The Liz Claiborne Obsession: Triangles, Purses, and Elementary School Glam

Ah, the 80s, a decade of neon, big hair, and my undying love for all things Liz Claiborne. Back then, Liz wasn’t just a designer; she was a lifestyle icon, and I was her loyal disciple from elementary school onward. Now, I didn’t just wear Liz Claiborne; I lived Liz Claiborne. Every purse, every fragrance, every little triangle logo, each one represented my growing sense of style, confidence, and, let’s be honest, my aspiration to be the coolest kid in school.

It all started with that iconic red triangle bottle. The minute I saw that perfume, I knew it wasn’t just any scent; it was the key to the kingdom. Sure, it smelled good (hello, floral notes!), but the real magic was in that bottle. It was more than perfume; it was a statement. And this statement said, "I'm sophisticated, I'm grown-up, and I know how to rock a triangle."

Now, to truly understand the depth of my Liz Claiborne devotion, let me set the scene. When  I was in a public elementary school, my mom, who conveniently shared the same name as the brand (her name’s Liz, after all), would often remind me, “Never leave the house without a good purse and a nice pair of shoes.” And let me tell you, I took that advice very seriously.

At the time, I was convinced that having a Liz Claiborne purse in my hot little hands was the equivalent of holding a VIP pass to the coolest club in town. Forget about the fact that I was just a kid with a lot of energy and an unhealthy obsession with neon jelly shoes, I was it. I strutted down the hallway of my elementary school, Liz Claiborne purse swinging from my arm, thinking I was basically a living, breathing fashion show. And, let’s be honest, I was definitely the best-dressed kid on many days. I was way mature and had a sense of fashion before I entered middle school!

My first Liz Claiborne purse was a hot pink masterpiece that I wore with pride. I remember the day I walked out the door with that bag like it was yesterday. I thought I was untouchable. The kind of untouchable that only exists when you're wearing a bag that screams, "I'm mature," and a pair of jelly shoes that scream, "I'm not ready to let go of my childhood."

But my purse game didn’t stop there. Oh no, I needed the purse in all the colors. The universe needed to know that I could rock a Liz Claiborne in any shade. Blue?  Yellow? Of course. Red? Absolutely. Every single color in the rainbow was fair game, and I made it my mission to make sure every one of those bags made a statement. And let me tell you, those bags were more than just accessories; they were my entire personalityfor a good chunk of my childhood.

Oh, and did I mention the accessories? The other accessories? Let’s talk about my stacked bracelets, shall we? I had enough plastic bangles to start my own jewelry line, and each one was there to make sure I looked like the ultimate 80s style icon. I could barely lift my arm by the end of the day from the weight of all those accessories, but it didn’t matter. The sound of those bracelets clinking together was the soundtrack to my 80s fashion dream. Paired with my Liz Claiborne purse and my trusty jelly shoes (don’t forget the shoes!), I was walking through life like I was the main character of an '80s movie montage.

And let’s not forget my curly hair. Oh, my curly hair. My mom always used to say, “You’ve got to embrace those curls,” and I took that advice to heart. In my mind, my frizzy curls were the finishing touch to the perfect 80s look. Think: Cindy Lauper meets Madonna, but with a slightly awkward schoolgirl twist. I was rocking those curls like nobody’s business.

Looking back, those Liz Claiborne purses weren’t just accessories, they were my ticket to confidence. If I had that purse on my arm, I could conquer the world. Forget multiplication tables, forget dodgeball—nothing stood in the way of my inner fashion icon. I was walking tall, one Liz Claiborne purse at a time, ready to take on whatever elementary school could throw at me. Who knew that while dodging playground bullies and running in gym class, I was also getting my first taste of style, empowerment, and self-expression?

Now, here's where it gets a bit tragic, like an old-school rom-com with a twist. I’ve been on the search for the perfect red triangle purse ever since COVID hit. I don’t know what happened, but I missed it. I missed the thrill of that perfect red bag dangling from my shoulder, the way it made me feel like I had my life together, even if the rest of my day was filled with chaos. I’ve scoured thrift stores, online marketplaces, and even texted old friends who might still have one stashed away, hoping for a miracle. I still want one again, really. Because there’s just something about that little triangle that takes me straight back to my childhood, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not quite complete without it.

Today, I may have swapped my neon jelly shoes for a more sophisticated wardrobe (okay, maybe just a little more sophisticated), but that early lesson from Mom about always having a good purse and shoes stuck with me. And let’s face it, I’m still channeling that same energy: if you’ve got the right accessories, you can tackle anything, including life’s biggest challenges.

So here's to you, Liz Claiborne and my own Liz, who taught me everything I know about fashion and confidence. Those triangle bags, the jelly shoes, and the curly hair will forever remain iconic. Thank you for helping me navigate elementary school with my head held high and my purse swinging. You might not be at the forefront of fashion today, but for those of us who grew up in the 80s, you’ll always hold a special place in our hearts...and our closets.

Stay stylish, stay confident, and never underestimate the power of a good purse (and a lot of stacked bracelets).