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My new favorite thing

Irina

Veteran

I needed a bag suitable for work - big enough to carry a laptop but not too heavy. I resisted the idea of buying it, though, thinking that this year might be my last year before retirement. Then, I decided on something that can also be used as a travel bag. I bough a Bao Bao backpack and been using it for the last week. Very happy with it so far.

Here are some office outfits.

#1 Old jacket and t-shirt, second hand jeans - all COS
#2 Massimo Dutti shoes and a sweater, 2023, second hand jeans COS
#3 7 years old merino short sleeve sweater from COS is one of my oldest items (color is ink), Massimo Dutti old black jeans and new mesh sneakers.

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31 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

slim cat

Veteran

It looks very cool - fabulous new addition!

Runcarla

Veteran

Love your outfits so much! Very cool bag. Useful and a ‘treat’.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, it's gorgeous, Irina! Jealous! It adds perfect achitectural interest to each outfit! Is is white and black or what is the colour?

Star

Veteran

Perfect for your style.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Lovely bag. Silver in colour really? I am interested in one of your oldest items being 7 years old. My oldest item I still wear regularly is from 1986!

ChristelJ

Veteran

The beautiful bag adds a nice graphic punch to your solid outfits and nice pattern mixing with the stripes. Gosh I love your mesh sneakers too.

Allora

Glad you found something that works well for you! You have a very cool look, Irina. I love it!

Dee

Veteran

Wow, its a real statement piece and will certainly help elevate any outfit.

Olive Green

Veteran

Like how it is the star in your minimalist outfits.

Irina

Veteran

The color is light grey and was chosen for being the cheapest among 3 backpacks that were on sale
Jenni NZ, there are several reasons why I don’t have many older things. One is that I came to Canada with very few things in 1998. I didn’t travel directly from Russia and had many other important things with me, so clothes was not a priority. I often wished I could have it, I had an interesting wardrobe back then.

In my first years I bought my clothes from the second hands stores. I also had very small wardrobe for the long time. Things didn’t last long. Another reason is that I didn’t buy a lot of good quality items, it contributed to the longevity as well. My oldest clothes and shoes go back to 2015 when I completely rebuilt my wardrobe. But not a lot. I wish I had more but my body (not my weight) changed and they no longer properly fit. Fit is another reason. I wore more tailored clothes when I was younger. I would not want to wear some of it now.

So, I don’t have older garments but not because I follow trends so closely.

kkards

Veteran

That backpack is fab. It’s edgy without being hard, it’s fashion forward without being trendy. I think it’s perfect for you.

lyn67

Veteran

I love the outfits sooo much, Irina- always minimalist but spot on, crisp and worthy! Thanx for clarifying - it makes sense why you don't have items older than 8-9 years-you now have a curated wardrobe, free of old, nostalgic and non-useful junk-good for you! Bao bao is as edgy as a bag can be, your decision is as wise as can be 1 year before retirement! Loved to see statement, now signiture earings in action ever since! YLF!

RobinF

Veteran

Wow, that looks so good with all of your outfits. I love your style so much!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER new bag, Irina! I just love it with the white sneakers in #1! Fab match and complement

It adds effective punch to a dark Spring outfit beautifully too!

catherine

Veteran

Your outfits are always so cool and inspirational to me. Thanks for posting these.
It’s difficult for me to style sneakers, so I appreciate you showing me how. Many thanks!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Wow. These black and white graphic outfits are so cute with that backpack. I have ALWAYS wanted a fashion backpack, but never made the move.

What I like about this backpack is that it is SUPER noticeable, but doesn't overwhelm your look. Perhaps that is attributable to your styling.

Bonnie

Veteran

That is a great bag that works well with your style. I like that it has a handle and a strap and is not too heavy.

Irina

Veteran

Bonnie, it is light! The main reason I chose it. My company-issued laptop is old and heavy, plus some personal items I carry to the office. I didn't like designs of available fabric backpacks but couldn't stand heaviness of a leather backpack. So, this one works great.
Thank you all! As always, you are very generous with your compliments! Much appreciated!

JAileen

Veteran

I just love those bags! It elevates each outfit in its own way. Great style!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

So cool! That bag blends and pulls everything together in 1 and 3, and doesn’t feel obtrusive, and in 2 it just shines as a fabulous pattern mix! That bag is perfect.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

What an interesting looking bag,suits your style perfectly.

BlueJay

Veteran

Your backpack looks fantastic and really suits you and complements your outfits! (I am using the ubiquitous black backpack that everyone else is using for commuting. )

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you Irina for explaining about why you don’t have many older things and I do apologise for not thinking about the trip across the world from Russia to Canada!- which I did know about and should have remembered. I am sure when you rebuilt your wardrobe in 2015 everything was very carefully chosen and suited to you. You really do have a distinct aesthetic and always look amazing!

Sal

Veteran

What a brilliant choice for you. I love it and think it will be so versatile. These bags are so good for Janet Bijou and yourself.

Irina

Veteran

Jenni NZ, darling, no need to apologize!
We all deal with so much information on a daily basis!
I think we strive to keep our things for longer but there is no guarantee what would last. I find that sometimes it is hard to replace certain things and I try to take good care of my clothes and shoes.

Bijou

Veteran

It's wonderful and amazing that you got it on sale as generally these sell out. When I visited Japan there was not a Bao Bao backpack to be found in Tokyo. The lack of choice made it easier to buy this small cross body bag which was also on my list of potential new Bao Bao additions and is a fun match with my sneakers which both feature on my list of 'Favourite Things'!

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Jules

Veteran

Wow, that is my favourite Bao Bao piece I’ve seen so far and it’s perfect for you! Completes and elevates each outfit perfectly.

Did you get anything from the last Uniqlo Marimekko drop? I’m sized out in the items I might be tempted by…

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, you know I love this! it suits your style so well!

I have to make myself use my other bags sometimes because I default to the Bao Bao backpack so much! It’s easily justifying what I paid for it three years ago — CPW is definitely lower than plenty of other inexpensive bags I’ve owned. I’ve seriously considered buying that light grey color as well. I love my darker grey one, but boy would that light one be nice for summer!

Irina

Veteran

Bijou, I love your new Bao Bao crossbody!
Jules, I did indeed buy some Marimekko Uniqlo pieces. I bought a dress and two t-shirts. I had to stop myself there - my summer wardrobe is already too big.

Janet, I like darker grey color like yours but it was more expensive on sale so I bought the light grey.

Earlier this year, I bought a small black Bao Bao tote that almost replaced my two other black bags! The backpack I will be using at least 3 times a week for now, not counting times when I’m not in the office.

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