Kari - what a gorgeous collection and colour grouping you have here. i really think it works well with your wardrobe .

I have done a complete 180 over the last, say 8-10 years in how I view bags. I used to collect, love, admire, stroke, buy and wear all sorts of different ones. But a couple of things have happened as I got older - coincidence, maybe not:
1. switching out too often results in disaster and instant disorganization for me, and seems overly fussy
2. I don't require them to be part of the whole look in terms of adding a punch of needed colour -
3. I absolutely do not want to be on the receiving end of those cooing comments women can make to each other : "oooooh, what a cuuuuute bag!" and then everyone is looking at you and your bag. That seemed to be ok when I was 30 but not as a mature women trying to be seen for more than what awesome purse she is carrying.
4. I still have far more bags than I need (still winnowing out the ones that don't get used) but stick to about 3 I use each season: I black with silver hardware, 1 black with gold hardware, and my very classic and valuable old black/brown Fendi I pull out once in awhile. Summer: something neutral and my very classic and valuable old red nylon Prada i pull out every once in awhile. Repeat
I"d rather have one super luxe and well made bag than several of mid-quality just to get some colour - it's just not part of my look anymore. Right now I'm using a distressed black leather Rebecca Minkoff , a black pebbled leather Danier, and a black leather Rebecca Minkoff tote. That's it, and all she wrote I used to obsess over finding the right navy bag - now I don't even care anymore . lol. Finds below include two summer (the blue and the black Marc Jacobs ) and the two current bags i'm using from RM.

Fun to read everyone's replies. I wanted to add that the bag's features are SO important to me, I can't believe how picky I am about it. They MUST have at least one easy to access large exterior pocket and 3 inside pockets. And I much prefer if they stand upright on their own when not stuffed. Protective feet are also nice but I don't always get them. They must be lightweight even if they are leather and have the main compartment closed by a good working zipper. And I already mentioned they must be satchels with comfortable handles and a long strap option. Oh, and they can't be larger than say 12" across the bottom or they just feel too big for me.

Makes bag shopping really a challenge and often a long pursuit.

That is a gorgeous collection you have Kari. Lovely colours.
Like many things in my wardrobe my bags are mostly brown and also have been part of my life for a very long time. I do have 2 black bags and a Gucci motif (is that what you call it?) bag but there is brown in the Gucci bag. I also have a summer bag that is straw coloured with multicoloured stripes.
I mostly use my crossbody chestnut coloured bag that I got at a craft show. It was made in Quebec.
I have a brown leather tote bag that I use for papers, etc. that I got at a craft show.
I have a brown leather Italian bag that is very unique. I use it for special occasions.
I have a brown clutch that I use occasionally.
I have a brown leather and canvas bucket bag that an exbf bought me in the early 80s. It is lovely and one of my favs. Special event bag. Security issues.
Black Roots bag. Hobo shape. Too bad they don't make them anymore.
Black bag with dogs on it. The dogs are applique and leather. Very fun. Sophie gets to use it for her things. I wasn't using it.
Gucci vintage bag that I found in a consignment store. I jumped for joy.
Summer clutch that is Straw coloured with stripes of earth tones.
A very old brown leather hobo bag that I bought when I graduated from university. I used it forever. Sentimental value. Still has some use left in it.

Kari your bags are beautiful and I can see how all of them play perfectly with your wardrobe. I think for those of us who love color and live in climates where there is a lot of gray it makes a LOT of sense to have colorful handbags like these!

For myself even though I am a lover of color I tend to go mostly with neutrals (same as with my footwear, though I rarely match the two), metallics, or prints for my handbags. I have around 20 bags, with 10ish probably getting the bulk of wears; I enjoy having some of the other ones even if they don't get used as often. Don't particularly enjoy swapping the contents between purses BUT do like having "the right" purse for any given look so I just do the switch. More often than not since the bulk of my bags are neutral I tend to stick to one bag for a few days then change for the next few.

