A bag for all seasons...

It can be quite a complex thing owning a handbag. Some have one bag, the same one, all the time and never think about changing it unless on a night out or changing over to pull along luggage on an annual holiday to the Costa del Sol.

Not bothered novice

I would name this person a 'not bothered novice' as their interest and understanding of handbags is absolutely zilch. They are numb from the crossover bag down. For them there is no ping of excitement when passing a  bag shop and owning a bag is purely functional. There heart is flatlined at the pure thought of which bag to use for which event and have no organisation within their present bag of choice. It will look like someone has fly tipped life's little essentials into one rubbish sack. I sympathise with these people.

I 'kind of get it' intermediate

These people have a little more knowledge about handbags, know the difference between a Radley and a Kipling and would change regularly for any occasion. They may visit the odd Cath Kidston shop to update a tired shopping tote bag or buy a tea towel to match their current floral delight. I like these people as they are on the brink of bag heaven, just a slight nudge and they are your new recruit to a better life and handbag graduation is imminent. 


Absolutely 'and totally handbag obsessed' advanced 

This is BOD, bag obsessive disorder. It's when a person has to have a different bag on the turn of a season, a change in the weather, or depending on where the new day is going to take them. they know all different styles, designers, shops, sizes and their present hand bag will look so tidy and organised there will be a pocket for everything.

This is me, only last week I had to make the transfer from my Harris Tweed bag (on left of picture) to a little blue number (on the right) because the weather had gone from chilly to very warm. As we were stripping our jumpers and cardigans off even my handbag became to woolly for the warm weather. The light blue one seemed a bit more summery in my opinion. So when Monday morning came and every morning so far this week I have had to revert to another bag as the rain didn't seem right pounding on the summer blue option. I also have to have the right size bag, now these bags are not very practical in a meeting or a situation where a folder may be used. I had to progress to big bag for that and that's where I am now. An old faithful from Marks and Spencer's which I have dug out and is living up to all my expectations. 

That's until I need to dump the meeting bag and then have moments where I just need to take out purse, phone and keys and then it will be back to small bag. If I just go out locally for a walk I'll even revert to exercise type waist belt, bum bag type bag as this is all I need. If your American this is referred to as a fanny pack I believe. Only across the Atlantic could we be confused about our fanny's and bums in regard to the old baglopedia. 

So you see, there is a lot more to owning a bag that you might have first thought. I have to feel comfortable with a bag, it has to practical and comfy. yes I said comfy, when buying a new bag I try it on like I would a new top or pair of trousers. I don't necessarily need a changing room but just a mirror and have to see what it looks like. This is something my mum thought was amusing and now when we are in shop and she sees me with a bag she'll say 'have you tried that on?' I also have to feel it, not like a spiritual way but a physical touchy way. Buying bags from the internet is tough for me as seeing it on the hook is very important in the buying process. 

Sometimes I can change my handbag like I change my underwear, even that seems practical nowadays but we won't go into that. It depends on the day whether you put on a nice fancy one or a something Bridget Jones would approve of, I'm talking about bags now not undies. There is such a choice, I find it impossible to pass any bag shop without going in. I'm really surprised I don't own a bag shop but then some people love a beer but  don't necessarily feel the need to own a pub. It's my little vice, I don't smoke now and don't drink so a girls got to have something to make her feel good. 

Someone asked me which bag I would like to own and if I had the choice I would love the bag Mary Poppins had as she just got everything in that. I was amazed when I was younger, thought it was real and you could get all those things in that bag, maybe that's where my fascination of handbags came from. Not found a magical one like that though, well not yet!!

Thank you so much for reading and please do come back tomorrow as I will have a Verse for Thursday. Take care for now.....