Summer’s Back at LeSportsac

So I was walking down Madison Avenue here on the Upper East Side the other day when I noticed that the window of the LeSportsac boutique was looking a lot like a fruit and vegetable stand. As far as I knew, this store sells bags, so I was naturally curious why there’d be a cart containing citrus and greens on display.

Based on what has been an uncommonly dreary spring, it’s hard to believe that summer will officially commence on Sunday. The good news is that LeSportSac is ready. One of their new patterns, out this June, is called Farmer’s Market (hence the healthy display) and it sings the praises of summer even if the sun refuses to shine. There are carrots, blueberries, and radishes a-plenty on these colorful bags.

The first LeSportsac duffel was made out of parachute nylon and carpet binding tape here in New York City in 1974, making this their 35th anniversary. In their words: “35 Years Young…what was hip to zip then…is hip to zip now!”

Today, LeSportsacs are still known for their soft durability. They come in all different shapes and sizes, from toiletry bags to backpacks to coin purses and laptop sleeves. You can even get an extra long bag for your yoga mat in the Flower Power print, also new this month (pictured). Of course, these bags are sold all over the place, but there are only two LeSportsac boutiques in the city, here on Madison between 80th and 81st and one down in SoHo on Greene Street.

I think I got my first LeSportsac purse when I was about 12. I remember that it was navy blue: I thought it was quite sporty and spiffy and I liked the logo. It was purchased excitedly at the “fancy mall” near us in Madison, Wisconsin. Since then, I have carried around a few LeSportsac cosmetic bags. This brand slipped off my radar for a few years but I have been noticing it around a lot more and it seems like it is making a welcome resurgence. The store’s space is modern and crisp and I like the new designs.

Shopgirls Cyrena and Sara told me that this shop has been at this location for about seven years. They sell a lot of weekenders and, in the fall, they sell lots of tote bags to local schoolgirls. Remarkably, LeSportsac comes out with several new prints every month. Other summery selections right now include: Garden club, a black and white print with little watering cans and Adirondack chairs and Magic Garden with butterflies and a tiny bird holding a bouquet in his beak. I couldn’t decide if I liked May’s Paper Dots selections (pictured) better or another one depicting ice cream cones.

But what really caught my eye, and my imagination (and also perhaps, soon, my credit card number…?) was a print by LeSportsac’s current “artist in residence”, Fifi Lapin. This is a talented fashionista bunny who sketches herself in designer clothes from the latest runways. She has been named “the world’s most stylish bunny” by Elle Magazine and I have to agree. I especially like the print “Sweethearts” depicting Fifi and her equally-stylish beau, Sonny Hare, on the go. Hmm, don’t you think a tote or a duffle in this pattern would be just perfect for my upcoming weekend hop-along to Seattle where I’ll be crashing my bunny’s business trip…?