Totally agree with the last point. If you buy a bag you're not in love with, you won't use it much even if it's cheap.
Advice to those just starting handbag collections...
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Very true. I have a non-designer bag that's very good quality. It's more expensive than normal bags but nowhere near designer prices. I carry it almost everyday.
I definitely bag bags that are on sale or great deals. I never pay full price. No point in thinking about 'that bag of my dreams'. It doesn't exist. Most of my bags are 'settle' bags, because I refuse to pay full retail for anything. But that doesn't mean I don't love them. So my advice would be, 'Buy what you like and will feel comfortable paying for/carrying. And buy for yourself, don't jump on any bandwagons.'
This thread was wonderful. So much great advice. Found myself remembering things that had been said and re-reading it to the point that I decided to copy many of the highlights over to a word document that I could read more easily. Then OCD attacked me and I felt compelled to organize the advice by topic. Then, before I knew it, I had the cliff notes to this thread. Decided to share my summary (which is not exactly short) in hopes others will enjoy pondering the wisdom by topic as much as I did.
So that no one post is too long, I am breaking it into 4 posts.
1. Why to Buy and why to not buy
2. The Buying Process
3. Finding your style and relating to your bags after you buy.
4. Collecting and when to sell.
The following 4 part summary is not my wisdom. All the ideas were posted by others and just copied parts of their posts. I apologize for not crediting the originator, but the additional work would have made this summary impossible
So that no one post is too long, I am breaking it into 4 posts.
1. Why to Buy and why to not buy
2. The Buying Process
3. Finding your style and relating to your bags after you buy.
4. Collecting and when to sell.
The following 4 part summary is not my wisdom. All the ideas were posted by others and just copied parts of their posts. I apologize for not crediting the originator, but the additional work would have made this summary impossible
Why Buy? You love it and will use it.
-When you find a bag you love that hits all your sweet spots, BUY IT.
[FONT="]-Buy what you love and will use.[/FONT]
-Only by what makes your heart skip a beat and you know you will use.
[FONT="]-Don't let anyone talk you out of a bag that really calls to you. You will regret it if it's a bag you can't find again.[/FONT]
Settling
-I can't tell you how many "settle" bags i bought (and then sold only to buy the original bag that i loved!)
-Don't settle. I could have saved a lot of money if I just bought what I wanted to begin with!
-As soon as you "settle" or buy other bags, the bag you want will pop up.
-Most of my bags are 'settle' bags, because I refuse to pay full retail for anything. But that doesn't mean I don't love them.
When not to buy[FONT="]
[/FONT]-Don't buy it to impress others.
-Don't shop at sales time unless the bag you have wanted all season is still there. Buying at discount just for the label's sake can be the biggest waste of money EVER.
[FONT="]-[/FONT]My worst buys were: 1- bags that don't fit my lifestyle, but that I love. 2- bags that are too heavy or difficult to carry.
-If you have to come here and ask which you should buy ... or if you should buy it ... you don't love it enough to buy it
-Don't get caught up in the hype. Just because a bag is popular doesn't mean it's right for you to buy it.
Classics and Premier Bags vs. Contemporary bags
-Buy one solid classic bag. Stick to a classic that you won't tire of in a year, a reliable bag that you want to go back to and wear time and time again. (Ferragamo, BV, etc.)
-You'll get your money's worth more on classic pieces that you can use for a lifetime and with any outfit.
-I'd rather have 4 or 5 first rate bags than dozens and dozens of 300$ to 400$ bags.
-Buy a bag because you love the style and not just for the name. It's okay to buy a $400 contemporary bag instead of any of the premier designers. It's not wasting money if you love it. The quality of contemporary bags are no better or worse than the premier bags.
How many
-Do not get caught up in the volume.
[FONT="]-For me, a small, edited collection of fabulous is far better than a big collection of mediocre. [/FONT]
-Now I only have 3 designer handbags in my collection - all of them I use faithfully
[FONT="]-You really only need about five bags to have a versatile collection. One or two hand-held, two shoulder bags and two totes (one spring/summer, one fall/winter), and one dressy clutch. [/FONT]
-If you have too many bags, you won't use them and that's wasted money in your closet.
-Remember that it's a commitment - each additional acquisition is more clutter, more to keep track of and store and move and inventory and maintain for years. Be picky.
