Friday, January 18, 2013
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Say Goodnight, Gracie
I started this blog, in part, because I was curious what this blogging this was all about. I wanted to get back into writing again, and for once, write about things that actually interested me (my paying writing jobs of my youth always seemed to involve concrete or mutual funds). In doing so, I got to learn a bit about myself, too - for example, looking back I am surprised by the number of fashion-related posts. It seems this was an area where I had a lot to say!
Another thing I had not planned on was the community aspect of blogging. Connecting with readers and fellow bloggers - this, I has not counted on at all, and it has been the greatest pleasure of my brief blogging experience. Thank you to the small but dedicated (and kind!) followers of this blog, you have made all the difference.
I believe in doing things wholly or not at all. My posts have diminished in frequency and inspiration, but I am not one for lingering or slow deaths. So, I am bringing this blog to a close. You will still see me hanging around the internet - I will continue to read and comment with great interest the many lovely blogs out there (Aesthetic Alterations, The Vivienne Files, Pret a Porter P, to name just a few!).
As for my spare time freed up from blogging, I am working on new hobbies. As Albert Einstein said, "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." Right now, I am working on mastering the art of candle, lotion, and soap making. It's messy, but it's fun and might be a handy life-skill should the 2012 apocalypse thing ever pan out...
Here's to finding whatever makes you smile, brings you beauty or gives you comfort - these things are rare, and rarer still appreciated. Thank you for your readership and may we meet across the internet again, and soon.
Best wishes,
C
Thursday, April 19, 2012
NYC in Spring
Very belatedly, a few pictures from my last trip into New York.
Spring is a lovely time of year, even in the city, where space is so limited trees grow on buildings...
And small planters filled with spring blossoms can draw a crowd of photo-snapping tourists (myself included). :)
Although it was warm, there was still ice-skating to be had in Rockefeller Plaza...
And watch a photo shoot on the steps of the New York Public Library -
I also attended a sample sale and did a bit of shopping, of course. These did not come home with me, but they were tempting nonetheless...
Happy Spring!
Spring is a lovely time of year, even in the city, where space is so limited trees grow on buildings...
And small planters filled with spring blossoms can draw a crowd of photo-snapping tourists (myself included). :)
Although it was warm, there was still ice-skating to be had in Rockefeller Plaza...
I don't skate, but I did do a couple quintessentially New York things...
Like attend a store opening (this one was for Joe Fresh) -
I also attended a sample sale and did a bit of shopping, of course. These did not come home with me, but they were tempting nonetheless...
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
NYC Fashion Observations
I was in NYC late last week running some errands (I'll upload a couple of photos in a bit). It was a beautiful spring day, crisp in the shadow of tall buildings and warm in patches of sun. Central Park was budding and the shop windows were filled with brightly-colored wares. Everyone, it seemed, was turned out onto the sidewalk enjoying the lovely weather. You get the picture.
Anyway, it gave me a chance to do quite a bit of observing, sartorially speaking. My errands took me between Hermes on Madison down to Bergdorf's - a small stretch of land where quite a bit of well-heeled shopping takes place. Except this time, I was shocked by the number of scuffed heels too. It seems whilst everyone was ready to take in the spring weather, some had definitely lost the "spring" in their wardrobes. Some of the most glaring things, that took away from otherwise what might have been quite chic personages...
1. Shoes in Bad Repair
Most people were wearing black shoes. I get it, it's a city, it's grimy, it's urban cool to wear black. But when your *black* shoes start looking dirty - yes, it's time for a clean. I was very surprised by the number of dirty, scuffed, or otherwise beat-up shoes some women were wearing. Heels with the leather peeling off them - this on a woman with a Chanel bag too! No matter what you have going on above the ankle, if the shoes are attracting unwanted attention it is a big miss in my book.
2. Dirty Bags
I saw a very elegantly dressed woman walk passed me - classic double-breasted beige trench, grey pants, black ballerinas, big sunglasses and neat ponytail. Very polished looking, except... her bag. She was carrying an Hermes Garden Party tote in canvas and brown leather - which would have looked darling except on the front of it were yellow and orange stains that looked as if she had a run-in with a hot dog stand.
