Harajuku Lovers 70s Girls 15″ Laptop Case

In the endless search for laptop bags worthy of Macworld readers, I recently found myself with a 70s Girls Laptop Case ($68) from Harajuku Lovers, Gwen Stefani’s apparel and fragrance brand. Harajuku Lovers, which celebrates all things Tokyo, brings a loud, specific style to the case that might not be for everyone, but this bag hits the ball out of the park in terms of comfort and computer protection.

Of course, the most notable thing about this bag is its appearance, and to be honest, it’s not my style. I don’t think there’s anything intrinsically wrong with how busy the print is; it’s just not for everyone. But for those looking to stray from the basic-black-briefcase style, the 70s Girls Laptop Case might be the perfect solution, as it’s anything but boring. I tried out the pink (“Geisha Girl”) version of the bag—it’s also available in black (“Big Bow Girls”) or aqua (“G of the Sea”) with different but equally colorful patterns—and it’s reminiscent of a more-mature Hello Kitty print: The polyester-fabric exterior sports images of anime-style geishas, while the inside is lined with hot-pink and -orange print. The bag features two handles and an adjustable, cross-body strap.

My 13-inch MacBook fit easily into the bag’s padded laptop compartment, as did a 15-inch MacBook Pro—though not at the same time, of course—with room to spare. The bag nails the balance between a no-frills sleeve and a tote that offers too much storage at the expense of slimness. My Moleskine journal fit in the main compartment with my laptop without straining the bag’s zipper, and there’s a modest amount of additional storage space on each side of the bag. One exterior pocket is roughly eight inches deep and runs the width of the bag (a little over 13 inches), while the pocket on the other side is only six inches wide, but comfortably fit my iPhone, wallet, and keys.

It’s hard not to like the streamlined design of the bag, as well—it feels more like a laptop sleeve with handles, but it’s still comfortable to wear over your shoulder. The weight of the bag’s contents are distributed nicely and the strap is thick enough that it doesn’t cut into you.

The 70s Girls Laptop Case is certainly not the answer for someone looking to bring a lot of items along for a day, but I found it fit everything I needed when I was running out for a quick meeting or to do some work at a coffee shop. The only negative thing I can say about it is that it’s not my taste, aesthetically. You’ll definitely want to check out the adventurous prints before buying, but I think the $68 price tag is a bargain for a bold, comfortable tote that keeps your laptop snugly in place.

Stephanie Kent is a former Macworld intern, now working at the TED Conference in New York.