First of all, the bag quality is 5 stars. I'm giving it three stars because of the size. I should have really read the dimensions better, but I thought this was the same backpack purse I've carried for years but it's not. Most of Vera's large backpacks have backpack type straps, the flat and wide, cushioned straps, letting you know it's a backpack. This has the small narrow straps, like the purses have. I didn't realize that she makes different sizes in the 'purse' style backpacks. This backpack is huge, way too big for a purse and I feel like I'm going on a hike every time I use it. I love the fabric, love the style--it's exactly like my small backpack purse in every way other than the huge size. So the problem is this, the straps are too thin to be used as a backpack but the size lends itself to be used as a backpack (this would never support heavy loads of books due to the straps). The size is too huge to be used as a purse, but the thin straps make it only able to support lighter loads.