topic Re: Purse essentials in Handbags

Purse essentials

smoochy — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 17:42:48 GMT

You can take my title to mean, what type of configuration/design is critical for you. Or, what items do you absolutely need to carry?
Thought about this after reading some reviews on various handbags where a couple of customers said they need to carry checkbooks and paper calendar planners. So they wanted pockets designated for those.

Me, I like tech. So my calendar is on my phone. No need for checks except at the dog groomer; every eight weeks I take one check with me. Also no need for a mask except at the doctors office where it is still required. Must haves inside my purse besides phone, wallet and keys: sunglasses, eye drops, lipstick, pen and a small notebook. I prefer organizational features in a bag rather than one big hole. Lol
I have recently discovered that I enjoy using (purchasing 😉) wallets for specific bags.
I love playing with my bags and accessories. Like a little kid I guess 😊

Re: Purse essentials

Lucky Charm — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:02:06 GMT

Mine has to be a shoulder bag, but I don't want *spaghetti straps*, but something more significant and about 10" long or longer.

l want to be able to sling my bag over my shoulder and be hands free.

I don't like zippers showing. I don't like look of zippers. I hate having to pass my hand through a zipper to get something out of a tight pocket. Ouch!

I don't like ~~all~~ most logos, especially someone else's initials.

I like a rather plain outside, black being my favorite color.

Has to be big. I'm strong enough to carry around a large handbag/shoulderbag.

I carry a large wallet, a large cell phone, large sunglass case, reader glasses, wipes, masks in ziplock baggies and a small spray disinfectant bottle, lip balm and lipstick, always.

But first and foremost, I will not buy a handbag that any animal was killed (or sheared) for my sake.

Re: Purse essentials

QVCkitty1 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:07:33 GMT

I need a crossbody bag at least 11" across, 12 would be best. There has to be at least one outside pocket preferably zipped and large enough for my phone. Inside I need one zipper pocket and a couple of slip pockets.

Re: Purse essentials

hicindy2 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:16:01 GMT

If my bag has just one empty center section, like my Portland mini tote,

I like a small felt organizer for vitamin pack, mini hand sani, tissues, mints, and the iPhone. This is my normal day bag for mini excursions to the grocery store, CVS etc. I add a webbed long strap for over my shoulder. Dislike thin leather straps.

then there is the medium size wallet, small make up case, and double sided eyeglass case that pop right into the center section. My mask is on a lanyard around my neck.

If you want the next level of organization, the small Vera Bradley tote has small pockets that line the interior of the bag. Here is my summer tote. This is great for doctor and dentist visits to keep you organized. No need for the felt organizer and no rummaging around in a black hole. You can have either solid colors ( I have the mossy green and the red) or prints.

If I needed a lot more organization, I would go for the Vera Bradley utility tote. I would take this on a trip. You could even toss a paperback in there as well as a travel agenda and confirmations. The end looks like it could hold a water bottle. I don't own this (yet).

From VB:

PACK IN STYLE - With a fully lined interior along with 2 slips and 1 zip interior pockets, keep your daily commute thoroughly organized with style all over - toss in your lipstick & tablet & keep your protein bars separate from your pens

Re: Purse essentials

smoochy — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:24:03 GMT

@hicindy2 I enjoyed your post. So many cool bags just waiting for us to buy them 😬

Re: Purse essentials

mac116 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:31:53 GMT

I use a black Vera Bradley small tote most of the time. I would LOVE something like that in a lightweight leather. It has a generous outside pocket for my large Iphone, a zipper pocket in the front for my car key fob, a hidden pocket at the top for my masks, 2 large and 4 small slip pockets inside, and plenty of room for my large wallet. I have many Dooney leather bags, but unfortunately they are getting too heavy for my previously injured shoulders.

Re: Purse essentials

hicindy2 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:42:17 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
@hicindy2 I enjoyed your post. So many cool bags just waiting for us to buy them 😬

Isn't that the truth ?? The Purse Fairy has visited my house too many times lately.