I have almost entirely stopped using all of my non-clutch bags, too, though I still have a few that I pull out sometimes. Interestingly enough, I'm realizing that most of my colorful bags were the NON clutches, so would like to add a few colorful clutches to use in their places. Attaching a few Finds for some of my lovelies ^^

Very lovely bags Kari - great shapes and I really see the colors working for you. Also Aida, I always like your clutches. My preferred bag shapes now are clutches and fashion backpacks --- I liked cross-bodies but get tired of them abrading the hips of my longer tops and silky pants.

I'm definitely a bag person but only in the last few years (before that it was a men's wallet in my jeans). Now I swap out daily depending on my outfit (I just move an inner pouch and cardholder and my phone) -- they are as much about having fun with fashion as being functional for me to be honest.

I have 12, although I just found a navy leather backpack thrifting today, (I'm surprised I found something so specific that was on my wish list).

My black leather backpack attached below is the most worn last year, but here are a few (not including the black/dark brown/navy ones) that get a lot of play too.

What a timely topic as I'm looking for a bag to replace my old black "work" bag. I'm an admirer of bags but own a few. "Work" purse that is big enough to hold a change of shoes to wear in the office, my lunch, wallet and glasses. It must be comfortable, not stiff and with long handles to carry on my shoulder. I have a smaller tote for the weekends and round one on the chain for special occasions. All in black. Sad, I know but I just don't want to deal with colors. I tend to dress in black in winter/fall with black footwear. I like bright bags on others but... It's just not me. I followed a trend once and now have one red clutch that I used probably a couple of times only. In the summer I wear mostly cream/white/sand and hope to buy a purse in a similar color. That's about it

So fun to read this thread! Kari - I love your bags!

I collect bags. I've been doing it for years. Yet, I dont have a lot of colours in bags. I'm another 'I love neutrals' person. I use a different bag everytime I go out (and that's probably because I use a bag no more than 2-3 times a week).

I like mid-size structured bags and larger totes. I also use cross body bags often.

I have a big collection of black bags - somehow I use them all. Next is brown & tan family. I also have an ink blue, a navy blue and a turquoise blue. I have greys as well. Apart from that, the only two brighter colors I have are pink & red. I love white handbags but don't buy them because I find it impossible to keep them clean.

Oh I love your handbags Kari and can easily see them working well with the colors in your wardrobe! Just gorgeous!
I am a handbag fanatic and have a wide range of quality - Target,F21 to Zara to Brahmin to Cloe. One that I use the most is my Black and White Brahmin (which Rae brought to my attention several years ago and Una, Goldenpig, myself, and others all ended up buying!) One of the smartest of my handbag purchases. I can carry that bag with my pale, pastel, white and cream outfits - the black and white adds a bit of a punch and keeps the outfits from going over into "sweet" territory. It also works with my mid-color (jewel tones tend to be too deep/intense for me) outfits - medium blues, grays, pinks, etc. Just a titch of "crispness." I do change out my handbags according to the outfit that I am wearing. This winter I have been enjoying carrying a mustard leather/suede clutch and a burgandy suede fringed clutch - those 2 are new bags for me this season. Others that I carry include a London Fog cobalt and black tote, a turquoise trimmed in silver cross-body, a distressed silver clutch, and a furry cream colored clutch. They're all fun!

I'm definitely a bag lady, but have narrowed my preferences to either clutches or small satchels lately...just can't bother carrying my big bags anymore. As long as I can fit my iPad, phone and a few lippies, I'm good to go. Here are my current faves across the color spectrum. I tend to stick to the neutrals in Fall/Winter and prefer the brights and light neutrals with white jeans in the Spring/Summer. The backpack is great for when I need to take another layer or scarf in case of air con.

I have Una's bag disorder. Although I usually don't mind switching I tend to favor a few for a long period of time. Right now I find the most useful are a large grey with gold hardware, a largish cognac with crocodile pattern, a bright red crossbody and for evenings a vintage navy YSL. I like neutral bags most days but occasionally like red or pink.

