The wallet has to have slots for cards, pockets for coupons, pocket for receipts, spot for coins and bills, etc and easy access to it all with wide gussets on the side. It absolutely must zip or snap to close too. I thought I found the perfect one...even the compartments were labeled for coupons and receipts, but when I put everything in there it didn't snap.
This new wallet is almost perfect...it zips shuts on both sides so that's good, but I had to cut the little pen holder loop out because it got caught in the zipper every time. Who designs these things? Don't they put all the crap in there first to see if it works?
Now the purse is my biggest quest...like the Holy Grail. I won't even get into the details of what a dream purse is, because I don't think I know until I see it! LOL It does have to be short so things don't get lost in the black hole of the abyss in the bottom. It has to be sturdy and stand up on it's own, like a bucket purse...not floppy. It has to have a ton of little pockets along the inside walls for phone, keys, lipstick, iPad, medicine and oh yeah...straps for your shoulder.
Ok, I'm stopping here...I think I need to see a psychiatrist. LOL
You? (on the purse, not the psychiatrist)
Have a great Thursday,
~Karen~
OMG I am so with you on the search for the perfect wallet, purse and tote. It's crazy,and kind of fun. Good luck on your search.
ReplyDeleteI also have difficulty finding the perfect wallet and I really hate purses. So those are difficult. But most of all, brown shoes. I never can find a pair I like. I have a ton of black ones, no problem there.
ReplyDeleteMy wallet is interesting. I like it. It has RFID built into it so hackers can't get my credit card numbers. They just have to stand within three feet of you and they can use a scanner and pull all your numbers! Driver's License info and medical card info as well.
So the wallet has an RFID blocker. And it is actually cute and useful
Travelon - RFID Blocking Ladies Wallet (check it out on Amazon, I got it for $12)
I am absolutely in the same boat! The perfect wallet and purse are a never-ending quest! I've gone from a large wallet to a small one and back again. Neither has been right. And purses? They're close to impossible! Too big and nothing can be found. Too small and you can't fit in all you need. If I ever do find the perfect purse, I'm buying multiples of it!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at your post this morning - it resonates well with me - always looking for the 'perfect' purse - but just to say, in the UK, we call a wallet a purse (here a wallet is what men use to hold notes) and a purse is what we call a hand-bag. Confusing? Still share the same sentiments though.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know your pain! I too searched for the perfect wallet/handbag with little success. Need places for phone (& headphones), two currencies (Swiss & Euro), keys, all the usual bits. Got tired of leaving out things when changing handbags so have resigned myself to carrying all in a bucket purse (nice little Longchamp Roseau bag found in a consignment shop for about $10) with smaller cases I can take out as needed to run into shop, grocery, PO, whatever. Prettier than a backpack but serving a similar purpose. :-) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how this post has my name written all over it! lol
ReplyDeleteMy hubby shakes his head as about every 3 months he sees me sporting a new purse... and I am anal about my wallets matching so yes, a new wallet too..
I am on the hunt for the "perfect" purse and organizers to match... MIGHT have just found it..
I bought a purse at Belk's last week... It is a satchel so it stays open... and it is THE perfect size and I LOVE the color! Don't you just hate it when the sides fall down on everything in your purse!! arrggg
So, I have been on the hunt for the perfect satchel and I think I found it...
I will do a post on my blog later today to show you... :)
For my birthday this year my mom made me a purse and it turned out to be the perfect bag. Since she has made one for herself, my sister, my best friend and again one for me because the first one got something on it. I love my purse!
