Alexander Wang "Marti" Backpack

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Never in my life did I ever think I would swoon over a backpack purse, but leave it to Alexander Wang’s Marti bag to achieve the impossible. I was old enough during the 1990s to carry a backpack purse similar to the one beloved by Seinfeld character Elaine Benes. Fast forward to this weekend, when I was walking through one of Chicago’s large department stores. My eyes fell upon this satchel and I was instantly hooked. My adoration for Alexander Wang is well documented on this blog. His sunglasses are permanently affixed to my face. His affordable downtown cool aesthetic has wooed many a fashion blogger; I am only one amongst his many sartorial conquests.

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Elaine Benes and her backpack purse visiting the Soup Nazi
Photo source here

This bag is perfect to hold all of my stuff, while still allowing me to keep my hands free. I normally wear cross-body purses for that purpose but they tend to cause muscle knots in my upper shoulders. This bag is not only chic, but completely utilitarian, which is the first order of business for a street-style photographer. It has a number of convertible straps and can double as a backpack or a shoulder bag. I cannot wait to purchase this bad boy, although I am still coming to grips with the fact that I will soon (gasp) be carrying a backpack purse!

On Shopbop.com for $850, available in black, gray, and olive.

On Refinery29: Claire

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Claire’s look blew me away. Not only is she super on-trend with her flat-forms and multicolored nail polish, she’s also rocking high-waisted printed pants and a cropped knit sweater. A look like this is pure eye candy for a street-style photographer.

If you want to recreate Claire’s look, I found some similar pieces below:

Black Cropped Sweater

1. Plenty by Tracy Reese Cropped Boatneck Sweater, $158
2. Vince Cropped Crew Sweater, $220
3. 3.1 Phillip Lim Basket Weave Cropped Sweater, $350

High-Waisted Printed Silk Pants

1. Rozae R.N. Silk Print Pants, $206 (on sale, down from $295)
2. Tibi Draped Bow Pants, $224

Flatform Sandals

1. Joe’s Jeans Hush Wedge Sandals, $180
2. Belle by Sigerson Morrison Elastic Strap Wedge Sandals, $295
3. Jil Sander Navy T-Strap Flatform Sandal, $345

To view the original post on Refinery29, click here.

Happy Anniversary Ikram! VOGUE.com Exclusive

See photos from and read the exclusive online coverage of last Saturday’s party to celebrate Ikram’s 10th anniversary, which I was so deeply honored to attend, only on Vogue.com.