Purses / Handbags?!

I own several yet just bought another mere hours ago. This one is theft and pick-pocket resistant. I am travelling next spring to a high-theft zone in Europe. The bag has RFID (scan blocker) card and passport sleeves, a cut-resistant strap, slash proof material, and crosses over the shoulder.

The last time I was in Europe a gal on my tour had her bag sliced through the strap and stolen straight from her shoulder. I figure anti-RFID technology is a good thing to have back here at home anyway.

Sorry that I've taken so long to respond, time sort of slipped away from me. I've been desperately trying to figure out what to do about my car... it's 15 years old. I'm supposed to drive out of state in about a week to meet up with family, and while my little car has been such a trooper, I'm worried about taking it on a 6-7 hour drive at this point.

I think I've found something that might work on Carmax, but it's in another (nearby) state. I asked them on Saturday to ship it here, and they are (!) - but they haven't given me any kind of estimate about when it might arrive, so I'm going absolutely crazy trying to figure out if it will get here in time, or if I should look at other cars, or get mine fixed (some issues from last year, but they will cost more than the car is worth to repair), or if I need to rent a car for the trip. I feel a little nuts

Thanks for all the feedback about purses, it was fun to hear everyone's experiences!

I sent back the last one (#2, a cute Vince Camuto tote) - it was nice, but a little bit on me and not comfortable to wear. It might me feel a bit weird and short due to its size.

And, I just today ordered a Kate Spade bag. I've got Shoprunner, so it should be here in a couple days. I like that it has (I think?) a removable crossbody strap and an exterior slip pocket...

I got this one in black (I had a coupon, so saved a little off the price):
polly medium convertible shoulder bag | Kate Spade New York

Wish me luck! I think this 3rd try at buying something will be a charm

HappyCrafter -- Ooh! You've got really bold tastes, it sounds like? The feather boa purse sounds intriguing and I bet is a great statement piece, and honestly, the denim purse sounds so comfy and exactly like something I'd use! Thanks!

BethRags -- Oh no! I mean, between the baby and the backpack and the diaper bag, that sounds like an exhausting amount of stuff to have to haul around! Thanks for the recommendation of Osprey, I haven't heard of them, but will check them out. And, the crocheted bit of sari silk around the handle of your cross-body purse sounds really nice! I've never had any kind of "decoration" for my purses, but I've seen those little mini-scarfs that people tie around the handles, and they look so pretty! I might need to look for something like that, to add a splash of color! Thanks.

Access_Denied - Hi! Thanks, I love all the safety-related, anti-RFID ideas... I may need to look and see if I can find some sort of wallet like that to carry my credit cards in. The car that I'm looking at has one of those "keyless" remotes (where it sends out a signal, so the car just magically unlocks as you approach) which seems really unsafe to me - so I might try to a little RFID-blocking pouch for the keys too, to see if I can prevent the signal from getting out.

By "lopsided", I meant that the bag isn't set up to be used as a cross-body. So, instead of just 2 places to hook straps, it has four - one at each corner. So, attaching a crossbody would have to go diagonally across the opening of the purse and could be a bit odd, since it wasn't designed for it.

But it doesn't matter, I sent that one back - it felt a little too big on me, and wasn't comfortable on my shoulder. Sad, it was otherwise cute!

I thought I might like an SUV, but the ones that I've tried out all feel too big, and I feel a little tippy in them. Like I'm riding on a tractor. The last car guy told me that some people just like sitting high up, and some don't, and I may be someone who prefers to be closer to the ground. I don't know, I like the *idea* of them - but I'm one person, no kids/pets/etc and I don't tend to haul a lot of stuff, so it's probably overkill for me.

I'm staying open, but the car I'm looking at right now (from CarMax, not sure if you have them by you) is just a regular sedan. It's supposed to be comfy and quiet and hopefully reliable, and should have decent handling, mileage, and a nice sound system. My last car had terrible sound and was very noisy, so this would be a really nice change!

All the new technology though is so hard to get used to! My car is 15 years old - so *everything* is new and different now!!!