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone. I am SO with you on the wallet AND the purse. AND... I feel the same way about designers, do they try out the stuff they design first? I say this all the time. AND, I hate shopping. Hate it! I know that's not female, but I do -I like hardware stores, thrift shops and nurseries but just about everything else I can't stand. But I could probably shop with you for a purse because it'd be so easy to rule out what's not right and move on. Now whether we'd actually find the RIGHT purse is the question right?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this one for sure! I have a ton of purses that I keep rotating because none of them are quite right. I have a small list of MUSTS when it comes to buying a new purse: 1- shoulder strap, preferable adjustable so it can be worn like a messenger bag. 2- small pockets on the outside for my keys and my phone 3- It has to be large enough to carry all of the random stuff (I'm like a boyscout...always prepared! Need floss? I have it? Need a needle and thread? I have it. Need a pen, or crayon, or glue stick? Yup...I have those, too) And finally, the BIGGEST must that I will NEVER loo past is it HAS TO HAVE COLORED LINING!!!! Any purse with black lining is a big no no! That's how things get lost! But if it's bright pink, or yellow, or has stars on it, you can see much better!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I get it. I'm in the search for the perfect wallet myself right now. I love to have one with a strap - doesn't have to be a long strap, it can go round my wrist. Or a shoulder strap. Something so that I don't set it down somewhere and leave it behind. I have the best purse - I made it myself - tons of pockets inside. It keeps things so neat sometimes I can't find them! haha. Only thing is, it's too big almost - it's great for when I have to carry my Joanns coupons inside the store - but if I'm just running in a store I want just a wallet "on a string" so I can grab it and go without carrying the bag with all the pockets and stuff I don't need in the store. Still looking......
ReplyDeleteMartha
I so agree. I have been looking forever and contemplating making my own but haven't found a perfect pattern!!! Ugh!!! I like pockets on the outside for my ipod, keys and phone so they are within easy reach. Also most seem to large or too small. I will search on or end up create my own pattern. :)
ReplyDeleteSo funny, I was just shopping for that elusive favorite purse yesterday! Didn't find it..... I have several cute purse patterns so think I will just have to make one and modify it to fit my every day needs. Then buy a pretty black one just to throw a few things into that will be a little more dressier for special outings and church.
ReplyDeleteWhen I find a purse I like I will carry it for YEARS - I don't care if it is in style or not. It must fit my needs. Small and like a mini file cabinet! I just wore out one that lasted for almost nine years and has been very hard to find a replacement. I am not in love with what I bought to replace it; but it is working for now.
ReplyDeleteObviously this post hit home for a lot of us!!
Judy
I am SO with you! I have a travel purse that I DO like..but I have used it so much its getting ratty. Good thing I have the pattern..now to cut out another one! Maybe I should cut out more than one while I"m at it? Here is a link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pinkchalkfabrics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=49
(its called a 'BB Bag' if this link does not work. You can google it)
no affliation with this company. This is my go to travel bag with room for small wallet, phone, camera, my HAVE to haves-esp for travel (nail file and clippers, advil, pen and small pad of paper), and a small coin purse. That is the largest bag. I have plans to make more...even a fancy one for holidays. Too bad I cannot find a DAILY purse I love as much!
I think this is why a couple of women I know own at least 2 dozen purses. Each one is okay but not perfect. I have one purse and one wallet. I can't abide having several. Okay the glittered one and the velvet one don't count as I use them only for special occasions. And there's the one shaped like a cat but I got it from a friend who has since passed away.
ReplyDeleteCome on Kate Spade, you, of all people, should know what we want. I also don't want to spend over $30 for a utilitarian purse. Bravo Karen, for putting words to our collective angst.
If you need a psychiatrist, then we all do!LOL I agree totally on the purse and wallet! In fact, the pattern for the purse organizer looks like a good project, but I am a "downsized" purse person and need somehting smaller. I will probably design my own also, but maybe I should start with my own designed purse, then the liner with pockets that can be removable, then the wallet? I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI gave up using purses about 15 years ago. I tried using one a few months ago (trying to be a 'big girl' with a purse!) and I left it at my friends house, and had to drive all the way back to get it (60 minute drive!) Now I just carry one of the little card cases in my pocket....keeps my cards and money, and that's it! Everything else is in my car if I need it. Of course, that doesn't mean that I got rid of the dozen or so purses I have......they still take up space in the closet, just in case I change my mind one day!! HA!
ReplyDeleteI don't think they make a perfect purse. I even tried to have one special made for me by two ladies who make and sell purses. They custom designed it to hold my Kindle, phone, etc., etc. It still doesn't work for me. Sigh.
