purses, purse size

[Zoe Girl]

My purse strap broke, I am a sewer but it does not look like a fix that would last long. So now I am back to purse shopping, I kinda hate purse shopping. meanwhile I have 3 purses that are super small that I can't figure out how to use. They fit the wallet with everything, then I have to start choosing between checkbook, notebook, lotion or emergency ibuprofen, and asthma inhalers never fit in the cute flat purses. If I have everything in the purse then I don't wast time losing and looking for things but I really hate large purses! Mine is fairly medium size but still despite decluttering on a regular basis it still has more stuff than I want (and then I need some lotion or a cough drop and I am glad I have it).

any great purse ideas for something that lasts at least a year, maybe longer?

[rodeosweetheart]

I love my new to me, old to someone else Ameribag that I purchased on e-bay. They make them in a small size that would work well for you. It has lots of nice designated places to store things. As I said, I bought mine used and reconditioned it with saddle cleaner and I love it.

[sweetana3]

I have a leather Coach bag that I have had for over 5 years. The last two lasted well over 10 years each. I think hubby even has my next one in the closet. Got them at the local thrift store. I use a smallish purse that is smaller than a sheet of paper and about 2-3 inches wide. Best part is the strap that is leather and long enough that I can use it across the body or on the shoulder. I figure if I consider cost per use, I can pay a little more for a solid leather Coach that will last.

I only use one purse until it wears through. Favorite was a dark red one. It went with everything.

[rodeosweetheart]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LL-Bean-Healthy-Back-Genuine-Leather-Tan-Brown-Small-Ameribag-/111869526675?hash=item1a0bf18293:g:PdMAAOSwNSxU4P7 s

This is what mine looks like, but it's larger, as I like a big purse so I can throw in a book or headphones.

[razz]

Just offering empathy as I sorted through my purses this morning. My newest one is too bulky and my favourite older one has a clasp with magnetic catch that doesn't work too well. I like the backpack option in my purses so that my hands are free.

Show us the result of your decision when you find one that suits.

[Zoe Girl]

I have a friend who gets loads of good stuff at thrift stores and has a lot of purses to drop back off. So she is waiting until I can come over and go through the purses.

I dumped out the old purse, a whole pocket of business cards of people I still need but maybe not in the purse. I just used one of the business cards today. feminine products, oh duh, I need those. Then the 2 phones, the work one is a small i-phone (love it) but it won't fit in the small purse with my regular phone. Then my password notebook (written in code just in case), I use that all the time. Oh dear. The biggest issue is that everything can be flat, I would spend a fair amount of money on a leather purse that I liked that is the flat style, but the stupid inhaler just throws it off. So until I get to my friend's house I am using the small purse for the essentials and putting a larger bag in my latptop case. That is one of the urges for a smaller purse, I carry a laptop bag for work 90% of the time. Between the 2 I can stop and work from anywhere, my site, main office, coffee shop, friends house,. But that means I still need the extra business cards and password book so they are not on one side of town and I am on the other. I will keep you updated when I visit her purses.

[Dhiana]

One good quality nylon little black backpack style. I've only ever owned one purse at a time. It's super functional for my life & travel, cost about $40, and I've had it for 5 years.

Taking it into the repair shop to have a zipper repaired this week. Can you have it repaired vs purchasing a new one?

[Teacher Terry]

I have had my straps sewed at shoe repair places. They have the heavy duty machines to do this.

[cindycindy]

I love my new to me, old to someone else Ameribag that I purchased on e-bay. They make them in a small size that would work well for you. It has lots of nice designated places to store things. As I said, I bought mine used and reconditioned it with saddle cleaner and I love it.

Yes, Ameribags are great. I'm so used to the compartments that I think I'll have to replace with another Ameribag when this one goes. Plus, they're good for your back.

[kib]

I have a Bagallini I just love, it's lasted about 4 years so far. Got this one at a thrift store for $5.99. It's not a flat style but the material is thin and light, so the bag doesn't get any wider than what you put in. Generous front zip pouch that fits my wallet, one central zip pocket with a zip pouch inside it that I can cram 5 reusable bags into, and a pocket at the back that holds a notebook and phone. The zip front pouch plus the back pocket and the fact that the fabric is lightly quilted makes it seem smoother and less bulky, it's about the same size as Sweetana's.

ETA: I love leather but I don't like the weight of it, this is practically weightless when empty and I can wash it. Has held up extremely well, I see no real sign of wear.

[herbgeek]

All my nice leather bags are in the closet. The one I use for daily use is from Tom Bihn. http://www.tombihn.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TB0412&Store_Code=001&search=side+effect&searchoffset=&filter_cat=&PowerSearch_Begin_Only=&sort=&range_low=&range_high=&psboost=name%2Ccode I like Tom Bihn because everything has o-rings to which you can attach straps/pouches etc. I have my wallet on a tether, so that I don't leave it behind. Also makes it harder to pickpocket. I go modular so when I need to carry more stuff I throw this purse into a backpack typically or a small shopping bag (also from Tom Bihn, and no I don't make a commission) that also has o rings.

