from a Vera Bradley outlet store.
I can't imagine my life without Vera Bradley, its colorful patterns and everything the company stands for - so I guess have to give a shout out to the girl who unknowingly started it all, Alexa from my ninth grade theology class - thanks for making my life colorful.
Props where props are due - I don't own any of the rights to any of the photos featured in this post! I found them across the internet, mostly from the official Vera Bradley website. If I used one of your photos unknowingly and you would like me to remove it, let me know and I will do so immediately.
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