Duplicates and Falling in Love with a Designer
-Don't go crazy or feel like you need to have every color or every style.[FONT="][/FONT]
-Try to resist the urge to buy too many of the same bag in different colors, just because it is on sale. I learned that from my Rebecca Minkoff obsession! after a year I had 7 bags!! I truly LOVED one & once in a while wore 2 others. The rest of them stayed in my closet. I ended up selling all but the one & recently bought my dream bag
-Don't think you have to go exclusively with one brand. I've fallen in that trap with three different designers, none of which had a bag for each and every one of my requirements. Result? I compromised, bought bags in the brand that kind-of worked, then ended up selling them all off.
-In my OCD mind, I need to stick with one brand then when I find a different bag I like, it starts the cycle of selling off, switching brands, selling off, rebuying, etc. That mindset has ended up costing me so much money.
-Don't get caught up with just one designer. Look at them all. You never know what you may see that you will love.
-When you find a bag you love that hits all your sweet spots, BUY IT.
[FONT="]-Buy what you love and will use.[/FONT]
-Only by what makes your heart skip a beat and you know you will use.
[FONT="]-Don't let anyone talk you out of a bag that really calls to you. You will regret it if it's a bag you can't find again.[/FONT]
Settling
-I can't tell you how many "settle" bags i bought (and then sold only to buy the original bag that i loved!)
-Don't settle. I could have saved a lot of money if I just bought what I wanted to begin with!
-As soon as you "settle" or buy other bags, the bag you want will pop up.
-Most of my bags are 'settle' bags, because I refuse to pay full retail for anything. But that doesn't mean I don't love them.
When not to buy[FONT="]
[/FONT]-Don't buy it to impress others.
-Don't shop at sales time unless the bag you have wanted all season is still there. Buying at discount just for the label's sake can be the biggest waste of money EVER.
[FONT="]-[/FONT]My worst buys were: 1- bags that don't fit my lifestyle, but that I love. 2- bags that are too heavy or difficult to carry.
-If you have to come here and ask which you should buy ... or if you should buy it ... you don't love it enough to buy it
-Don't get caught up in the hype. Just because a bag is popular doesn't mean it's right for you to buy it.
Classics and Premier Bags vs. Contemporary bags
-Buy one solid classic bag. Stick to a classic that you won't tire of in a year, a reliable bag that you want to go back to and wear time and time again. (Ferragamo, BV, etc.)
-You'll get your money's worth more on classic pieces that you can use for a lifetime and with any outfit.
-I'd rather have 4 or 5 first rate bags than dozens and dozens of 300$ to 400$ bags.
-Buy a bag because you love the style and not just for the name. It's okay to buy a $400 contemporary bag instead of any of the premier designers. It's not wasting money if you love it. The quality of contemporary bags are no better or worse than the premier bags.
How many
-Do not get caught up in the volume.
[FONT="]-For me, a small, edited collection of fabulous is far better than a big collection of mediocre. [/FONT]
-Now I only have 3 designer handbags in my collection - all of them I use faithfully
[FONT="]-You really only need about five bags to have a versatile collection. One or two hand-held, two shoulder bags and two totes (one spring/summer, one fall/winter), and one dressy clutch. [/FONT]
-If you have too many bags, you won't use them and that's wasted money in your closet.
-Remember that it's a commitment - each additional acquisition is more clutter, more to keep track of and store and move and inventory and maintain for years. Be picky.
Duplicates and Falling in Love with a Designer
-Don't go crazy or feel like you need to have every color or every style.[FONT="][/FONT]
-Try to resist the urge to buy too many of the same bag in different colors, just because it is on sale. I learned that from my Rebecca Minkoff obsession! after a year I had 7 bags!! I truly LOVED one & once in a while wore 2 others. The rest of them stayed in my closet. I ended up selling all but the one & recently bought my dream bag
-Don't think you have to go exclusively with one brand. I've fallen in that trap with three different designers, none of which had a bag for each and every one of my requirements. Result? I compromised, bought bags in the brand that kind-of worked, then ended up selling them all off.
-In my OCD mind, I need to stick with one brand then when I find a different bag I like, it starts the cycle of selling off, switching brands, selling off, rebuying, etc. That mindset has ended up costing me so much money.
-Don't get caught up with just one designer. Look at them all. You never know what you may see that you will love.
[FONT="]At what price and paying for the bag[/FONT]
-Buy what you can afford!
