Would you bring a high end bag to college classes?
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I knew someone who carries designer purses (and fakes, too). She made the mistake of carrying one when she was going to ask her advisor for summer funding for her assistantship. Summer funding is optional, but usually provides an additional 3K-5K for grad students.
Well, her advisor didn't give her any money for the summer, and it was later heard through the grapevine that the reason she wasn't given funding was that she looked 'well off enough' to spend her years graduate assistantship on designer purses, so it was decided to award the funds available to someone who appeared more needy. Summer research funds are disposed of strictly at one's advisor's discretion.
So sometimes it's best to not look 'too designer' but merely well put together so people don't come to unwanted conclusions and one has to pay the penalty in a roundabout fashion.
Well, her advisor didn't give her any money for the summer, and it was later heard through the grapevine that the reason she wasn't given funding was that she looked 'well off enough' to spend her years graduate assistantship on designer purses, so it was decided to award the funds available to someone who appeared more needy. Summer research funds are disposed of strictly at one's advisor's discretion.
So sometimes it's best to not look 'too designer' but merely well put together so people don't come to unwanted conclusions and one has to pay the penalty in a roundabout fashion.
Yikes that sucks. :s Yea, definitely makes sense. How'd the advisor know it was authentic?
I don't think it's fair. I know some ppl who don't do designer at all and have tens of thousands in the bank (saved while in grad school can you believe it)...and others who have no savings because they spent it all on bars and cigarettes. Do they really deserve more funding than the ones who buy bags? Kinda arbitrary, but hey what are you gonna do. Good to keep Medhavini's account in mind.
I don't think it's fair. I know some ppl who don't do designer at all and have tens of thousands in the bank (saved while in grad school can you believe it)...and others who have no savings because they spent it all on bars and cigarettes. Do they really deserve more funding than the ones who buy bags? Kinda arbitrary, but hey what are you gonna do. Good to keep Medhavini's account in mind.
Wow, when I was in college (I know, ancient history in the mid/late 1980s) THE bag to have was the Liz Claiborne one with the triangle print all over and it was like $100 - what a stretch! 
I'm glad i went to college when I did so I didn't feel pressured to have designer bags in addition to my studies, my touring ensemble, and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I DID spend a lot on clothes...I went to class either in a blouse, pencil skirt and pumps or the complete opposite in sweats and a pony tail (OK, banana clip it was the 80s!). I spent far more on pantyhose back then than I do now b/c now I hardly ever wear skirts any more.
Sorry to get OT, but students should just wear what they like. We had total granola look going on to students from overseas in suits and ties everyday to everything in between. I had a no-name black tote and just threw my no-name purse in there along with my books and it was all good.
I'm glad i went to college when I did so I didn't feel pressured to have designer bags in addition to my studies, my touring ensemble, and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I DID spend a lot on clothes...I went to class either in a blouse, pencil skirt and pumps or the complete opposite in sweats and a pony tail (OK, banana clip it was the 80s!). I spent far more on pantyhose back then than I do now b/c now I hardly ever wear skirts any more.
Sorry to get OT, but students should just wear what they like. We had total granola look going on to students from overseas in suits and ties everyday to everything in between. I had a no-name black tote and just threw my no-name purse in there along with my books and it was all good.
um. not really? the one i carried to school today is the coach polka dot white gallery tote. because it was 168$. it's huge. and it fits everything, my laptop, notebook, etc. inside and i don't have to carry anything else, maybe a cup of tea
that's why i love my obession with big bags, because i can always use it for classes. even my ali is big enough to throw stuff in.
that, and the bag i got in japan and my paul frank yellow bag is the ones on rotation now.
if you can't fit everything into the paddy, i wouldn't use it, and i wouldn't use it if you aren't like me, the type that doesn't care and just throws her bags around because there is always someone who isn't careful and clumsy and God forbid they spill something onto your bag!
it's school afterall. i think everyone has a cup of coffee in hand.
that's why i love my obession with big bags, because i can always use it for classes. even my ali is big enough to throw stuff in.
that, and the bag i got in japan and my paul frank yellow bag is the ones on rotation now.
if you can't fit everything into the paddy, i wouldn't use it, and i wouldn't use it if you aren't like me, the type that doesn't care and just throws her bags around because there is always someone who isn't careful and clumsy and God forbid they spill something onto your bag!
it's school afterall. i think everyone has a cup of coffee in hand.
