Help me choose a handbag/purse...whatever it is called!

[crazee4mickey]

Okay to put it bluntly--I am beyond help when it comes to a "girly" type object such as a purse.

I bought one I thought was maybe cute and my 10 y.o. DD literally let out a huge gasp, then laughed and said it looked like a picnic basket!

I am really "handbag dense" as to what is in style right now so I need some help from my fashion conscious DIS friends!

My only problem is I do not want to have to remortgage the family home to buy it!

I was looking at Kathy Van Zeeland bags and thought this one was not bad...now please be brutally honest as I don't wan't anything that will embarrass my DD

ETA: Now I am not "stuck" on these types of handbags---any suggestions for a great summer bag would be fabulous!

 

[720L]

My first thought was it looks like there is a spider on it (the brown thing on the top of the purse). It's a little busy for me. That designer has cute bags, maybe find a quieter one? (brown or black)

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I love Kathy VanZeeland bags. I have several but all are a solid color. I'm not crazy about the pattern of the one shown. It looks a little buzy and isn't going to go with a lot. Stores like T J Maxx and Marshall's sell her stuff as well as QVC. Happy purse hunting.

 

[Cindy B]

I see a lot of younger girls (read 20 and under) wear those type of bags. I also live near an urban city and well, those type of bags are favored by girls that live in the city.

It's a bit loud and urban if you don't mind me saying.

I have been looking at Craigslist lately for purses. Coach is the big thing now, and lots of people are unloading thier collections due to finances. Of course you could wind up with a fake, but that is something that can be helped.

I like the all leather coaches (not the signature ones). I now own 3! I have two black and one camel.

I like the fabric fossil purses. They have fun colors and prints and are fairly inexpensive. I have found a few Fossil's in thrift/resale stores lately.

 

[Angelhalo]

I like everything but the flower print, and I am known for liking "out there" purses.....

Here are some examples of the ones I have. Some are real, some are fake. I've never had anyone tell the difference!

 

[Avalon_toon]

I've got a friend who makes custom bags that are great for summer -

here's a few pics...

I can send you the link to her page if you're interested...

 

[Cindy B]

Avalon--

the 1st and 3rd bag is really cute.

 

[Todd&Copper]

Honestly, I think all of the purses pictured here so far are fug, except the red one at the end of Angelhalo's post, but I'd never buy one like that b/c I don't wear enough red.

I can't be bothered to change purses all the time, so I just chose a simple leather that is mostly black with a little bit of brown leather detail.

 

[paintnolish]

How about one by The Sak? Nice for summer and you can go as simple as you want with them. They are known for their crocheted bags, but have leather and other materials as well.

 

[Angelhalo]

It's a Kate Spade. My mom has the same one in Black. Thank God its not "fug"

 

[Disney Ron]

Just a little embarassing in my honest opinion.

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[DMickey28]

What in the world does 'fug' mean? I somehow don't think you are talking about stale air.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

What in the world does 'fug' mean? I somehow don't think you are talking about stale air.

Fugly maybe like ugly,I say fugly all the time.
I would never buy any of the ones that have been posted not my style at all. I carry Dooney and Bourke and thats all. You can find some good deals at the outlets on them to.

 

[Disney Ron]

What in the world does 'fug' mean? I somehow don't think you are talking about stale air.

I believe it is a combination of *reakin & ugly together, we use fugly!

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

My personal opinion: The purse posted in the OP is ugly.

For a purse that is more fun and funky, I'll browse around Macys.

If I want a more classic purse but I don't want to spend too much I usually stick with Nine West.

If you like Coach but don't want to spend the money you can go to their outlets. They have some great deals there. There are great deals to be had on eBay but you have to be careful. I recommend visiting The Purse Forums first to learn about spotting fakes and to ask their opinions on an auction. They really know what they're talking about.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Fugly maybe like ugly,I say fugly all the time.
I would not ever buy any of those for a 10 year old . Which I would never ever carry any of those either. Why not just let her pick her own out and set a limit to her of what that you are going to spend and be done with it. Girls tastes change so much every week that its hard to buy for them.

I don't think the OP was buying it for her DD, it's for herself...she just was telling us what her DD said.

I don't like it either, but purses are about your own style...I have a Coach one now, which I got for Mother's Day. They are pretty classically styled, for the most part. I also like Vera Bradley bags, 'cause they are cute, inexpensive and colorful for summer.
Look around, see what other people are carrying that you like, maybe something will hit you.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I don't think the OP was buying it for her DD, it's for herself...she just was telling us what her DD said.

I don't like it either, but purses are about your own style...I have a Coach one now, which I got for Mother's Day. They are pretty classically styled, for the most part. I also like Vera Bradley bags, 'cause they are cute, inexpensive and colorful for summer.
Look around, see what other people are carrying that you like, maybe something will hit you.

DUH, LOL OMG I am having one of those days already. I think I will go back to bed now. I edited my post.

 

[crazee4mickey]

I don't think the OP was buying it for her DD, it's for herself...she just was telling us what her DD said.

I don't like it either, but purses are about your own style...I have a Coach one now, which I got for Mother's Day. They are pretty classically styled, for the most part. I also like Vera Bradley bags, 'cause they are cute, inexpensive and colorful for summer.
Look around, see what other people are carrying that you like, maybe something will hit you.

Thanks everyone for your opinions...this is what I was looking for--brutal honesty
I like the style of the bag but not the pattern.

I live in a small rural town and the bags that others carry look like something my dear old grandmother would haul around to Bingo

Correct, I am looking for one for myself....I would never even consider buying my DD a handbag but I don't want to "embarrass" her with my picnic basket bag I have now!

My big problem is I don't live close to a huge shopping area so I would have to buy it online. I want something for summer and has to be fashionable---I don't know anything about bags but I like to dress well.

Thanks again...keep the suggestions coming (I honestly had no idea there were so many different bags out there, I wasn't lying when I said I was "handbag dense" )

 

[korzmom]

i got a really cute disney purse on ebay..i always carry disney purses and get alot of good coments about them all.

 

[Handbag Lady]

If you don't mind my opinion, I think you are going about this backwards.


First off, what is the purpose of the bag? Evening, day, or to tote lots of stuff around? Figure out what size works for you first. This way, you can excuse 80-90% of the bags on the market.

Then, ask yourself, do I want to carry it in my hand or over my shoulder or both? This then narrows it down again.

Now, what color areas do you wear the most? Would white work for you? No, bam, don't look at the white ones. Narrow down your search further. Is black too dull for you? Do you want a Spring color that you don't plan to wear in the Fall? How about somethng in Doe that works for all seasons? If you want o keep is simple but funk it up, tie on a color scarf or a bag clippie.

Now, what bag are you seeing in your mind? Go find that one. It doesn't matter if it is one from online at Target, Coach, or a LV.

The key is to have the bag suit you, not the other way around.

(Of course, I have over 65 bags, so I don't tend to buy new ones unless I don't have one I need or want)

But seriously, I've asked myself these questions while looking at my bag closet finding a bag for this season.