[FONT="]-Don't buy just because it's on sale for a killer price. [/FONT]
-Buy the best, cry once. Settle for less, cry forever.
[FONT="]-You will still be enjoying the bag long after you have forgotten about the price tag! [/FONT]
-Be VERY careful with brands that churn out tons of models each season, and then, right after you purchase a bag at full price, put them all on sale and send you a certificate for 40% off. (Yes, I'm talking to you, Coach!!)[FONT="][/FONT]
- Pay cash. Bags aren't worth going into debt for.
[FONT="]-Save up for it! That makes it much more special[/FONT]
-Just start saving!! The bag can still be yours after the time it takes to save for it. At the time you save, you can weight other options and compare. That way you dont end up spending too much. And after saving for a year for Hermes, then that bag really feels valuable in many ways,
[FONT="]-Pre-loved is the way to go! You can get barely used bags for a fraction of the price[/FONT]
-But my biggest tip is do not overspend on a handbag. You do not want to look back and cringe at how much you spent on bags in comparison to how much you make or have saved.[FONT="][/FONT]
-There will always be another bag. Don't freak out if one passes you by or you can't afford it right now.
[FONT="] [/FONT]
Quality
-"Quality remains after the price has been long forgotten" Aldo Gucci
-For a quality check on the actual bag, check all possible potential weak spots on the bag (even on mega-buck bags). Handles, hardware, corners and stitching.
-If you examine a good leather bag, it should withstand almost anything.
-Don't think that the more expensive the bag is the better the quality. I've bought a number of no-name/mid-level priced leather bags and they have superb quality. Quality issues still exist in some premiere designer brands even if their prices keep on going up and up.
-Remember that millions of women, around the world, are carrying high quality handbags every day, but the vast majority are not carrying high-end designer ones.
-Buy from a manufacturer with good CS. Unfortunately there are not many! Bottega Veneta has excellent service and Gucci has their own repair dept. and Hermes goes without saying.
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Research before you buy[/FONT][FONT="]
[/FONT]-Research about a particular brand/bag before a purchase....it's good to read customer reviews and their input on the bag's quality before taking the plunge.
-Set money aside for your next bag. Do a lot of research and think it through. Delaying gratification makes it sweeter. No guilt!
-I try to know the possible defects of the bags or the usual complaints of others. This is the reason why I haven't bought a Bal bag even if I've been dreaming about their yummy colors for almost a year. I don't want to baby my bags...
-Know the bag and the brand in and out. You like a bag and want it? Fine. But, will the bag begin to break down in 6months? If so, will the company repair? Some companies are known for having great customer service and repairs. Others will not help.
-I can count my designer bags by the fingers on my hands... but each one of them was bought after months of rigorous web research and in-store fittings.
-Research the bag you want. Sometimes you see one on a website and think -I have to have it!! Check out the measurements and dimensions and try it on!!!
Buying online and pre-owned
[FONT="]-Don't buy a bag on line/by phone without seeing that style in real life first. [/FONT]
-Try a bag on before you buy it (or make sure the return policy is good if buying online). The scale and size of the bag is also important.
[FONT="]-Make sure what you have to carry fits in the bag. If you can't check this out in real life, make a paper representation of it using the measurements provided. [/FONT]This is also helpful if you can't picture how large a bag will be.[FONT="][/FONT]
-You need to pour all the contents into the bag and see how it falls next to your body and where it hits on your body (if it's a shoulder bag).
[FONT="]- The pre-loved market is your friend, especially when you're starting out and/or exploring what really works for you, but authenticate-authenticate-authenticate![/FONT]
-My other tidbit that most won't agree with: Don't buy online used bags.[FONT="][/FONT]
-I buy used and on sale, and I have had great luck on ebay. They have many great vintage Coach bags in really good shape for 40$ range, even less. Just do research and ask questions to be safe. Even under vintage bags, many nice buys .
[FONT="]-Pre-owned is a great place to start. Make sure it's authentic; make sure it's what you want in the condition you want. Resear[/FONT]
-Buy what you can afford!
[FONT="]-Don't buy just because it's on sale for a killer price. [/FONT]
-Buy the best, cry once. Settle for less, cry forever.
