Fifteen Minutes: Paper or Plastic
The Bag comprises an essential piece of any Harvard students’ daily wardrobe. For those who’ve stepped outside the boundaries of a typical Jansport backpack, the chosen bag represents not only one’s fashion conscientiousness, but also speaks a thousand words about individual personality. Whether it’s uptown chic or granola crunch, the bag carries a voice of its own, dictating one’s place in Harvard’s see and be scene. But isn’t it really what’s inside that counts? Read on, and decide for yourself.
Kate Spade Baby Bag
Seen: buying a plain bagel with light cream cheese at Finagle a Bagel, practicing for the family vacation in Italian Bab Section, air kissing at happy hour at Grafton Street.
Heard: “Do you like it? My mom got it for me for graduation/Hanukah/finally dumping Christopher. She was going to get me the Tiffany Heart Charm Bracelet, but I told her like everybody had it already. That was so last year. Anyway, she let me pick out the bag and a pair of Diesels instead.”
It’s In the Bag: Diet Coke, Nokia phone with red faceplate, pack of Parliaments, giraffe print Kate Spade make up bag with Stila cosmetics, Pentel Gel roller pens, Ordning & Reda Planner.
Prada/Gucci Tote
Seen: sitting at a intimate table in Adams House Dining Hall, meeting friends for a daily lunch at the Barker Center C’est Bon, meeting mummy or clubmates for brunch at Upstairs at the Pudding.
Heard: “Well, I finally decided on Morgan Stanley. I mean, Blake already has an apartment on the Upper West Side, and it will just make it so much more convenient for the both of us...Oh really? I never thought she would go with that firm. What’s her father’s name again?”
It’s in the Bag: Gucci sunglasses, Norton Anthology: Volume 2A, Bee punch event invitations, keys to the M3, Kheil’s lip balm, Nokia Model 8210
Black MicroFiber Bag
(a.k.a. Kenneth Cole, Gap, Nine West)
Seen: scoping out the scene in Lamont Reading Room, watching a movie in the Quincy House JCR, waiting in line for the treadmills at the MAC.
Heard: “Were you at the party at the Fox on Friday? I think Jeff might have hooked up with that girl in the red backless top...No, not the one with the sequins on it, the one that had the little fringe on the bottom. Not that I remember too clearly; I was totally wasted...No, really, I wasn’t even paying attention—I’m so over him.”
It’s in the Bag: Mead Five Star notebook, MAC lipstick, black Pilot pen, copy of The Crimson, umbrella, Great Lash mascara, Platex tampons, pack of Trident.
Pierre Deux Fabric Bag
Seen: drinking hot tea in the Boylston Hall C’est Bon, ordering a fresh club sandwich at Broadway Market.
Heard: “I’d love to help out, but my plate is just so full these days. After I finish xeroxing these fliers, I have to run home and bake cookies for the study break tonight...Hmm, Thursday’s out also—I’m going to Connecticut for the weekend...I know—it’s such wonderful news—I must fill you in on all of the gossip! Why don’t we plan to do lunch next week?”
It’s in the Bag: Daytimer, hair ribbons, Wellbridge membership card, coin purse with key chain, card from Mom, Mead Neatbook, bottle of Poland Springs water.
L.L. Bean Monogram Daypack
Seen: checking e-mail frantically at the Science Center Kiosk computers, typing a paper at the Lamont Laptop Lounge.
Heard: “Let me see...I know it’s in here somewhere—I’m usually so organized. I hope I’m not making you late for class...Oh, wow!—Here are those peanut butter crackers from seventh grade!”
It’s in the Bag: Tuesday/Thursday Binder, Monday/ Wednesday/Friday Binder, Foreign Cultures sourcebook, Walkman, workout clothes, pencils-pens-spare change-Harvard ID card (all in appropriate compartments), two apples, plastic silverware set, checkbook, overdue library books, copy of Grisholm’s latest novel, peanut butter crackers from seventh grade, bottle of Motrin.
Backpack/Purse Duo
Seen: sharing French Fries in Loker Commons, taking compulsive notes in English 10B lecture, squealing in joy at the Science Center mailboxes.
Heard: “I’m so excited about this Expos paper. At first, I was going to write on character development in Plato’s Five Dialogues, and then I thought it would be much more beautiful to write about color imagery in this Civil War essay we read...I know!! He is soooo cute!...Sure I miss Brian, but it’s not like I can go to Lehigh to visit him every weekend...No, I’m positive we’re going to get married someday.”
It’s in the (Big) Bag: Chem 5 textbook and lab manual, Fly-By lunch, slant-ring binder, Harvard planner, miniature stapler, emergency phone numbers.
It’s in the (Small) Bag: mini-hair brush, room key with ID key chain, Cover Girl Lipslicks, lip gloss, powder compact, nail file, Always maxi-pad.
Harvard Insignia Backpack
Seen: ensconced in the depths of Cabot Library, in the front row of Science Center B, camped out in the Science Center Computer Lab.
Heard: “I have worked with Drosphilia Melan-gaster before, and I have very much experience working in this field. Do you think it would be possible for me to work extra hours in the lab?...Yes, Friday night and Saturday night would work well with my schedule.”
It’s in the Bag: Orgo textbook, multicolor clicker pen, multicolor index cards, Harvard insignia spiral notebooks, MCAT review book, number 2 pencils, TI-95.
Pseudo Briefcase
Seen: grading response papers at Café Gato Rojo, meeting at William James Hall, researching in the stacks at Widener Library.
Heard: “In all honesty, I simply was not pleased with the program’s offerings and opportunities for advancement...Indeed, that’s an important point—let me check my notes. Yes, I believe that was quoted in the committee memorandum last semester...Would you like some more coffee?”
It’s in the Bag: Memos, papers, agendas, files, handouts, schedules, syllabi.
Messenger Bag
Seen: eating pizza at the Greenhouse, getting ready for an erg test at Weld Boathouse, lifting at the Murr Center.
Heard: (he said) “I’m about to jet to practice right now, but I’ll hit you back later...Yeah, just drop it off at the club and I’ll scoop it up...Coo?...Solid.” (she said) “How the hell do I keep this stupid bag’s strap from getting stuck in my cleavage?”
It’s in the Bag: CD Discman, highlighters, bottle of Dasani water, Ec problem set, automatic pencils, Lit and Arts sourcebook, spiral notebook, Abercrombie baseball cap.
Utilitarian One Strap Bag
Seen: developing photos at the Carpenter Center, strolling through the pit.
Heard: “But it really is art. You can’t pay any attention to the materialistic constructions of mainstream society. Didn’t you come to Harvard to protest the suppression of creative intellect?”
It’s in the Bag: digital camera, sketch pad, proofs, Boston Buzz fliers, headkercheif/bandana, micro-tip pens, loose-leaf paper.
North Face Backpack
Seen: chillin’ on the rocks in front of the Science Center, beside a Crazy Creek chair in the Quad, attached to bicycle saddle bags.
Heard: “Man, I destroyed the cork on my Birks and have to get them re-caulked...meet me in Lowell at 4:20...I have to go to Newbury Comics to buy the latest Phish CD...” OR “God, I hate Patagonia—my Northface fleece is so much doper than that shit...I’m going to a hip hop concert later at the B-Side Lounge. Wanna come?...I snagged my Stussy pants on my longboard today. It was the worst.”
It’s in the Bag: American Spirit cigarettes or loose tobacco and papers, Bob Marley Legends CD or Blackstar, stubbed pencils, On the Road, Oakleys.