ITA!!
You can definately tell the first years from the the fourth years by dress code. It is always amusing to see the young ones start university in mini skirts and knee-high, high heeled boots trying to navigate their way around campus while its -15 degrees celsius.
I don't take my bags to school, if I do, its a small bag that is hidden in my backpack.
I agree
. Plus I will get really distracted as I'm so picky with my purse, I don't like to put on the floor. Basically, if I bring designer purse in class I think it will be a hassle.
This reminds me in a way of "Elle Woods" from legally blonde. Cute film, but irl a no-no imho.
Now it's just one showy bag in your case - but I didn't carry recognizable high end designer bags to grad school and I wouldn't today
Now it's just one showy bag in your case - but I didn't carry recognizable high end designer bags to grad school and I wouldn't today
I carry the Chloe Edith Conteen to class sometimes. Not these days because I'm wearing big old coats and backpack feels much better. It fits my laptop and notebooks, along with a novel or two and all my little necessities. I would not carry my Chanel, though. I think the Edith looks school-ish enough to pass, and I don't think people know what it is. As long as you don't feel uncomfortable with what you're carrying or wearing, go for it. I would personally feel uncomfortable carrying an instantly recognizable bag.
That said, I do doll myself up for class...around 70% of the time. Usually on days when I only have afternoon classes, hehe. It makes me feel good to look cute. Part of that is putting on a show, but I like a little attention, what can I say?
And jen, I know you meant well with your grades comment in the beginning, but I think it's a fallacy to assume the best-dressed girl is getting worse grades than everyone else. I'll bet there are some people who think I'm an airhead, but I'm really not!
That said, I do doll myself up for class...around 70% of the time. Usually on days when I only have afternoon classes, hehe. It makes me feel good to look cute. Part of that is putting on a show, but I like a little attention, what can I say?
And jen, I know you meant well with your grades comment in the beginning, but I think it's a fallacy to assume the best-dressed girl is getting worse grades than everyone else. I'll bet there are some people who think I'm an airhead, but I'm really not!
Oh, but it does look ridiculous if a girl can't fit everything inside one bag just because you know she probably could if it were a backpack. I've seen a girl with an MJ Hudson, which I love, and I even complimented her on it, but then I saw her biking away with her laptop sticking out the top. That didn't look right.
If I were to carry a designer purse, I would only carry one that could fit all my things. I think it looks silly to carry a backpack and then a designer purse when it's obvious the contents of the purse could easily fit into the backpack.Somehow, the idea of carrying a beat up throw around speedy 30 sounds really appealing to me.
Every place has it's own standards. I would say the most important factor is what college you go to and what the norms there are. Is it safe to carry a designer purse? I've spent a good amount of time at 3 different colleges and the feel and norms was definitely different. One college was like a daily fashion on one side of campus. One was very whatever, just people trying to get through school. And one college they seemed to frown upon fashion forward people and it was most definitely unsafe to carry a designer bag. So I would say it just depends on whether its appropriate at your particular campus.
I'm no longer on a fashion forward campus and honestly, I miss sitting there with friends during breaks on the main road and watching the fashion show take place.
Every place has it's own standards. I would say the most important factor is what college you go to and what the norms there are. Is it safe to carry a designer purse? I've spent a good amount of time at 3 different colleges and the feel and norms was definitely different. One college was like a daily fashion on one side of campus. One was very whatever, just people trying to get through school. And one college they seemed to frown upon fashion forward people and it was most definitely unsafe to carry a designer bag. So I would say it just depends on whether its appropriate at your particular campus.
I'm no longer on a fashion forward campus and honestly, I miss sitting there with friends during breaks on the main road and watching the fashion show take place.