I saw this elderly gentleman waiting outside the Christian Dior store on 57th Street near Madison Avenue yesterday evening. He was probably waiting for the car service to pick him up after an afternoon of shopping.Notice the canvas tote with the green handles on the floor next to him. That is such an upper middle class NYC thing, i.e. older men carry canvas totes. I'm not upper middle class (not even close) but I do have one of those totes at home. A friend gave it to me because it was too big for her small frame. The bag is great for picnics, except I haven't been on a picnic in ages.
So what kind of bag do you carry?
26 comments:
I don't carry a tote bag. Too elitist. No, I just shove everything into my pockets.
I do that too, George! That is why I haven't bought a SLR camera yet. I don't think it will fit in my pocket.
My dear, when you visit me in Budapest do bring the bag. We'll pack for a picnic on Margaret Island. If we hit it right and make it a night affair, we may also enjoy the sounds of a concert from the open stage. It's one of my favorite things to do - wine never tasted so good as it does on the Island.
For years I carried a tatami backpack purse from Baskets of Cambodia in burleywood black. Now I have one of their clamshell bags in lime green. It holds less, which is the sort of discipline I needed.
I just got a straw lime green tote to stuff my purse, my camera, my phone charger, mail, waterbottle...so I can just plop it on the car seat & have everything in one place. I like your shot, it gives pizzaz to an everyday street scene.
PS I'd take up Isadora on her splendid offer!
Dutch men are not known to be sissy's but i can forget about my husband ever carrying a bag! Let alone that one.
LL Bean?
Stores around here encourage people to switch to canvas bags and stop using plastic or paper. It should help the environment. I forget how many states would or could be covered several times if all the plastic bags were taken from all the landfills and stretched out. It was amazing and will be amazing for several thousands of years. The same for plastic water bottles. A nightmare.
Yeah, reminds me of the monogrammed LL Bean totes. I used to hate carrying bags around, but now that I'm trying to make a concerted effort to avoid using plastic or shopping bags, I've trained myself to tote one around.
I would never have dreamed men in NYC would carry a tote like this one (Alice, I'm thinking LL Bean too)! I was imagining that this was his wife's or maybe sweet young thing. For toting I have this cool bright green market basket with aluminum handles that everyone gets at TJ MAXX.
good one Ming. I carry camera bags! Lowepro, Tamrac and of course, lots of drawstring totes when banging around ton.
Canvas tote bags, a la mode, eh? i've vaguely heard of this. The rest of the guy's clothing doesn't seem to go with that image tho.
And what kind of bag do I carry? Why, a camera case, of course! Now I don't use a handbag, only a camera case and it goes everywhere with me. Wish someone would bring out a fashionable one!
First. .I LOVE this photo and your commentary. The interesting thing is that a lot of people (including moi) here carry these bags to groceries so avoid using plastic bags. Since I owned the store and used to go to trade shows, I have a bunch of them in different sizes and keep them in both cars for such.
Re: what I carry. . . .I hate purses and bags. I hate having them hang on my arm or shoulder. For a long time, I didn't carry a purse and just kept my stuff in my car or pocket. I have to carry a purse now because I have to carry an Epi Pen in case I have a bad allergic reaction. BUT . .I HATE IT. I'm actually writing a piece about this for my MFA class.
Too much info. . .no? ;-)
This guy could be dressed like that at the Lido Beach in Venice, Italy... Only the cap doesn't fit; needed a panama hat... ;)
What a dapper dude! Great photo of someone who never has to worry about getting greasy smudges on his white clothes from sitting on dirty subway seats.
Me, I mostly use a backpack.
Blather From Brooklyn.
I saw an elderly gentleman dressed EXACTLY the same way in the hospital parking lot last week, except he had RED trousers and didn't have a bag.
Why do men over a certain age dress like that? Is it mandatory?
NOw that's a question for you Ming, when you run out and have writer's block ask us what we carry our cameras in. I have spent the summer ordering and sending back. I am with Jilly, there must a chic one out there somewhere.
Oh how I would love to splurge in the Dior store!!
Can't wait for warmer weather so I can picnic by the river or in the park.
I carry a black leather satchel that has too many compartments so I'm always losing things in it! :o)
This summer I've been carrying the cutest rubber chicken bag.... but I do have one of those "Feed" burlap bags which holds my reading material, lunch and lots of stuff I need to bring to work.
Interesting contrast with the dapper gentleman on the street and the blue jeans casual shirt reflected in the window. Mr. Dapper must be from the UES.....yes?
I have several totes that I use all the time - one similar to the LLBean bag. They're great on planes, etc as well as shopping.
Doris
I usually carry a bicycle messenger bag, though have been known to heft a camera bag onto my shoulder from time to time :) My favorite is one of the original Domke camera bags. Mine is well used and wearing out is spots, but I'm not giving it up!
Now you are talking to the Queen of Bags. I usually carry a sling-type that goes on my back. I like to remain hands-free when I shop. (no, I don't own a bluetooth) I probably have 10 different bags and purses, a small number for some woman and a rediculous number to others, but I love purses and bags and I can't get enough of them. THey're my addiction. Since I dont drink, smoke , or party much I gotta spend $ on something!!
what a darling picture! looks like he just may be waiting for his wife to come out of the store... that's usually how it goes, right?
now i am carrying a kors for day (because it holds max) and gucci for night.
like you, i have my camera in my pocket!
:-)
I have a Ghurka gym bag.
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