Vera Bradley Just Got A Little More Sophisticated

Oh Vera, how your bright prints, crazy patterns, and rainbow colors have guided us through tough times. Your cheerful umbrellas have brightened up rainy days. Your bold backpacks made my freshmen year required science class bearable. And don’t even get me started on that large quilted duffle. Thing has gotten me through countless layovers and overnight stays. But now, the brand that made your high school years a little more colorful is growing up. Today launches Vera Bradley’s first ever leather collection (there's faux stuff too), marking a newly sophisticated season for the much-loved brand.

The first time a 30-year-old brand drops a totally new and different collection is definitely reason for some excitement, but don’t you worry your pretty little, Petal Paisley-loving head: Vera Bradley’s iconic and irreplaceable prints are all still accounted for. Plus, this new leather collection remains true to the bold colors and distinctive designs that first made the brand such a knockout. With cool shades like burnt orange, taupe, and black in the leather collection and fun brights like fuchsia, green, and cobalt for the faux leather pieces, the styles are still just as eye-catching. Oh and those crazy prints that you remember loving so much? They’re included inside the bags as lining. Still unique. Way more wearable.Vera Bradley's leather collection is available in six refined styles including backpacks, wallets, and crossbody bags, as well as satchels, totes, and wristlets.

The faux leather collection is a little more edgy with slightly more vivid colors and eight different styles, such as wristlets, accordion wallets, credit card cases, envelope clutches, totes, as well as satchels and backpacks.

As per expected, the company is super excited to be branching out of its preppy little niche. "Our new leather collection will provide customers with more options, while staying true to the brand's heritage," says co-founder Barbara Bradley Baekgaard. And to mark the momentous fall 2014 collection, Vera Bradley has jumped on the social media campaign bandwagon. Since so many have shared memories tied to Vera Bradley (like lugging that paisley duffle to summer sleepovers or throwing a lipgloss in a floral wristlet before a girls night out), the brand's #TogetherInStyle campaign invites their customers to share their photos of being together in Vera Bradley style — from brunch with girlfriends to mother/daughter shopping trips — and use the #TogetherInStyle hashtag. Just don't forget to invite me first.

Images: Vera Bradley