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sabrinamariSo there's this thing about bags.
Handbags.
If you are female and you want to look sleek, professional and competent, it is a good idea to carry one that indicates this.
I've very obediently absorbed the basic cultural capital necessary to do professional clothes and shoes at a functional level.
But bags are very, very frustrating.
They are objects of obsessive interest for a significant proportion of middle-class professional women, and they are used as indicators of status, taste, and, sadly, have-you-got-it-togtherness. The thing is, I am trying to care about bags, and I am failing.
Of all the many things in the world to care about, bags are pretty close to the bottom of my list.
Also, they are mostly very ugly.
Think big flowers and weirdo prints and odd color combinations and strange buckles...or, alternatively, there are bags that say, "I am very, very, extraordinarily boring."
I do not like these bags.
I've resisted buying one even though I've bought every other basic professional wardrobe item.
Kelly and I wandered through rows and rows of bags while she was here, looking for one I didn't hate. No dice. We did find some that were "less bad," but as Kelly said, "less bad is not good". Still, my friends are very lovingly seeking to bring me up to speed on this particular slice of cultural capital and I need to stop whining and start buying.
After Kelly sent me pics of her bag (creative and classy) and her mother's bag (sleek and sexy) I finally broke down and decided to use the internet.
These are the two bags I bought:
http://www.ebags.com/product/solo/vintage-laptop-carry-all/102011?productid=1269865
http://www.ebags.com/product/derek-alexander/north-south-double-compartment-bucket-bag/73205?productid=918216
They both look professional, not too busy and pretty roomy. We'll see what I think when I get them.
I have two smaller bags that are perfectly serviceable and can pass as professional, so I focused on larger bags, one of which can hold a computer.
Let's see what Stephanie and Kelly think when I get them.
Let's see what *I* think when I get them: will they feel comfortable, stylish and elegant? Will they say, "I am über-competent?" I hope so.
Just to make sure that the universe continues to run smoothly, I also plan to buy the thing I *really* want (below) in order to preserve my secret identity. Don't tell anyone, OK?
Handbags.
If you are female and you want to look sleek, professional and competent, it is a good idea to carry one that indicates this.
I've very obediently absorbed the basic cultural capital necessary to do professional clothes and shoes at a functional level.
But bags are very, very frustrating.
They are objects of obsessive interest for a significant proportion of middle-class professional women, and they are used as indicators of status, taste, and, sadly, have-you-got-it-togtherness. The thing is, I am trying to care about bags, and I am failing.
Of all the many things in the world to care about, bags are pretty close to the bottom of my list.
Also, they are mostly very ugly.
Think big flowers and weirdo prints and odd color combinations and strange buckles...or, alternatively, there are bags that say, "I am very, very, extraordinarily boring."
I do not like these bags.
I've resisted buying one even though I've bought every other basic professional wardrobe item.
Kelly and I wandered through rows and rows of bags while she was here, looking for one I didn't hate. No dice. We did find some that were "less bad," but as Kelly said, "less bad is not good". Still, my friends are very lovingly seeking to bring me up to speed on this particular slice of cultural capital and I need to stop whining and start buying.
After Kelly sent me pics of her bag (creative and classy) and her mother's bag (sleek and sexy) I finally broke down and decided to use the internet.
These are the two bags I bought:
http://www.ebags.com/product/solo/vintage-laptop-carry-all/102011?productid=1269865
http://www.ebags.com/product/derek-alexander/north-south-double-compartment-bucket-bag/73205?productid=918216
They both look professional, not too busy and pretty roomy. We'll see what I think when I get them.
I have two smaller bags that are perfectly serviceable and can pass as professional, so I focused on larger bags, one of which can hold a computer.
Let's see what Stephanie and Kelly think when I get them.
Let's see what *I* think when I get them: will they feel comfortable, stylish and elegant? Will they say, "I am über-competent?" I hope so.
Just to make sure that the universe continues to run smoothly, I also plan to buy the thing I *really* want (below) in order to preserve my secret identity. Don't tell anyone, OK?
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no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 01:30 am (UTC)The electronic door chime?
Or the phaser? >:-)
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Date: 2012-04-17 01:48 am (UTC)And look at this awesomely dorktastic item: http://www.thinkgeek.com/books/humor/e326/
"grants you the power of shushing"
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Date: 2012-04-17 01:56 am (UTC)more awesome.
can you tell i'm escaping the mountain of work i have to do?
