Monty's Imperfections - helping with Claire's dilemma - YouLookFab Forum

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Monty's Imperfections - helping with Claire's dilemma

jenanded

Veteran

When we stopped the hysterical laughter of Claire's wonderful 'imperfect' wardrobe, I felt her pain that her beloved Monty leaves her deliving into his depths to find her stuff. Oh we have been there Claire! So the quest is on - what style bags are most USEFUL - looking great, easy to lug, and helpful for us finding our stuff when needed... What are your tips...

20 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Diana

Veteran

Keeping an eye on this thread. I have this problem too! Everyone knows that if you call me and my phone is in my purse, it's likely I won't be able to find it in time to answer it.

I need big bags and the ones that are separated into compartments generally don't work b/c the individual compartments tend to be not big enough for certain things (like my lunch bag) that I carry around every day. I also don't like to put my keys/wallet/phone in outside compartments because they don't feel secure enough.

Astrid

Veteran

I'm going to follow this thread too, I haven't found a really practical bag yet. My most favourite everyday bag has a nice size and works fairly well with the compartements, but it has a flap over the zipper that drives me crazy. You have to fold that back before you can open the zipper and that just takes too long, I'm impatient. It has one big compartement, two small inside pockets for wallet and phone and a big inside pocket with zipper for all the bits and pieces. And it's a crossover style. It has no outside compartements and I like that, just like Diana I don't feel secure using those for important stuff.

catgirl

Veteran

I carry very little stuff (wallet, keys, iphone, lipstick, small notebook and pen). I like a medium size bag that is east/west because I don't have to dig, and I can stuff things like kid mittens and granola bars in there if needed.

K. Period.

Veteran

I carry bigger bags. My secret is to use smaller bags within them. I use those little free bags that you get with GWP makeup or similar. (A friend bought me a beautiful leather one in Florence that languished in my closet until I started using it for receipts.)

I have one for makeup items. I have one for receipts. I have a larger wallet that is easy to find. And I usually only buy a big bag if it has a cel phone pocket. A key fob, like most D&B ones have, is also invaluable. However, when they don't have one, I have a small lobster clip that I bought that I put on my keys and use to hook my keys to a zipper pull. Sometimes I have to do a little digging, but when I do, it is a good sign that I need to clean out my purse!

Parsley

Veteran

I swear by my purse organizer inserts.
Not only do they making changing purses easy, but you can know exactly where your stuff is no matter what bag you're using.

Mine is black, but my next one is going to be a lighter color, like silver, so that it's easier to see things in it.

http://chameleoninserts.com/

Emily

Veteran

Ugh, I am the worst for this. Right now I am carrying the Calvin Klein Vienna Hobo - it is not too big, but fits my phone/keys/work phone/lip stuff/umbrella/wallet with ease, (and my empty travel mug in a pinch) though of course the things I need are nearly always at the bottom.

Some things that help are:
-Inside phone pocket near the top
-Instead of a wallet, I carry a wristlet with my cash/cards in it - when I put it in my bag, I pull the wristlet strap to the top so it is really easy to fish out
-Key loop on the inside - Not in my current bag, but I had a purse with this feature and it was magic. I keep my keys on a small carabiner, and having somewhere in my purse to clip them is the best.

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Raisin

Veteran

My purse is about 8x5 in I think? I have a mini wallet and a small change purse, my keys a lipgloss, cell phone and a notepad. I don't even own a diaper bag which my MIL thinks is crazy! When I go out with the baby longer than 1 hour, I take a small pre packed store bag that has 2 diapers, wipes, a bib and a barf cloth, and I tuck it under the stroller. If I carry a big purse, I will just over pack it! Carrying a small purse pretty much forces me to clear out all the garbage each day, like any old lists or wrappers, receipts.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am a fanatic about this. The BF and I call it 'stuffability'. I MUST have the proper places for my things in any bag. 5 separate compartments at least. And I don't carry large bags, but they are using all the space wisely. This may be why I only change out for a night out to a clutch or seasonally for my 'daily' bag. But I can find anything within 10 seconds. http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....n-your-bag As seen halfway down the first page of this thread.

deb

Veteran

I am with Parsley, I love my organizer and do not know how I survived without it. Now I get to use my bags on a regular basis and even match my outfit.

amiable

Veteran

My mom made herself a purse organizer.

http://www.creativitydate.com/.....organizer/

I'm thinking about making myself one too...