ReplyDeletePlease share the particulars about your wallet!! It sounds great - where can we find one like it?
I am also on the lookout for the best purse design - that is the very project I am working on in my studio right now! Let us know what you find in the "best" category and I will link up to you when I post mine - it may be a while - this is a hard quest! ;) It's funny how many of us feel the same way!
ReplyDeleteI make wallets and purses and I make a lot of them because I too am searching to the perfect one. I switch around using smaller ones then back to the larger ones. I made one I really liked and used only that one for a really long time, but it didn't hold the larger items. I think finding the perfect purse might not exist. Just like trying to find the perfect sewing machine doesn't exist. I have 3 sewing machines that I use for different things because each does something the other does not or one machine does it better/easier. Even those machines that cost ten thousand or more dollars don't do everything well. So I have several purses and I use one for a while and then switch to another one. I enjoy using them because I made them and with each one I make I add something like an attached key hook for my keys and come up with other ideas too. But we are all so different in our wants/needs that there is no one perfect purse or wallet for us all.
ReplyDeleteEvery woman's quest....and you nailed it. Oh, and it has to have a light colored, non printed, stay clean, fabric (no plastic!) liner so you can see what's inside. And feet on the bottom so it won't get dirty. And have an over-the-shoulder strap the perfect length for us shorter people.........
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your post and everyone's comments, as I had a simular request from my daughter, her boss and several other's to design just such a pattern and make a purse, that did it all (so to speak)for them. I've already completed a couple prototypes and will be making their bags for them soon, then release the pattern shortly after. I want to make several designs and sizes and hopefully have them available around Nov. So it is very nice to see what people are looking for, so that I can incorporate those features into the design.
ReplyDeleteAmen sisters!
ReplyDeleteI've had the same purse now for several years. It isn't perfect, but it's as close as I've ever come. It has 5 zippered pockets and a bunch of other pockets. It's getting old now and there are areas where the black leather has turned brownish red. Everything in my purse has a home, so that I know exactly where to look for it.
ReplyDeleteI have occasionally looked for a replacement but I haven't been able to find anything with the number of pockets I like. I sometimes wonder, do the people who design purses actually use them or have people test them to see if they work for every day use.
Aaah, the never ending quest!
ReplyDeleteThe last few years I've been using a Miche' bag, classic. It's the perfect size. Not too big, not too small. Rigid sides, I can reach into it with my eyes closed and put my fingers on exactly what I need. When I'm ready for a change, I just pick out a new shell and different handles!
My adult daughters prefer the larger soft side purses. They also have organizers that slip your stuff from purse to purse, if you want to change sizes.
I designed a wallet for myself because I could not find one that worked for what I need. It works really well, other than I did not use a stiff enough interfacing in some areas and the fold needs to be a smidge wider. You could do the same I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean...thats why I sewed one myself..I think its pretty perfect ! LOL
ReplyDeleteYou can see it here...
http://liz-moments.blogspot.de/2012/09/friday-finish.html
I know I already commented but I came back because I was wondering what to post about today and your post inspired me to write about my almost perfect purse.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.supermomnocape.com/2012/09/20/my-almost-perfect-purse/
Thanks, Karen for the inspiration.
I also have been making purses & adapting to my wants & needs. The last 2 years, my children (grown) have given me wallets. They won't close either & the part for the checkbook isn't big enough to hold it! In either of them. Who makes these things?! Every time I put money back in, it has to be just so or it will not snap. And heaven forbid, you can't have too many bills in the pocket. Don't get me started about the change "pocket"!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I am the odd duck. I own one purse and one wallet and I carry neither one. I only go to town about 3 times a month and I tuck my debit card and driver's license in my pocket and hit the road. I don't like to shop...with the exception of fabric! :)
ReplyDeleteWell being a bit of an expert(= bag fanatic) I can say that being able to create my own perfect bag is a plus. But one thing you could buy(or even make) is one of those purse organizers. They keep everything organized and you just take the whole thing out of one bag and slip it into another.
