If the lipstick won't fit in your Yasmena, pass it to your pack-man
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So, imagine our delight at hearing that Yasmena bags would soon grace the aisles of San Antonio Stein Marts. Better yet, two samples arrived, cute-as-hell, on my desk: one soft-leather "clam," or folding-style, in pearl, and one silver-beaded "single," or pocket-style.
The Yasmena's claim to fame is its handles, which loop around the wrist and allow the bag to be carried on top of the hand or in the palm. A small loop at the bottom of the bag attaches to the middle finger as an anchor. Carried so, the Yasmena discretely goes everywhere with you - no more arm-pit bag or crossing-guard-style straps on the dance floor.
My intention was to have my handbag companion, the Gesticulator, try out the clam style, while I modeled the single. The night in question called for feminine supplies and, not quite understanding the parameters of the Yasmena, I found myself unprepared with anything short enough to fit in the bag's pocket. I lent the bag to the Swan.
The Gesticulator carried a credit card, driver's license, cell phone, two longish lip glosses wedged in sideways, two keys, and $5. No longer a wafer-thin clam, her Yasmena looked lumpy and awkward. With the added girth, the finger loop pulled the Gesticulator's hand into a contorted claw.
"This is not elegant," she sighed.
Later, when the Gesticulator let her hands do the talking, I noticed heads bobbing and weaving, as though expecting the Yasmena to chunk them in the head.
The Swan faired better, fitting a credit card, two keys, and a cell phone in her Yasmena, which looked simple and pretty on her dainty hand. Of course, her lip gloss was too long, so I carried it, along with a wad of cash and a couple of pieces of gum she didn't want to have to extract from the bottom of the bag.
In the end, we decided the Yasmena is a great idea if you also possess the Zoolander cell phone and the appropriate-size lip gloss. Otherwise, like all tiny bags before it, the Yasmena is for whatever doesn't fit in your boyfriend-lover-husband-partner's pockets. •
By Susan Pagani