Kim

Veteran

I do the purse organizer too. I can also find anything in my purse in under 10 seconds and it makes changing purses a breeze. It also has the added bonus of "stuffing" a purse to it looks like it did in the store.

I still prefer medium size structured bags. A hobo style would drive me insane!

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

One reason I so easily gave up purses for many years as a mother was I hated changing them. I am a purse organizer addict and could not survive without it,

JR

Veteran

This is why I change purses so seldom. I like one with compartments, and pockets, with everything in its place, so I can grab things at a moment's notice. Since YLF, I have decided I could at least change my purse seasonally, instead of just using the same one until it's shabby, summer and winter. But once a season is plenty. If I'm going to know where my stuff is, I've got to have the same purse for weeks on end.

My purses normally have two large interior compartments, a number of zipped and open pockets, and a couple of exterior pockets (or more). Plus I do have a bag or two to keep smaller items together, like one that holds lotion, Advil, nail file, allergy pills, lip balm, etc.

Parsley's purse inserts sound like a fantastic idea. I will have to give that some consideration.

christieanne

Veteran

I keep meaning to look into the purse organizer. Usually a medium size bag with just a few small pockets works for me. I especially like a small outer pocket for my keys.
If it has too many pockets then I am losing things. Balance in all things lol!

Anonymous

Jen, how nice of you to start a thread to help solve my problem. I think a purse organizer might be the ticket for me, although part of me is worried that they have SO many compartments and I would still be fishing around for what I wanted. Big Blue is also a hobo, but he opens up wide and I can see everything inside easily (and I don't carry a lot of stuff). I thought Monty would be the same.

I usually fish for my key, my cell phone, my sunglasses and my readers (neither of which have a case). Monty has two inner pockets on each side, and I get them all mixed up. When I put him down, he *relaxes* into a pile (just like a snake!) and the glasses get pushed out of their pockets. There is a strap with a hook for my key, but I can never find it! It's crazy. I love the way a soft slouchy bag looks. I have another tan bag that is a structured satchel. It's nice leather, but it reminds me of something my mother would carry. I'm toying with shortening the straps to make it more current looking.

jenanded

Veteran

Claire, think many of us have been feeling your pain - I am rapt seeing everyone's suggestions...

ManidipaM

Veteran

I have the same problems that Diana outlined... don't want things in outer pockets, can't find phone with ease, etc.

My bags do have phone pockets, usually, but like Claire, I like the softer shapes which 'relax' and slip the phone out like a banana from a peel! Plus, I prefer a chunkier phone and some pockets are too small for it. Honestly, I've taken to looking for clothes with pockets big enough for my phone instead :-/ If I'm expecting calls, I actually remove the phone from the bag---though then I must remember where I put it down and not walk off without it!

I also rummage for pens and keys a LOT. I've tried using a rigid pencil case---easier to find, but they sound like a rattle when I walk around! This key loop thing sounds nifty. Maybe I should sew a few into my bags, at least those that are fabric-lined. Would be something like a bra-strap carrier, yes?

Make-up and meds and loose change have their own little pouches though---I think I got that idea from Jewell showing us her bag organization system in one of her older threads. Though I should remember to transfer loose change from wallet to pouch more regularly...

I've been eyeing purse organizers too. But I worry they wouldn't actually fit an assortment of bag shapes. Most seem to have a rectangular base, for instance, and at least a couple of by bags have a conical (basket-shaped) bottom or a deeply curved one...

MsMary

Veteran

I love my purse organizer. I started with a black one and switched to tan because the black was literally a black hole into which my stuff disappeared! Much easier to see things with the tan one! It's smallish and rectangular but I haven't had any trouble using it in bigger or less structured bags.

And the thing that has saved me the most rummaging-for-keys time was buying a car with a keyless entry and ignition! LOL

Anonymous

Stay away from dark linings and keep small items together in pouches. Keep your cell, keys and wallet in the same compartment so you don't need to scavenger for it.

Lisa

Veteran

Like Zap, I stick to lighter linings, brighter wallets and I put small items in a ziplock bag (gloss, eye drops etc). I also prefer a bag that is not too deep. Shallow bags keep items closer to the top. And I put keys in their own "spot" in the bag (pouch/zipper section) because that and a phone are always the two items you are hunting for.