May 31, 2005

A Basket Case

Andrea Brueckner's Basket-Weave Bags

Spring. A time to travel light.

So why is it that every time the season rolls around, your load seems to get heavier?

It’s the paradox of warm weather: No big coat pockets for your stuff — so you end up carrying everything but the kitchen sink in your bag.

And what’s better for that than Andrea Brueckner’s roomy ones? Made of embossed cowhide leather, the rich basket-weave carryalls have that me-swinging-my-basket look and come in three shapes (saddle, tote, and bucket). And desert-inspired hues of brown, caramel, and olive are great year-round.

Antique gold hardware, double piping straps, and zippered compartments make them sharp enough to take to the office and sturdy enough to hold all your essentials: folders, BlackBerry, flip-flops …

Just be sure to leave room for that emergency oops-forgot-to-wax shaving kit.

Available at Calypso, 935 Madison Avenue, between 74th and 75th Streets (212-535-4100); or Verve Shoes, 336 Bleecker Street, between Christopher and West 10th Streets (212-675-6693). To see styles, go to andreabrueckner.com.