3. Wearing All your "Best Stuff" (Logos) at Once
Granted, I think this was a group of tourists, but the principle still applies - you can overkill on the logos, people. I know some people don't like logos of any sort. I'm inclined to agree, but I have seen others carry off a logo-ed item here or there with panache. But not EVERY logo, not all at once. I think I can understand what the tourists were thinking: "Hey, we're going shopping to some posh places, let's make sure we dress up with our finest regalia." But the Gucci sneakers, the Louis Vuitton bag, and the Fendi eyeglasses all at once? My eyes, my eyes.
4. The Fuzz
No, I'm not talking about the police. I'm talking about fuzzles, lint, cat and dog hair, etc. If it wasn't originally woven into your coat or sweater, it shouldn't be on there now. Oh, and also it may be a beautiful cardigan but if it has enough pills under the arms to start a felting project - not cool. Really, it's about basic garment care. Maybe it got tiring and now that winter's almost over, people are just giving up. But like other signs of disrepair or lack of care, it distracts from the person.
Actually, all of these observations could fall into one general category - If I'm too busy looking at "it" (whatever it is) that I can't notice you, you should fix "it", clean "it" or remove "it."* The coming of spring is a perfect time to review your cold-weather gear, and mend and clean before storage.
(*Gosh, I sound a bit snarky but I don't mean to be. Somewhere in the blogosphere someone is probably writing about one of my fashion faux pas, unbeknownst to me... guess that's only fair.)
So, to end on a positive note I will share with you my favorite sartorial sighting during my brief vista. A lady, in here late 60s or early 70s, petite but sturdy frame. Confidently striding (yes, striding!) by the Apple Store in a neat black jacket with peplum styling. A maroon skirt. Sheer black stockings. Sensible shoes but with a little platform wedge. Classic, but modern. Comfortable in her own skin. She seemed to have a spirit about her, well, I can't quite put my finger on it but she was memorable and made me smile then, and now. What a nice impression to leave, no?
Anyway, it gave me a chance to do quite a bit of observing, sartorially speaking. My errands took me between Hermes on Madison down to Bergdorf's - a small stretch of land where quite a bit of well-heeled shopping takes place. Except this time, I was shocked by the number of scuffed heels too. It seems whilst everyone was ready to take in the spring weather, some had definitely lost the "spring" in their wardrobes. Some of the most glaring things, that took away from otherwise what might have been quite chic personages...
1. Shoes in Bad Repair
Most people were wearing black shoes. I get it, it's a city, it's grimy, it's urban cool to wear black. But when your *black* shoes start looking dirty - yes, it's time for a clean. I was very surprised by the number of dirty, scuffed, or otherwise beat-up shoes some women were wearing. Heels with the leather peeling off them - this on a woman with a Chanel bag too! No matter what you have going on above the ankle, if the shoes are attracting unwanted attention it is a big miss in my book.
2. Dirty Bags
I saw a very elegantly dressed woman walk passed me - classic double-breasted beige trench, grey pants, black ballerinas, big sunglasses and neat ponytail. Very polished looking, except... her bag. She was carrying an Hermes Garden Party tote in canvas and brown leather - which would have looked darling except on the front of it were yellow and orange stains that looked as if she had a run-in with a hot dog stand.
3. Wearing All your "Best Stuff" (Logos) at Once
Granted, I think this was a group of tourists, but the principle still applies - you can overkill on the logos, people. I know some people don't like logos of any sort. I'm inclined to agree, but I have seen others carry off a logo-ed item here or there with panache. But not EVERY logo, not all at once. I think I can understand what the tourists were thinking: "Hey, we're going shopping to some posh places, let's make sure we dress up with our finest regalia." But the Gucci sneakers, the Louis Vuitton bag, and the Fendi eyeglasses all at once? My eyes, my eyes.
4. The Fuzz
No, I'm not talking about the police. I'm talking about fuzzles, lint, cat and dog hair, etc. If it wasn't originally woven into your coat or sweater, it shouldn't be on there now. Oh, and also it may be a beautiful cardigan but if it has enough pills under the arms to start a felting project - not cool. Really, it's about basic garment care. Maybe it got tiring and now that winter's almost over, people are just giving up. But like other signs of disrepair or lack of care, it distracts from the person.
Actually, all of these observations could fall into one general category - If I'm too busy looking at "it" (whatever it is) that I can't notice you, you should fix "it", clean "it" or remove "it."* The coming of spring is a perfect time to review your cold-weather gear, and mend and clean before storage.
