If there’s one thing that has fuelled my obsession for purses, as well as fashion in general, considering that the beginning of time (i.e., for the last 3 years), it is the city of new York. That, as well as my community cafe, where people seem to always have some crazy costly outfit/purse combination going on.

But back to the topic of new York: a lot of people normally tend to marvel at Paris for being “the fashion capital” of the world, however it’s nyc that I regard as the house of high-fashion, as well as it’s the new York aspect, as well as not the Parisian scenes, of The Devil uses Prada that struck me the most. Promenading across a hectic street in all-white with a silver handbag? liked it! Knee-high boots, a navy cape, as well as a distressed tan carryall? Quintessentially cool!

But, as much as I’d like to believe otherwise, life in the huge Apple most likely isn’t all walks in the (Central) park. Still, the struggles of living in NYC, mainly evident in prominent films like The Devil uses Prada, mistress America as well as Frances Ha, is something that I likewise look upon with significant awe. like Lily Rabe’s character, Sylvia states in The Undoing,

“You online in new York. It’s a criminal offense not to be desperately busy.”

That’s what the quintessential new Yorker is to me; a person always on the move, regularly overworked, however effortlessly elegant nevertheless (“constantly overworked,” check, “effortlessly stylish,” still to go). as well as after writing, reading, as well as ogling handbags all day, there’s one specific bag that I’ve come to believe is the extremely embodiment of the new Yorker. It is the Proenza Schouler PS1.

Why yes, that is my cloak rack in the middle of new York City

Proenza Schouler PS1
via Fashionphile

SHOP ALL

Founded by Jack McCollough as well as Lazaro Hernandez in 2002, the history of the fashion home is by now typical fashion-speak, with an excellent track record of studying at Parsons as well as their collaborative senior thesis being bought completely by Barneys new York! named after their mothers’ maiden names as well as styles that defined the “downtown cool-girl” aesthetic, Proenza Schouler was young, carefree, liberating, as well as a lot of importantly, solely NYC-based.

The PS1, however, was an extraordinarily different phenomenon, to state the extremely least. created to be the anti-It-bag in the height of the It-bag era, as well as one the duo purportedly desires to never screen on the runway, the schoolboy-like satchel is indicated to be just that, a low-key bag lacking logos. particularly when garishly maximalist bags had ended up being the norm, of course, this anti-It bag was swiftly snapped up by the fashion set. everybody who was somebody, from Jessica Alba to Reese Witherspoon to Khloe Kardashian, had to have one, as well as have one they did. at first created as a women’s piece, it was no less prominent among the male crowd either, with David Thielebule, Harpers Bazaar’s accessories Editor, as well as Kyle Anderson, Marie Claire’s accessories Director, all having been identified toting the luscious carryall.

But while its period of height popularity was probably the late 2000s as well as early 2010s, today it has gained cult status, with tPFers on a regular basis going over it as well as its a lot of ardent devotees inspecting the resale market for collectible, highly-coveted editions. Plus, even though it’s no longer the most popular bag of the moment, PS continues its production, as well as you can still get one for yourself. Why? since its style hasn’t ended up being dated at all, it stays traditional in an understated, cool, however nevertheless trendy manner, much like the quintessential new Yorker.

And assumption what? I’ve got my hands on one! Yes, I can’t believe it myself either!
As soon as I’d discovered about the existence of the PS1, I understood that it’d permanently be on my wishlist, joining the ranks of the Sac de Jour as well as Balenciaga work as one more “stuff I’d get myself when I’m super-rich.” however having just recently had the chance to purchase one pre-owned, I realized exactly how low its resale values might get (buying it as an investment was never a thing for me, I understood I was just going to keep it forever). But, the “right” bag never seemed to get listed. It was nearly always the medium, which is, of course, method as well little for my oversized-loving soul. There was even a stunning white fringe medium going for under $100 that I had to restrain myself from getting since it was white on top of being the wrong size!

But then, having pined for it for over 3 months, one fine day, it was there! A saddle in large, going for virtually free. I’d checked out Megs’ story of scoring a Crocodile PS1 for just over $4,000 on the Outnet, as well as I’d naturally presumed that kind of miracles never occurred within my meager budget. however this felt like something construed by the exact same God of purse-wonders, as well as I’d stated indeed to it even before I might process it sufficient to get it authenticated (do NOT try this at home, folks).

After having bought it (it was genuine! *tears of joy*), the wait came for it to reach Bangladesh. keep in mind the elusive Balenciaga from my adventures in eBay? Well, that never made it; it was presumably stolen or misplaced in transit (although my normally erratic agent was gracious sufficient to get me a refund for it). Hence, the concern of the PS1 having satisfied the exact same fate provided me nightmares for weeks on end! up until two months later, it lastly arrived!

Proenza Schouler PS1
via Fashionphile

$368

And what do I believe of it? Honestly, it’s like a bit piece of new York in my arms (yes, I decline to let it go). While I am in no sane specify of mind to evaluation it without breaking into a veritable rhapsody, as well as Megs has done it herself on several occasions, it suffices to state that my extremely very first high-end purse couldn’t have been a lot more satisfying. Although in large, it’s still somewhat smaller than I’d normally like (it won’t in shape my completely ancient 16” laptop), oh my goodness, it’s so spacious! I’ve been a enthusiast of tan considering that my SDJ days, as well as this PS1 might not have been a richer, a lot more caramel shade of tan!

The Proenza Schouler PS1, in my opinion, is the aptest representative of the spirit of new York in terms of coolness, functionality, as well as high quality (the oh-so-luxe lambskin is to die for!), as well as nyc is rooted in its extremely origins! Additionally, the truth that its period of mass-covetable-ness is over really occurs to be a excellent thing. It’s incognito sufficient to blend in, in any type of atmosphere possible (guess what’s gonna be my elegant carryall for college when physical classes are ultimately resumed?). Still, people who understand would, well, know. It’s like a bit trick between us fashion-lovers, as well as I, for one, can’t wait to discover out who amongst the crowds is smart sufficient to determine it!

Hence, I may be countless miles away as well as dressed in the sloppiest sweatpants I’ve got, however now I’ve got a PS1 to channel the nyc je ne sais quoi into my outfits!

Enough about me, do you keep in mind your extremely very first designer bag? Did you want for it for months (maybe years) as well as ultimately saved up sufficient to purchase it? Or was it an impulse purchase that you fondly hold on to? I can’t wait to hear your stories as well as dream some a lot more of my own!