ReplyDeleteWhen I make my bags I always include pockets everywhere bc I like them. Ive also found I love Fossil wallets(I bought mine used on Ebay b/c the new ones are so darned expensive).
Good luck on your search!:)
I'm another bag fanatic (demanding all kinds of pockets and not too deep) and I found this one a few years ago, and I now own 6 of them in different colors (for all the seasons!). Check it out in a better retail store near you (similar to Macy's) and you'll be hooked, too!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www1.macys.com/shop/product/tignanello-handbag-perfect-10-studded-shopper?ID=525523&CategoryID=27803&swatchColor=COGNAC#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D30%26ruleId%3D52%26slotId%3D22
I'm SO with you on this one too! I absolutely hate trying to find the perfect purse (which always then entails having to hunt for a perfect wallet to go inside). Mine has to have a good place for my keys and my cell phone and has to be small enough that it doesn't develop into a 'drop n hunt' (meaning you drop something into it and then spend inordinate amounts of time hunting for whatever you need....most generally when you're in a lineup and everybody is glaring daggers at you for holding them up). And then there's the so-called 'organizer' handbags that have all sorts of little slots for holding your cards which either a) are too small to actually hold a card or b) are so loose that every time you open the bag you end up playing card-pickup as they all cascade on the floor (encouraging yet more dagger glares). Oh yikes....don't get me started!!
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone! First off I can't find a wallet that holds everything I need and will still close. DH said really do you need to take all that everywhere you go? HHHHHHMMMMMMMMM yes! So I settled for a leather pouch, no compartments big enough for a check book. I keep debit/cc/id upfront, from there goes ins cards, frequent buyer cards, check book and receipts. It has stopped me from being a wallet hoarder making me par down what was really important to me. The purse issue, I have done everything from the canvas huge tote to just a hanging wallet type with a strap. Now I have one from Khols, its leather has a small pocket zippered shut, med zippered shut, and then the middle zippered shut. Inside the big pocket theres two pouchs for keys ect. I actually hand my keys on the ring the holds the strap so always easy to find. Then theres a back flap with a snap closure. All of that is maybe 8-9 inches high by 15 inches long. It works perfect for me, I just don't like I can't take my quilting handy work with me, or magazines, or or or or. Oh wait I do like I can grab and run and throw it around my neck and away I go.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Vicki
I like a little wallet and bags with straps I can put across my chest - so I've been making my own, using Lazy Girl Designs patterns and modifying them where I can. It's worked great and a lot less expensive!!!
ReplyDeleteRight now, I'm using one that has flaps on either side, and I keep forgetting and opening the wrong one. I've got a pattern for a bag that sounds perfect. I've just got to find the time to make it. I think I'll get going on it soon.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter gave me my wallet, so I can't trade it until it's ratty. Oh well.
Amen. I have looked for years and years for the perfect wallet and purse. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have bought one or the other (or heaven help me- both), taken it home to try on all my stuff in the new one and then taken it back. Or the number of times I have put all my stuff into a potential purse in the store. I keep expecting security to check me out to see if I plan to steal the purse. Then there's the CC purse. Still can't find one to suit me and those babies run 200 to 500 dollars. Ouch.
ReplyDeleteFor the last few years, carried my id and cards in a mans wallet in a back pocket and my purse (one of those Ameribags) has the rest of the stuff and is on the floor of my Wrangler. It blends in with the carpet and half the time is covered with bags of fabric. Quilt fabric makes good camoflage. I am now making and expandable tote bag - three pocket on the inside and one on the outside. you unzip it and it becomes half again as deep. Great for fabric shopping expeditions. We'll see how that works. Maybe with a Studio Kat purse insert.
I am happy to see I am not alone in the quest for the perfect Purse. Do you think we all need to join a support group? LOL I too try seeing how things fit in the store. Especially my cell phone. So what do I do? I leave the cell phone in the purse......And yes it is half an hour away. I did get it back so that was good.
ReplyDeleteI keep making bags and totes that I don't need because I think I will love one of them and they are fun to make. It's a sickness. :-)