[pony mom]

I find that tote styles hold more stuff. It's a bit of a pain sometimes because everything is all mixed up inside, but it's all there. A small one can hold more than you think.

Most of mine are from thrift stores. Vera Bradley bags are lightweight and have a lot of pockets sewn into the side, leaving the center empty.

[Zoe Girl]

I ended up getting 3 purses from my friend. One is very back pack style which I am not sure I will use often, my favorite one is black and is a bit crowded with all my stuff so maybe I can evaluate again. I did find my paper pocket calendar is only used to track mileage so I changed that to my phone. The other is a soft tan leather, and a little larger. I think one is a special one worth more than $100 but both are basically brand new from thrift stores.

Yeah!

[freshstart]

I love my new to me, old to someone else Ameribag that I purchased on e-bay. They make them in a small size that would work well for you. It has lots of nice designated places to store things. As I said, I bought mine used and reconditioned it with saddle cleaner and I love it.

I have the Ameribag small size and it holds a lot surprisingly. I have a larger one from LL Bean that is actually too big. Ameribag and LL Bean sizing is totally different, too.

I have an inexpensive purse problem that I am trying hard to conquer, I am banned from buying. I, too, cannot fit everything I need in a flat cross body, things get lost in totes where everything falls to the bottom. The medium sized purse is the Holy Grail. I am picky (and cheap) but ebags and Zappos have nice bags, if not the cheapest. There's always a 20% code for ebags and I believe both have free return ship. TJ Maxx and Marshall's have good options.

currently I am carrying this from Travelon:

http://www.ebags.com/product/travelon/anti-theft-classic-bucket-hobo/293032?productid=10359737

very lightweight but not floppy, RFID blocking pockets and just the right size with a pocket for everything. I got it for $12 off Deal Genius in a better color than ebags is offering and I wouldn't pay their price for it. But if you look around, it's avail at a good discount. I know I like a bag if I carry it for months because I normally switch it up frequently.

[lessisbest]

I like small-ish purses with a long strap so I can wear it across my body in order to keep my hands free and as a safety feature, which is totally opposite the current fashion, which can make a little harder to find. I'll never pay more than $20 for a purse, and a good thrift store find is just fine with me. Don't care for leather since it is heavy compared to nylon and cloth. I use one purse (usually black or navy blue) for fall/winter, and another (some fun color/s) for spring/summer. I absolutely hate shopping for a purse, and when I find one I like, I've been known to buy a couple extra. Brands are meaningless to me, it's function I'm concerned with. I also don't want to have an additional clutch for cash/credit cards/check book - it needs to be part of the purse.

[Zoe Girl]

Here is what I got, http://www.tumi.com/p/calera-crossbody-0484908D I also like cross-body the best and my thrift shopping friend was a massage therapist so that is what she looks for as well. I am still a little squished on space but I have the one larger bag to transfer to if needed.

[razz]

Cross body with pockets works well. Glad it worked out for you.

[sweetana3]

Never paid that much in my life. But cross body is a lot safer if you have your hands full and a great thing when walking.

[TxZen]

I love this one:

http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/bags/Festival-Bag?cc=22084&skuId=3653048&catId=bags

[freshstart]

I like what you picked, Tumis last forever. That lululemon one is nice, too. But cross bodies look bad on me as I have a not so flat chest. Not a good look, lol.

all this purse talk has me itching for a new one so I will switch out the one I am using with something else so it feels new

[goldensmom]

Back when I carried purse I liked Stone Mountain products but for the past couple of decades I've carried a small LLBean zippered, long handled tote. It holds everything and more and is washable. I have 2 so when one is in the wash I can use the other. Works good for me.

[Zoe Girl]

Never paid that much in my life. But cross body is a lot safer if you have your hands full and a great thing when walking.

Just to be clear, I got this free from a friend who bought it at a thrift store. But that is what the retail cost for the purse is. Super score!

[sweetana3]

Now that is a great score. I think it would be a great thing to have groups of friends share the huge stash of clothes and misc that they dont want with other friends who are happy to use it. I have heard of "share" parties where stuff is swapped.

[rosarugosa]

I have a great Dooney & Bourke tote style black leather bag that I bought new for the princely sum of $220. in 2010. I stuff it and I've carried it every single day for 5 years and it still looks fine, so I have no regrets over the price. It has a large pocket down the middle that divides it into two sections (in addition to the center pocket) and it has a smaller side pocket as well, so it's the best of both worlds for tote style & keeping my stuff neat and organized. The stuffed D&B is on the heavy side, but I'm prepared for almost anything!
I also have a mini Stone Mountain black leather bag I bought at SA for $4.50 several years ago. I use that if I'm going to be in a situation where my bag will be on my shoulder for a long time, e.g. museum visit.