Bag Terminology - East/West, North/South ???

[Cosmopolitan]

This Lanvin bag would be north/south; it's taller than it is wide.

 

[maria28]

It makes sense! I had seen this term describing certain handbags before, and foolishly thought of it being popular in Asia/US...how dumb. :s

LOL...me too....

 

[ciatta]

see how the bag is short, but wide?
It's 'runs' East and West.
A North South would be a taller, but not as wide bag, 'running' North adn South.

Thanks for clearing that up for us as I didn't know the meaning, either.

 

[Cindi]

See all the important things you learn here?? Thanks for the explanation.

 

[heather123]

What exactly is an 'East West' bag? I've been seeing this expression for ages and wondered what it meant. When I finally discover the meaning I'll probably realize I have three or four East West bags!

 

[tonij2000]

It's wider than it is long, I think.

 

[heather123]

Thanks, tonij. So, as we speak I am looking at my East West bag. It's a cream Prada with tassels I just brought out for summer! It's actually the only East West bag I own. I never knew they were called that! I've learned something!

 

[New Obsessions]

Tonij2000 is right. An 'east west' bag is one that is wider than it is longer. A 'north south' bag is longer than it is wider. Think of a map - east to west, north to south. Here are examples from Zappos.

East/West bags
North/South bags

 

[BookerMoose]

I was also so confused with that expression when I first came to tPF - at one point I thought East/West bags were styles that were more popular in California/New York and North/South bags were popular in Texas or something!

And after finally figuring out what it meant, I also realized I am 100% an East/West fan!

 

[Pursegrrl]

OMG thank you for clearing that up!!! I always wondered that myself.

 

[New Obsessions]

I was also so confused with that expression when I first came to tPF - at one point I thought East/West bags were styles that were more popular in California/New York and North/South bags were popular in Texas or something!

And after finally figuring out what it meant, I also realized I am 100% an East/West fan!

I know!!! I thought it was an area thing as well. I first came across the term in Zappos and after staring at the bags in each section - (the light finally dawned).

 

[Leelee]

It's wider than it is long, I think.

Yes, that's what I think too. My black Stam that I got a couple of years ago was called an east/west style and it is longer than wider. I think it's been since discontinued. But I have a "regular" Stam in the oatmeal color that's not that way.

I've also heard of north/south bags where the bag is noticeably taller than wider.

 

[heather123]

Gosh! I'm glad I wasn't the only one! I have never heard of north/south bags. I'll look those up now. I definitely just bought one of those of those without realizing! I prefer the east/west style. The meaning becomes obvious when you start to think about it. Thanks so much for clarifying this, ladies!

 

[cutieupdate18]

Wow, I never knew that. Thanks!

 

[pinkshoulders]

I first hear the term(s) years ago as applied to the orientation of gems on a piece of jewelry. It seems better suited to handbags!