Ann-a few hippies? (Lippies maybe?)
I'm guessing that's a victim of autocorrect as my iPhone does this ALL THE TIME, but if you really do mean "hippies" tell me more!

I love hearing and seeing about everyone's handbag preferences. Maybe we need Angie to do a Team Neutral Handbag vs. Team Colorful Handbag poll!

I'm super intrigued by those of you who make clutches work. I occasionally use a large zippered wallet as a clutch, but I can't stand it; I worry about dropping it, I lose my hands free function, and then if I'm also walking Lucy, FORGET IT. (She's a fun but high maintenance walking buddy as she wants to sniff everything and say hi to everyone.)

Marley, I am currently using the striped Brahmin! I find the structure and size so much better than a large squashy bag where I just lose everything. It's a great way for someone stripe-phobic like me to incorporate them.

Yes! Structure either by the shape or by pockets is so helpful.

Re: unstructured bags, I think I went off them years ago when I lost my keys in one. They wandered into a pocket I didn't know existed and I couldn't figure out how to get them out!

I have one boring black medium-size bag for work. Currently I'm using the Fossil Morgan, and also have the Fossil Preston (also in black but the Sea Glass one is way cooler so I linked to that). I like the idea of having a bag wardrobe but I am not a morning person, or good at planning my outfits, plus my purse sits at my desk most of the day and nobody sees it anyhow.

For weekends I have a few "fun" purses in colors -- both Kate Spade. Plus a black and white Michael Kors that has proven less fun because it is annoyingly boxy, and has these handles on the top that get in the way. All are just big enough for wallet, phone and keys. The pink one below looks like what would happen if my two Kate Spades got together and had a baby. One is about the same pink as the one below, the other is bright aqua and the same shape. I didn't use them much over Winter and I'm not sure if that's because I need some seasonally appropriate colors, or a sad commentary on my stay-at-home ways.

For all purses, I much prefer cross-body styles. I like having my hands free, and I like not forgetting my purse somewhere because I set it down to do something else!

Hello, color twin!

I'm currently carrying a big, unstructured black bag that has to go! I'm losing things in it constantly! I used to be black bags only, but it was too dull. Now, I have a black Brahmin (my only good bag, purchased by my MIL), my annoying black hobo (Target), a white bucket bag, and a mustard soft satchel.

I love the mustard back, even though I never wear yellow. As I'm sure you know, I'm partial to cobalt and white, and the yellow is fab with these colors. This year, it looks like a lot of navy, chambray, black and white will be featured. I seem to be "off" magenta in my clothing, so I'm trying to decide what bag choice would make sense. I did just purchase a pair of tomato red loafers (more orange than in the photo) which has me thinking about adding this as an accent. What do you think?

Also -- any bag worthy of my closet should have at least an optional cross body strap. I can't be traipsing about with my hands full of, well, handles!

High five color twin!

I'm with you on the optimal strap. Only my mustard bag is lacking it, but the handles are wide enough to fit over my shoulders-plus it's just so pretty.

ha ha, love autocorrect! NOT! Hippies fit in my old hobos, or are those hobos...anyway. Re. the clutch thing, I love convertible ones like the dark floral for the reasons you explain. If I need to sling it, having a strap tucked away makes that possible.

I am with you on the optional cross body strap, that's a must-have, and so is a bag that has a closure (like a zipper, not a single snap) at the top.

I do like purses but I usually carry the same bag every day for work and only switch purses when going out. I had my eye on a pretty pink Kate Spade bag a few years ago at the Boston meet-up but it had a flaw so I never purchased it. While I do have a few more expensive bags that I reserve for going out, the majority of my purses are from inexpensive places like Charming Charlie. I work in an urban school where things have been known to disappear and shootings have been known to happen outside, so my purse spends the day locked in an old metal filing cabinet and anything with a designer label stays home.