Review on Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Shoulder Women's Handbags & Wallets with Crossbody Bags by Melissa Brown

I received this bag to use in Italy. First I bought a big one which got too heavy after filling. The large bag itself was heavy and I repacked it. I tried on each bag for a week before the trip. The first was inconvenient just to go to the store. (I put mini binoculars, a small camera, a wallet, sunglasses, a checkbook, a small cosmetic bag with powder and lipstick, a purse and a smartphone in it). When I switched to it, I couldn't fit a checkbook or sunglasses, but I realized that I wouldn't take a checkbook with me abroad, so the new size was fine - the sunglasses fit without a checkbook. I took off my binoculars and goggles. Chamber in the part of the zip under the flap. I kept napkins in the visible part of the zipper (bathrooms don't always have them - this was a bigger problem in Rome than in Venice). I also tucked 3x5 note cards and folded pages from Rick Steve's guidebooks into the zip front (and in Venice the tickets we used for the boats). There is also a zipped pocket on the back of the bag that fits snugly to the body - suitable for powder, lip gloss or sunscreen. The top zip has a loop for a mini flashlight, which comes in handy when we return to our room when the hallway light is on by timer. The top zip has a clasp that attaches to the side. I put my sunglasses, phone, wallet and passports in this main compartment along with a purse. The wallet has slots for credit cards, but I didn't use them. I liked the added wallet protection at the bottom of the wallet. A few caveats: My wallet is a mini wallet. He holds 3 cards and an ID card. The wallet I used was slightly larger and had 3 compartments (Kiss Lock Bag). I used one for coins, one for dollars and one for euros. I kept most of the money in a secret fanny pack (which I never showed publicly - if I needed more I would apologize in the toilet and transfer the money). I kept credit cards in RFD sleeves and our 4 passports were kept together in an RFD pocket. Before I left, I closed my bag. I've always worn it crossbody, not crossbody (although it could be worn that way). It seemed safer, especially in places like the Trevi Fountain where people stand wall to wall. When we ate, I usually left my bag with me. FYI: If you're using a smartphone, don't put it on the table like we do in the US. MANY tourists reported that people in their tour groups had their phones taken away in this way. My phone was either in the locked part of my pocket or in my hand when using it for directions or Tripadvisor. I wear it all day and it feels heavy. However, he also felt safe. Chocolate color, while not the prettiest, is unassuming, and that's exactly what you need on a trip. You don't want this to draw the attention of a pickpocket. It's also a gender neutral color so my husband and sons didn't mind wearing it when I took photos. It looked more like a camera bag or messenger bag than a purse (and of course they preferred to carry it with the bright pink bag I had with me (they ONLY put a scarf, umbrella, some postcards or knick-knacks in it that we have shopped). the bag) - things that, if taken away, could be replaced).