(*Gosh, I sound a bit snarky but I don't mean to be. Somewhere in the blogosphere someone is probably writing about one of my fashion faux pas, unbeknownst to me... guess that's only fair.)
So, to end on a positive note I will share with you my favorite sartorial sighting during my brief vista. A lady, in here late 60s or early 70s, petite but sturdy frame. Confidently striding (yes, striding!) by the Apple Store in a neat black jacket with peplum styling. A maroon skirt. Sheer black stockings. Sensible shoes but with a little platform wedge. Classic, but modern. Comfortable in her own skin. She seemed to have a spirit about her, well, I can't quite put my finger on it but she was memorable and made me smile then, and now. What a nice impression to leave, no?
Monday, March 5, 2012
Glacier Chic
1. Start with a good base layer - LL Bean midweight merino wool pants and top are super soft and do nice double duty as winter jammies when you are at home.
2. Then, if you are like me and afraid of freezing to death in a crevasse, a wool turtleneck, a sweater, a North Face fleece jacket and pants, and a Gortex North Face parka. You'll know you have enough on once you can't bring your arms down to your sides easily. Or when you fall over and bounce back up.
3. Now for some accessories - about twelve feet of woolen scarf (bought in Iceland, naturally) wrapped tightly around neck and face. Leave room for eyes. (Leaned through experience.) Thick hat and gloves, shearling boots with lug sole and two pairs of socks.
4. And now for the technical equipment: Crampons (strapped to boots), ice pick (held rakishly askew - not recommended); oh, yeah -- and a nice purse. In this case, my Chanel WOC because it's my lightest and sportiest. Ha. But it's pretty true actually, so there you have it. (Karl, if you are reading this, feel free to send me some more sample "gear" to test in other adventure-like settings. It's a hassle, but I'd do it for you.)
Because you can put a girl on a glacier, but you can't take the girl out of me!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Ice, Ice Baby
So anyway, last weekend, we went to Iceland. If you are like most of our friends, you're thinking "Huh?" Iceland doesn't appear on the top of most people's travel lists - frankly it wasn't at the top of ours until we started reading up on it.
At only about a five hour flight from New York, it's a convenient destination for Northern Lights hunters - the primary reason we decided to go as viewing the Northern Lights is on our bucket list. (2012 is supposed to be a stellar year for viewing due to higher solar activity.)
We spent four days in and around Reykjavik - just about the right time for our first visit - yup, that's right, definitely planning a second visit. And though we didn't see a single Northern Light, I'm not a bit disappointed as there was so much more to do and enjoy.
Reykjavik City Tour
The city is small and compact, perfect for exploring on foot. There are a lot of interesting public sculptures, dramatic views of the surrounding mountain peaks and harbor, and the clean lines of Nordic architecture to take in.
National Museum of Iceland
This museum was a pleasure to explore - so well-organized and accessible to attendees not well-versed in Icelandic history (that would be me). No surprise it won a "Best European Museum" award. It takes you from the founding of the first settlements to modern day - and even includes a Bjork record of course. My favorite item in the collection is the National Dress Costume - skautbúningur. Designed by an Icelandic painter, it is a great example of how a single garment can act as a catalyst and symbol for national cultural identity.
Of course there are plenty more museums and city attractions to explore, but let's skip to the total wow factor - Icelandic mother nature. There are glaciers, volcanoes, thermal pools, waterfalls, misty afternoons and star filled skies which will take your breath away.
Last but not least, food and shopping... I can say with confidence one of the best meals I have ever had - EVER - was at The Fish Market. I was worried it was over-rated but not so. The young chef Hrefna Soetran is brilliant. Try their tasting menu for the best overview of her creative dishes at a great value.
Besides their love of seafood, Icelanders also have a passion for hot dogs. Yes, it shouldn't make sense, but they are so good. We went to the famous local Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand - look for the long line of hungry people looking like they are about to start a mosh pit (yes, that crowded and that good). We asked for the works, which came with a variety of sauces (mustard, ketchup and remoulade all in unexpected colors) and crispy onions. Awesome.
As for the shopping, this is THE place to get your hand knit wool sweaters and other accouterments. Make sure to go to the Icelandic Handknitting Association stores - there you will be guaranteed locally made wool and make. Below is an example of their lovely work.
