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March 12, 2005
A Whole New World...
So for the past 5 years or so I carried around a giant bag with me all the time. This was necessity because I walked to work everyday or took the subway and needed something that would carry a day's worth of stuff like my lunch and reading material. In addition, one of the items that I insisted on carrying with me was a large bulky camera. In fact, I haven't gone anywhere since around 2000 without some version of a camera tucked inside my bag at all times.
I used to gaze at pretty small dainty bags but I knew they were not for me. I needed "big n sturdy" bag to hold all my stuff and that would allow quick access to my camera. Too often "big n sturdy" also meant ugly. The few times I tried leaving the house with a smaller bag I would get so annoyed with everything crammed inside and paranoid that I would somehow knock my wallet onto the ground, that I switched right back to a large bag.
Recently though this all changed, albeit temporarily. While we are in Houston I am working from home which means no commuting bag is needed. Also, I was given a hand me down Canon Powershot S110 camera from my mom the last time I was home. Now with a smaller camera a whole new world of bags has opened up for me.
My first small bag purchase was a Printed Linen Clutch from Old Navy. It was tight fit, but I was able to carry my camera, phone, keys and wallet in this cute little bag. I am not normally a big fan of linen but it give the bag an interesting texture, as does the gathered fabric on the side. Plus even though the bag is so small, it still has a handy inside zippered pocket.
If things go well with the clutch I'll probably invest in a more expensive version, such as Style 102 by Emily or the Diana by by Allison Burns (a similar bag was show in Wonkette's Weeks worth of style.) And if I win big in Vegas, I'll be looking at a Marc Jacobs clutch.
Next up, again from Old Navy, was the Braided-Cinch Purse. Let me tell you, as someone who is NEVER 100% happy with ANY bag, I have to say this is probably the best bag I have bought in ages. (It is right up there with my red Kenneth Cole bag, saldy still stranded at my mom's in Boston because I can never fit it in my luggage when I fly back to Houston.) And it was just $12.50!
The braid detail and silver metal ring is my favorite part. Its a stretch to compare, but the braided handle is a poor man's version of the beautiful handle on the Burberry Cinda bag.
Also, the bag looks even better when it full of stuff, unlike most fabric bags which end up looking strange and lumpy. I bought mine in an olive green, so it feels a little safari-ish to me. The bag looks good being carried from my hand, or it tucks comfortably under my arm and over my shoulder. I can move around with it and lean over without the chance of it swinging off my shoulder. (One time I was sitting on the subway minding my own business when the pocketbook of a woman standing above me swung off he shoulder in an arc and hit me directly in the face-TRUE STORY!)
So I know this small bag gravy train won't last forever. The summer when we are back in Boston I'll have to switch back to a big commuting bag. Plus I have my eye on another bulky camera which will probably need a whole bag of its own. But for now I'm going to sit back, relax, and enjoy the small bags, warm sun and palm trees of the gulf coast.
Comments
i know this is a bag blog but i cant help to notice your shoes. I want those!!! really cool. ;)
Posted by: fashionasia at March 13, 2005 10:07 PM 
old navy strikes again!
http://secure.www.oldnavy.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=20053&wpid=282480
$19.50! I wanted them in muti color but they were gone, so I went with silver
Posted by: sara at March 13, 2005 10:39 PM
Ooo wow, I didn't expect Old Navy to have such pretty items, but it seems like they do! I must go check out their website now!
Posted by: Harrods Girl at March 14, 2005 1:24 PM
Wow. I am in love with both the Printed Linen Clutch and the Braided Cinch Purse. I have to get to an Old Navy, stat! (Especially because anything that can be compared to the Cinda bag but doesn't cost $800 is definitely something I could easily love.)
Posted by: Ingrid at March 14, 2005 10:29 PM
I really love the bags featured in this post -- they look great, especially the linen clutch!
Posted by: Girlie Girl at March 15, 2005 1:51 AM
Very cute bags! I especially like the braided bag, but saw none at my local Old Navy store :( And there appears to be no green available on their Web site either?
Posted by: Carol at March 23, 2005 2:04 PM
Well I was going to buy the braided bag but I didn't like the colors. I did however fall in love and buy this bag. Thanks!
http://secure.www.oldnavy.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=200501&wpid=2987142
Posted by: B at March 23, 2005 9:14 PM
i just bought the green braided-cinch purse from old navy last night based on your post but i realized it's a bit too small for all the junk i carry w/ me. there's a reason i'm a bag girl not a purse girl. if anyone wants it let me know and it's yours!
Posted by: grace at March 27, 2005 4:33 PM
Email to a friend
