The Pretty Perfect Bag

The hunt for the ideal handbag has taken up a good many hours of scouring shops and ebay. An innumerable quantity have been considered. Some returned promptly after further inspection, others given a trial period and failed on one or more points.

The key requirements:

• The bag itself must not be overly heavy - otherwise I will develop a lopsided look which is by no means elegant after filling it with essentials (and more than likely some tat)



• There must be a zippable inside pocket for stuff you don't want falling out and losing - grips, keys, emergency bic etc



• It must be able to carry a paperback of up to an inch or so in thickness, a brolly, moleskine and folded up shopping bag



• 
  
  Phone and keys should be easy to find to save a lucky-dip approach

I have been seduced by large bags before due to their ability to cope with stuff for after work swimming or dance class but due to the fact that I don't swim now we have moved office and are not near the leisure centre, and that I go to 2 dance classes at the most in a week, a canvas bag really does suffice on these days.

I get very vexed by zips and the direction they are inserted. I like the zip tag to be in front of me when closed (partly security but more usually so can get to a tissue/lipbalm without removing bag from shoulder) but bags often seem to be designed with outside pockets on one side and zip going wrong way and I don't like wearing the bag the 'wrong way round'. Many. many bags have been rejected because of this!

However - this green dream seems to be working out very well at the moment. From ebay, a new bag in a vintage style. Very soft green leather. Useful pockets on the outside can take phone and a book on the other side. The phone pocket inside fits my keys (not car keys but I don't carry them every day). Zipped pocket inside and lack of outside zip means can be worn any way round! fits a brolly etc and smallish box for lunch. Have always gone for black/neutral bags but as I wear a lot of green/blue/black/grey it is fine and have been carefree and worn big lilac cardi with it too anyway!