Commuter style: Do's and don'ts

If there were an Olympics of Schlepping, I'd medal for sure. That's because I'm a haul-a-holic.

My daily commute involves at least three separate bags: a purse, a tote and an enormous purse annex. That doesn't include the laptop, which sometimes goes in the tote but often gets its own bag-on-wheels, despite the dreaded nerd factor. So that's my confession.

I've tried to cut back and I have reduced (a little) my heavy haul by relying on my phone for photos instead of carrying a camera, eliminating one of the two coffee thermoses I bring to work and spending a couple of minutes before leaving the house to examine what's in those bags to make sure I'm not carrying around heavy stuff (books for the library, a dog leash) that I don't need.

To walk you through the do's and don'ts of gearing up for your commute, I stopped commuters at rush hour to talk about strategies to look good and lighten their loads. And, yes, I admit, this is a classic example of "Do as I say — not as I do." I'm trying to do better, and so can you.

shopellen@tribune.com

Walter Ortiz

21, art student/sales clerk

"I really don't need much. I'm just going to work." His backpack is lightweight and contains only what he knows he'll use on his daily train commute: a sketchbook, sunglasses, iPod, charger, phone and Game Boy. Also, just in case, a small medical kit if there's a skateboard accident.

What's right: Backpack distributes weight evenly; contents pared down to essentials; skateboarding to his job from the train station is fast, cheap — and green.

What's wrong: Nothing.

Andrea Swift

36, stock exchange sales

"I normally don't have this much stuff. I normally (just) have my tote (the bag on her right shoulder) and try to fit everything in there. Normally I even have my laptop in there, and lunch goes in there too. I'm going to yoga, and this (black bag) is my workout bag."

What's right: Despite all that gear — three separate pieces — she looks chic and put together.

What's wrong: The Gucci bag she uses as a tote is heavy, even when it's empty. And she confesses she's hauling two big bottles of water — one sparkling, one regular — a large cosmetics bag and more. "I guess I do need to clean out my bag." Miniature cosmetics, less water, a lighter tote bag would help.

Christine Polk Mohr

37, attorney

The most together commuter ever! She's got all that she needs and not a single thing more, arranged for easy access, including work ID, office and home keys, lunch, cloth shopping sack. Her system — flawless! — "developed over time."

What's right: A while ago she swapped her heavy leather Coach bag for the much lighter all-black fabric Vera Bradley bag (on her left shoulder). Instead of a wallet, a credit card holder (in bright yellow; easy to find in her purse) holds the necessities. The leopard tote is lightweight too. She takes work home but is careful to pare files down. And she keeps a small makeup bag and her gym shoes at the office to further lighten her load.

What's wrong: Not a thing.