I would show you what I purchased but - and I am still in a little disbelief - it is still getting made for me (!!!) and will arrive in about a month. See, I wanted a dress but they didn't have quite the right color combination in the shop. So the kind ladies running the store took me to the back counter area and plunked me before a wall of wools and told me to have my pick. I chose grey, olive, brown and taupe, and with those instructions, someone is currently knitting me a dress I will happily show you in a few weeks time.
Tomorrow, join me for tips on what to wear on a glacier. :)
At only about a five hour flight from New York, it's a convenient destination for Northern Lights hunters - the primary reason we decided to go as viewing the Northern Lights is on our bucket list. (2012 is supposed to be a stellar year for viewing due to higher solar activity.)
We spent four days in and around Reykjavik - just about the right time for our first visit - yup, that's right, definitely planning a second visit. And though we didn't see a single Northern Light, I'm not a bit disappointed as there was so much more to do and enjoy.
Reykjavik City Tour
The city is small and compact, perfect for exploring on foot. There are a lot of interesting public sculptures, dramatic views of the surrounding mountain peaks and harbor, and the clean lines of Nordic architecture to take in.
National Museum of Iceland
This museum was a pleasure to explore - so well-organized and accessible to attendees not well-versed in Icelandic history (that would be me). No surprise it won a "Best European Museum" award. It takes you from the founding of the first settlements to modern day - and even includes a Bjork record of course. My favorite item in the collection is the National Dress Costume - skautbúningur. Designed by an Icelandic painter, it is a great example of how a single garment can act as a catalyst and symbol for national cultural identity.
 |
| Source: National Museum of Iceland |
Of course there are plenty more museums and city attractions to explore, but let's skip to the total wow factor - Icelandic mother nature. There are glaciers, volcanoes, thermal pools, waterfalls, misty afternoons and star filled skies which will take your breath away.
 |
| Apparently there is treasure hidden just beyond the falls... |
 |
| Glacier AND a rainbow! What does it mean?!?! |
 |
| This is the volcano Eyjafjallajökull, whose eruption in 2010 grounded me in Paris. I have to admit I doubt this is the actual volcano - though the sign pointed to it, this doesn't look so menacing. Maybe the real volcano is behind it?? |
 |
| The Blue Lagoon - just as neat as it looks and the water makes your skin so soft! NB: It is worthwhile signing up for the Exclusive Suite changing room unless public nudity is your thing (it isn't mine). |
Last but not least, food and shopping... I can say with confidence one of the best meals I have ever had - EVER - was at The Fish Market. I was worried it was over-rated but not so. The young chef Hrefna Soetran is brilliant. Try their tasting menu for the best overview of her creative dishes at a great value.
 |
| Salted cod with cashews, celery and cherry sauce - an unbelievable combination! |
Besides their love of seafood, Icelanders also have a passion for hot dogs. Yes, it shouldn't make sense, but they are so good. We went to the famous local Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand - look for the long line of hungry people looking like they are about to start a mosh pit (yes, that crowded and that good). We asked for the works, which came with a variety of sauces (mustard, ketchup and remoulade all in unexpected colors) and crispy onions. Awesome.
 |
| Source: Handknitting Assoc. of Iceland |
| ||||||||||||
I would show you what I purchased but - and I am still in a little disbelief - it is still getting made for me (!!!) and will arrive in about a month. See, I wanted a dress but they didn't have quite the right color combination in the shop. So the kind ladies running the store took me to the back counter area and plunked me before a wall of wools and told me to have my pick. I chose grey, olive, brown and taupe, and with those instructions, someone is currently knitting me a dress I will happily show you in a few weeks time.
Tomorrow, join me for tips on what to wear on a glacier. :)
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Building a Handbag Wardrobe, Again
Having cleaned out the accessories closet to make room for the latest (and, ahem, last) acquisition, I got to thinking about what makes a handbag wardrobe "complete." This is my second try at having a complete handbag wardrobe, and it's been a very different approach.
My old approach was the constant hunt - for a good deal, for the right color, for a different designer. I would walk into a store thinking "hey, don't I need a little navy clutch? doesn't everyone?" or "something in just this shade of purple to match the flowers in my new dress I bought on sale." After about four years of hunting and buying, I ended up with shelves full of purses who had rather singular uses. I had some satisfaction in lining them up according to color and size - it's the OCD in me - but my overall feeling was rather indifferent. They were just a pile of impulsive choices that rarely thrilled me past the point of purchase. (Same story with clothes and shoes, after all.) And with so many, I still often felt like I didn't have just the right one. It was crazy!
