Touchdown: Clear Bags That Are Cute and NFL-Approved

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No one wants the National Football League dictating their style choices. Last season, the NFL instigated a new stadium bag policy mandating game-goers to tote clear bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12". The reason was double pronged: safety and expedited check in. Never one to miss out on an opportunity to merchandise, the NFL released their own "all clear" collection of PVC totes, messenger bags, and drawstring backpacks (adorned with team logos, of course).

Enter Flying Fox, a domestically manufactured line born out of the honorable hunt for a bag that was both stylish and stadium compliant. "As soon as I heard the NFL rules last summer, I started online shopping for a cute, clear bag," Tiffany Napper, Founder and Designer of the brand, told us. "I realized how few there were—and how few were made in America—and immediately embraced the challenge of making a chic, clear bag to specifically meet the NFL guidelines. Six weeks later, I was selling my first batch and my line was kicked into overdrive!"

Flying Fox's clear collection offers up four leather-accented options: a crossbody, a tote, a triangular wristlet, and a clutch that comes with a fabric wallet measuring in at the NFL-approved size for non-clear bags (that's 4.5" x 6.5", pictured above). "Working with PVC requires a lot of thinking outside the box," Tiffany tells us. "There are no seams you can hide—everything is exposed. We went through a lot of trial and error with different gauges of PVC and matching those with the best gauge of leather," she explains. "I really wanted to create a durable handbag that can still be chic outside of the stadium." During football season, Tiffany tells us she sells 100 clear handbags per week.

The League has taken note, too, purchasing Flying Fox bags for special events including the owners' convention and placing the bags in last season's Super Bowl gift shop in New York. Tiffany hints that there may be more to come between Flying Fox and the NFL: "It's a wonderful, ongoing relationship with potential surprises in store."

· Flying Fox [Official Site]
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