I bought this bag to carry files and office supplies to work and back. I wanted also to be able to carry a water bottle and couple granola bars. It is a little smaller than I pictured it in my head but I don't think it's smaller than the description details. I think it will work for my purposes. However, I definitely wouldn't want to carry a laptop in it as was suggested could be done. The bottom has no padding of any kind and I'd not trust it to carry anything fragile. For file folders and paper clips it will work ok. The metal decoration on the front is removeable. When I put it back on it marred the material a little bit. I'll have to be very careful with this bag so it doesn't get scratched.