You all know perhaps from previous posts that I had a sartorial shift once we had our big move - many of my purses were packed up in storage, and I took only my favorites. It was liberating to have less choice, to choose from better and more well-loved things, and while I am certainly not a minimalist I finally understood a bit of the appeal. And then eventually I stumbled across Hermes, and my love for their craftsmanship and quality left me hooked. My first bag I truly loved gave me a thrill to wear each and every time I wore it - not just at the point of purchase. Suddenly, I knew that I would much rather have a few things I LOVED than being buried in a pile of "meh." So arose the question, if I could do it all over again, what would be my perfect handbag wardrobe?
Without of the guilt of past mistakes (the sentimentality of the old bags far from sight in storage), I started carefully drafting a plan, and here was my thought process.
What is your lifestyle today? In five years?
I realize this requires a bit of fortunetelling, but the idea is that the handbag selections you make are long-term choices. What you buy today should be relevant and useful five years from now. Of course there are the transition periods of life - maybe you are a student now but plan to ditch the backpack soon enough, or you are a mom with a toddler and can't imagine wearing a day clutch which keeping hold of sticky fingers.* But overall, you should have a good sense of the kinds of activities you do and the needs your handbag wardrobe will need to fulfill.
For example, when I drafted my plan, I knew the following about myself:
* I travel frequently for work, and must look pulled together wherever I arrive - often from plane straight to meeting.
* I travel frequently for pleasure, mostly urban destinations.
* I carry a lot of stuff with me, and I need to have plenty of room and easy access.
* I like handheld totes, especially for work, but I also like cross-body and shoulder bags for sight-seeing type travel.
* I rarely do either very formal events or roughing-it types of adventures.
What does your lifestyle tell you about the types of bags you will find most useful?
Here is where I sit back and think about style and function. Using myself as an example, I broke it into categories, along with a rough percentage of use:
* Everyday large-capacity bag - think totes or satchels for work or travel (60%)
* Hands-free bag - think slightly sportier, cross-body or shoulder bag great for errands or sightseeing (30%)
* More formal or dressier bag - think clutch or 'lady-like' bag for nice dinner out, opera or formal event (10%)
The percentage I estimated I used each type of bag was also a good indication of where my budget should go. Although I admire the bejeweled mini-audieres from Judith Lieber, it wouldn't be sensible to spend half my budget on a bag used maybe once a year.
Okay, what do you know for sure are your "nevers"?
It's easy to think about things that we don't like or don't suit us before we are faced with temptations in the store. For example, a bag that meets your color and size criteria, but it's a backpack -- and you never wear backpacks, but maybe just this once... No, don't do it. Some people can't bear hand-carry only bags. Or don't do fabric. Or maybe puffy quilting. Whatever is your think, make note of it now because you might be faced with an oh-so-slight variation that you think might actually work but will really linger in your closet once you've bought it.
What does your lifestyle and personality tell you about material?
Another important consideration - what materials work well with your life and your preferences?
How hard are you on your bags? Are you a bag baby-er?
Do you care about weight?
Do you have a preference for structured or slouchy?
Do you have a preference for leather, or canvas, nylon or fabric? Are there some categories of bag you prefer one over another?
How weather-proof must your bags be?
For me, I knew I had a preference for leather and that I would want a sturdy one which didn't need to be babied. It was also important to me that my most used bags be easily reconditioned, because they would go through a lot and I would expect them to last and look good for a long time.
Now, what about color?
Here's where it can get a little tricky, because if you don't have a good sense of wardrobe colors you can wind up in a "collect 'em all" kind of place. I used to have a rainbow of bags largely because I had every color of the rainbow in my wardrobe. But once I narrowed down my wardrobe colors to a handful, I had a much clearer sense of what accessories I needed to support that wardrobe.
