iLust: Vivienne Tam + HP laptop collaboration

You love her clothing (2009 ready to wear collection) now you can love her laptop. Vivienne Tam has designed a beautiful laptop marketed to women as "the world’s first "digital clutch" and it's beautiful. The intersection of fashion and technology makes another slam dunk! (photo from HP's press release)

Sold! On the iPhone!

Generally an early adopter except when it comes to Microsoft operating systems, but I didn't want to change phone providers to get the iPhone, nor am I a bandwagon kinda girl. But this blog post is making me think seriously about getting an iPhone...or an unlocked one to use with my current provider. Fashionistas of the world can understand: being able to peruse collections anytime, having a photograph instead of a printout for custom designs, a reference while shopping...finally a real reason to even think about getting an iPhone! And now's a good time: they've worked out a few kinks, pricing is commiserate with the market. Ah, maybe I'll wait until they ship in iPod colors: I can see myself with a light gray, or light blue, or green, or ... hopefully they'll have sleeves to change colors!

iLust: Briefcase bags

A full article on the latest handbag trend reminds me of my favorite bags. I love briefcase bags because they are wide enough to hold books and papers without folding (academic), stuff clothing and toiletries for 1-2 days (travel), or carry a laptop and files (work). A few years ago I began lusting even more for vertical briefcase bags, especially for laptops, because they seem to distribute weight better and makes inevitable airport treks easier on the back. In this article I love Rachel Bilson's simple vertical case, and a version of the Olsen twin's can be purchased very inexpensively in many stores.

When buying into this trend you want to either invest or go trendy. An investment is a strong, structured version, usually leather or suede, that will hold up to the ages (trust me, you'll pull this out many times in a year to reduce your cost-per-wear). A leather Coach is, of course, a great way to go. Canvas material is structured and trendy: keep a needle and thread handy for the rips that occur with use and you also have a long lasting bag. Go trendy with less structure and/or a less sturdy material, that you understand may not last long. I purchased a great looking tote via mail order that was even featured on Grey's Anatomy, but without the structure I have to be very careful about how heavy my load gets. In fact, it's a perfect prop: I'm sure Izzie Stevens wasn't carrying much in hers!

• Urban Outfitters Folio Briefcase Bag: in tan for the classic style
• Gap Buckle-flap over the shoulder saddle bag: saddle bags are equivalent to horizontal briefcase bags
• Gap Laptop bag: on sale as of this post date for an even better deal
  

http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/full-article/accessory-report-briefcase-bags/

Gender neutral luggage

A male friend asked to borrow luggage for a trip. I willingly obliged but was told, "Never mind, your luggage is kinda girly." I thought about it and thought, "Yes, it is kinda feminine," matter of fact most of my luggage has some kind of detail that makes it stand out. But do these details make them feminine? The most gender neutral piece I own is tan with brown leather sides and handles which I find quite durable but was deemed "too small". I had to wonder would a man carry even this piece or is generic black and blue all men are allowed?

Large bag trend: how large is too large?

I was out with The Gentlemen and A Friend and was teased about the size of my purse: a wonderful woven white tote that holds a week's worth of supplies and paper. Originally intended for travel I couldn't resist using it for everyday. And true fashionistas know how hard it is to score trendy white bags. Now I admit that I'm always prepared so when we needed hand wipes I had some, when we needed Chapstick I had an assortment of lip glosses, and friends know I always have eye drops, so an oversized bag helps keep everything in one place. But by the end of the week my bag is noticeably heavier...time to clean it out.

Is it better to downsize and sort or always be prepared? When I try to downsize I inevitably need something that I conscientiously left behind. But when I take a smaller bag I manage just fine with bare essentials. My solution is to bring both: the small comes with me, the large stays in the car just in case.

My Largest Bags:

• white woven beauty by Guess, was on sale on their website and they also have luggage
  
• blue & gold custom canvas tote bag made by Zoras of St. Thomas, purchased on vacation and never regretted!
• black graphic image luggage tote and matching rolling carry-on from The Limited, purchased 10 years ago and still in service (Express occasionally sells luggage also)
  
• black graphic image baby bag by Nine West, which provides a great laptop pocket (Kohl's sells Nine West luggate regularly)