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Date: 2012-04-17 02:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 02:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 02:22 am (UTC)But really, the prices are ridiculous and most of the styles are ugly, uglier, and ugliest!
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Date: 2012-04-17 11:38 am (UTC)And upscale handbag prices are just stupid.
But I guess a bag is a tool, and the right tool is worth the peace and ease of use it brings you.
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Date: 2012-04-18 01:51 am (UTC)This is my dream bag. My iPad fits in either the outside pocket or inside pocket. I just love it. Well made, and about perfect sized. Long and sturdy shoulder strap. Sigh.
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Date: 2012-04-17 10:40 pm (UTC)Men's Fossil bags: awesome. See above.
Women's bags this season: awful. Orange, pink and teal.
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Date: 2012-04-17 03:44 am (UTC)http://www.toddscostumes.com/costumes/movie-costumes-indiana-jones-costume/indiana-jones-bags-belts-holsters-ect/indiana-jones-satchel/?tab=ProductReviews
no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 11:21 am (UTC)I did used to care about backpack design, and I have a really cool, leather-bottom backpack with multiple compartments. I also have an awesome large backpack that can hold two weeks of clothes and stuff for traveling overseas (I take it to Europe, Latin America and Australia).
Maybe if I think of my professional handbag as the subculturally appropriate version of those backpacks I will feel more involved.
You know, Steampunk bags are cool. And I generally Fossil bags. But they're all kind of archaeological.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-18 01:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 06:10 am (UTC)But I've evolved my own very, very specific, based-in-practicality set of standards for handbags which makes the right one difficult to find but so worth it when I do. It must be large enough to hold a 5x7" notebook, but dimension-wise not much bigger, or I will over-fill it. It must have a zipper top. It must have two or three small pockets inside, including a cell phone sized one. It needs a strap short enough that I can carry it like a handbag, but just long enough to sling it on my shoulder and have it safely tucked up under my arm when I need my hands free. It must NOT have ugly prints, metallic lame, weird buckles or other bling, or any other of those fantastically tacky touches. It has to match most of my wardrobe, but ideally it's still something other than plain unadorned black.
I just changed purses from what may have been the most perfect bag I ever owned-- fit all those specs, and it was red patent leather quilted into X's and O's. If I could have bought that bag again, I would have. The new one is comparable in size and specs, but it's zebra print with black and silver trim. A little more pattern than I would normally want, but I think it's going to work out. =)
Oh and because I shop at places like Ross, I never spend more than about 20 bucks on them. =) And usually they're still a quality label!
no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 11:27 am (UTC)It turns out that the colors this season are orange, pink and teal. I like pink, but orange and teal are kinda not my thing, so it's hard for me to stay focused looking at them.
And I think you are smart to shop at Ross. I did intend to go to Marshall's, but I am sick of clothes shopping. The internet seemed like a kinder way to go.
Actually, shopping with a friend is fun. I had a great time shopping with Stephanie and I am sure it would be fun to do with you. Kelly was a comforting presence, too.
But after a while it's hard to get excited about, you know, conventional-looking clothes.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 02:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 02:33 pm (UTC)But handbags can indeed look just as ridiculous.
http://www.ebags.com/product/olivia-harris/colombier-striped-knit-hobo/230527?productid=10179987
Three hundred dollars.
http://www.verabradley.com/product/Category/Handbags/Little-Mandy/1001517/defaultColor/Priscilla%2BPink/pc/638/c/0/sc/641/p/1001517.uts?utm_medium=pla&utm_source=Google&mr:trackingCode=C23DF130-3DDE-E011-8116-001517B1882A&mr:referralID=NA&origin=pla&mr:adType=pla
Terrifying.
http://www.bluefly.com/marc-jacobs-coral-quilted-leather-stam-framed-satchel/PRODUCT_FEED/318906801/detail.fly?referer=ca_shopstyle&cm_mmc=ca_shopstyle-_-Marc+Jacobs-_-satchels-_-3189068&partner=Gate_CSE_shopstyle_Marc+Jacobs_satchels
One thousand, one hundred and sixteen dollars.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 02:50 pm (UTC)But those two you bought should be marvelous, and look very sleek and professional. Basic black, baby. Can't beat it. :-)
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Date: 2012-04-17 10:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 04:45 pm (UTC)Also, unspeakably vile.