For me, my wardrobe colors are black, white, grey/etoupe, khaki, camel. Accent colors of red and purple. When I purged my wardrobe, I got rid of all my navy and dark brown - two colors I found difficult - along with many other brights. Standing in front of my closet, I started thinking about both the different scenarios and seasons I would wear my clothes. It helped me narrow down the colors for my bags to this:
* black
* brown
* lighter neutral (especially for spring/ summer-wear)
* pop of color (for me, red)
Now, cross reference your style, materials and colors list and do a statistical regression on the likelihood that I lost you at "cross reference." Oh, um, I mean, compare your lists and make a simple chart instead.
Everyday Tote (60%) Everyday Hands-free (30%) Formal (10%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black leather or canvas leather any
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brown leather or canvas leather not needed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Light Neutral not needed leather or canvas not needed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pop of Color leather not needed leather
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice that in my version of the chart, I resisted the temptation to check off the box in each color or category right away. There are some spots where I thought I could do without - like a light neutral bag in a formal style. Building your wardrobe can take years, it's best to slowly assess over time what you'll actually need and use.
Now, the fun begins! Research, research, research. Spend time planning, budgeting, and assessing how you will fulfill each category. Go into stores and feel the merchandise, talk with sales people about wear and maintenance, and do your own investigating as well. Talk with friends about their favorite bags or labels, you might find something outside your familiar haunts which you will love. And take it on as a challenge to last years - not overnight - because taking your time minimizes mistakes. I found this planning also works well for thoughtful wardrobe additions of the clothing and shoe varieties as well.
Anyway, as you can see from the chart, 8 or so bags ought to take me through a variety of my life's events and activities. Okay okay, this is where theory and reality part company because I do own more than 8 bags. But in the three or so years since I created my plan I haven't strayed very far. I have two black bags in the hands-free category, and there is a brown clutch that fits the formal category - but I had that one before I started. I also leave room for a special purchase now and again, like my latest acquisition. Certainly not needed, but we've already established I'm more hedonist than minimalist. Leave room for a little straying; I came across my second black bag in Argentina and would have been sad to pass it up just because that box had already been ticked. I found making more mindful, careful choices led me to wear and enjoy my things more - and that's the whole point.
My old approach was the constant hunt - for a good deal, for the right color, for a different designer. I would walk into a store thinking "hey, don't I need a little navy clutch? doesn't everyone?" or "something in just this shade of purple to match the flowers in my new dress I bought on sale." After about four years of hunting and buying, I ended up with shelves full of purses who had rather singular uses. I had some satisfaction in lining them up according to color and size - it's the OCD in me - but my overall feeling was rather indifferent. They were just a pile of impulsive choices that rarely thrilled me past the point of purchase. (Same story with clothes and shoes, after all.) And with so many, I still often felt like I didn't have just the right one. It was crazy!
You all know perhaps from previous posts that I had a sartorial shift once we had our big move - many of my purses were packed up in storage, and I took only my favorites. It was liberating to have less choice, to choose from better and more well-loved things, and while I am certainly not a minimalist I finally understood a bit of the appeal. And then eventually I stumbled across Hermes, and my love for their craftsmanship and quality left me hooked. My first bag I truly loved gave me a thrill to wear each and every time I wore it - not just at the point of purchase. Suddenly, I knew that I would much rather have a few things I LOVED than being buried in a pile of "meh." So arose the question, if I could do it all over again, what would be my perfect handbag wardrobe?
Without of the guilt of past mistakes (the sentimentality of the old bags far from sight in storage), I started carefully drafting a plan, and here was my thought process.
Guide to Building a Handbag Wardrobe
What is your lifestyle today? In five years?
I realize this requires a bit of fortunetelling, but the idea is that the handbag selections you make are long-term choices. What you buy today should be relevant and useful five years from now. Of course there are the transition periods of life - maybe you are a student now but plan to ditch the backpack soon enough, or you are a mom with a toddler and can't imagine wearing a day clutch which keeping hold of sticky fingers.* But overall, you should have a good sense of the kinds of activities you do and the needs your handbag wardrobe will need to fulfill.
For example, when I drafted my plan, I knew the following about myself:
* I travel frequently for work, and must look pulled together wherever I arrive - often from plane straight to meeting.
* I travel frequently for pleasure, mostly urban destinations.
* I carry a lot of stuff with me, and I need to have plenty of room and easy access.
* I like handheld totes, especially for work, but I also like cross-body and shoulder bags for sight-seeing type travel.
* I rarely do either very formal events or roughing-it types of adventures.
