Carpetbags in style, big and small

Where to stash all your stuff

Way back when I was trying to finish my dissertation, I found myself spending time doing anything but working on it. I took up gardening and regularly cooked elaborate, four-course meals. I went religiously to the gym. I even started a tiny antiques business, so naturally I needed to spend hours every Wednesday at a fascinating, cutthroat, hole-in-the-wall auction.

On one particular Wednesday, I scored both a vintage doll -- gorgeous! -- and a brand-new carpetbag from Neiman Marcus, complete with satin interior and sterling silver buckle. Oh, and it was $25 rather than its original several hundred dollars.

I never did sell it (and didn't make much profit from that antiques business, though I did eventually get my PhD). I love using that bag to this day.

Gucci large Hysteria tote ($1295)

So imagine my delight at finding that carpetbags are experiencing something of a comeback. Gucci has a few in its fall line-up, including a beautiful yellow-and-black one. Would I ever pay that price for a fabric bag? Not in a million years. But I can admire from afar and be inspired.

There's a nice version at Anthropologie (Carpetbagger Satchel $278) at a far more affordable price. (Too bad I can't figure out how to post pictures from Anthropologie.)

And there are numerous places online to buy non-fashiony carpetbags that will fit the bill this fall. Caution: You'll need to choose your carpet pattern and colors with a discriminating eye -- they won't all work. (If you ignore the Ye Olde West web design, here's a nice one -- I would use it for weekends away.)

Blooming roses extra large bag ($229)