SPORTY UTILITARIAN OPTIONS FROM AUTHENTIC OUTDOORS LIFESTYLE BRANDS
Outdoor Retailer, SLC
Words, Tradeshow Images Judith Ecochard
Sporting Club Messenger Bag $149
Lilypond Solstice Sling $99
When we got the email from LILLYPOND’s PR rep to take a look---our brain cells immediately wandered off to singer/songwriter Taj Mahal’s “Fishin Blues” with the chorus “I’ma going’ fishin, Yes I’ma going’ fishin… my baby’s going fishin too."
Cause we were thinking about Lillypond’s related brand, Fishpond® that share a founder /photographer of catalogues—John Le Coq. And Fishpond’s claim to fame as a fishing and outdoors- outfitters…
Which they are.
Sporting Club Backpack $$149
But we immediately zeroed in on the handsome Gear Bags and Sporting Club Collection of sturdy cotton waxed canvas bags with leather trim….
Sporting Club Briefcase $219
…That reminded us of the high-end luggage/handbag brand Hunting World in terms of durable quality and outdoorsy vibe---
---including Fishpond’s perfectly sized overnighters/gear haulers like the Bighorn Kit Bag ($125) (we were thinking re-purposed for urban dwelling make-up professionals wanting a bit of rugged style),
Yellowstone Wader/Duffel Bag $149 (any athlete)…and task specific samples like the Trailhead Rolling Rod/Gear Bag….
Yellowstone Wader/Duffel Bag $149 (any athlete)…and task specific samples like the Trailhead Rolling Rod/Gear Bag….
---And details like exterior cargo and interior zipped or mesh interior pockets, abrasion resistant bottoms, separate ventilated compartments for wet gear, etc---
Canapy/Earth Tones for Sporting Club Overnighter $189
Specifically, we thought the Sports Collection would be a welcome addition to any man’s or women’s travel wardrobe…or everyday hauler for the typical New Yorker who carry around their lives for the day, in one bag.
Top sizes with retailers include the Carry-On Duffel with four exterior pockets ($159) and a polished Briefcase…ready for types that venture from the Boardroom to mountains.
Sporting Club Messenger $149
Other sizes...a toiletry kit, Carry-On Overnighter with backpack like straps as well as handles, Backpack, Messenger Bag and Laptop Sleeve are all new for Spring 2011.
Sporting Club Toiletry Kit $49
LILYPOND’s “SPIRIT WITHOUT BORDERS” is a thematic design element that pervades the "form, function and flexibility” of the carryalls ---in terms of textures and colors.
Lightweight shoulder bags and generous totes and carry-ons--- are solidly made with ballistic nylon or 14 oz cotton canvas--- with added features---like---leather trims, magnetic snap or zip closures, exterior zipped pockets, front compartments with loads of smartly sized pockets for pdas etc, laptop friendly, fully lined with watermarked nylon fabrics, pen holders, lipsticks sleeves, organizers for modern life---
Firehorn $99
Sunbird $59 & Morning Shadow $139
PLUS
Terrific trim details like a Jacquard accent webbing…and
Windflower $99
LILYPOND’s signature molded bottom for added style, durability and function.
EASILY though, for us, the eyeball-grabbing bag is the SUNDOWN---we have never quite seen anything like it for the purpose of a gym/yoga or chic diaper bag,
Sundown $99
The handles are the stylish design element (unique) that adds a certain caché--- we thought so feminine---like a hand bag…and with a shoulder strap too.
---yet with a unique zip-top closure with magnetic snap---and also blessed with adjustable Yoga mat straps with Velcro® closures. That really can haul around anything rolled up similarly.
And the interior/exterior pockets are so handy…including an airy side mesh bag, accessed through a zip compartment in and outside the bag –perfect for wet bathing suits/gear, two exterior bags front and back, key fob, lining of Lillypond watermarked nylon fabric in contrasting color, three more interior pockets….
In vibrant colors-Reef Blue/Spring Leaf, Night Shade/Glacier Blue, Hibiscus/Tangerine.
www.fishpondusa.com
-New For Spring 2011 (Birch/Dusk) $59
CODA: EVEN dedicated bling bag types with monogramed status symbols dangling from their shoulders---all need stylish, not over the top, almost impossible to ruin, haulers.