Blacktie

I've always wondered why ... do women yearn for a backpack and stuff it with guidebooks, maps, articles, their journal, you name it. Laptops too?

Doesn't it make you sweat - rumples your clothes - makes your back tired - turns you into a frumpy nuisance on the subway - converts you into student mode.

What is it with backpacks!!!!

Blacktie

Oh, SalB, surely you must be joking ... you've perceived the man's dark suit, white short ans tie.

I'll posit a thought: Fodors dress clinics are useful to women coordinating backpacks with heels, thinking about latering and twinsets, anything cropped, and laboring to find ways to leave hubby's blazer at home, but lug along the tennies and jeans.

And why when you urge a scarf on a woman does it have to be Hermes. Aren't scarves rather staid?

SalB

Blacktie, I don't wear a backpack because I don't need a backpack. However, I have noticed many women who wear them carry all the stuff their husbands can't fit in their own pockets! They also often have to carry various food and amusements for their children. In other words, if your family makes you a pack animal . . . you wear a pack.

Think about that the next time you ask your wife to tuck something of yours into her purse! LOL

cigalechanta

More importantly, A Hermes cost $295.Rediculous to spend when so easily lost.
Everyone has their own look and it's fine for them. I hate shocking colors but on my women friends it is ok.There are backbacks for a dressier occasion. All backpacks aren't the same. Some can wear certain clothes that others can't. I say wear what makes you feel good and secure because it is when you feel good that you have the best time.

SalB

Obviously Blacktie is having fun pushing my buttons . . . not hard to do so don't feel any great sense of accomplishment.

My husband doesn't wear "blazers." He wears sports coats that he packs in his own carryon. I don't wear jeans and tennies because I don't wear jeans and tennies.

I think many of the tongue-in-cheek posts castigating various modes of dress tend to make many women rather insecure as regards their taste in dress. They are looking for reassurance, and button pushers (like you) reinforce the problem.

My reference to the Hermes scarf was a joke referring back to the original post mentioning Hermes scarves. I do wear scarves but am too cheap to pay for an Hermes. I do not feel scarves are staid, but perhaps that is because I'm staid and stuffy. My family would laugh at that!

Blacktie

SalB, well then, LOL, gt;, perhaps women ought not to be converted into pack animals! Guys don't have pockets? How about this - I carry my partner's things in my pocket so we don't both have to lug. And what if I show some consideration for my partner, and myself, and bring along the minimum. We're not back packing, afterall. But just my thoughts! I'm sure the more erudite who have time to think about these weighty issues will now weigh in and show me the errors. Have a good day.

Blacktie

cigale, cigale, cigale ... backpacks for dressier occasions! now you're pulling my leg, you devil! Say it isn't so, you'd never wear a backpack to dinner would you!

SalB - no buttons - really! Just chatting back and forth, and some of the serioso posting caught my fancy.

cigalechanta

LOL, No, but I do wear my longchamp when biking to lunch. I didn't say formal

elle

Someone mentioned Talbot's, which is usually not my style, but I saw their catalogue today and I LOVE this:

http://www.talbots.com/talbotsonline...;a=2XV&h=M

I think it could be worn in Paris, out for a nice dinner on a warm evening.

Blacktie

oh, cigale, you are a biker ... do you rent them, or tote along your own? I am impressed. Perhaps I ought to reconsider - those taxi fares everywhere are getting to be a drag!! OK, I do feel better - I think you're reassuring me no backpack with your evening gown! Whew, you had me palpatating for a moment. Anyway, happy travelling to you, and to SalB. Take care, and thanks for the fun talk and happy thoughts. You got class!!!

cigalechanta

You are too much! I bike around Boston for errands and to meet friends for lunch. It's a small bike.
Do you always wear your Blacktie?

Blacktie

Oh, yes, always! if you're familiar with the 12.2 kg rule, I've been known to don the entire rig under game viewing attire in order to have it along. Have fun on your bike, cigale, as you chanter along. Your name is part of the world's fantastic. Take care.

PatD

One of my real pleasures is shopping for clothes in other cities, Paris being one of them. I have worn for 3 years the great cotton shirts I bought at inexpensive BHV- the fabrics are unlike USA department store quality. So if youre going to be there for a month, take a weeks worth, and buy the rest. It may last you much longer than anything you brought with you! What an opportunity.

Shoes made in europe are much cheaper in Paris than here, so you might want to bring a pair or two, but purchase more once there- even walking shoes like Mephistos. Ship it all home or buy an extra suitcase. Paris is for shopping, don't load up on American goods to take to Paris, do the reverse.

ninasdream

Airlawgirl- thanks! I led your post too. Suze- 4-5 of your best outfits- good job. Elle- loved your list of colors, esp butter yellow/gray and chocolate brown and pale blue. I was delighted to see your colors- I always teased for refferring to specific shades and colors. Tiger Lily - I fold up neatly- is there any room for me?

Tiger_Lily

Lol, ninasdream... =p

Oh what the heck, why not?!

It just gonna boil down to whether everyone can agree with what I should be bringing and then we'll see if there's space for you... Hahah...

The extra space is easy. Agreeing is another thing totally. But I'm really enjoying reading what all of us have to say.

And yes, I can dress myself and have my own style. But I'm open to ideas and to put it simply its fun to talk about fashion...

Shall we move on to hairstyles now? =p