Wed. 08/11/2010 - Made In USA Obsession #2

This summer, I got obsessed with canvas bags. It all started after I bought a heavier and bigger camera and later a new 13" MacBook. I couldn't carry heavy leather bags with all these new gadgets I was equipped and started to look for lighter bag. I had one that I got from Brooklyn Flea, the one I originally got to carry the things I bought from the flea -vendors only give you used, rugged plastic bags-, but I found it was so light and perfect to carry with heavy things in it. Then I became to so much love canvas bags' practicality and sort of have been accumulating them one by one. I also love them for their non-chalant character that gives any look effortless chic -which I am all about this summer-. Plus, they will never "in trend" but will never be "out of trend" as well.

[L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Bag]
I guess I can't talk about canvas bag without talking about L.L.Bean canvas tote. I think it's one of the most loved totes for various purpose. This summer I got the biggest size to carry in flight.

L.L.Bean tote has been around more than 60 years. Its famous heavy-duty canvas and double-layer base and handle make it very durable and great for various usages.

[Klein Tool Bag]
As we all know, Klein is a company who manufactures tools. But they also produce one of coolest tool bags as well. Their tool bags are equally loved by the ones who actually use them for real TOOLS and by any fashion conscious who wants unique and chic bags other than everybody else carries. The most well-known and popular ones must be the one with leather bottom with magnetic closure, but I got the tote version which I feel like I am not trying too much to look cool carrying a real tool bag. (or not...I may still look trying too much)

I really like this hardware feel of nail-headed base.

I also have this cute pouch. It comes in all vibrant colors, and perfect for a airplane ticket and passport.

[John & Mary Bags]
So, instead of getting Klein's real tool bag, I got a re-interpreated version from John & Mary. The brand just launched, but they became so instantly popular and I had to wait almost a month to get my bag. Theirs bags are designed by this couple John & Mary and all hand-made by local family owned factory. The bags will go into production once the order is placed, and that's why it takes quite a time to get them, especially right now, they are so highly demanded and waiting will be at least 3 weeks!

The strap, I can say, this was almost the main reason I bought this bag. And it also comes in 4 different sizes. I feel a little guilty about this, but I got smaller version as well and also want travel size version.
-There is a travel set as well, with 4 of them together.-

[Re-Usable Grocery Tote]
This is the one I got from the Brooklyn Flea and the one that started my canvas bag obsession. I had only a couple of canvas bag before, one L.L.Bean and one with leather. I found canvas bag with leather is sort of unpractical -even though it is meant to be- and was not a big fan of them, since when it gets dirty, it can't be washed because of leather part. (And that's why I got black or dark color canvas when it's with leather this time, so I don't need to wash them). But this one little bag completely change my thought this summer! I carried it the most this summer and already washed several times, so the silkscreen got faded quite a bit. Still I love this one...it gets softer by every wash and the lightest bag ever.

[Orvis Batternkill Luggage]
I saw this at a thrifty store -but it was never used- one day and couldn't resist. I didn't know about Orvis and later found out it's quite famous for sporting goods. Even though it's made of heavyweight 18oz canvas and leather, it's still amazingly light. I think many of my friend saw me carrying this all the time.

What I like the most about this bag is, the button closure that makes no need to unbuckle to open the bag. And I also love the brass buckles, heavy but soft canvas and tanned leather. It also has several compartment inside for cellphones and pens. Basically I like everything about this bag.