Purses, Handbags and Wallets, Oh My!

Don’t you love it when you find just the right purse?  

Here are the things I look for in a purse:

*Comfortable to carry

*Easy to organize all my things in

*Looks pretty/cute/stylish

*Sturdy and easy to keep clean

*Not too large and not too small

*Isn’t crazy expensive

I’m not one to have to have a certain brand name in my purse.  I would rather have more purses to choose from than one very expensive purse.  I’ve bought purses at expensive stores all the way down to the very inexpensive retail stores.

I spotted a purse at Dillards a few weeks ago and couldn’t stop thinking about it.  It is a brand that I had never heard of before.  It was way out of the box for me in the price range, so I had to really think hard about it.  Yesterday, I took the plunge and bought it.  I got carried away and bought the wallet to match. The brand of my new handbag and wallet is, Brahmin.  Oh, I saw a beautiful turquoise color that I can’t stop thinking about in that same brand.  I’m thinking if they would have had this style in the turquoise, it might have gone home with me instead.  But, I was looking for a purse that was close to the color of my hair. (I’ll explain that more later.)

This is the handbag that I purchased at Dillard’s. I love the style and color. I should have taken a side picture. It almost looks like a mini suitcase.

The thing that sold me on this purse was the style and how easy it was to carry and open up to put my things in.  My friend, Shari Braendel who is a Fashion Stylist/Coach and the author of “Help Me, Jesus! I Have Nothing to Wear!” said the following about choosing the right purse:

If you are 5’8 and a size 10 or above; go for the oversized handbags.

If you re 5’2 or under and a size 0-4;  go with the small or medium size handbag.

If you don’t fit in either category, stay in the medium range of purses.  Don’t go too large and never too small.

I’m 5’8, but I usually stick with the medium size handbags.  I don’t carry a lot of things in my purse, and  when I’ve tried the large handbags, it feels really strange because the few items I am carrying are rolling around in my purse.  Plus, just cumbersome to me.  I like things simple and easy.

Shari also says that a good color for your purse is the color of your hair.  Of course, I got confused on that part because I love so many colors of purses.   She then told me, if you carry one main purse, have it be the color of your hair.  I do switch purse colors according to what I’m wearing or the season.  But, I did want one handbag that matched my hair that would be my go to purse that I carried a majority of the time.

Did you notice how I used the word purse and then the word handbag?  There is a difference!  My other friend, (I’m thankful to have met such amazing women) Joy Weaver, who is an expert in all things manners and etiquette and the author of “How To Be Socially Savvy In All Situations,” shared with me the difference in the purse and the handbag.

“A purse is under $100 and a handbag is over $100.”

“Never go into Neiman Marcus and ask for a purse…They don’t have them.” – Joy Weaver

This is my Stein Mart purchase. I paid $39.99 for this one. Thought it would be a fun easy purse when I’m more casual.

Are you choosing a new purse for the Spring?  What color and style will you be looking for?

Happy purse/handbag hunting!