Vera Bradley and Harry Potter are back at it again. Previously inspired by the Hogwarts houses and Herbology, this latest drop in the Vera Bradley Harry Potter collection is all about the Forbidden Forest – and the creatures who call the forest home.
The Harry Potter films have meant the world to me. I’m shamelessly guilty of playing my own Harry Potter marathon throughout the day as I wash dishes, do work, or just hang out – I swear the movies make even vacuuming a little more magical. As for my love of Vera Bradley – we have a deep history. I’ve been featuring Vera Bradley styles here on my blog since at least 2016. I’ve been wearing Vera Bradley myself at least since 2006 – way before I ever had a blog.
I’m SO proud to say that this blog post is in partnership with Vera Bradley And Warner Bros. To be able to showcase this collection isn’t just an honor – it’s literally a childhood dream come true. While this post is in partnership with Vera Bradley, all opinions are mine and mine alone. I’ve been a loyal Vera Bradley customer and Harry Potter fan for decades. I can’t thank Vera Bradley enough for sponsoring this post – and you, my readers, for supporting the brands that make Blondes & Bagels possible!
Let’s get into all the details of this new Vera Bradley Harry Potter collection: Forbidden Forest!
The pattern: Forbidden Forest
The inspiration
Vera Bradley’s latest Harry Potter collection drop is inspired by none other than the notable and iconic Forbidden Forest. The Forest itself makes appearances in the wizarding world early on, with Dumbledore mentioning its looming presence at the start of the Harry Potter series. The forest is known to be filled with fantastic beasts, packed with adventure and mystery, and beautiful for what it is – a piece of the Hogwarts campus that only adds to its beauty.
Harry Potter fans will love this new inspiration for the latest Vera Bradley Harry Potter collection drop. With each new collection launch, the Vera Bradley team has leaned into another area and aspect of the Hogwarts school and wizarding world we all know, love, and cherish so much. I was absolutely obsessed with the original house pride collection (yes, I bought loads of Ravenclaw and Hogwarts gear). I was impressed by the attention to detail in the second collection launch: the Herbology collection. Now I’m feeling cozy and nostalgic staring into all the hidden details of the Forbidden Forest pattern.
The details
Hands down my favorite thing about Vera Bradley prints and patterns is the attention to detail. There were so many little treasures to be found in the Home to Hogwarts and Herbology prints. The Forbidden Forest artwork is just as special. You can find so many small nods to the movies as you peruse the pattern.
The Vera Bradley Harry Potter collection Forbidden Forest primary pattern is set on a deep purple backdrop – perfect for the colder months ahead. The dark purple backdrop is offset with pops of a lighter, fresh teal blue and other cool, jewel tones.
My favorite part? All the hidden characters inside the print. On quick glance you’re able to spot the big players we all know and love, like Buckbeak and Fang. If you return to the pattern, spending a little more time searching the design, you’ll spot other fan favorites like Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback, Aragog, Thestrals, and Hedwig herself. This pattern is deep and dense with amazing references that every single fan will be unable to resist.
The styles
The Forbidden Forest Vera Bradley Harry Potter collection launches today in a whole host of classic Vera Bradley styles. From backpacks to crossbody bags to accessories – it’s impossible not to find something you’ll want to add to your own Harry Potter collection.
Here are a handful of styles I own and love.
The Vera Tote
The Vera Tote is a classic style everyone – Harry Potter fan or not – needs in their closet. I own two Vera Totes and am pining for a third (in the original Harry Potter collection drop Home to Hogwarts Print, actually). What makes the Vera Tote such a must have is its function in its design. This tote features a seemingly endless amount of pockets both inside and out – meaning you can keep all your items organized and separate. The Harry Potter collection versions of the Vera Tote also include an additional pocket: a wand pocket! I find this little design detail so fun and special for us Harry Potter fans.
