STYLIN' IN MY ..... BACKPACK.... (NOT!)

I used to carry a 3 part massive blue backpack that my company gave me. When I met up with people for dinner after work, they'd always say something about the backpack. I'd barely make it through the narrow passageway between tables (without whacking someone with the backpack) to our 2 person table that they had to move, so I could scooch in.

Asked the sis what she thought of the backpack one day... and for Christmas she got me a slimmer black Samsonite backpack instead. It's stylish for a backpack, and a total upgrade from the blue one. But how stylish can a backpack get?

It wasn't so bad, when I worked in midtown, but then our offices moved to the meatpacking district. I'm reminded of how much I compromise on style when I walk out of the building on Thursday nights, going home, when leggy gals in their heels strut the cobblestone streets carrying their mini clutches. There is something about being around beautiful, well-dressed people that makes you feel a little stupid, especially when you're in work clothes, wearing a backpack hailing a cab next to the chic in her lbd.

Some people manage to fit their laptops in their oversized designer handbags. But if you travel and commute like me, the backpack is a godsend. It saves my back, fits a lot of stuff, and most importantly, frees my hands - one for pulling my suitcase, the other for my phone.

Anyways, I probably have about a month before I let the backpack go into hibernation during the summer. The only reason why I choose the over the shoulder built laptop bag (which is also "oh so stylish") is because my back will sweat when I walk around too long with my backpack. That wouldn't be ladylike.