#hoboprep

The bag is light for it's strength. It is strong. It has a large internal volume. The wheels are well designed, as are the handles and clasps. Its style is also good. It meets all requirements of the Four Tenets of Prep: Utility, Longevity, Durability and Quality. I live homeless in the Apple Store, and in my gym, the membership for which cost quite a pretty penny, here in London, and also at the Heathrow lounges, as I am flown to small design jobs in Asia and elsewhere from time to time. and am able to live in the lounges before and after my flight, and also in F when flying, where I am able to shower and recharge my computer, and use the Wireless Internet to do my work. It is not an ideal life for everyone but it is what it is. I also take the train to Paris, and thereafter to Switzerland, and am able to recharge my Macbook Pro in the first class or premium seats, and otherwise survive. One bag is all I need, as I pack only what I need, and need only what I own. The sum total of what I own is little: it could be laid out on a modestly sized cafe table -- that is how few possessions I have, and they fit nicely in my Rimowa.

The Salsa cases from the same company are nice, but you will be able to read elsewhere here how some time ago I settled on the Topas Stealth. Now, because of the papers I am required to carry for my design work, and other work, I am mooting whether to purchase another case.

Good shoes are essential for any prep and most preps I meet have two essential pairs of shoes: loafers and dress shoes. Shoes take up more space in a case than any other type of item. With suits, casual clothes, gym clothes, and other items, how is a modern prep able to travel with two carry on sized cases? The answer is simple. One case can be wheeled behind, as it is a two wheeled case. The other case can be wheeled at your side with your other arm, as it is a four wheeled case. This allows you almost the same freedom of movement as having one two wheeled case. In addition, you will be allowed to place your laptop bag on top of your two wheeled case. You will be allowed to take your two wheeled case, and it's laptop bag, onto the aircraft. You will also be allowed to check your four wheeled case. I would not suggest a four wheeled case over the IATA 22" size, as it would be too large, and unnecessary for any prep, for a prep's prep is a practical prep, and will not have Unnecessary Things in His Possession, instead Having Only What Is Needed. Then you will be able to choose which case you will check and which case you will carry on. The cases need not match, and in fact, it may be better to have a Salsa for checking and a Topas for carry on, as the Topas tend to be mishandled more easily, and come away with scratches and dents.

Two bag travel is possible, and feasible, and in fact, essential for some preps. I have done with one case for some time as the One Bag Travel Prep, but now am considering becoming the Two Bag Travel Prep, as it also appears to be practical if done in this fashion.

The Hobo Prep

The solution was wearing the Uniqlo UL Down parka under my suit coat. It was warm, lightweight, and furthermore, could be packed down into the accompanying satchel to the size of a small rolled scarf. 

WEARING A SUIT WITH A PARKA

BY THE HOBO PREP

This is Prep at it's finest, for a Hobo Prep is a Practical Prep, and a Practical Prep is a Prep's Prep, The suit coat covers the parka completely, the parka being open and not zipped, and with its hood tucked in, or if the parka be worn alone, such as on the weekend, with sweatpants (not recommended, as they do not pack well) or a spare pair of slacks or pants, with the hood in its normal position at the back of the neck, or raised over the head if the wind be too strong.

Wearing the Parka over a suit proved to be more troublesome, as it did not cover the length of the suit, although being quite near enough. Other Preps have experimented with wearing a Pea Coat, or a Winter Parka or Mountain Coat over a suit coat, and it is indeed a New Trend among many Preps and Putative Preps.

However, I find the solution of wearing this lightweight down parka under the suit coat to be equally practical, if not better styled, as one cannot see it, and it is warm enough too. You may also wear lightweight cashmere underneath the parka, over your shirt. Worn this way, the parka is a stylish and nice companion to the suit, even though worn underneath it.

It has been a warm winter with these two coats. What Parka/Suit combination suits you? Perhaps the thought of not wearing a Chesterfield or Topcoat over your suit this winter is too much to bear. You can leave your thoughts, as always, below.

The Hobo Prep