I’m going to make a confession.
As much as I care about other aspects of fashion, I don’t really care about purses. Now before you start in on me for talking crazy talk, let me explain.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate a good purse because I do.
In fact, the Christmas I was fifteen will go down in history as one of my favorite Christmases ever because it was the year I got my very first Dooney and Burke purse. In hunter green.
Oh 1986. You were so funny with your hunter green and navy accessories.
Since that time I have carried all manner of handbags, ranging from expensive designer bags to inexpensive knock-offs.
Here’s the truth, I can’t really tell the difference.
I had this beautiful Fendi bag when I was in college and it began to fall apart after a fairly short amount of time. So I marched myself and my cool bag into the Fendi store and explained my dilemma only to be told that “the Fendi purse isn’t for everyday use”.
Well sure.
Why would I expect a fine Italian leather handbag to hold up better than the $50.00 Liz Claiborne purse I carried throughout most of junior high?
After my Fendi experience, any real love I had for a specific purse kind of died. Oh sure, I went through a period in the mid-90’s where I had to have the Kate Spade black microfiber purse shaped like a box, but I’ve never been a girl who cares all that much about a new handbag purchase.
Then, last fall, I saw this gorgeous purse by Kate Spade. It was this gorgeous chocolate brown suede with hot pink lining.
When I saw it, I felt like a girl of fifteen again.
However, it was slightly above what I’m willing to pay for a purse that will inevitably become filled with a mixture of animal cracker crumbs, grape juice and hand sanitizer.
And really, I don’t know why I’m telling y’all all this other than to lead into today’s question.
1. Christine asks: “I need fashion help. I need a new purse. I’m very particular about my purse, probably because it’s the one thing I wear every single day. I’m willing to spend about $100. Like a good pair of shoes, I’ll keep a handbag for awhile. But I find myself going back to this year’s version of the same boring black leather bag over and over again. My habit, generally, is to buy a nice bag and carry it thru all seasons as opposed to cheap bags that I rotate out as they fall apart and/or are out of season. Any suggestions?
Well now that you know my purse history, you may decide that I’m not the best person to be doling out advice on purses.
And you’d probably be right.
However, I did find a couple of things that are in your price range that I think are really cute.
I love this braided-leather strap hobo bag and it’s on sale.
I also like the giraffe-print hobo.
Here is a brown woven bag and a fun ethnic print hobo bag.
Honestly, it’s not easy to find purses online. Most of the things I found were either $20.00 or $400.00 with not a lot of in between. Your best bet may be to head to TJ Maxx and look around. I’ve seen some really great purses there for about half the price.
What about y’all? Have you seen any cute bags lately? Do you switch out your purse according to the season or just carry the same one all year round?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Or at least I would like to know.
Y’all have a great Friday!