Thank you everyone for participating in the Gigi Hill Giveaway. Congratulations to our winner: Comment #5: Kristi J. Be sure and check out Brenda’s site if you are interested in ordering a bag.
I imagine it’s fair to say that if we took a vote on favorite accessory, handbags would be towards the top. If you were to choose, would it be Jewelry, Shoes or Handbags? I know women who have dozens of expensive handbags. I know other women who feel it’s crazy to spend hundreds of dollars on one bag. Over the years I’ve gone back and forth between quantity or quality. I had a Brighton phase, a “knock off” phase, a department store brand phase and an E-bay designer phase. The bottom line: A purse is an item I use every day; I want it to hold up. I have purchased the less expensive handbags that wore out after one season. I have found that I like to rotate a few favorites for a number of years. It seemed a wiser investment to spend a little more and be able to use them longer than one year. You wouldn’t think that a husband and two boys would notice a new purse, but they do. My younger son has been known to say–”Mom, is that another new purse?” Numerous tops go unnoticed. A purse–not so much!
My Personal Purse Criteria:
1. Perfect size. It must hold my basics, yet not so large that things get “lost”. Also, I don’t want to carry “luggage” or have my purse bump into others. I like an average sized purse for everyday use. See photos below. I have smaller bags for special occasions.
2. Strap Drop. I want a purse that sits comfortably on my shoulder–not too high, not too low. My perfect drop is between 9-10″.
3. Quality Leather. I’ve just had too many bags fall apart so this is key for me.
4. I like a bag to have a “bottom”. I want it to sit and not tip over.
Where to purchase:
I’ve had the best luck for designer purses on E-bay. I’ve really scored some deals over the years. I have also had good luck at the Nordstrom Rack and the Nordstrom Sale table right BEFORE they go to The Rack. In fact, I’ve found some great bags and I simply have to walk away. I only need so many! TJ Maxx is another good source.
What Colors are Best?
This is very individual. I like to have a basic black and brown. Then I want a couple fun colors. It is amazing the comments I receive when carrying a bag with a unique color. It brightens a dull outfit instantly. It also takes the eye to the handbag and at times away from my flaws. The way I see it, the right bag can take the attention away from my middle! I vacillated between showing purses I own or showing what is available. This post focuses on styles and colors I love. I do not switch on a daily basis. I carry one for a while and then rotate. Note: Shoes and bags do not have to match.
Here are some of bags I’m using right now: The Neutrals: Black/Michael Kors, Brown/B. Makowsky(new favorite brand), Pewter/Betsy Johnson. I get comments on all of these purses, especially the pewter. It’s a difficult color to find which is unfortunate because it is so versatile. These are older styles found on E-bay and at The Rack.
Colors: Red/Talbot’s, Blue/Maxx New York, Purple/Dooney & Bourke (I’ve received comments in stores from total strangers when I carry this purse. It’s a great color purple) Talbot’s has reasonably priced bags. The others are from E-bay.
Are you a little Coach, a bit Dooney or do you favor Louie? Not into name brands? Do you have handbag criteria before purchasing?
Coming Next: Handbags Pt 2.
Karen got me started on colored purses years ago when she helped my husband pick out a bright green purse for me. It has since been retired to the good will when stains and ink made it look old and tired. Now I have several, my staple will always be black, a patent leather one that my daughter helped me pick out while we were in Denver. I get so many compliments on that one. I now have knock offs that my hubby picked up in China, brown, pink and one patterned. My newest is the real thing a off white for the summer. I have to say my funnest one is a rubber Chicken purse, yes it looks like a real chicken that I use at times in the summer. Now that one is a conversation starter. Purses are fun and add so much to an outfit. Hard to believe years ago I would carry the same purse around without a change for years before getting a new one.
I hope I don’t sound preachy, but please do not buy knock-off bags — when a purse has, say, a Coach logo and a vendor is selling it for $25 — it’s literally a steal. It’s copyright infringement and downright illegal. Designers work hard to create their own work. Support the artisans, not the ripoff artists!
No problem on sounding “preachy” Barb. A blog is meant for you to express opinions. I did not address this as I should have in the post and you are absolutely correct! I see both sides however. Women are drawn to the knock-offs because they cannot justify the price. Some designers are getting ungodly amounts of $$ for bags that only celebrities can afford. Can’t see paying $1000+ for a bag no matter how long I use it. I’ve found my affordable designers that I like (Michael Kors, B. Makowsky to name a few) and my goal is to find the real thing for less. I want it to hold up and not support the copycats.
LOVE the purple bag. Let me know when you are to retire it – I want to make an offer
I am not at all in to switching purses. I own one and get a new one when that one wears out. I always buy black and it must have 3 sections that all zip up. That’s the only way I can keep myself organized. Now, I ventured outside the norm, went to a purse party, and bought a red one, and it only has one pocket. The red is fine but the one pocket I can’t take it; I’m constantly hunting for what I need. I don’t understsand why one large area seems to be the rage. But, I am having fun with the red. I never would have ventured/branched out if I hadn’t been reading Karen’s blog. Thanks Karen!
Great story and example