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Lovin’ those summer bags

STYLE

Women have a complex and fascinating

Laptop case by Chloe Dao. Photos by Josh Flanagan; bags provided courtesy of the designers.

relationship with handbags. There are some who won’t carry one at all, some who have one and stick with it, and some who collect them like others collect shoes. I fall somewhere in between, with elements of each attitude.

Now that it’s summer, a bag-lover’s thoughts turn to fun—lighter and brighter, yet sturdy—bags in which to stuff picnics, laptops, beach gear, or a small animal.

One tough yet attractive line is from MY (Michele & Yvette). Their oilcloth bags come in a range of shapes and sizes to suit everyone from the city trekker to the weekend wanderer. We like the flat tote for trips about town, with lots of handy pockets, great prints, and even an attachable fob so those pesky keys can’t keep disappearing. The bag is a bit on the heavy side, but the fact that it’s waterproof and has two shoulder-length handles with industrial-strength hardware makes it worth its weight. www.myoilcloth.com.

Chloe Dao, winner of Bravo’s Project Runway 2 competition, is a fashion-world darling. She’s our darling, too, for providing this adorable laptop bag that keeps the equipment protected and is decidedly un-nerdy. For those of us still in the pre-historic Laptop Era—lacking iPhones and iPads—the blow is softened by easy-on-the-eye accessories like this. www.chloedao.com.

There’s also the Carrie Dunham Martindale line, touted as a life-saver for the college-age laptop set. But we think this is nice enough for grown-up girls, too. Colorful and waterproof, it’s versatile enough to go to meetings, hit the town for a coffee date, or head to the office while multitasking everything else in the world. www.carriedunham.com.

MY oilcloth bags.	A pink Rebagz statement maker, with a silk flower bag from Mad by Design.

Es N Yaa is a line imported by a Ghanaian mother-daughter-run company. They hand-make their fabrics in Africa, and are striving to create connections between America and Africa. They also combine retail and responsibility, providing ethnic wear that is also ecologically sensitive. Available locally at Thin Ice on Elmwood.

Vintage bags are always cute, and at Wallflower Vintage/The Dress Shop in East Aurora, there’s generally a nice selection—check out the online store for examples. Modern girls can add a touch of sweet or sass to an evening, jeans-based outfit—and your iPhone will fit perfectly. If you go for an all-over vintage-y look, nothing says “girl power” like a crocheted, appliquéd, or beribboned clutch or proper little pouch. Wallflower Vintage/The Dress Shop, Allentown and East Aurora, www.wallflowervintage.com.

A brightly colored Es N Yaa bag.	MY oilcloth bags.

Clutch on Elmwood always has a selection of affordably priced, seasonally appropriate goods. This season, check out bags by Shiraleah, from $30 to $56 in bright colors and styles ranging from sensible to sassy.

We’ve talked about Rebagz before. The owner, Marty Heebner, is a Buffalo native who creates really attractive bags that repurpose materials like juice packs and rice sacks—and the women who make them receive a living wage and health insurance. (The women of Spree are big fans of the Jasmine tote.) A very pretty new line uses simple icons like wheels, shells, and compass points to carry a subtle message. You can order them online (www.rebagz.com). If you want to buy them locally, try Alexandra in Williamsville.

MAD by Design is definitely on trend with their new line of luminous taffeta silk handmade bags. Flower-shaped bags just make us happy. Based in Chicago, the husband-and-wife-owned company now offers 700 different options. www.mad-bags.com.

Finally, we can’t conclude a bag discussion without mentioning Spree’s Best Bag Selection winner, Tony Walker. Their designer bags will match every season, including summer.

Flowers, fabrics, fun, or functional—there are so many options. It’s all about choice, to suit your needs or your whims. Now, where did I leave my keys?

Jana Eisenberg always needs a new bag.