I go for great leather first, so I expect that most bags I love will have a nice bit of weight. The Liebeskind leather bags are an exception; most are amazingly light, so you might try those. There are (unattractive) fabric bags around if you really need something light, but they tend to be what even my own mother calls "old-ladyish." I don't want a lot of organization beyond an exterior pocket, if possible and the interior standard side wall zip and slip pockets. I use a wallet and a makeup bag so I am never fishing around for "stuff!"
I agree about handbags that are way too heavy. I think the hosts should ALWAYS tell the weight of each bag as they show them. It's not enough to say, light, heavy or whatever because one person's heavy is not the same.
If the bag is called a leather handbag, then I expect it to be 100% leather. NOT vinyl or plastic straps and bottoms and trim. Tignanello and QVC are great for deception on that issue. PLEASE do not call those bags leather when they are not.
Along with some of the things already mentioned, a too small and/or cumbersome opening... I neither want to slice my hand on the zipper getting in and out nor want to take everything out to find what I'm seeking because the opening doesn't permit ease of viewing inside...
I found a solution for bags that have no compartments. I bought on Amazon for $11 a bag insert. Laurie Grenier used to sell them but hers I didn't like. The one I got is a medium size and it doesn't even weigh my bag down Half of the compartments are still not full.
I dont like bags that are too stiff or too soft that they puddle and you cannot find anything. I have to have outside slip pocket for phone or I won't hear it. I used to carry larger purses when I worked because I felt I needed my stuff but now that I am retired I only use crossbodies. Once you get used to being hands free it is hard to go back. Having said that, crossbodies can be too small so they are useless or too big so they hurt your neck.
@geezeretteHi, I have found the perfect bag for me. I bought it about one year ago and have had no need to change it out in that year. It is the Brahmin medium Duxbury Satchel and I got it in red. I do carry it every day. Take a look at it.
My pet peeve are shouder straps that are not removable, bags without outside zip pockets, black linings, and unorganized inside lining without cell phone pockets. My other pet peeve is poor quality zippers and straps where the edge paint wears and develops cracks.
