See-through transparent bags have their obvious pluses and their minuses. On the plus side: they are sturdy, virtually indestructible and won’t get ruined in the rain. Who wants to ruin an Hermes Birkin bag? Also, they enable you to quickly see what’s inside. The downside is everyone else can so you obviously need to exercise deliberation and caution when using. It would help if you were organized lol. But, regardless of any negatives, the market happens to be flooded with seemingly endless styles and at all price points. In many cases detachable opaque pouches are provided. These are some notable examples:
Prada has been using see-through PVE since the 90’s and totally preempted the trend. This tote has been made in Italy from the transparent material and is trimmed with black canvas to match the logo lettering. Store your little essentials hidden in the detachable black pouch provided, $990. More info/purchase
Valentino Garavani’s ‘Grande Plage’ tote is framed by smooth black leather that really pops against the clear PVC. It’s printed with the brand’s bold ‘VLTN’ logo and embellished with signature studs at the supple handles. Stow small items, like your phone and keys, in the accompanying zipped pouch, $1295. More info/purchase
There are several ways one can carry Staud’s “Shirley” croc effect leather and PVC bag cult tote. It can be carried together or each separately. It’s defined by matching top handles, while the detachable piece fully zips to keep a cardholder and keys secure. Store the items you need to have at hand, like a water bottle or phone, inside, $200. More info/purchase
The idea behind ZOOBEETLE Paris’ ‘Manhattan’ shoulder bag? It’s sized to carry the namesake cocktail so you can party hands-free. Made from sturdy acrylic that’s easy to wipe clean, it comes with a detachable leather strap and canvas dust bag to keep your cards, keys and phone covered, $345. More info/purchase
MM6 Maison Margiela’s bag is made in Italy from black leather, and has a clear PU panel that reveals the label’s logo stitched on the inside. There’s plenty of room to store your essentials, and you can adjust the strap to wear it cross-body too, $640. More info/purchase
The market might be flooded with transparent bags, but there are none as well priced, interesting, or meaningful as Loqi’s iterations. Their newest collection is comprised of transparent bags made of water-resistant polyurethane ranging in price from $4.95 for a zip pocket mini to $39.95 for a large weekender duffle bag.
The most interesting product is their large (19.7 by 16.5 inch) tote, printed with 3 different slogans: THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, I’MPERFECT, WE’RE ALL SPECIAL EDITIONS, $22.95. More info/purchase
As the Loqi website articulates, “We have to embrace everyone. The boring, the quirky, the fat, the serious, the left, the right, the odd. No one is perfect. We are all special editions”.
Perhaps the most timely and relevant is the one emblazoned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is currently available in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and also online. This historic document was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its 183rd session on December 10, 1948. It was referred to as humanity’s Magna Carta by Eleanor Roosevelt, who chaired the UN Commission on Human Rights that was responsible for its drafting this document, $22.95. More info/purchase
Now, wouldn’t be nice if everyone (particularly politicians) were as transparent as all the above?