I was going to get an elegant small handbag / clutch for going out or formal affairs, and I thought "who I am kidding" ? The only red carpet I am walking on is the red doormat of my neighbor's house.

Re: Purse essentials

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:37:06 GMT

I have a lot of various sizes of Dooney bags. Most are leather. I like leather bags.

My purse is always so heavy. I have really bad back problems. Whomever is walking with me, we'll, they end up carrying MY purse. Especially my teenage granddaughters and daughters.

My daughter says it is heavy because leather is heavy.

I usually use the 2 handles. Sometimes I use the long shoulder straps.

I'm a bit of a chub so I never wear it crossbody because I'd choke to death.😉

Re: Purse essentials

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:52:17 GMT

I cannot imagine switching handbags every day, but I guess some people do. And how can anyone carry a bag with just one giant hole inside and no outside compartments? lol

My handbag is Mission Control in my life. I like organization, many compartments and the more the better. Right now I am carrying a beautiful leather B Makowsky bag that has 3 outside pockets and 7 inner compartments, plus hardware that's two tone. I never wear yellow gold jewelry, and finding a silver hardware bag isn't as easy as it should be.

(In case anyone is wondering, I first bought this style B Makowsky bag when he was still having what seemed like weekly TSVs, and was so impressed with its functionality that I bought a second one, wrapped it carefully and put it away. Since then. I've found two more of this style on Ebay, never used, and bought those, as well. That may seem a little extreme to some, but it's really the most functional leather bag I've ever found, so I couldn't resist. The first purchase was donated and I'm now on the second one. Even tho I'm very happy with this little leather masterpiece of design, I still look at handbags ..... and never see anything that even comes close to what I have.

Re: Purse essentials

ALRATIBA — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:55:46 GMT

My preferred style is one that's fabric or soft faux leather, zipper top, no external zippers or buckles or any other outside stuff that will snag knits.

Has to have shoulder strap - cross-body optional.

Rest of the bag must be "a black hole" with no divders. All my "stuff" is in ziploc bags so I can see what's in each one.

-----------------------------------

If I'm just going shopping - all I need is my credit card and shopping list, and more often than not, I wear a fanny pack bag to hold my card case and keys.

Re: Purse essentials

kaydee50 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 19:39:28 GMT

Crossbody, lightweight, east/west design (not north/south which I find to be a bottomless pit), areas for at least 6 credit cards and a couple of zippered compartments. Ordered the Baggallini from QVC for under $30 and found it to be a good every day bag. I rarely change my purses so it has to be practical.

Do people still carry checkbooks??? LOL!!

Re: Purse essentials

Leeny — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 19:48:43 GMT

My favorite type bag is a satchel. Preferably with long enough handle that either can be adjusted or another strap can be attached. My must haves are a wallet that matches my bag. I prefer a french style with coin attached. I also need, calendar, makeup bag, sanitizer, masks, glasses and cases. Regular eye glasses and sunglasses, Kleenex, telephone and gum.

But to be truthful, I love a lot of different bags. They just need to be big enough to carry all my "stuff".

For some reason today I am having a tough time posting pics.

Re: Purse essentials

Q4u — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 20:03:05 GMT

I have always loved handbags and still do. My favorite is one center section and it doesn't matter if it has special compartments or not but I do use two or so zipped make up bags to hold essentials so everything is contained.

Re: Purse essentials

Leeny — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 20:07:29 GMT

I finally got my picture I wanted to post. Perseverance is what it takes. I guess

Re: Purse essentials

Meowingkitty — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 20:20:40 GMT

My bags must be no bigger than 10x8 and lightweight. No totes, satchels and no armpit bags either. I like shoulder or crossbody with a zipper for security. No advertising or minimal advertising the brand if at all possible. Do not want two straps either. If it has two, the shorter one must be removable. I don't carry much. Just a credit card wallet, phone, sunglasses, Chapstick, keys and tissues, and a mask that's buried somewhere at the bottom of my purse since I have worn one since May. I just bought this bag from Hammitt yesterday.

