When I first saw the SOLO Bucket Tote many months ago, it was love at first sight and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Once I did, however, it seemed to be a lot bigger than I remembered. Now, don't get me wrong, I like roomy bags and tend to carry around lots of stuff all day. But this bag isn't just big, it's tall (13.5" x 16.5" x 5.5"), so that when I don't sling it over my shoulder, it touches the ground. (I'm 5'9.)

I absolutely love the color combination--soft espresso brown leather accented by a silky, bright blue lining. The straps are comfy, but the bag already feels heavy (it weighs 3 pounds) before you even put anything in it. And once I added my 4-pound laptop, some magazines, and all manner of other detritus, it really started putting strain on my shoulder and back. I found myself switching a lot between shoulders and trying to rest it on my elbow.

Still, if you like shoulder bags, this one has a lot to like about it. One key element is the nail heads on the bottom of the bag to protect it from getting filthy during your travels. It also has a zippered panel on the back that enables you to attach it to your luggage. (See image after the jump.)

There are plenty of pockets to keep your stuff organized too. I like the outer pocket that's perfect for slipping in a magazine or folder; I hate having to dig through my bag for reading material. There's also a convenient zip-down panel on the front that offers easy access to mobile devices and other small items (there are 2 small pockets inside the panel) that would get lost in the main pocket.

The laptop compartment is well-padded and holds up to 15.4-inch notebooks. There are additional pockets opposite that compartment big enough to hold sunglasses, a water bottle or even a small umbrella. The SOLO Bucket Tote is a stylish carryall that doesn't look like a laptop case at all, and should please the techie fashionista set, provided they don't suffer from back aches.

Get yours for about $80-$100 online. Find stores on SOLO's website.