YouLookFab Forum » Topic: PURSEcution

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: PURSEcution https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 06:29:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php donnat on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332507 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 14:45:50 +0000 donnat 1332507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love the name of this thread. I have always been a bag lady, my heart actually starts pounding when i hold a beautiful and soft Derek Alexander bag. Now I am using a hard leather satchel for work, from Danier and i switch out to something lighter and more colorfull on weekends. Unfortunately last weekend i drove to costco, and forgot my bank card in my other purse.... Ah hates when that happens Diana on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332496 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 14:22:21 +0000 Diana 1332496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My favorite bags tend to be like yours - hobos with comfy shoulder straps (~10' drop) and a larger bottom so that my stuff fits. I also absolutely require a full zip closure. This is not negotiable. A shoulder tote is fine too. I can NOT use a bag that has to be carried in a hand or on my elbow. My wrists and elbows always start to ache. All of my dressy clutches have detachable shoulder straps. Cross bodies are only comfortable for me if they are small and light. When my crossbody is full I shorten the strap and wear it on one shoulder hence I require the strap to be adjustable. Similarly I won't use a very structured bag unless it is small (so I can't use them for work , period, bc my lunch won't fit). A larger structured bag is too heavy and bulky to comfortably carry on a shoulder, and it doesn't conform to my body when I wear it on my shoulder, so it bumps around and is annoying. ETA: also, I always think having pockets and compartments will be useful but the reality is I rarely use them despite always whining about how my purse is a bottomless pit. I use one small internal pocket for stuff like my passport and ticket when traveling, but that's it. The other day I put my keys in a compartment accidentally and it took me five minutes of panicking to find them, lol. Angie on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332487 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 14:05:17 +0000 Angie 1332487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great bag collection and excellent analysis. I love #10.  Cannot handle crossbodys. My worst. I find them very uncomfortable. Also cannot handle heavy bags and shoulder bags. I like a small satchel I can clutch, or a clutch. No hardware and modern looking is my style preference.  bj1111 on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332354 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 04:26:56 +0000 bj1111 1332354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ great collection.  the navy in 5 is tdf.  wearing 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time apparently extends to bags too. for me, the bag has to be light.  i have rotator cuff injuries, i need to carry a computer and accessories, a lunch/snacks, a ziplock baggie filled with change...a few things most days.  i just gave up the perfectly constructed purse, just the right size, with just the right pocket division/combo because it was just too heavy even empty.  now i have a tote, great color, modern shape, inconvenient single compartment.  things get lost in there!  keys, phone, jimmy hoffa... and i hear you on bisected boobage with crossbody bags, tho it would help my shoulders. JAileen on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332331 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 03:50:16 +0000 JAileen 1332331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have a lot of bags. A LOT. This really only got ridiculous in the last couple years. I realized old Coach bags could be revitalized so I started buying them at thrift stores for next to nothing. I had four or five even before I started buying used ones. Now, I guess I collect them. Most of them are impractical for daily use, because they're too small. But they're great for going out in the evening with my husband. My perfect bag is a cross body with a zip top, several outside pockets for keys, reading glasses and sunglasses. It has to be big enough that I can toss the rest in without thinking about it. And it has to be leather or nylon (for travel). I also don't like decorative hardware, only purely functional hardware. Last year I went grey and I'm kind of changing my color scheme, so I've been looking for a grey bag that meets my needs. I'm even willing to pay retail (!), but I haven't found the one yet. cheryle (Dianthus) on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332308 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 03:07:27 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1332308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting how different our needs are.  I have also tried cross-body a few times but don't like the way it divides the boobage and crumples the shirt. Beth Ann on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332270 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 02:13:22 +0000 Beth Ann 1332270@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Beautiful bags, every one! I've decided I need bags of good size, with a broad enough base to fit my kangaroo keeper.  I also far prefer at least the option for cross-body.  When I'm shopping or traveling, I don't like carrying in my hands or weighing down one shoulder.  The past few years have been good for cross bodies, but I may need to get creative moving forward.  I'm looking at this bag for fall, which has an option for wearing as a shoulder bag, cross body or a backpack. I also, like Suz, need a couple of nice totes, and I have one evening clutch -- with an optional slender strap so I can, you guessed it, go hands free if necessary! shedev on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332211 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 00:58:39 +0000 shedev 1332211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like a smaller bag that has a longer strap and a top zipper. I only carry a few things daily. I do have a hobo and barrel shaped bag for when I need to carry more. Anonymous on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332205 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 00:53:36 +0000 Anonymous 1332205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If anyone has the magic answer to this one, please message me!  I used to be an inveterate bag collector, but have eased off in recent years.  I have an unfortunate taste for really expensive bags and somehow have a poison eye for synthetic leather (unless it's Matt n Nat) ( or whatever it's called).  I never feel pulled together or chic with an inexpensive faux leather bag (same with shoes) and have regretted those purchases every single time I make them. I'm trying to figure this out too - and have not yet hit upon the right one.  Some leather bags with hardware can get pretty heavy I find, but smaller ones never seem to open wide enough or hold a big enough wallet. And - they have to be able to be zipped or clipped closed at the top! (which many of the Ralph L, Calvin K and Coach shoppers don't do)  Like Suz, I carry a clutch inside a tote a lot (travelling and on days when I am seeing my customers) and have that one worked out to my satisfaction.  Lastly, and for what it's worth, I have been looking for YEARS for the perfect navy bag with gold or silver hardware (ever since I accidentally gave away my favourite in a thrift store donation) .  I seriously cannot find anything .  (my eye on your navy bags in this post ).   I have a couple of good bags I wouldn't mind selling or donating to the right person either - Coach, and a Prada I never use.  Suz on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332194 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 00:38:52 +0000 Suz 1332194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a great analysis.  If there's one thing I feel I've managed well since coming to YLF it is bags. Not that I have a great collection of them by any means. But I have been buying them very slowly and carefully and only after much deliberation about what works and does not work with the ones I have. And slowly but surely I'm developing a bag persona.  I need two kinds of bags: Totes that allow me to travel with my computer. I use these several times a month at least, and often more, for a total of at least a week per month. Even though they are out of scale for my body size, I desperately need them, so I try to buy decent quality, in a shape that does not completely dwarf me. (Danier is my source.)  For day to day non city-to-city commuting life, I need a few "regular" bags. The regular bags fall into a couple of categories: structured shoppers or satchels (similar to my totes but too small for my computer); smaller shoulder or cross body bags (I only need a few of these) and clutches, both daytime and evening. When travelling, I often pop a clutch inside a tote to serve as my daytime bag at the destination.  I like my bags to be wearable on my shoulder or (occasionally) cross body. I like them crisp and structured. I like them to have a key fob. I prefer it if their lining is as firm as the bag itself (no floppy fabric, please). They need to have a phone pouch and ideally some sort of sections, although I can manage without that if there is a place for keys and phone.  I love to have a variety of bags per season: one or two neutrals, one bright colour, and one colour block bag. I have not yet reached this state of bag nirvana, but I am working on it!  kerry on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332182 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 00:21:28 +0000 kerry 1332182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't own a lot of handbags so I'm no expert. Before last year, I wasn't that fussy. Now my prime requirement is that it stays on the shoulder. I don't like cross bodies or structured bags at all because the sit away from the body (uncomfortable) instead of collapsing on the body. I also like a versatile colour for a bag (not black) because I don't change bags very often. I also prefer real leather for the feel and how it wears. jasmine on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332169 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 00:04:57 +0000 jasmine 1332169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Bag newbie here! Currently I own a grand total of two: a structured leather bag for work that I bought a few months back, and a beaten up but practical nylon tote I've had for more than 15 years. I really like the new bag in terms of the way it looks, but have found that it is really heavy and also a bit impractical in that it has no outside pocket, unlike the tote, so it is hard to quickly access things like my keys and public transport smartcard. Anyway, I am looking to buy a few more bags and am trying to work out what features would work for me best, so thanks for the timely post: it's given me some more ideas about what I need to consider. Transcona Shannon on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332146 Fri, 15 Aug 2014 23:47:03 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1332146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You have a great collection but I hear you on finding out what works for you IRL. I can't wear a shoulder bag due to an old shoulder injury from a horse kick so need bags that I can wear on my wrist. I prefer satchel style in substantial leather. I like a structured bag and prefer if it can stand up on its own, although that's not a total deal breaker. I like pockets inside for my phone and keys and like at least one divider. It's funny but for my style I like your vintage Coach. cheryle (Dianthus) on "PURSEcution" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pursecution#post-1332141 Fri, 15 Aug 2014 23:39:10 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1332141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was talking to a friend/co-worker about bags and shoes the other day and ended up doing a fairly thorough analysis of what seems to work for me and what doesn't.  I had never given it much thought before which is likely why I have quite a few bags languishing in the closet and have donated even more.  I pulled them out when I got home today and took pictures.  I thought I would share my thought process and see if anyone else wanted to share what bags work and why.  Here goes.  The thumbnails on my chromebook were too small to clearly identify some bags so the groupings won't be in order. Bags 1, 3, 4, and 6 work the best in terms of size and shape.  All have outside pockets that I can put my work ID in for easy access.  They also have either dividers inside or pockets and pouches for my phone, keys, gum and other things I like to access frequently.   They are also soft and pliable.  They straps are long enough to hit above the hip and fit over my shoulder.   Bag 2 is a really nice color and I bought it partially because I was being a lemming and wanted cognac.  It meets all of the above requirements but has no pockets inside or out.  Not bad but not quite as good as the first grouping. Bag 5 (7 is 5 from the side) is a gorgeous light navy and is buttery soft leather.  It also has a strap that can be worn as a small backpack for shopping.  Tony bought it for me as a surprise when we were in Quebec City on our first vacation as a couple.  Sadly, the base is narrow and it is just a bit small as a result and hard to fit my needed items.   Bags 8, 9, 10, and 11 are all nice bags (two Matt & Nat and a vintage coach) but the long strap is too long and the handles are too short.  I find if a bag hits at the hip it bounces when I walk and annoys me.  I could use the handles and remove the strap but I like the convenience of throwing a bag over my shoulder and having both hands free.  I also find the clasp on 10 and 11 takes more time to close than I want to put into it when I am running errands.  Bag 9 has a frame at the top that gives it great structure but limits the size of the opening a bit too much.  It is too bad because 9 and 10 are nice colors.  I love the deep taupe with a purple undertone in 10 and the dark olive of 9. Bag 12 is Liz Claiborne.  It is a tiny bit big but I love the color and structure of it.  I tried it on when I was pulling them all out and was surprised that it was long enough to fit over my shoulder.  I may work it back into the mix.   Bag 13 is another Matt & Nat.  It has the removable strap as well as a longer removable chain strap and both work.  It is a bit too small for everyday but I have used it for evening even though it is a bit big for that. The conclusions I have come to are that I love the look of ladylike structured bags in firmer leather as evidenced by the number of them in the closet and that have already moved out.  I now realize that they aren't practical for my lifestyle so will try to stop buying them.   I also love bright colored bags but most often use black (number 6 Matt & Nat was my go-to for many months). So now, I am going to try to buy hobo or shoulder bags that are less structured but have a 3-4 inch base for room and have an 8-12" drop so I can wear them on my shoulder. Your turn.  What do you look for in a bag?  Are there any styles you keep buying over and over even though they don't work?