Every girl has an accessory fixation. There are the shoe fanatics who collect Louboutins and Jimmy Choos, the jewelry chicks obsessed with shiny baubles and the bag ladies who love a nice piece of arm candy. As a high school student, I was definitely a part of the last group -- buying bags like it was my job. While at Dartmouth, however, I became less preoccupied with purses, being that it is a less than ideal environment for the trendy pieces I used to love.
My collection of Louis Vuittons and vintage Guccis were sidelined in favor of one eco-friendly, all-purpose tote bag for schlepping my belongings around campus. When this loyal and faithful accessory became covered in rips and tears, however, it was time for me to find a replacement. Looking to purchase a new bag, for the first time in a long while, I began the daunting task of finding the perfect one for my final year at Dartmouth.
My search was extremely comprehensive, taking me from small boutiques and mass-market chains to designer showrooms and department stores. First, I started on the stately ground floors of venerable institutions like Barney's and Bergdorf Goodman's, home of the highly coveted status-bags.
Although I currently have a strict anti-"It Bag," no-logo policy, I almost made an exception after being seduced by a beautiful creamy white Goyard satchel -- a large canvas investment piece with just a subtle hint of the label's trademark chevron pattern. Initially impressed by the fact that, unlike other Goyard bags, this particular hue has not yet been knocked off into a garish Canal Street reproduction, I was ultimately won over by the tote's versatility (it looks great dressed up or down) and understated refinement.
As I was about to make my purchase, however, I realized that the color -- one of the features that attracted me in the first place -- was unfortunately all wrong for Hanover. Dartmouth's harsh environs -- the subzero temperatures, the constant precipitation and the blanket of mud that seems to permanently cover campus -- are very trying on bags. There was no way I could carry a milky-white tote without it quickly becoming filthy.
Continuing the search, a puffy, unexpectedly goth backpack from designer Raf Simmons's collaboration with Eastpak caught my eye. However, while practical and spacious, not to mention sumptuously squishy, I was concerned that it did not project the gravitas my anxious '09 self desired from my newest accessory. The backpack would work with my collegiate uniform of beat-up Converses, baggy jeans and worn-in concert T-shirts but seemed incompatible with the drab world of Theory oxfords and business suits that awaits post-graduation.
At this point in my hitherto fruitless quest, I switched gears and decided to give the bastion of mass-market bohemia, Urban Outfitters, the ol' college try. After wading through a sea of suburban teenage hipsters and racks of disheveled garments, I found a lovely, ladylike plaid briefcase from Play, Charlotte Ronson's diffusion line. The aesthetic was preppy and the size was nice -- compact yet accommodating. And at $88, it was affordable to boot. The handles, however, were short and would not fit over my shoulder, which would make it difficult to lug across the Green without my arms getting tired very quickly, a definite deal-breaker.
After looking high and low for the perfect bag, I finally came upon The One. APC's sleekly, minimalist, black nylon "Military style" tote (pictured above) had everything I wanted, satisfying even the most demanding criteria. The bag's real genius lies in its unabashed simplicity.
Complementing both casual and more polished attire, the basic black is anything but boring. The transformable tote goes from professional and work-ready to youthful and whimsical with a just a few key embellishments; I'm decorating mine with giant rhinestone lizard brooches by Marc Jacobs. The dark colors and timeless design not only give the bag a classic elegance -- it will be wearable five years from now -- but also offer protection from Hanover's accessory-killing conditions and the general griminess of the Dartmouth campus.
Extremely roomy without being bulky, and packed with plenty of convenient pockets, this design makes for the perfect school bag, easily holding my everyday essentials: wallet, schoolbooks, computer, hair brush, the newspaper, three different fashion magazines, a Polaroid camera, bottled water, a snack and an extra pair of shoes.
Best of all? Although APC is a French brand with only three stores in the U.S., you can easily order their products online. Voila! Continental style without ever leaving your dorm room.
Even for the most devoted accessory fanatic, finding the perfect school bag is no easy feat. With the unique rigors of Dartmouth life, a bag that blends durability and style is your best choice.
Stefanie is a staff writer for The Mirror. Can i haz yer vintaj guccheez?
