Oops, coming in late to this thread, but I've been on a hunt for the perfect bag for a month or two now, and it's driving me totally crazy. It's taken me about two years of being interested in fashion to decide that I actually need an everyday bag (I usually carry around a messenger bag or backpack because I take my laptop everywhere), and everything I find that I kind of like is either too expensive or already sold out! Part of the problem is that since I haven't been using purses much, I haven't figured out what I like and don't like in a bag from a practical standpoint.

I probably fall into the swapper camp. I like bags and get bored with just one. But, I usually have a "go-to" handbag that works with everything and that I use the most often. In spring/summer that is a white bag. Fall/winter, at least lately (past two seasons), it's black. I am right now on the hunt to refresh both my go-to bags. The black one is a priority because mine just recently developed a rip in the lining...

Criteria:

1) Hobo, slouchy style that is comfortable slung over my shoulder. The slouchier the style, the bigger it can be, but it can't overwhelm my 5'0 frame. My current fall/winter bag is 18 inch wide by 11 inch tall, but super slouchy and rarely is it packed full.

2) Has to be a shoulder bag --- I do not care for cross body's. I also do not care for my go-to bag to be one I can only hold in my hand or the crook of the elbow. I have a lot of those, and I do use them, but the go-to bag is the one that I would go-to for long days when I need to be hands-free, like shopping at the mall, traveling, etc, and want a comfy, easy bag that can be slung over my shoulder and parked there all day.

3) Cannot weigh a ton. I love the look of Michael Kors bags and own some but man oh man... a lot of them are HEAVY. I do not want a bag that is 3 lbs without anything in it!

4) Has to be real leather, and a soft leather, not stiff. Current bag is not real leather and it's great because it is very lightweight but.... they just don't last as long.

5) Needs to have a brightly colored or light colored interior lining. Things get lost in darker linings. Including my reading glasses. Ahem.

6) No chains (I find the clanging annoying). Not too much hardware. Yet has to have *something* interesting in the design. No overt logos. But not so plain and boring it puts me to sleep!

7) Doesn't need to have a ton of pockets, but a few well chosen ones are nice, especially an easy access one on the outside for my cell phone.

8) Ideally with a good sturdy zipper. Admittedly, I rarely zip my bag and could get away instead with a magnetic snap closure, but if I'm traveling and sending my bag down the belt... I want it zipped.

Is that too much to ask for?

Jen - just googled your bags!! Gorgeous totes. Very sleek and from the reviews they are said to wear like iron. Very chic, elegant and practical. Such great choices. Enjoy them!!
Jacky - you are very wise to wait and think about what you really need and want in a bag. I always decide what I really want to carry, decide how much room, what features I need, and then see what I like in those sizes. I've made a bunch of mistakes but not taking that into account in the past. Dont' know if that helps, but I'll throw it out for what it's worth. Good luck!!
Shiny - know thyself!! No that is not too much to ask for, but you may have to hunt for one that has everything!! Do you use a bag organizer? How do you keep things straight with that much room to move around? I like your idea of a "go-to" bag, I think that's a neat way to think of it - the main everyday bag but with room to swap out. Good luck on the hunt!!

gryffin - That definitely helps, thanks for the advice! I think I've settled on a bag that is hopefully coming back in stock soon, but I just got a DSLR, so now I might need a larger bag than I'd thought previously. Hopefully it won't set me back to searching again ...

Jacky - I must live off the grid...no idea what "DSLR" is?!! Don't worry you'll find the perfect one!!

This is my everyday bag, in cognac. I absolutely love it. Why? Not too big, not too small. Shoulder strap just the right length, and not too narrow or too wide. Outer pockets for keys. Interior easily holds my purse organizer.

http://www.qvc.com/qvc.product.....D&

Ruth - I can see why you like it. It looks very well designed with those little pockets and zips just where they are needed. Wow, never saw a bag in so many colors!! You could have one for every mood. Great choice. Enjoy it!

Like Runcarla and Jacky I didnt carry a handbag for many years then hit them with a flurry upon joining YLF 2 years back. I have slowed down now and am trying to pare down my collection and add only carefully considered options.... that i will actually use! When i first started adding bags i switched daily, but now i probably carry a bag for a few weeks or months at a time (until it really clashes with what i have on... then change for a bit) These three have become my best go to's:

1. Vintage Coach bought on ebay (it was brown) and dyed with Tarrago leather dye by yours truly (BTW Grayscale, if your cobbler cant fix yours, this was pretty easy to do and comes in gray, black etc not just bright colors)
2. Green leather designed and sewn by yours truly. I have the pattern still and plan to make myself another of these from a hot pink hide i bought the other day. (I will make one change though... the strap long enough to be crossbody)
3. White and brown Delphin, this feels a little "town and country" for my style but the size and function keep me using it.