Question of the Week: Stylish Bags & Backpacks for School

A few people have been writing asking me to do a shopping round up of bags and backpacks for back to school, specifically grad school. Totes look great if you're only carrying a couple notebooks. But if you have a laptop and then some, I would recommend considering a backpack because the two straps really do help distribute the weight. That being said, be careful when packing your bag because too much weight can hurt your posture regardless of bag design.

The word backpack might bring back childhood memories of Jansport and Eastpak, but they've actually quite hot right now. They've recently appeared on runways (Louis Vuitton, D&G, etc) and even the red carpet. A few months ago Mary-Kate Olsen sporting a Pendleton backpack at a restaurant grand opening in NYC.

Photo credit: Huffington Post
In my search for practical, yet stylish bags, I looked for backpacks big enough to hold a laptop (and a book or two) and grown-up enough to potentially take to the office. And I know school is expensive, so I kept price point in mind.


Baggu Canvas Backpack $28.00 + $4 shippingI've featured this bag before on the blog in a Deal of the Day post. It's a simple, washable and affordable backpack. The darker colors would probably be your best bet for versatility.


Matt & Nat, $123 + free shippingThis bag is a little bit smaller, but I love the look of this bag from vegan line, Matt & Nat. The coated canvas, hardware and "leather" strip down the middle are a unique touch. And did I mention that it's 40% off (retail $205) at mattandnat.com? The discounted backpack is a final sale item, so if you want to be sure, check out endless.com which offers free returns.


David King Convertible Laptop Backpack, $132.99 + free shippingThere is only one view of this bag online, so I can't fully endorse it. But luggage.com also offers free returns! I like how clean this back looks and that it was designed to hold laptops.

Readers, those are my back to school picks. What would you recommend?

Sample Sale Report: La Rok, Elizabeth & James, Patterson J. Kincaid

Stopped by the Elizabeth & James, La Rock and Patterson J. Kincaid Sample sale over lunch. It was starting to get really packed when I dropped by at 12:15. On the plus side the sale spans 2 rooms and there wasn't too much bumping into anyone while in the first room.

On the down side the prices were quite high on La Rok and E&J while PJK was more reasonable and the 2nd room had a large pattern table that became the change station for the world so it was really quite hard to navigate around the hords of changing women who used the table as a dumping ground. I did find some cute things hidden on the table but it was a bit chaotic. There was only one large mirror to examine yourself it but it was a bit hectic navigating to it and much easier to rely on the good judgment of a trusted friend.

So the apparent deal was sweater vests by La Rok and E&J starting at $30 & $50 respectively but honestly I did not find any that were really worth taking. The chunky knits on the other hand were mostly E&J and plentiful in soft irregular yarns mostly size 4 but a bit pricey at $150.

There were plenty of cute skirts and shorts but at $75 a pop they seemed a bit pricey. I esp loved the tribal/ikat printed versions.

Outerwear was $200 and the best deal was on the faux fur like coats but there weren't very many of them and mostly they were floating in the arms of various shoppers.

The $10 bin was truly damaged items often with holes, safety pins and writing so beware! I did manage to find a silk E&J dress for $10 but I think it was about the only thing in reasonable condition!

Note: although they said they had men's clothing I think the selection must have been limited to 1 rack because I didn't even notice it!

I wasn't a huge fan of this sale and I think if prices were 25% lower it would have been more worthwhile however if you want some E&J and LaRok worth some digging. There was one corset top w/ bias strips that was pretty hot but alas I couldn't fill it out :(

Who: Elizabeth & James, La Rok and Patterson J. Kincaid
What: Clothing marked down for both men and women from Spring 2010 and beyond.
When: May 19-21, 2010. Wed-Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 250 West 39th St, Suite 1701. (b/n 7th& 8th Ave)

PS...Follow us on Twitter for most up to date sale info! twitter.com/SugrRockCatwalk

First Look: GAR-DE FW 2010

Last night we made an unexpected stop during our NYFW adventures that got us splashed by cars, snow pellets whipping our faces, trying to avoid giant slush puddles and inadvertantly stepping in them! We ran into our friend, the lovely Deanne of Dream Sequins, and ended up joining her at Gen Art "The New Garde Show and Party". We were pressed for time to get crosstown but we managed to catch the GAR-DE presentation.