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Date: 2012-04-17 06:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 06:34 pm (UTC)Can anyone explain these?
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Date: 2012-04-17 06:37 pm (UTC)OK. I know this one is over the top but I like it. So the problem here is me.
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Date: 2012-04-18 01:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 10:41 pm (UTC)http://www.fossil.com/en_US/shop/men/bag_collections/estate/estate_city_bag-mbg8261p.html?parent_category_rn=&departmentCategoryId=&pn=c&cm_vc=331245&rec=15&imagePath=MBG8261201
The women's bags are teal, orange and pink.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-18 01:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 07:43 am (UTC)Come to think of it I also love the feel and smell of leather and the workmanship, and...I think we'll have to settle for I love bags .
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Date: 2012-04-17 11:29 am (UTC)I like boxes and containers and other kinds of organizing tools, so I see where you are coming from.
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Date: 2012-04-17 08:15 am (UTC)Sorry 'bout that. Yet here I stand - I can do no more.
One of T's pet peeves is women walking around with huge bags that they can't hold by the handle because they'd scrape the floor, and can't carry over their shoulders because they don't have long straps. He mimes them walking with the handles slipped over their forearms, upper arms tight to their sides, forearms out stiffly, and says, "Who the FUCK thinks this looks good??"
For preference, I like a bag with a good broad strap that can cross my body, because carrying weight over just one shoulder is not good for you, and I like my hands free. A plain bag, large enough to carry a laptop or notebooks, with two or more compartments and small pockets for phone, key and purse; a zip top is a must.
I've found charity shops in well off areas are great for poking around in.
I'd make a terrible sleek professional.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 11:33 am (UTC)Let's have more, kay?
I want to do a Flaming Genius retreat in the next year or so. I really do. Want want want!
I have set my subconscious on the task and asked it to work this out for me while I am re-organizing my career this year.
Still want to come see you and Tom and wander about Avebury again reveling in the feel of it all.
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Date: 2012-04-17 04:50 pm (UTC)T and I will have our spare room sorted one of these days. We'll take you to Arbor Lowe, which pre-dates Stonehenge, and the Bridestones, and... and... and also the pub(s).
Hey, we're getting our own Sci-Bar at a pub about 15 minutes' walk from us soon, too! Old and new stuff all together!
Wonder if you could swing a flight in mid-June for the local parade through town and general insanity that comes with Barnaby?...
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Date: 2012-04-17 04:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 11:55 am (UTC)They will be between clutch and grocery sizes. Right around satchel size, actually--just big enough for a 12" notebook, power supply, phone and wallet. They will have adjustable straps that, at their longest, cross the opposite shoulder. The straps will have a graceful curve, so they're wide at the shoulder and narrow at the elbow. The strap will be replaceable, so if you want some bling you can get the shiny one, or the red one, or the Batgirl utility belt, the Wonder Woman lariat (gold braided), the snakeskin, or the leopard.
They will come in black leather and one crazy print (ok, a new print each year). The outside will have smooth, classic lines. The inside will have the large chamber for your laptop or e-reader or planner or notebook, and four pockets: power supply, wallet, phone, and phaser (which will be zippered).
Now how much would you pay? If you call now, we'll double your order!
no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 12:25 pm (UTC)Yes yes yes!
These bags sounds just too cool. I would buy them.
"Phaser" !!!!!!!!!
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Date: 2012-04-17 02:06 pm (UTC)http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/custom
The problem with lust is that it can be pointless. I don't need a new bag. I fly once a year at most. I check my 40-year-old American Tourister suitcase at the gate, and I've got a perfectly serviceable leather briefcase I bought for $20 at Walgreens about ten years ago to take on the plane.
Still... messenger bag, tri-color shades of faded green...
Maybe someday. Or not.
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Date: 2012-04-17 02:36 pm (UTC)If you start flying a bit to collect some interviews, you could, conceivably, use such a bag. Messengers are pretty cute and quite useful.
Useful things are great!
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Date: 2012-04-17 02:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 02:35 pm (UTC)Oh honey, this is priceless! Thank you for sharing.
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Date: 2012-04-17 04:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-17 06:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-19 04:45 am (UTC):::giggle:::
I love you!
Live Long And Prosper!