Every week a different FADER staff member will pick a clothing item or accessory that he or she has lately been spending a lot of time with—or would like to—and write a little love letter to it. We would’ve done a column on who we’re dating but that seemed a little bit much. This week Maia talks about her Ale Et Ange tote bag.
I wear a backpack every day. I feel like I'm in school again, and it's great. It holds everything I need for the day: a packed lunch, camera, book, iPod, wallet and ever-important lip gloss. Backpacks can have their downsides though. About a month ago, I stepped onto the subway with the small, front pouch of my backpack unknowingly open. When I sat down on the train and found it unzipped, it was too late, my wallet had already been sniped. I was really mad, not only at myself for not checking to make sure I was all zipped up before entering the train, but also at my backpack and maybe all backpacks ever. You never know what can go on behind your back, and if I'm going to start clutching my backpack in front of me or wear it slung off one shoulder to protect against future snipes, I may as well just use a tote bag, one that will hang comfortably at my side that I can look after and guard against sticky fingers.
Sometimes you find what you're looking for when you least expect it, or when you're not looking at all, as was the case with my new tote bag from Ale Et Ange. Last week I filmed a FADER TV at the NYC shop, not expecting to find anything for myself at a men's shop. Then I saw this simple, army green tote with a subtle African-print lining. I like how basic it looks from the outside with a little bit of flare on the inside, just for me. The shape is perfect for hauling around all the items I used to carry in my backpack and there's even an inner side pocket for easy access to my lip gloss and iPod. Since the small pocket is inside the bag, the chances of getting pick-pocketed on the subway are about as slim as my new tote.