[FONT="]-You will still be enjoying the bag long after you have forgotten about the price tag! [/FONT]
-Be VERY careful with brands that churn out tons of models each season, and then, right after you purchase a bag at full price, put them all on sale and send you a certificate for 40% off. (Yes, I'm talking to you, Coach!!)[FONT="][/FONT]
- Pay cash. Bags aren't worth going into debt for.
[FONT="]-Save up for it! That makes it much more special[/FONT]
-Just start saving!! The bag can still be yours after the time it takes to save for it. At the time you save, you can weight other options and compare. That way you dont end up spending too much. And after saving for a year for Hermes, then that bag really feels valuable in many ways,
[FONT="]-Pre-loved is the way to go! You can get barely used bags for a fraction of the price[/FONT]
-But my biggest tip is do not overspend on a handbag. You do not want to look back and cringe at how much you spent on bags in comparison to how much you make or have saved.[FONT="][/FONT]
-There will always be another bag. Don't freak out if one passes you by or you can't afford it right now.
[FONT="] [/FONT]
Quality
-"Quality remains after the price has been long forgotten" Aldo Gucci
-For a quality check on the actual bag, check all possible potential weak spots on the bag (even on mega-buck bags). Handles, hardware, corners and stitching.
-If you examine a good leather bag, it should withstand almost anything.
-Don't think that the more expensive the bag is the better the quality. I've bought a number of no-name/mid-level priced leather bags and they have superb quality. Quality issues still exist in some premiere designer brands even if their prices keep on going up and up.
-Remember that millions of women, around the world, are carrying high quality handbags every day, but the vast majority are not carrying high-end designer ones.
-Buy from a manufacturer with good CS. Unfortunately there are not many! Bottega Veneta has excellent service and Gucci has their own repair dept. and Hermes goes without saying.
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Research before you buy[/FONT][FONT="]
[/FONT]-Research about a particular brand/bag before a purchase....it's good to read customer reviews and their input on the bag's quality before taking the plunge.
-Set money aside for your next bag. Do a lot of research and think it through. Delaying gratification makes it sweeter. No guilt!
-I try to know the possible defects of the bags or the usual complaints of others. This is the reason why I haven't bought a Bal bag even if I've been dreaming about their yummy colors for almost a year. I don't want to baby my bags...
-Know the bag and the brand in and out. You like a bag and want it? Fine. But, will the bag begin to break down in 6months? If so, will the company repair? Some companies are known for having great customer service and repairs. Others will not help.
-I can count my designer bags by the fingers on my hands... but each one of them was bought after months of rigorous web research and in-store fittings.
-Research the bag you want. Sometimes you see one on a website and think -I have to have it!! Check out the measurements and dimensions and try it on!!!
Buying online and pre-owned
[FONT="]-Don't buy a bag on line/by phone without seeing that style in real life first. [/FONT]
-Try a bag on before you buy it (or make sure the return policy is good if buying online). The scale and size of the bag is also important.
[FONT="]-Make sure what you have to carry fits in the bag. If you can't check this out in real life, make a paper representation of it using the measurements provided. [/FONT]This is also helpful if you can't picture how large a bag will be.[FONT="][/FONT]
-You need to pour all the contents into the bag and see how it falls next to your body and where it hits on your body (if it's a shoulder bag).
[FONT="]- The pre-loved market is your friend, especially when you're starting out and/or exploring what really works for you, but authenticate-authenticate-authenticate![/FONT]
-My other tidbit that most won't agree with: Don't buy online used bags.[FONT="][/FONT]
-I buy used and on sale, and I have had great luck on ebay. They have many great vintage Coach bags in really good shape for 40$ range, even less. Just do research and ask questions to be safe. Even under vintage bags, many nice buys .
[FONT="]-Pre-owned is a great place to start. Make sure it's authentic; make sure it's what you want in the condition you want. Resear[/FONT]
Finding your style
- Collect images of purses and fashion "icons" you like and store them in your journal, cellphone, etc and refer to it. You will start to see what you want in a "signature style".
-Know what works for your lifestyle. Are you a tote person? A hobo person? etc.
-Over time I think you get a sense of what you like and what fits in your lifestyle, i.e I like to now buy bags that can be worn cross body or slung over the shoulder. When I first started buying I didnt even think about that.
-Buy for the lifestyle you have, not the one you dream of.