What does your lifestyle tell you about the types of bags you will find most useful?
Here is where I sit back and think about style and function. Using myself as an example, I broke it into categories, along with a rough percentage of use:
* Everyday large-capacity bag - think totes or satchels for work or travel (60%)
* Hands-free bag - think slightly sportier, cross-body or shoulder bag great for errands or sightseeing (30%)
* More formal or dressier bag - think clutch or 'lady-like' bag for nice dinner out, opera or formal event (10%)
The percentage I estimated I used each type of bag was also a good indication of where my budget should go. Although I admire the bejeweled mini-audieres from Judith Lieber, it wouldn't be sensible to spend half my budget on a bag used maybe once a year.
Okay, what do you know for sure are your "nevers"?
It's easy to think about things that we don't like or don't suit us before we are faced with temptations in the store. For example, a bag that meets your color and size criteria, but it's a backpack -- and you never wear backpacks, but maybe just this once... No, don't do it. Some people can't bear hand-carry only bags. Or don't do fabric. Or maybe puffy quilting. Whatever is your think, make note of it now because you might be faced with an oh-so-slight variation that you think might actually work but will really linger in your closet once you've bought it.
What does your lifestyle and personality tell you about material?
Another important consideration - what materials work well with your life and your preferences?
How hard are you on your bags? Are you a bag baby-er?
Do you care about weight?
Do you have a preference for structured or slouchy?
Do you have a preference for leather, or canvas, nylon or fabric? Are there some categories of bag you prefer one over another?
How weather-proof must your bags be?
For me, I knew I had a preference for leather and that I would want a sturdy one which didn't need to be babied. It was also important to me that my most used bags be easily reconditioned, because they would go through a lot and I would expect them to last and look good for a long time.
Now, what about color?
Here's where it can get a little tricky, because if you don't have a good sense of wardrobe colors you can wind up in a "collect 'em all" kind of place. I used to have a rainbow of bags largely because I had every color of the rainbow in my wardrobe. But once I narrowed down my wardrobe colors to a handful, I had a much clearer sense of what accessories I needed to support that wardrobe.
For me, my wardrobe colors are black, white, grey/etoupe, khaki, camel. Accent colors of red and purple. When I purged my wardrobe, I got rid of all my navy and dark brown - two colors I found difficult - along with many other brights. Standing in front of my closet, I started thinking about both the different scenarios and seasons I would wear my clothes. It helped me narrow down the colors for my bags to this:
* black
* brown
* lighter neutral (especially for spring/ summer-wear)
* pop of color (for me, red)
Now, cross reference your style, materials and colors list and do a statistical regression on the likelihood that I lost you at "cross reference." Oh, um, I mean, compare your lists and make a simple chart instead.
Everyday Tote (60%) Everyday Hands-free (30%) Formal (10%)
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Black leather or canvas leather any
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Brown leather or canvas leather not needed
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Light Neutral not needed leather or canvas not needed
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Pop of Color leather not needed leather
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Notice that in my version of the chart, I resisted the temptation to check off the box in each color or category right away. There are some spots where I thought I could do without - like a light neutral bag in a formal style. Building your wardrobe can take years, it's best to slowly assess over time what you'll actually need and use.
Now, the fun begins! Research, research, research. Spend time planning, budgeting, and assessing how you will fulfill each category. Go into stores and feel the merchandise, talk with sales people about wear and maintenance, and do your own investigating as well. Talk with friends about their favorite bags or labels, you might find something outside your familiar haunts which you will love. And take it on as a challenge to last years - not overnight - because taking your time minimizes mistakes. I found this planning also works well for thoughtful wardrobe additions of the clothing and shoe varieties as well.
Anyway, as you can see from the chart, 8 or so bags ought to take me through a variety of my life's events and activities. Okay okay, this is where theory and reality part company because I do own more than 8 bags. But in the three or so years since I created my plan I haven't strayed very far. I have two black bags in the hands-free category, and there is a brown clutch that fits the formal category - but I had that one before I started. I also leave room for a special purchase now and again, like my latest acquisition. Certainly not needed, but we've already established I'm more hedonist than minimalist. Leave room for a little straying; I came across my second black bag in Argentina and would have been sad to pass it up just because that box had already been ticked. I found making more mindful, careful choices led me to wear and enjoy my things more - and that's the whole point.
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