When I first laid eyes on the Plastic People Large Lucy ($175 direct), I thought I was having a childhood flashback. With its bright pink exterior with white piping and a large, white heart patch on the front, it reminded me of the happy, super-girly cartoons of the early 1980s (admit it, you watched Rainbow Brite and My Little Pony, too). At 12.5 by 16.75 by 4.5 inches, it can fit up to a 17-inch laptop, even one that's a widescreen. At 2.4 lbs, it's also pretty light for a large-capacity bag.

Although the Large Lucy is made from imitation leather, the material is pliable and sturdy. In testing, I found the straps to be very comfortable. Thanks to their flat shape and softness, they were able to handle a pretty large load without digging into my shoulders. Inside the bag is a removable laptop sleeve secured with a Velcro strap, which I found to be useful in dividing the interior space. The laptop sleeve could stand to be a bit smaller; I found its bulk made it difficult to open and close the bag in a rush.

Removing the sleeve transforms the bag into a great travel bag, large enough for an overnight or weekend trip. An outer pocket with an invisible magnetic snap and an exterior side pocket for a cell phone are streamlined against the bag's shape yet are roomy. I've seen other bags try to accomplish this, but when larger items are placed in the pockets, they often end up creating unsightly lumps. The thickness of the Large Lucy's material conceals these bumps. The two interior zippered mesh pockets are generously sized, but I think the zippers are unnecessary, and I didn't use them much. Gusseted pockets could have worked better, especially for attaching pens to the pockets' sides.

The Large Lucy also comes in black/tan/red, tan/white/pink, and brown/tan/pink. Every bag also comes with a matching cosmetic bag and an adorable heart-shaped mirror. The designer, Shannon South, is all about designing products that bring a positive human element to technology. With the warmth it exudes in its look and feel, this bag exemplifies her philosophy. More important, it is well constructed and versatile. Despite its minor design flaws, this roomy, comfortable, and adorable bag may soon have you saying "I Love Lucy."

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