-Start your bag collection gradually; get first the bag that you think you will use frequently. Either it's a neutral that will match most of your clothes or a style that fit your usual routine (work, clubbing, playgrounds)
-The line of a bag on your arm or your shoulder should look good with your figure
-Look at your wardrobe to get an idea if a certain bag would suit your style. If most of your clothes are neutral, black then you'd know for example, that you can afford to get a bag that'll give your outfit a pop of colour, etc. If your outfits are mostly in bold prints, etc then you know that bags in bold print or bold colours would probably clash with them.
More things to think about when buying
-Take the time to look at what you have already. Don't forget what you have because if you do, you may end up with bags that serve the same/similar purpose and will need to eventually sell.
-A bag that looks amazeballs on the shelf might make you look a little dumpy. Put it back. The overall impression of your appearance is more important than your bag.
-Just because it looks good on a celeb does not mean it will work for you or your lifestyle.
-I try to picture 5 years down the road and if I think the bag will still hold my interest then.
-If you're forcing it, don't buy it or keep it.
-Don't buy a bag for daily use that you'll feel obliged to baby. Bags should never get in the way of truly enjoying the one life that you get, and the lovely people that populate it.
Have a vision
-Have some sort of plan as to how you want your collection to look
-Before, I tend to choose my bags one by one. But now, I think the other way. I try to plan what my finished collection look like, then plan when and where to buy what. I figure in this way, there would be less overlap among my bags in terms of color, style and functionality. It also helps me avoid overspending by letting me know how much I will be spending in total. So how do you decide what your collection would contain?
After you make the commitment
-You know you've chosen well when you can pull a bag out of the closet that hasn't seen the light of day in months or longer and still be excited/happy to carry it because it is JUST SO RIGHT.
[FONT="]-One advice I can give to those who want to start a bag collection is to learn how to take care of their bags. Keeping them in mint condition will help keep the bag maintain its beauty for years to come. [/FONT]
-Pull your bags and look at them. Which baby needs some sunshine? Who needs some apple conditioner?
- I need to buy shelves for [my collection]..where do you store these beauties?
- The bags will not remain pristine forever. Scratches on leather/hardware happens (not to be confused with quality issues.)
-YOU wear the bags they don't wear you. Who cares if your clothes are from Target, you can still rock Chanel.[FONT="][/FONT]
-Enjoy your bags!
- Collect images of purses and fashion "icons" you like and store them in your journal, cellphone, etc and refer to it. You will start to see what you want in a "signature style".
-Know what works for your lifestyle. Are you a tote person? A hobo person? etc.
-Over time I think you get a sense of what you like and what fits in your lifestyle, i.e I like to now buy bags that can be worn cross body or slung over the shoulder. When I first started buying I didnt even think about that.
-Buy for the lifestyle you have, not the one you dream of.
-Start your bag collection gradually; get first the bag that you think you will use frequently. Either it's a neutral that will match most of your clothes or a style that fit your usual routine (work, clubbing, playgrounds)
-The line of a bag on your arm or your shoulder should look good with your figure
-Look at your wardrobe to get an idea if a certain bag would suit your style. If most of your clothes are neutral, black then you'd know for example, that you can afford to get a bag that'll give your outfit a pop of colour, etc. If your outfits are mostly in bold prints, etc then you know that bags in bold print or bold colours would probably clash with them.
More things to think about when buying
-Take the time to look at what you have already. Don't forget what you have because if you do, you may end up with bags that serve the same/similar purpose and will need to eventually sell.
-A bag that looks amazeballs on the shelf might make you look a little dumpy. Put it back. The overall impression of your appearance is more important than your bag.
-Just because it looks good on a celeb does not mean it will work for you or your lifestyle.
-I try to picture 5 years down the road and if I think the bag will still hold my interest then.
-If you're forcing it, don't buy it or keep it.
-Don't buy a bag for daily use that you'll feel obliged to baby. Bags should never get in the way of truly enjoying the one life that you get, and the lovely people that populate it.
Have a vision
-Have some sort of plan as to how you want your collection to look
-Before, I tend to choose my bags one by one. But now, I think the other way. I try to plan what my finished collection look like, then plan when and where to buy what. I figure in this way, there would be less overlap among my bags in terms of color, style and functionality. It also helps me avoid overspending by letting me know how much I will be spending in total. So how do you decide what your collection would contain?
After you make the commitment
-You know you've chosen well when you can pull a bag out of the closet that hasn't seen the light of day in months or longer and still be excited/happy to carry it because it is JUST SO RIGHT.
