Big Bag Boutique Knows What You Need
The highly functional and fashionable selection of bags are worth the chunk of change
By Laura Shanahan
"Utility and luxury," Sang Lee says, summing up the character of M Z Wallace handbags, which she stocks in her Big Bag boutique at 175 W. 72nd Street.
Big Bag is a local family business ? and M Z, actually is also local, created by two women who, Lee points out, really understand what other city women need and covet in a bag ? be it a handbag, a shoulder-bag or a cross-body.
Indeed the Jane M Z model she's showing me ? they're all named ? is both a handbag and a shoulder-bag; wear it as you wish. The sturdy double leather straps are long enough to be shoulder-hoisted, but short enough that if hand-held, the item won't sweep the floor.
Made of a durable, lightweight and waterproof black nylon, the Jane has an interior wide enough to hold a 13-inch laptop, (other dimensions are a 9-inch height and a 6-inch depth). Two zippered loosely gathered pockets on one exterior surface are both decorative and generously giving. One full-width outer pocket on the other side can easily accommodate a fold-up umbrella. There are inner compartments galore for holding all kinds of essentials, because ? let's face it ? the rest of the country has cars; here we only have our arms and our shoulders.
What's really great about the Jane is its chameleon-like nature: It's a work bag and a handbag ? no need to change from day to night. It also looks good with a dress, as Lee modeled it for me, or with jeans. Did I also mention the detachable cosmetic bag that's included?
As for durable, Lee showed me her own smaller versioned Jane ? the Baby Jane ? which she has used, and traveled with every day for three years. Not a speck of wear evident on that Baby. So consider the $355 for the above larger version an investment in, well, luxury and utility.
Big Bag, which is a much larger and better-stocked store than you might guess from its relatively narrow storefront, has many other models by M Z, as well as lightweight leather bags by the French-made Aridza Bross brand and yet more. In addition to basic blacks and neutrals, many of the bags offer that all-important "pop of color" ? though frankly, if I hear that expression one more time, I may have to pop the person, myself included.
Wallets are especially crave-worthy. Check out the artfully delicious toffee-cream-and-mint glossy leather Tusk wallet with detachable wristlet; $118. (One of the brand's offerings made it into "Oprah's Favorite Things 2012." Check the selection here, and you'll see why.)
Big Bag also offers elegant jewelry, but the luggage is the thing ? especially with the get-away season approaching. Consider the seriously handsome Bric's "spinner" trolley ? so dubbed, because unlike traditional wheeled luggage, it has four wheels, instead of two, allowing effortless 360-degree navigational turns on narrow plane aisles. Its ebony exterior is micro-suede textured mock-croc ? tres chic, y'all; $575. Top it off with a companion carry-on leather-handled tote for $430.
There are so many other options to explore here ? luggage fills an anterior room at Big Bag. Especially noteworthy is the German brand Rimowa's spinner trolleys in a lovely pale blue and a glimmering amethyst, as well in basic black, for $515. Its lightweight but durable polycarbonate body is the same material used in aircraft, Lee informs; good to know for those who really like to coordinate themselves with their surroundings.