The fashion media does a lot of reporting on the “”It Bag,”” commonly a handbag costing more than $1,000, made by Birkin, Fendi or Louis Vuitton, tossed over the arm of celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan or the Olsen twins. Due to the outrageous price and, more often than not, a waiting list just to be able to buy one, there aren’t many of those supposed “”It Bags”” around these parts. The Arizona Daily Wildcat went on the hunt for our own version of an “”It Bag,”” one that calls attention to itself and is able to endure the painfully heavy textbooks that so many students have to transport to and from class.
Although she purchased the bag in nearby Phoenix, psychology senior Bonnie Streff said her tote is originally from Guatemala, where she coincidentally plans to study abroad next semester.
To lug around her things, Streff looks for durability. In fact, the bag she used prior to this one lasted her seven years. But it looks as though this Missoni-like tote will get her the same bang for her buck.
“”I wear this with everything,”” Streff said. “”It doesn’t go with anything, so it goes with everything.””
Along with being a colorful statement to her overall look, it does its job by carrying all of Streff’s books around campus.
“”It’s so big I could fit a baby in it,”” Streff said.
“”I like messenger bags a lot,”” said psychology freshman Daniela Baumgarthuber of her Andy Warhol-motif tote.
Baumgarthuber bought the bag at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art when the late pop artist’s work was the feature exhibition there.
Although the bag’s aesthetic is what initially drew her to the tote, the fact that it’s waterproof didn’t hurt either.
Although Baumgarthuber’s tote may be a unique find on the UA campus, Warhol merchandise is becoming increasingly more popular.
In fact, Ruth La Ferla, a reporter for The New York Times’ style section, forecasts that Warhol merchandise will eventually eclipse the formerly popular Hello Kitty goods. What a relief.
Although the cut and style of marketing senior Rachel Vakneen’s bag are quite common, the aqua hue and patent-leather sheen of the bag qualify it as a standout.
Vakneen found her tote at what she fondly remembers as “”an awesome little bag, hat and purse store,”” while traveling in Seville, Spain.
For now the bag suffices for Vakneen, but she has her heart set on a new one found in the high-end designer arena.
“”I really want this one Gucci bag. It’s the grey one with the pink lining,”” Vakneen said.
“”But I don’t have that one yet.””
Art education freshman Amy Lustro puts patches on a lot of what she owns, much of which she said comes from thrift stores.
This red plaid Dickies backpack is no exception. It has been spiffed up with a patch featuring Bert and Ernie of “”Sesame Street”” fame and another patch from the fire department of her hometown, Chicago.
Although Lustro likes having a little artistic flair, her choice of bag had more to do with being able to carry lots of books than making a statement.
It just goes to show that more often than not, those who appear to be the most fashion-conscious are the ones who try the least.