Re: Purse essentials

smoochy — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 21:38:34 GMT

Oh my gosh. You ladies are so informative, and funny too! 😛 some of your comments made me lol. The pics of cool, classy bags was a good idea and a bad idea. Now I want them. 😈

Re: Purse essentials

Flatbush — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 05:56:50 GMT

I like a shoulder bag. Found a nice leather pocketbook-Le Sak. Not too big, not too small. Just right. I have to carry: lipstick,comb,bandages,safety pins,pen, checkbook, small date book,tissues, sun glasses,and reader, wallet,keys,a few Sweet and Lo,calculator, and small magnifying glass,. Sounds like a lot but they all fit.

Re: Purse essentials

Shanus — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 12:05:55 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
Crossbody, lightweight, east/west design (not north/south which I find to be a bottomless pit), areas for at least 6 credit cards and a couple of zippered compartments. Ordered the Baggallini from QVC for under $30 and found it to be a good every day bag. I rarely change my purses so it has to be practical.

Do people still carry checkbooks??? LOL!!

@kaydee50 I use a Baggallini nylon bag, too...croosbody. I don't put cards in the slots since I do like to change out bags.

When I used to carry checks, I'd tear out a few and not carry the checkbook. I now find credit/debit cards much easier and many places won't accept a check...cash or credit cards only.

Re: Purse essentials

Ilovetea — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 13:44:16 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

I cannot imagine switching handbags every day, but I guess some people do. And how can anyone carry a bag with just one giant hole inside and no outside compartments? lol

My handbag is Mission Control in my life. I like organization, many compartments and the more the better. Right now I am carrying a beautiful leather B Makowsky bag that has 3 outside pockets and 7 inner compartments, plus hardware that's two tone. I never wear yellow gold jewelry, and finding a silver hardware bag isn't as easy as it should be.

(In case anyone is wondering, I first bought this style B Makowsky bag when he was still having what seemed like weekly TSVs, and was so impressed with its functionality that I bought a second one, wrapped it carefully and put it away. Since then. I've found two more of this style on Ebay, never used, and bought those, as well. That may seem a little extreme to some, but it's really the most functional leather bag I've ever found, so I couldn't resist. The first purchase was donated and I'm now on the second one. Even tho I'm very happy with this little leather masterpiece of design, I still look at handbags ..... and never see anything that even comes close to what I have.

I would be interested in seeing this bag.

My main concern is to have an outside pocket that will fit my phone and keep it secure. Dooney had a few bags that excelled at that but then never did it with a smaller version. I love short handles and crossbody bags, preferably if they coexist. I don't carry a lot with me but do like easy, quick access to what I have and extra space for other items I might pick up along the way. I go back and forth between using smaller travel organizers and a larger purse organizer. I like changing out my bags every few weeks but this year did find a Coach bag that would hands down be my one to keep if I had to get rid of everything else.

Re: Purse essentials

smoochy — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:08:51 GMT

Satchel is my favorite style in a bag. Preferably with a detachable cross body strap.
I have a Kate Spade and a Dooney, both are called the Darcy satchel. Well that's my daughter's name so I had to have them. 🥰

I don't change purses daily, only because I use different wallets with each one. Transferring stuff from one wallet to another is tedious. Each one has specific sections where I put certain things. I like to carry one purse and wallet combo for about a week.
Now carrying my Lug Ranger. Gosh I love that bag. Will likely go back to the Patricia Nash tote in a week or so. It has such a fall vibe. And the smell of that luscious leather, ahh. Here in Florida it never looks like fall or winter. And we dont get to wear long sleeves and boots except for a minute or two. Haha So I pretend by using bags that I would have carried when I lived in Michigan.