Anyway, yup - one day at a time. I'm trying! But I'll feel much better when some of this stuff gets settled and I can stop obsessing over it. Hopefully this new purse will work for me, so I can put the purse-search behind me. I will miss my current purse, but it's shedding parts of it's outer layer!

Thanks!

WishfulThinker66 -- Oh wow, that's scary (re: your friend who had her purse slashed off of her shoulder - yikes!) The RFID and slash-proof stuff sounds so intriguing. I will look into it some more, for sure. Probably more security than I need right now (I don't get out much), but it would definitely be nice to have something like that for traveling or even going into busier areas in the city. Hope the new one works out well for you! Thanks!

I just got a "real" credit card in case i need to rent a car. (Ive been cardless for a while except for my debit card.) I think the boredom of driving that long might get to me now. Sometimes i enjoy driving, then sometimes its like a switch flips and im just DONE. I guess thats why you need music and SNAX!

I got my card though my bank and set it up that if I forget to make a payment it's automatically taken from my savings account. That way my credit stays good. It does have a higher interest but I don't pay interest anytime I use it I pay the full amount of pronto. But the security of knowing it's covered is worth it.

I should ask my daughter to contribute something here about purses. She's into all that. A few years ago she picked out a purse she wanted and hubby bought it for her at Christmas time. She knew what she was getting but was thrilled with it. Some kind of couture purse I think. Right now she's carrying a pink leather cross body bag that she found at a consignment store. She's gotten a ton of compliments on it. It's big enough for her lap top.

I recently purchased a Baggallini
Black, messenger type bag.
It works well for what it is used for.
And, it is lightweight.

My purse/handbag is made of tannish brown cloth, with zippers & pockets on the outside, & with cloth straps. It looks like a bag you would carry with you on a safari in East Africa (where you would be photograghing animals). It's perfect for me. It's getting a little worn on the outside, but it still has a lot of years to go before I'd be looking for a new one. Hugs to you all!

I don't carry purses, but I have a canvas bag I like to carry sometimes. Usually I just have my wallet with me. The bag is large enough for an iPad. It's convenient when I need to carry more things.

The one I have now I've had a couple of years, it's small (Like me!) but I can fit my essentials in. I deliberately chose a small one because the bigger ones I am tempted to fill with things I don't need.

It wasn't expensive or cheap but it's lasting well - I got it at an art gallery.

This is one of my favourite sites for bags Bags*


– Irisruby

I don’t carry a purse. I shove my phone in my jacket pocket and then hope for the best that I don’t have an emergency at work where I’d end up in the ER, because I don’t carry ID cards or insurance cards either.

Hi @guilloche

Sorry I'm late replying, but we've not long been home from a two day trip to Francxe.

For outstanding safety of all my cards and stuff, I now use an RFID wallet made by Pacsafe, their latest LX150 wallet. Also while in France I also bought two handy bags by the same manufacturer, Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP21. This is a carry-on wheelie having the same RFID, but also their excellent 360 degree eXomesh® locking system locks and zips which neatly connect up (you must see their netting system that wraps-around bags so they can be secured to an immovable pillar) and their Vibe 150 Cross Body Pack.

My friend Laura who was a top security agent swears by Pacsafe's excellently designed products.

These bags and carry-ons are a bit more expensive, but sandwiched in-between Pacsafe's fabrics is a stainless steel slashguard mesh. This would thwart thieves with utility knives.

I like good design in technology only if it is reliable and works. I think you'll be impressed when you see them.

About SUVs, I agree, but Toyota make a good
runaround that doesn't seem too big., Also Dacia which is made in Romania, this car manufacturer builds good value into good quality. I'm not sure if Dacia's headlamps are up to it as they seem not to be high-focus, extra-bright LEDs, but Toyota and Honda also have bright LEDs.

I hope you will be happy with whatever you buy.

I carry backpacks. I have 6.

I have 2 LV, 3 Gucci, Fendi, Coach, DKNY, 2 MCM, Gap, Diesel,Tommy Hilfiger, Nike fanny pack, 5 Canvas bags, and the rest regular shoulder bags.

In all I have 25 bags.

I love bags and shoes.