Confession of a Bag Lady: a Handbag History

For as far back as I can remember, I’ve loved bags, purses, fun wallets, backpacks, fanny packs. I can specifically remember a Flintstones clutch/purse/wallet that I carried when I was probably about 10ish. I don’t even recall liking the Flintstones that much, but I was attracted to all the compartments and card slots in that one though it was super ugly! I searched high and low on Google to find a photo of it, but came up empty. I guess you'll just have to trust me on the ugly factor :)

Not exactly the same as mine, but
you get the idea.

And what about the patchwork quilt purses of the 90s. Had one of those, too. As did my mom and sister. They were all the rage :)

Similar to the one I had

I also spend an entire California vacation on the hunt for a fanny pack. Yes, a fanny pack. It was an exhausting search, but finally found one at a sporting goods store. A neon orange one. I was in heaven. And yet where is it now you ask.. No. Idea.

Think darker turquoise
and more zipper pockets. 

One of my other favorites was the tiny backpack. I had a turquoise sporty one and a sleek black number, because, you know, different occasions. Ironically, those are popular again. I guess like a lot of things, I should have kept them around. It made the perfect carry-all on our trip to Italy.

On my vacation to Panama with my sisters in junior high, I came home with three bags – all brightly colored and handmade.  You know how people collect different things when they travel? Post cards, shells, spoons... Well, I collect bags and purses. It's kinda my thing.

I always bought my bags and purses at retailers like Walmart or Target. As a kid/high school

student/college student, I didn’t have the money for top of the line handbags, especially when I like to have options. But on our honeymoon to St. Thomas, I purchased my first Coach purse… the smallest one you can get and still call it a purse – with a matching coin purse almost equal in size to the actual purse. And several years later, I invested in a larger, violet Coach purse. One with a tiny bug on it. I still have it, but honestly, when I think of how much money I spent on it, I’m appalled. I’m so paranoid about getting it dirty or something happening to it that it spends most of its time in a dust bag. Not my most shining moment as an adult.

So today, you’ll find me carrying Stella and Dot bags. I purchased one of my first S&D bag to double as a diaper bag/pump bag when I had our youngest -  I loved it. And completely wore it out to the point of the handles almost breaking off! I carried it for over 3 years and put it through the ringer. The patterns and textures really seem to be timeless and the bags have a lot of structure and durability. And although they, too can be pricey, I purchased all of mine when they were on sale. I love a good bargain!

My current  everyday bag is also Stella & Dot and is metallic-finish tote bag – perfect for any season in my opinion – and I carry it daily. Fits a 17 inch laptop as well as all my other mom crap and doesn't feel bulky.

My date night bag is also Stella and Dot… a small, slim black clutch with a detachable wristlet. Fits a cell phone, credit card and the essentials perfectly while still being stylish and on trend - I think ;)

What’s your favorite purse/bag from your younger days? What bag are you currently carrying? What's your dream bag/purse?