The Boston Globe had an article today about purse rental companies like Bag Borrow and Steal, and there were a number of things about the article that really bothered me.

First off, who is doing the PR for BB&S? They are good! I have seen a number of articles about this company in some major publications recently. I guess the Globe article was supposed to be focusing on the “phenomena” of renting high end designer bags but it really came off as a two page add for this company.

Second, as TBB readers know there are few things I love more in the world then bags and talking about bags but way is this a topic that really need to be on the front page of New England’s largest newspaper? I think the Living/Arts section would have been more appropriate.

Another annoying thing is the picture that accompanied the online version of the article. One of the things that bothers me about a bag rental company is that I know I would be constantly worried about anything bad happening to the bag. YET in the picture Maura McGreevy is wearing hers out in the rain! Now I know it has been raining almost non stop here in Boston for the past couple of weeks and the Globe photographer might not have had a choice of where to take the pic. But it was just another reminder as to why I’m not comfortable with this kind of service. It may be perfect for some people, but not me.

Plus, this line is kind of weird: “She said the company introduced her to new designers such as Tano and Baby Phat, which she said she probably wouldn’t have discovered on her own.” Now Tano I can see, since it is a cool line but not one you see on the street very often. You may remember my brush with Tano this spring. But Baby Phat??? If you want to be introduced to the Baby Phat line of bags then just check out your local Marshall’s bargain bin, which I am frequently found rooting through. It is a line that is easy to find at my local stores, you really don’t seen to sign up for a designer service to see it.

If you like to join in the discussion: What do you look for in a handbag?

So I have decided to keep my running list here in this post. Expect frequent updates. Though one problem is that I really can’t do much fall shopping until I get a job and find out what the dess code is. I don’t want to spend all my money on jeans and then found out I need to wear trouser pants to a new job everyday.

Fall 2005 Shopping List
Theme: Classics with a boho twist

Shoes

• Women’s Corduroy Ballet Flats in red Yuck, I bought these but am now thinking of returning them. They are too similar to my red Dasko mary jane clogs
• Some warm and wooly winter boots CHECK, they arrived today!
• Darling flats DONE, picked some up at Target this week

Sweaters

• Blouson sweater from BR in purple or black.
• Free People Full Length Sweater Coat in Blue/Green
• Cable knit ballet sweater in jasper green
• Warm, black cowl neck sweater

Outerwear

• Puffy vest like this one from JCrew (or this one from Land’s End) (Most likely I’ll go with one from Old Navy once they bring these out.) Hmm, tried one of these on at Old Navy and they are way to short in the torso. I can see myself wearing one and having a freezing belly.
• Pretty, Skinny Coat Like this one from BR
• A super classic trench coat (I think this one, it just went on sale) Tried this on, yuck. Did not like the “winter cream” one bit. It just looked yellowed with age.

Things not on this list that I bought spur of the moment…
..even though that defeats the whole purpose of the list to plan out my shopping and avoid impulse buys but I guess old habits die hard.

• A corduroy blazer/bolero from Old Navy in a red orange paisley. Sort of like this. ON SALE
• Light blue trouser-type pants from Urban
• Black cotton T-shirt with lace in front from Urban
• Cuffed trouser pants from the Gap
• Lovely metallic gold flats from Two Lips
• Cute denim mini (to be worn with tights and my wooly boots.)
• Black hoodie sweater (I have ended my ban on new hoodies for my wardrobe. You can never have too many!)

Still deciding what my “IT” bag for the Fall will be.