All I want is a bottle of mineral water but I end up with four backpacks.

In this economic crunch, everybody seems to be aware about their spending; including me. I am really aware; of course. That is why I bought four.

Last week I am most popular tourist spot in the island known as Pearl Of the Orient, Penang on a strictly business trip!

 But after ‘check in’ in the hotel room and unload my thing, I realized that I forgot the most essential elements, shaver and mineral water. So I put on my Padini hoodie, Levi’s and Ipanema flip flop and Guess vogue tote ( a most ridiculous match, but it is forgiven since I am in a free and easy island ) and head to the nearest 24/7 grocery (not 7/11 but Happy Mart; it’s everywhere here!). But on the way to the Happy Mart, I came across a poster with very familiar and irresistible words, 50% NATIONWIDE DISCOUNT! Before I knew it, I am in Body Glove!

This brand means a lot to me. Something that I used to really attached with. It was end of 90’s and early 2000’s and me as a young executive in Penang with minimum pay. I love Armani or Calvin Klein but more than half of my pay went to second hand car installment and maintenance. The rest of my pay is for petrol, food and a very tiny portion left to buy miscellaneous stuff. During that period, even Adidas seems really expensive!

But as an ‘aspiring stylenista’, I must wear and carry something branded, cheap, hip and young! One of brand that offered this is BodyGlove. I remember my collections of Body Glove slim tight fit tees (considered cool in during 90’s), cargo’s pants and a messenger bag which I keep slinging for almost 365 days a year. I don’t know where it’s gone, maybe somewhere in my parents house.

A quick info about Body Glove. It was founded by Bill and Bob Meistrell in 1953 to serve the watersport enthusiast needs. It is more than half a century and today, still maintaining the same concept, its still stand tall with other brand and offered very affordable and even cheap apparel.

Cheap is one the strong reason why I bought four BodyGlove Backpack; three Theidas and a Staby. As I mentioned before, I am not planning to buy anything but it is cost only RM39 (or around USD10). A very economically-friendly bags!

It is made from canvas with a big compartment on the front side. and I’m bet friendly on your back and shoulder!  It is simple and the colour just quite inviting. If I didn’t get any, I can’t leave this island. So on the way to Happy Mart and in less than 15 minutes in BodyGlove, I grab four BodyGloves!

I don’t really know what I am going to do with these four backpacks. BodyGlove is very stylish and hip but something telling me this is not my brand now. But I still strongly suggest for you visit BodyGlove for a young, active wear.

Now, the four still lying on my jati chair, I am still thinking what I am going to do with them. Perhaps as a souvenir for my super young brother and cousins when I come to visit them. Don’t know when, but one thing for sure, I know they will be more than happy!

This is  an experimental period first period. A girl just wants to impress with what she has and she might try very very hard to impress. She might end up like a retarded gothic sorry… that is me once upon a time.  Here are bags for the one with cute zits…

Le sport Sac

Le Sport Sac is synonym with a funky simple side of a teen. Nothing angst or revolutionary here. Just a bag with a lot of fun.

Roxy

Every young girls I know, must list Roxy as one of the must have brand. I understand because Roxy knows what girl wants (pink and fun). Roxy is like a cute boy. Girl wants to hang out with cute boy so she can have something to talk about on her friend sleepover.

TWENTIES

Girls still experimenting. This is the most important phase. In this period, if she choosing something wrong, she may end up living on a wrong side of life for the rest of her life. But there is no way she going to do wrong if she should consider purchasing these bags!

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Faridah shoulder bag makes Marc Jacobs what makes Marc a very great designer. The design is very simple and casual. Not too huge and not too tiny. Almost perfect for any dresses or jeans. The two pockets are essentials for keeping essentials!

Emilio Pucci

Twenties is a phase with most colours and patterns of life. A woman may know what she really wants in term of her career and she is planning what is going to be in the next decades. A woman may have the devastated experienced in her love life but these will eventually think her how to face the unknown future. The multiple colours and patterns are a colours of life. Just like fresh and young Emilio Pucci Cancello Nylon bag.

 Jimmy Choo

Look elegant like a rich heiress with Jimmy Choo’s mirror clutch. This chic tube clutch is classy and at the very effortless. A young executive who carry this to corporate function is an executive who will be viewed as exclusive for the rest of her life! 

