Love the MZ Wallace bags and all of @alh ‘s bags (but they are not crossbody so I would just put it down and lose them). I’ll have to check out the MZ Wallace at Nordstrom or Bloomingdales because I always need to hold it, feel the weight and check the functionality. I wouldn’t be able to buy one online until seeing it
I got this https://www.amazon.com/Kate-Spade-New-York-Shoulder/dp/B07NYTNK57 at the surprise sale – thanks to those who posted about it! – in a plain black pebble leather. It was perfect for a museum day. Wallet, pen, notepad, keys, Charlie Card. I wanted to test the subway pass in the exterior slip pocket without taking it out, but DH’s failed and we ended up passing mine back and forth instead. Still, the bag worked great and was easy to use, and I really like it.
I think handbags tell a lot about the owner.
LOL uh-oh!
@HouseChatte - nice bag!
That’s a pretty bag.
I’ve decided that I can’t stand purses with metal chain straps. It bothers me to hear the clinking sounds every time I put them down and pick them up. I do think they’re cute though. One of my most complimented purses has a chain strap but I’m thinking about changing it out somehow.
How long do you keep purses you haven’t used in a while? I have around ten total and haven’t used 7 in several years.
I have purses that are 30+ yr old. I recently took out a Gucci quilted silk backpack I bought 25+ yrs ago (the print is like their scarf). My girls were in awe and asked me if they could have it. 
@HouseChatte, I get an error when I try to check out your recent purchase.
Glad you like it though.
“I think handbags tell a lot about the owner.” - Probably so. It tells that I am definitely not handbag-obsesses (but still have fun reading about it here!). I am more into utility than style. Nonetheless I also struggle with what to do with a purse when out, and admittedly I sometimes tuck cellphone in pocket and leave the purse in the car (ie rely on DH who has car keys).
@1214mom it’s a Kate Spade Briar Lane Mini Emelyn; if you Google it, either my small version (7.5" by 5"ish) or a slightly larger one will show up.
@psychmomma the chain strap is definitely loud and heavy to boot, but like you I like the look. I also like the can’t-slice-through-it security.
Ha…In that case mine would tell people ‘don’t really care what you think’. And…my H functions as the bi-ped ATM, hence sometimes just a phone in pocket so I can enter the PIN if I happen to misplace said bi-ped , has pretty good recall.
I’d like to hear more commentary on the idea that “handbags tell a lot about the owner”.
Well- Shortly after I moved to TN in 2006 for my new job, several of us were going out for beers after work. My new boss, our General Counsel, was carrying a small bag. I said, “Oh, is that your man-purse?” He looked at me with horror! He said, “No- it’s a small bag of tools from the company’s logo sale!” We all laughed, and he told that story for years. He wasn’t really the man-purse type, it turned out.
I’m trying to decide what my bags would tell about me- I’ve gravitated toward larger totes that are on the casual side- Frye, Dooney, other softer but high quality leather brands. It might tell that I want to have my “stuff” accessible- chargers, hand cream, lipstick, Advil, lemon packets, credit and affinity program cards…
Ha - handbag contents say a lot too. There was a time where I carried a much larger purse, and it always had crayons and a margarine tub filled with cheerios.
@dietz199 what is a bi-ped ATM?
My bags tell the world that I like cats!! ? 
https://www.lyst.com/bags/charlotte-olympia-kitty-shopper-mustard-2/
https://poshmark.com/listing/kate-spade-Emma-Lane-Maya-Astor-Cat-Tote-Bag-590ea1c5d14d7b8f6109c27d
Those are cute!
In college I refused to use a purse. I put a large safety pin through my drivers license and pinned it in a pocket or inside a jacket and put money in my shoe.
My only nice purse was a gift from H when I had our first child - a pretty black Coach purse. But I had no where to carry it for many years, so it’s still in pristine condition.
I seem to expand my “must haves” to whatever size purse I carry. If it’s a large purse, it is heavy from all the nonsense inside. My preference now is a small cross body with money, keys, phone, lip balm. I love crossbody purses since my shoulders are narrow and the straps always fall off if they’re hanging straight down.
Without a larger purse, I keep a small zippered make-up bag in my car with the extra things I might want or need handy.
I have decided cross body and backpacks are best for the health of my shoulders, so those are my preferences. It has to be able to hold my phone, dark glasses and preferably my wallet.
I have dressier and more casual options—Black, Brown and a lovely blue leather bag from Florence which is dressy but feather light, as well as my everyday thin water resistant black nylon backpack. I have about 10 purses all together. I really don’t need more.
I have a small cross body coach bag for when I have to do a lot of walking, but want something nicer than my travelon nylon bag. Keys, wallet, glasses case (to switch out my sunglasses and regular glasses) and phone, maybe a small pack of tissues and lip balm. Often I will put my phone in my back pocket to reduce weight of my bag. But I also use a slightly larger bag, with the same basics, which allows me to put a sweater in (for air conditioning) and a water bottle. I have maybe 3, leather, 2 black ones a DKNY in blue that I got at an outlet. The key for me is light weight and ability to carry on my shoulder.
I use the travelon cross-body that has outside pockets for a small water bottle for travel and trips to the city for museum days. Very light and can even adjust the straps to carry it around my waist (not pretty but easier on my shoulders and back).