Janet, I could have written this post. I like to lighten up my summer handbags but for the past few years I've been making due with an old summer bag, that I don't love, because I've not found 'the one'. Like you I'm being very picky.

I’m in the market for a new summer bag too, though I need to save up still. I too prefer medium to light shades in summer. I love these bags by fashionable (but have not seen them in person, being from europe):
https://www.livefashionable.co.....3874383896
I do think the leather will easily look distressed, don’t know if that’s a look you’re going for.

I added this today from TJMaxx online. I feel like the lavender will be a nice addition for summer and actually, year round for me.

Hi Janet --

As you said, the whole color + shape + ornamentation + functionality in terms of pockets/zippers/feet + scale thing creates a very small range of what works when you're looking.

I'm not a bag person but yet I'm incredibly picky about bags when I do buy. Bad combination.

My main suggestions:

• limit yourself to RL bag shopping unless you're up for the buy/return cycle (don't forget consignment shops if you're in their vicinity)
• really REALLY look at your summer clothing when thinking about color -- I've been unsuccessfully looking for and testing out blush bags for a few years and started down that road out of habit til I realized I had added a lot of pale pink and blush clothes this year and it'd be too matchy-matchy (and I'm a matchy person!)

Brands that might work if you like streamlined and/or some softness -- Hobo, Frye, Fossil, Halston Heritage.

I lucked out this year in a few ways...I wanted a bag, ideally simple and bucket, that was bigger than my small, aging buckets so I could better use it on trips.

I couldn't stop thinking about this one-off leather/suede bag I saw in a store (below), but the price didn't work for me. On a whim a few weeks later, I asked the associate to scan it and the price was significantly less than marked and about 1/5 off $$$ retail. Sold. I think it's the color of the bag you didn't like (grey-bluish, shifts with lighting).

ps These are from my trip and thanks again for advice re dressing for 60s rainy summertime weather. We did have quite a swing and as we were walking for hours/miles I was glad to have options!

Oh Vix, I actually really like the color of yours! That’s a great bag. The one I got was paler and the color read more wishy-washy — I had a feeling it would either go with everything or go with nothing, and it turned out to be the latter. Your bag’s color would be the former!

Oh! And I’m glad you had what you needed for your visit! We’ve had quite the spring here. Back to sunny and 80ish today. I’ve been doing yard work.

Thanks, Janet!

Yes, it just works really well and since I sprayed protective stuff on it I'm hoping to avoid too much grime and wear/tear on the suede but one never knows.

I was glad to get a big taste of your spring while back East along with the rain. My hair and I preferred the mid-80s, ha.