THIRTIES

 

Aishwarya "married, sans baby n fabulous' Rai

 

A woman may still single and happily married. She’s getting wise on her decision. She finally taste the reality of life; like babies are so cute but when they keep crying at night, the best accessories the next day is a strong dose of coffee and big sunglasses to conceal the panda eyes. Whoever you are now, there are no reason for you not to look stunning with a great carry.

 

Tod’s

You are not too old and you are not too young. Let everyone viewed you as a strong woman with an attitude. You own the power and you are not afraid to use it. To enhance the ‘superwoman’ in you, carry Tod’s D Bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celestina

Thirties is the time that you actually can understand why some work of art cost so much (that is after you’ve attended an art appreciation exhibition and talk to someone in art business in a business function). Why not you carry something that is art; but not like an art that you still secretly think “why on earth that cost too much?”. Keep your thought to yourself while carrying Celestina sterling silver croc minaudiere.

 

 

Balenciaga

New classic is the best classic. If you think that the typical designer classic bag will aged you, why don’t you choose you own classic. Remember, you are in charge in your life. Choose something chic and at the same time still relevant with the current wave. Choose Balenciaga cherche link minibag.

 

 

 

 

 

FORTIES

Kirstin 'stylish trophy' Davis

If you are in 40’s should be wise enough on what look best and what is ridiculous. Accept the fact that we are not young anymore. But there is a good news, you might own enough cash to buy what you have. Invest something that is luxurious and expensive. Make that sexy twenty years old look at you and wish they will look like you twenty years later.

 

 

 

Dior

What can I say. Dior is the epitome of luxury and a  thing that you should carry on a daily basis. Make people called you Lady Dior (can you imagine that, Lady Dior!). Start with Dior grained calfskin.

 

Yves Saintt Laurent

You are strong as you look. You have all the independence, your kids probably in college or dating and your hubby…. he might start to ehmmm…. looking at a bit of young lady. Ok.. sorry.. maybe I am too much. Your hubby would, ever never did that. But, don’t make him feel like he walking with her aging mother when both of you take a ‘romantic walk’ to the nearest clinic for a regular check. YSL tribute tote is something should be on your shoulder (for the prescription and medicines of course!)

 

Marni

Again, don’t make your husband feel like he attends a function with her mother. He needs a trophy too. Make him proud and think you are worth than any girls in that function by adding fun to your wardrobe. Add some colours. If you think bright colour is only for your 19 year young girl, add some light with Marni pop colour small clutch.

 

 

 

FIFTIES

 

 

Michelle "matured and gorgeous" Pfeiffer

Like a fine wine, the older the better. The key for your style is a high level of taste with and comfort. Comfort doesn’t mean that you only wear large tunic and ill fitted dress. Comfort is; you are really comfortable with your body and you are wearing a very acceptable cut outfit. The keyword is classy.  Buy something that you can’t afford to buy when you are young. You are half a decade. Enjoy your life!

 

 

 

Dior

Expensive stone is everyone favourite. Before this stone only around your neck, why don’t you carry it. Dior stone mosaic clutch is one of the best stone that you must hold. Parade this  to show everyone that you accomplish something in life. But you don’t need to try hard because if you can afford this, you can impressive.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Versace

Fifties do not mean you must carry conservative bag. Matured and glam. That is what you are. It is acceptable to carry something shiny (a bit, not too much) when you are attending your granddaughter birthday. Make her proud because you are carrying the soft mink Versace hexagonal tote. She will choose you as the best and hip grandma on earth!

 

 

Bottega Veneta 

Ruffle skirt look stunning on you 30 years ago. Keep it as vintage. If you want to wear it today, wear it on a closed door. That is only to remember the good old days. If you can’t wear it, it doesn’t mean you can’t carry it. Just ask Bottega Veneta. But be carefull, this is the only ruffle you can have today. Too much ruffle you’ll look like curtain in Queen of England bedroom.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sienna "young,slim n fresh" Miller

Betseyville

Betsey Johnson (14 year old trapped in 66 year old body) attitude as a person is maybe the very last thing you want your little sis or daughter to react. But the reality is most teens act like Betsey.  Violently happy in morning or ecstatic girl without reason in the evening. But she design great, whimsical bag. If you don’t know how to appreciate Betsey, it means you must learn how to appreciate fun.  

Miley 'Drama Queen' Cyrus

Bottega Veneta

TEEN