The Vera Tote is also large in all the best ways. This tote is ideal for commute, for travel, as a diaper bag – or just really on any days where you need to pack a ton of stuff. My Vera Tote fits everything I need on a daily basis and then some. Despite the large, functional size, the bag is incredibly lightweight. The classic Vera Bradley quilted cotton the brand is known (and loved) for makes this bag both functional and comfortable.
I personally love snagging a Vera Tote in all the Harry Potter collection drops because this is a piece that is large enough to be able to capture all the details of every print and pattern. On some of the smaller pieces, you may not be able to see every aspect of the pattern – but on a bag like the Vera Tote you’re getting enough real estate to see all the details and even have some repeat.
OG Vera fans know that pattern placement is everything.
RFID All in One Crossbody Bag
The RFID All in One Crossbody Bag is another Vera Bradley bag that I have in spades. I actually have one of these crossbodies from every single Harry Potter collection drop! There’s a reason I always add this style to cart first: it’s a crossbody bag, wristlet, and a wallet in one. I always feel like I’m not-so-secretly snagging multiple styles in one single purchase which makes me feel clever and smart. A la Hermione Granger.
The RFID All in One Crossbody Bag can be worn crossbody, with the adjustable strap, or shortened to be shoulder bag length. There is also a wristlet strap to allow this bag to be a grab and go style if need be. I often do not use the crossbody strap and instead tuck this style into my Vera Tote to remove from the bag and take to lunch or for a quick errand. Sometimes I just don’t need my entire purse with me for every outing, so having a quick, easy, multifunctional option is awesome.
An aspect I love about the RFID All in One Crossbody Bag within this specific Forbidden Forest collection drop is that the Vera Bradley team chose to showcase the Hedwig specific print on the exterior. While the Vera Tote features the full Forbidden Forest pattern, on this smaller piece we’re getting the same fabric from the inside of the Vera Tote on the outside of this accessory. Hedwig as a character is hands down a much cherished fan favorite. Hedwig is a hero. I love that this precious character gets her shining moment on this crossbody bag that I can take with me everywhere I go.
My school and office supplies
Whether you’re still in school, running your own business, working at a corporation, or kicking butt raising a family (or any combination of these) – you’ve likely got a need for organization and caffeine. I love that Vera Bradley always includes functional accessories in their Harry Potter collection releases. For the Forbidden Forest release, I got ahold of the Travel Mug and the Mini Notebook with Pocket.
Vera Bradley’s Travel Mugs are a staple of mine, particularly when I commute into an office (or to doggy daycare drop off – LOL!). I’m pretty picky with my mugs – I refuse to accept any leakage and I like my coffee and tea kept hot. The Vera Bradley Travel Mug accomplishes both, and in a magical print I LOVE. The Travel Mug is one of those pieces that the Vera team has ensured gets ALL aspects of the print – meaning you can see everyone from Fang to Buckbeak PLUS the silhouette of the Hogwarts castle.
The Mini Notebook with Pocket is another everyday staple of mine. I often pack my notebooks with everything from grocery lists to to-do lists. The mini size is my favorite because I can easily stash this notebook with me in my purse on the go, so I always have a piece of paper and pen when needed. I also love that in the Forbidden Forest print, like my Travel Mug, I can see the print in its entirety. Pattern placement really is such a huge component to being a Vera fan so it’s awesome to have pieces where you get to enjoy the entire pattern!
Other items on my wishlist
The Plush Throw Blanket
If you follow me on Instagram or have followed my blog for any amount of time – you know I love blankets. I especially love the Vera Bradley Plush Throw Blankets. These blankets are indescribably soft. Honestly no words can really do them justice. The sizing of the blankets are also perfect, measuring in at a whopping 50″x80″ – plenty of space to solo snuggle or grab a partner and cozy up.
