Purses

[indysteel]

I use the mother ship purse and a pod purse method.
I have a big purse that can hold a book & scarf & lunch & water bottle & bike gloves & all sort s of stuff AND the pod.
The pod is small and can hold my wallet, phone, keys, lip balm, glasses, pocket knife and, if organized properly, a granola bar.
Going to work & travel: mother ship & pod
Running errands & out at night: pod.

I love your use of the phrase "mother ship" in this context. LOL!!!!

[indysteel]

We have multiple Coach stores in Indy. If I wanted a Coachy purse, that's where I'd go. That takes any difference between department stores out of the equation. They're too spendy for me though so it's a non-issue.

Speaking of Furla, when I was in Paris in 2007, it was during their bi-annual department store sale. Purse shopping in Paris--even if you're not really into purses like me--is heaven. There are SO many beautiful bags. I feel in love with a Furla purse. It was a pale butter color and was the softest leather I've ever felt. It was gorgeous. I went back to that purse any number of times, but kept talking myself out of it, to my regret.

[Crankin]

I use a very small black leather bag with smallish straps, with an equally small wallet that came with another purse DH bought for me in France. The original purse broke, so I got this one at TJ Maxx. I can fit my sunglasses, reading glasses, I Phone and a pen in here, as well as the wallet. And the wallet fits in my cycling jersey pocket.
I use this because it fits in my large leather tote I use for work, or I can take it out and use alone. I do not like the look of carrying 2 bags.
I have several small dress purses, plain leather, patent leather, silk, and beaded, most of them were my mom's, from the 50s and 60s. Most are clutches, some have handles, or shoulder strap.
I used to buy Liz Claiborne purses in the 80s-early 90s, but now I just don't spend that much on them. The work bag I have, DH bought me in China at a special store that a Chinese person has to take you into. I don't think it's a fake, but even if it is, I get tons of compliments on it.

[Blueberry]

I've been really pleased with Coach outlets. I have purses that are 10 years old, and still look great. No quality issues (other than some threads coming undone on one).

They do offer online sales sometimes. I think you have to register, and be "invited" - but the deals are great. It's not unusual for smaller purses/totes to be in the $100-$125 range (which is pretty good!).

In my experience, the outlets are a little less trendy too (though they are getting more so).

[shootingstar]

Yea, missjean's "mother ship" reference is amusing.

Um...the most I've spent on any purse in my lifetime so far, has been $85.00 and that was leather...um....20 yrs. ago.

My more recent purses have been fake leather that look leather-like @ $65.00CAN.

I guess we shouldn't talk about how much we spend on a pr. business dress shoes or shoes for a wedding. I am incredibly picky here with specific, limiting needs because I have customizd orthotics.

[GLC1968]

Speaking of Furla, when I was in Paris in 2007, it was during their bi-annual department store sale. Purse shopping in Paris--even if you're not really into purses like me--is heaven. There are SO many beautiful bags. I feel in love with a Furla purse. It was a pale butter color and was the softest leather I've ever felt. It was gorgeous. I went back to that purse any number of times, but kept talking myself out of it, to my regret.

I had this same thing happen to me at a Cole Haan store in an upscale shopping center in FL about 8 years ago. I loved that bag and I kept going back to visit it! I loved it more every time I saw it. It was $398 and black but seeing as how I was looking to leave my job at the time, and I really didn't like purses AT ALL, I felt like I couldn't justify buying it. When we sold our house in one day for a huge profit, I asked my then new husband if I could splurge. He said of course, so I bought it. I STILL love that purse to this day and even though it got daily use for 4 years straight, it still looks wonderful. Worth every single stinkin' penny and then some. I'll never hesitate again. When I pine after something like that (and it rarely happens, if I don't buy immediately, I usually forget about it), then I need to buy it.

I did the same thing with my car and I'm a much happier person for owning it as well.

[indysteel]

I could always just go back to Paris and find an equally gorgeous purse! As it so happens, the sale is in February and falls over our wedding anniversary. I think I could easily sell that to DH! He loves Paris, too. Hmmm; there's a thought.

[GLC1968]

I could always just go back to Paris and find an equally gorgeous purse! As it so happens, the sale is in February and falls over our wedding anniversary. I think I could easily sell that to DH! He loves Paris, too. Hmmm; there's a thought.

Easily the best reason I've ever heard for a trip to Paris!

[indysteel]

Easily the best reason I've ever heard for a trip to Paris!

LOL. I hear the food is pretty good, too!

[Bethany1]

I'm no purse lover, but look for something simple and classy for work. It doesn't have to be boring, just not so distracting that it clashes. Not those vinyl weird snakeskin "hooker" bags that are in fashion now. DH calls them "hooker" bags because of the obnoxious rhinestones, crazy sizes and wild colors.

I don't think I could ever spend 400 dollars on a bag, but I do agree with proportion. It's hilarious seeing small women with their giant purses walking around and you wonder about tall people with these skinny purses that disappear or look odd because they aren't long enough.