[FONT="]-One advice I can give to those who want to start a bag collection is to learn how to take care of their bags. Keeping them in mint condition will help keep the bag maintain its beauty for years to come. [/FONT]
-Pull your bags and look at them. Which baby needs some sunshine? Who needs some apple conditioner?
- I need to buy shelves for [my collection]..where do you store these beauties?
- The bags will not remain pristine forever. Scratches on leather/hardware happens (not to be confused with quality issues.)
-YOU wear the bags they don't wear you. Who cares if your clothes are from Target, you can still rock Chanel.[FONT="][/FONT]
-Enjoy your bags!
When “Collection” is a Dirty Word
-Don't think of it as a collection. Use, use, use!
-It's not art, it's not stamps, it's not figurines. It's something that is meant to be used.
-Don't start.
-Stay off of TPF! It only fuels the fire. I don't care what anyone says. Be afraid! Be very afraid!
[FONT="]-Don't get caught up in the "collecting" thing. It's SO easy to get sucked in and start thinking prices you would have cringed at a year ago are perfectly reasonable.[/FONT]
[FONT="]-Don't justify bag purchases by telling yourself that they are "investment" pieces. There's really no such thing. Even if they're brands that constantly appreciate in price (Chanel, Hermes, LV), don't expect to get the equivalent of what you paid for or more in the resale market. You'd easily get sucked into paying so much or more than what you can afford because of this mentality. [/FONT]
-Don't try to compete with anyone. Someone will ALWAYS have more bags, better bags, more expensive bags......[FONT="][/FONT]
-There are some serious collectors on this board with significant collections. Don't try to keep up or think you have to have a certain number.
-Not all tPFers can afford their collections. Some return bags after they post a reveal. Some put bags on credit cards. Don't go into debt for your collection.
-Don't be upset if nobody else around you is interested or care about your handbag collection.[FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]Handbag Divorce or When it is Time to Sell[/FONT][FONT="]
[/FONT]-Sometimes you will lust after a bag online only to find it isn't quite right irl. Just move on. Don't try to make yourself love it in person because you want it to live up to the fantasy.
- If you buy it and have doubts after, let it sit for a couple days. If you still have doubts, return it if you can or sell it. You will probably feel relieved. But if the thought of returning it makes you sad, then keep it if you can afford it.
-Use your bags. If you are not reaching for one for any reason, sell it.
[FONT="]- If something doesn't work for you, sell. There's no point in hanging on to something that doesn't suit you in some way, even if, and especially if, you paid a lot for it.[/FONT]
[FONT="]-If you don't use your bag within a certain timeframe (I set mine for a year)...sell it!!!! Don't collect it. Use it.[/FONT]
-Sell any bags you don't use, and remember why you didn't use it for the next purchase. Don't make repeat mistakes.[FONT="][/FONT]
While buying those bags you fall in love with is important, I think variety is also important, at least from a practical point of view.
Variety within your collection means you can wear bags you love that most compliment your outfits and, more importantly, you won't tire of a particular style or bag so easily.
I personally love having different shapes to my bags, different colors, and styles that fit different occasions. I have some that I can wear daily around my university, and I have others that can dress up my outfits for other days.
Variety within your collection means you can wear bags you love that most compliment your outfits and, more importantly, you won't tire of a particular style or bag so easily.
I personally love having different shapes to my bags, different colors, and styles that fit different occasions. I have some that I can wear daily around my university, and I have others that can dress up my outfits for other days.
^inareverie, I totally agree.
Before, I used to focus on buying bags that were as "versatile" as possible (can match any outfit) and of course, that led me to buying bags that were similar styles & similar colors (black, brown, etc.). I recently took the plunge and bought a purple bag & I couldn't be happier---no, it's not "versatile" in that it doesn't really match most of my wardrobe, but when it does, it gives that extra oomph that's missing if I always just carried around a black bag. =)
Before, I used to focus on buying bags that were as "versatile" as possible (can match any outfit) and of course, that led me to buying bags that were similar styles & similar colors (black, brown, etc.). I recently took the plunge and bought a purple bag & I couldn't be happier---no, it's not "versatile" in that it doesn't really match most of my wardrobe, but when it does, it gives that extra oomph that's missing if I always just carried around a black bag. =)
