VVJan22

Purses & Bags - Oh My!
By: Sandi Davis / Fashion “Cents”
While doing my closet shift between seasons,
I save the purses for last. What is a purse?
By any name a satchel, clutch, pochette, bag,
handbag, even a pocketbook. Then there are those spectacular ones
that have an iconic name: Hermes Della,
Birkin, Louis Vuitton, etc.
I always see long lines outside Louis
Vuitton – and NO, not for a sale, but for
people that must have these pricy and
sometimes priceless bags. Do I covet?
Maybe, and yes.
But back to reality. I remember one
of my first purchases of a purse that my
mother did not buy for me or handed
down.
It was Thom McCann, grey leatherette with a white leatherette band,
and a covered white large “button.” The button was about 1 ½ inches
across.
And I bought shoes to match! Kitten heeled slings with the same
detail. I loved them.
Since then, buying or wearing a matching or close-to-matching shoe
and handbag was important to me. And not to mention wallets!
When in Paris, a lifetime ago, we went into Longchamp on Champs-
Elysees and Evan purchased a beautiful soft yellow bag for me (the
color was called corn). Glorious!
When we were flying home, and settled at the airport in Paris, I had
some Parisian money left and decided to look in the shops. And guess
what?
I found a beautiful, though rather large,
wallet to match. Of course, I bought it! And
that wallet got more use than the bag.
The bag has been retired (given away),
but the wallet, though worn at the edges,
is still in my possession. By the way, it
has a special section for a passport. How
continental!.
Stories aside, I have more purses than I
really need. And I have promised myself that if compelled to buy a new
bag, purse, clutch, or pocketbook, I must give away two that I already
have. It’s called downsizing.
I still don’t understand why it is called a pocketbook. None of my
purses fit in a pocket, and I certainly don’t read it.
Anyone with a clue? Please drop me an email.
Sandi Davis is the Fashion Style columnist and Behind-the-Scenes
Research Analyst for The Vegas Voice. She welcomes all questions
and opinions. You can contact her at Sandidavis@cox.net
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January 2022