GAR-DE is a NYC based design collective that brings together young designers, artists, and producers that was established in 2007. Although the collection was created by a collective, it did not appear at all disjointed but unified in both vision and execution.

It really reflected the way that the New York/urban woman wants to look. Sleek, chic, edgy and effortless. The collection also managed to look both warm and practical too, save for the bare legs, this looks like something you could wear into a blizzard and still stay toasty thanks to the layered effects and shaggy fur vests. The muted color palate was sophisticated and simple. Perhaps I shouldn't say this but I could totally picture MK Olsen rocking these looks! What can I say except real-world aspirational. I wouldn't mind adding these pieces to my closet today! Can't wait to see more of GAR-DE in the future.

Follow that Truck: Olsenboye in NYC

You've probably heard by now that the Olsen's are launching a juniors line for JC Penney Dubbed Olsenboye that's scheduled to hit select JC Penney Stores and online on November 6, 2009. Well New Yorkers if you're in a rush to see what all the fuss is about you can always check out the Olsenboye Brand Treat Trucks which are apparently giving out free cupcakes and discounted clothing. According to Racked,"The clothes, which will run to $50 in-store, are marked down to $10 (for flannel tops, tie-dyed bags, and loose tee-shirts) and $15 (for blazers, hoodies, hobos and jeggings.)". If you missed the truck in Union Sqare today check it out tomorrow or on Wednesday!

Watch the video to get an idea of the look.

Tuesday October 27, 2009 - Herald Square (2:30pm - 6:30pm)
Wednesday October 28, 2009 - Washington Square Park (2:30pm - 6:30pm)

UPDATED: More Sample Sales

Who: The Row
What: MK & Ashley Olsen's take on tees and more
When: Dec 11, 2008. 3pm-9pm
Where: 132 Crosby St, 7th Floor
Who: AKA
What: Up to 80% Off Retail, Everything $20-100
When: Dec 11-13, 2008. Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 11am-4pm

Who: Rachel Comey
What: Fall 2008 Collection at up to 60% Off, Prices from $60-300
Where:335 W.35th St., nr. Ninth Ave., third fl.;
When: Dec 11-13, 2008. Thurs 5pm-8pm, Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 12pm-5pm

Who: Rag & Bone
What: Current Season of Denim and More 50-70% Off
Where: 425 West 13th St., 6th floor.
When: Dec 10-12, 2008. 1pm-8pm

Who: Sue London & Jussara Lee
What: Skirts, suits, sweaters from Jussara Lee and shoes from Sue London are 30% Off
When: Dec 10-14, 2008
Where: 11 Little W. 12th St., nr. Ninth Ave. (212-242-4128); Wed.–Sun. (2–8).

Who: Eugenia Kim
What: Hats, belts and headbands for Men & Women 50-70% Off
Where: 347 West 36th Street, Suite 502, between 8th and 9th Avenues, 212.674.1345.
When: Dec 9-12, 2008. 10am-7pm

Who: Lutz & Patmos
What: Increasing discount as the days go by off luxe cashmere and knits. 60% off the first day, 70% off the second day, then 80% off the third day.
Where: 425 West 13th Street, Ste 406, 212.463.9110.
When: Wednesday, December 10th - Friday, December 12th: 11am - 7pm.

Who: Staerk
What: 80% Off Dark Romantic, Modern Clothes & Leather
Where: 182 Mulberry Street (between Broome and Kenmare)
When: Dec 12-13, 2008. Fri 2-8pm & Sat 12-6pm

New Yorkers! Don't forget there are countless more sales this week!
Mackage, Soia & Kyo, Candela, Tracy Reese,Charlotte Ronson, Alexander Wang, Vivienne Westwood, Alice + Olivia, VPL, and so many others!