I’ve been buying Vera Bradley Plush Throw Blankets for years, but have leaned in hard as each new Harry Potter collection blanket releases. I snagged not one, but two for the original Home to Hogwarts collection. I also have the Herbology collection Plush Throw as well. At this point, I’m considering the Vera Bradley Harry Potter collections my collaboration of dreams – collectors items, if you will. I really need to add one of the Forbidden Forest blankets to my collection because this collaboration means so much to me personally.
And the blankets are just so darn cozy I can’t help it.
Small Backpack
I am FOREVER kicking myself that I didn’t get my hands on the Small Backpack in the Home to Hogwarts print. Truly I check the Vera Bradley website about once a week, crossing fingers that style comes back into stock. I own plenty of the Campus Backpacks and other Vera Bradley backpack styles, but I don’t have a plethora of options when it comes to a smaller, everyday backpack. The Small Backpack is my ideal everyday backpack and I’d love to get it in a Harry Potter collection print.
The Double Wall Tumbler with Straw
I own two of these tumblers are my husband and I are addicts. I love to use the tumblers for my morning iced coffee, while he often reaches for them for his morning smoothies. We honestly have some mornings where we’re competing for use of the tumblers. LOL! I think it’s a sign I need to grab one from the Forbidden Forest collection to add to our kitchen cabinets. Because, ya know, happy wife happy life.
Cozy Life Robe and Pajamas
I do own one Vera Bradley robe that I was gifted. I still to this day think it was one of the best, most “on brand” gift anyone’s ever given me. They also gave me a pair of matching Vera Bradley slippers. It was a whole vibe.
Now that the iconic Vera Bradley robes are being launched in iconic Harry Potter prints – I’m in the mood for another one. I also admittedly am a huge fan of the fact that Vera Bradley collections are all so cohesive that I can also snag a pair of complimenting pajamas. Few things make me want to cozy up and watch all the movies than a Harry Potter collection robe and pajama set.
Pass the Butterbeer, please.
Triple Zip Hipster Crossbody Bag
Confession time: I’ve never owned a Triple Zip Hipster Crossbody Bag! Considering this silhouette and style is one Vera Bradley is well known for – that’s sort of bananas. In a past life I spent much of my week commuting to school and/or work, so my closet quickly filled with Vera Totes. As I’ve had less of a need to carry my entire world with me each day, I’ve been yearning to add a Triple Zip Hipster to my wardrobe.
The Triple Zip is special because yes, it’s a smaller crossbody bag – but it’s deceptive. This bag fits a ton. I’ve read enough reviews and tried on the style in store to know as much. This crossbody bag is crazy functional and a perfect bag to take on errands, on walks, or to the theme parks.
In the Forbidden Forest print, this bag becomes an ideal Fall staple. I imagine myself pairing this with cozy coats and denim jackets, on my way to a bookstore or to grab a cup of coffee (in my Forbidden Forest Travel Mug, obviously).
My inspiration for this photoshoot.
The entire film collection itself is pretty iconic – but the Forbidden Forest scenes are just so memorable. When I got word that Vera Bradley’s designs would be inspired by the Forbidden Forest, I instantly thought of the photoshoot concept in my head. I pictured Harry, Draco, and Fang in their first year at school (and first time in the Forest), holding up the lantern as they searched for Unicorns. The image is so memorable and I had so much fun working to recreate that moment!
But like – with all smiles.
My husband has always shot my blog photos. We had so much fun with this shoot. I got to plan out my perfect, Fall forward outfits. We also made a little trip over to our own Forbidden Forest inspired shoot location to capture all these shots! We hit up the location early, before any people or cars were out and about. We shot during those early hours when honestly the only sounds came from the rustling of leaves in the wind and the scampering of animals. We channeled that mysterious, forest vibe and had loads of fun leaning into the inspiration for this shoot.
This post is in partnership with Vera Bradley. You can shop the latest #HarryPotterxVeraBradley styles here. Check out my YouTube video reviewing this new #VeraBradley Forbidden Forest collection here. All opinions are mine. Thank you for supporting the brands that make my blog possible!