Laura Barrett: a freshman in nutrition and food science, attempts to carry her keys, iPod, cell phone, books and backpack, while getting through the door. JD Schein / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
For many individuals, a handbag, tote or backpack is a crucial part of their daily wardrobe, yet for others, it is just an object to haul around the things necessary for the day.
Nevertheless, Auburn students are sporting a variety of bags and styles.
“We sell probably 1,200 KAVU Keepers a month,” said Crysten Martin, marketing director for Kinnucan’s. “It’s like the epitomy of Auburn’s student base. They are just $20. You can’t beat them.”
The KAVU Keeper has five pockets and comes in a variety of colors.
You can find this bag at Kinnucan’s as well as Southern Trails.
Southern Trails also offers a variety of backpacks for students.
“We sell a lot of North Face’s Jester (daypacks),” said Daniel Munger, a junior in geography and a sales associate at Southern Trails. “For some reason, everyone gets the North Face stuff.”
These daypacks (North Face’s Jester, Hotshot and BigShot) are usually under $100.
“Most of the time, people are very willing to spend $50 on a pack,” Munger said.
Weekend and weeklong packs are also available at Southern Trails.
“The Gregory Z30 is going to be our most popular daypack,” Munger said. “The Gregory Z35 is super light, and it carries up to 40 pounds. It’s a good weekend pack for people who do a lot of weekend trips.”
Munger also recommends the Osprey Aether 70 and Gregory Baltoro for weeklong trips.
“(The price) depends on what you are going to do,” Munger said. “When you get to the bigger packs, you can easily pay over $200.”
According to About.com, the clutch is the “hottest shape of the season.”
“The clutch is our most popular selling bag,” said Mallory Shepard, a junior in apparel merchandising and a sales associate at Simply Charming.
“They come in tons of colors. Pinks are the most popular, or during football season, the orange and blue. They run about $20 each.”
Many other Auburn stores are selling clutches, including In the Bag and Ellie.
“They are like a magnet,” said Brooke Dent, a junior in apparel merchandising and a sales associate at In the Bag. “Everyone comes here (to the table with clutches).”
Shoppers are also purchasing tote bags.
“It kind of depends on your own style, but a lot of people are getting the bigger bags, something you can throw everything in,” said Emily Kneicley, a senior in psychology and sales associate at Ellie. “But, it’s never really going to go out of style to have a little clutch to go out with.”
According to Kneicley, bright, spring colors are popular as well as bags with stripes.
At In the Bag, metallic bags are a top seller, said Dent.
For men, the messenger bag is popular, said Brian Desarro, a sophomore in liberal arts and a sales associate at Gap. The bag costs $40.
“Our most popular bag changes because we get so many different bags,” said Erin McGrath, a senior in hotel and restaurant management and a sales associate at Gap.
So, whether you choose to make a statement with your bag or simply carry your stuff, there is a wide variety of choices.