Mary-Kate & Ashely ‘Influence’ Book Signing Oct 28th & Nov 12th

Mary Kate & Ashley’s new book Influence consists of interviews conducted by the Olsens with the world's most famous designers, photographers, artists, and tastemakers including John Galliano, Christian Louboutin, Terry Richardson, Richard Prince and Karl Lagerfeld. To promote the book, the twins will be doing book signings in New York and Los Angeles.

October 28, 12:30 pm
Barnes & Noble Booksellers near Union Square
33 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003
212-253-0810

November 12, 7:00 pm
Westwood Borders in Los Angeles
1360 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024

*Note: Book signing lasts for only an hour, so get there early. For more information on the book signings, click here.

Double click for an excerpt from the book. Excerpt from the book courtesy of NY Mag:

Where we see cupcakes, Karl sees plastic.

AO: What do you do now to stay in shape?
KL: Nothing … I have a doctor who I made a book with that sold five million copies all over the world. Every country bought one, I think, in Russia and Italy and everywhere. But I don't get it — I don't know what Japan is going to do with a European diet book … Since I started my diet, which was like eight years ago, I haven't touched what I'm not supposed to: sugar, cheese, nothing! I don't even look at it. It looks to me like plastic.

He hates tall, chatty models.

KL: [N]owadays you start to model because you're young. Now the girls are sixteen, seventeen, fifteen, and Russian. They are like from another planet
AO: They can look very bizarre!
KL: I hate all these tall women. They are all giants!
MKO: If only I were a little taller — that would make me happy!
KL: You are one meter fifty-one. You are taller than that?
AO: We're five feet and one inch.
KL: Oh, I thought my office told me that you were four-foot eight or something. Not that it matters. What you need is a face. If you have a face you don't need height or a voice. Models know this; that's why the good ones don't need to talk much.

And he hates working with male models.

KL: I like to work with models for a long time. Sometimes the girls change, but some girls I work with for years and years. With male models it is different. I hate working with male models.
AO: Ah, well boys come and go!
KL: And I hate doing castings and things like this. "oh no you're not right" — that's horrible to say to someone. I never do castings. Other people do them, and then I see the result of the casting. It's humiliating for the models.


Nor does he like to hear a man's opinion.

KL: I don't have people I don't like around me ever.
MKO: You don't have to.
KL: …I don't work with many men. I don't want to ask the men about the fashion. Their opinion doesn't interest me.

He gives the girls family-planning advice!

KL: I like more classic [shapes] now. Best thing to do for skinny people to wear tight dresses. Although jeans are becoming too tight.
AO: Ah! Yes, it's becoming a problem. It's the worst.
KL: You can kill yourself in these jeans.
MKO: Ha, I'd rather stay inside with my friends than limp out in tight trousers.
KL: Maybe you'll stay inside with a baby. Do you want to get married? Children? Two perfect mums, yes?
[Mary-Kate and Ashley look at each other]
KL: Ah! Don't worry, you have time. You're young. Don't you want to get married?
MKO: I don't feel the need to get married. But Ashley wants children. I'll be a great aunt or godmother.
AO: To my child.
KL: [To Ashley] Are you planning?
AO: No. I don't even have a boyfriend. You have to plan that first, right? Figure that out first?
KL: If you get a boyfriend it doesn't mean that! Today you can have a baby first. If you want. I never liked the idea of a family at all. If it's a woman — it's more fun for a woman.

Karl sheds light on why he's the face of that road-safety ad in France.

MKO: It can be dangerous when you're driving [in L.A.] particularly, because they follow you in cars and scooters. That's bad. That's not easy.
KL: I had two accidents where I fell asleep — after that I thought it was better that I don't drive. I'll get a driver. I'm a bad driver because I want to look there, there, and up there. I get bored easily — so twice I fall asleep and twice the car is destroyed … I had nothing [wrong] with me — but both cars were destroyed.