In Rear Window, 1954, Grace Kelly’s elegant Mark Cross bag emerges as something of a major character, a twin symbol of desire—Kelly cooly snaps opens the bag, unfurling a fetching neglige—and the domesticity Jimmy Stewart finds so intimidating.
Women’s handbags are more than repositories of oh-so-necessary possessions but a reflection of a woman’s priorities in life, a clue to her values.
The various bags my wife Karen has carried throughout our married life have endured as objects of practical magical. When one of our children scraped a knee in the playground we all rested easy because Karen just reached into her bag and out came a tube of antiseptic and band-aid. Sun too strong? No problem. Karen has sun-block. Headache? Tylenol in a little plastic pill box . Hungry? Fear not, Karen’s got an ample stash of chocolate power bars and pistachio nuts. And always, a thick band of soft tissues when pollen aggravates various allergies.
When we were dating the very first present yours truly bought as a birthday gift for Karen was a butter soft leather shoulder bag from—I splurged wanting to impress—Saks Fifth Avenue. Flattened, beat up, long ago retired, the bag sits in Karen’s closet, a cherished relic of our shared history.
A woman’s handbag is not just an accessory but a trusted companion with whom she trusts intimate secrets.
Here are a few bags that are not only practical—price aside—but beautiful, classic designs.
Celine conjurs memories of an old fashioned physician's satchel, a clean, unfussy look.
This Jill Sander tote has room for tons of stuff. Perfect for a woman on the go.
A super cool Vuitton for those so confident they don't need to display the label.
Fendi produces a fun but sophisticated bag that shines like Chinese lacquer.
Okay, this Hermes necklace bag is kind of, um, petite. But oh, what a fine way to carry an iPhone or a stash of M&M's.
The Klein tool bag might be the coolest, most practical bag around. Bomb proof canvas and nylon, leather handles and buckles, steel feet, and a cavernous interior, just $47.00.
Karen and I wish all our friends and relatives a lovely and inspirational Shabbat.
Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
10 Comments
So how many of theses fancy bags have a concealed pistol pocket? I need to know because it’s the first thing my wife looks for in a bag.
@Johnny: You’d carry a bag too if the only stylish clothes you could buy had no pockets whatsoever. Not that I’m complaining. I’d rather see smooth round hips any day over lumpy pants.
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K:
You’ll have to customize the bags in order to pack. I have actually seen this on several handbags—when I was in Texas.
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It is amazing that when a woman asks me to get “something” in her bag it looks like the contents of a seaman’s duffel bag – and I rarely find the desired object – but the woman in turn will simply stick her hand in and voila – there it is…..don’t know how you would characterize that difference in the genders.
There was an interesting article in a recent WSJ on how to spot fake handbags (hint if they both look the same and one is $200 and one is $3000) – but beyond that they have a video showing you the difference between real and fake Hermes, Chanel and Birkin leather articles.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3bq3x7v
Speaking of fake items an issue that really affects Hollywood is the making of pirated DvDs – and I just read that “fake things” made in China is almost a $500 Billion annual industry. Many times a factory under contract for a high end maker will make a few more “off the books” so it is “real” and yet…it isn’t.
Don’t know why my text is suddenly bold when I try ti italicize things it just shows me the HTML – but alas, just another mystery
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Bill:
Every once in a while I need to get something form Karen’s bag and, well, needless to say, I get lost. It’s a lot like when I go to the refrigerator to look for something and can’t find it. I ask Karen. She moves something out of the way and there it is.
Magic.
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The fact that a woman can’t leave the house without a fully packed purse while I throw a wallet in my back pocket (or coat pocket) and my keys in a front pocket is another in a long line of reasons I am glad my mother gave birth to a son back in 1956.
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Johnny:
Women nest wherever they go. Men just go.
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A big concern also, is how does the husband look holding the bag outside of a changing room?
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afischman:
Hence, the Klein tool bag!
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Amen! I would have no problem with the Celine bag either — a classic!
Hope you have a wonderful Shabbat!
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ProphetJoe:
Yeah, the Celine bag stands out as an instant classic. Though Karen won’t carry any bag that does not have a shoulder strap.
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