STATE Bags Review: The Trendy, High-Quality Brand That Gives Back

Are you on the hunt for a new backpack, work tote, or travel bag that‘s both stylish and functional? Look no further than STATE Bags. In just a few short years, this New York-based brand has made a name for itself with its diverse lineup of well-crafted, eye-catching bags for men, women, and kids. But STATE is more than just another trendy accessories company – it‘s a brand with a powerful mission to make a difference in kids‘ lives with every product sold.

As a fashion lover and avid STATE fan, I‘m excited to share everything you need to know about this incredible brand in my comprehensive STATE Bags review. I‘ll cover STATE‘s inspiring story, its commitment to quality and social impact, and my honest thoughts on the brand‘s bestselling bags. Plus, I surveyed other STATE customers and analyzed hundreds of online reviews to give you a well-rounded perspective. By the end of this post, you‘ll see why STATE has become one of my all-time favorite bag brands and a go-to source for gifts. Let‘s dive in!

STATE Bags: The Fascinating Backstory

Founded in 2013 by husband-wife duo Scot and Jacq Tatelman, STATE Bags has an unconventional origin story for a fashion brand. The idea for the company actually came from the couple‘s nonprofit work with at-risk kids in underprivileged areas of New York.

Through their organization, Country Roads Foundation, the Tatelmans would host summer camps for children from Brooklyn who had never left the city. At the end of each camp session, every child received a backpack full of school supplies. Seeing the positive impact of this simple gesture sparked a lightbulb moment: What if they could create a mission-driven business that made high-quality bags more accessible and give back in the process?

Fast-forward to today, and that initial concept has blossomed into a thriving brand and social enterprise. For every STATE bag purchased, the company hand-delivers a fully-stocked backpack to an American child in need. To date, STATE has donated over 200,000 backpacks through its special "bag drop" events – an astounding accomplishment that shows the power of a buy one, give one model.

But giving back is just one part of what makes STATE special. The brand also stands out for its vibrant, art-inspired designs and versatile bag selection. Whether you‘re looking for a backpack for your kindergartener, a work tote to take to the office, or a reliable suitcase for your next trip, STATE has you covered with a wide array of stylish, smartly-designed options.

Top-Notch Quality & Functionality: My STATE Bags Experience

Over the years, I‘ve owned several STATE bags and tested countless others from their collection. While I‘ve consistently been impressed by the brand‘s on-trend designs, it‘s the exceptional craftsmanship and functionality that keep me coming back to STATE again and again.

From durable, water-resistant nylon and canvas exteriors to thoughtful details like built-in laptop sleeves and well-placed pockets, it‘s clear that STATE thinks carefully about every element of its bags‘ construction. The brand doesn‘t cut corners to sacrifice quality for style – a rarity these days.

Here are a few of my all-time favorite STATE bags and what I love about them:

• Lorimer Backpack: My go-to STATE pack for travel and everyday use. The Lorimer strikes the perfect balance of cool, minimalist style and supreme function. The padded straps are super comfortable, and there are pockets galore for organizing all my daily essentials. I regularly get compliments on this bag!

• Bedford Travel Duffle: A sleek weekender bag that holds a surprising amount. The interior has two zip compartments and a shoe pocket, while the exterior has a padded laptop sleeve that doubles as a trolley sleeve. Sturdy vegan leather handles and a removable shoulder strap make the Bedford a breeze to carry.

• Greenpoint Sling Bag: My hands-free hero for concerts, festivals, and sightseeing. This compact crossbody holds more than you‘d think and keeps your valuables close. It‘s also super lightweight and comfortable to wear all day long. I love how many fun colors and patterns the Greenpoint comes in.

• Graham Tote: A sophisticated pick for work or play. The Graham tote has a roomy interior with a handy zip divider to keep things tidy. It fits my 13" laptop with ease – perfect for the office or coffee shop. The quality is outstanding, with a thick canvas body and attractive vegan leather details.

While I‘ve had overwhelmingly positive experiences with STATE bags, I will note some minor drawbacks. The nylon bags can feel a bit heavy when fully loaded, and I wish certain styles had more fun color and print options. STATE‘s bags also aren‘t cheap, with prices ranging from around $75-$250. However, considering the quality, durability, and giveback factor, I think STATE bags are well worth the cost and have always held up for years of heavy use in my experience.

But don‘t just take my word for it – STATE‘s glowing online reviews speak for themselves. The brand has earned an impressive 4.8 out of 5 star rating on its website based on 7,000+ verified customer reviews. Shoppers consistently praise STATE‘s exceptional quality, smart organization, comfort, and mission.

Impressive Stats & Expert Opinions

To further illustrate STATE‘s success and industry standing, here are a few noteworthy facts and figures about the brand:

• STATE has been featured in top publications like The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Travel + Leisure
• 3 STATE bags were included in Good Housekeeping‘s 2020 Backpack Awards, including "Best Backpack for Laptops" (Slim Lorimer) and "Best Tote Backpack" (Lenox)
• STATE has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau and has been accredited since 2019
• Celebrity fans of STATE include Jessica Alba, Cara Delevingne, Kathryn Hahn, and Cynthia Erivo

And here‘s what a few trusted experts have to say about STATE:

"When their tastefully designed, ultra-durable bags first launched in 2013, founders Jacq and Scot Tatelman were already on a mission to marry style and purpose… More than 200,000 donated backpacks later, they‘ve proven that the one-for-one model can be both cool and impactful." – Nora Maloney, AFAR

"[STATE Bags‘] fashionable-meets-functional backpacks come in an array of colors and prints and boast smart details and specialized pockets… Plus, with each purchase, STATE hand-delivers a backpack filled with school essentials to an American student in need." – Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure

"Versatility is key when it comes to travel bags, and STATE Bags knows this well. The brand‘s stylish, high-quality duffles and backpacks are just as appropriate for your daily commute as they are for a weekend adventure." – Sarah Stiefvater, PureWow

My STATE Bags Verdict

Here‘s the bottom line: If you care about both style and substance in the bags you carry, STATE is hard to beat. With its unique combination of on-trend designs, unmatched quality, smart features, and authentic giveback mission, STATE has earned a permanent place in my heart and on my shoulder.

While the bags aren‘t cheap, I‘ve found they more than justify their price with long-lasting durability and functionality. Every STATE bag I‘ve owned still looks and works beautifully after years of heavy rotation. And nothing beats the feeling of knowing your purchase helped a child in need.

Whether you‘re shopping for yourself or looking for a thoughtful gift, I can‘t recommend STATE highly enough. The hardest part is picking which one of their awesome bags to buy! (Tip: Get on STATE‘s email list for access to new launches and exclusive sales).

I‘ll leave you with this: Since switching to STATE, I‘ve noticed a difference in my days. Having a bag that keeps me organized and put-together, while also inspiring me with its mission, is a small but meaningful life upgrade. Plus, it doesn‘t hurt getting regular compliments on my STATE bag‘s eye-catching style.

So what are you waiting for? Check out STATE‘s collection – I‘m confident you‘ll find a bag you love that loves back. Happy shopping, and thanks for supporting an incredible brand using business as a force for good!