Choosing a Purse

Finding the Right Purse or Wallet for You

There's a lot of choice when it comes to purses, so we have included some thoughts and tips below to help you find the right purse for you, plus a few of our top picks, to give you an idea of the best types of purses around.

We know choosing is tricky and there's a lot to think about - function, style, looks, colour, designer, price... To get you started and give you a good iea about what is available, we have hand picked some of the best purses below, so you don't need to spend hours searching through all the fashion and accessory web sites.

Our Choice of the Best in Ladies Purses

Yes, we know. So many questions going through your head...A ladies' purse is much more difficult to choose than, say, a man's wallet. First are the practical reasons. What will you use it for? Will it need to hold just bank notes and coins, or perhaps a little more? And after that are the fashionable reasons! Do you want your purse to be simply practical, or does it have to be a bit of a style statement, or an extension of your personality? What colour do you want? What about the size and shape? And then, what type of material? How much are you willing to spend on a new purse?

Looking for a purse can be daunting, but don't forget, it can also be fun! After all, these are beautiful, colourful, fashionable little objects, specially made for women. Looking through a few different purses to find the right one needn't be a hardship. Plus we've found all the very best in ladies purses, and included them in handy "bite size" sections, so you can get a great idea of what's out there and where to buy the right purse for you.

Purse Function

The main job of your purse is to carry your loose change, notes, debit and credit cards. If you're a hoarder, you may be inclined to carry club membership cards, student cards, work and bus passes, and identification, and perhaps endless amounts of old receipts! If you really like to be prepared, you might also carry your passport or cheque book with you. Then there are vouchers, notes, pictures of the family pets, and sometimes even the odd spare key.

Purse Size & Shape

But don't forget to think about where you keep your purse at the moment. If you currently keep it in your coat pocket, or in the back pocket of your jeans, you can't go too big with your next choice. But if you usually carry a handbag and keep your purse there, then of course, a larger purse is likely to be the most suitable.

The usual choice for a decent wallet or purse is a rectangular shape, with a zip compartment for your loose change, somewhere to keep your cards, and a flap to hold your notes. You'll be able to find these kinds of purses for no bigger than the size of your hand, making it easy to carry in your bag. Some of these also come with a wrist strap, so if you don’t carry a bag, you can just slip it over your wrist for safety.

For nights out, especially if you're going to clubs and bars, the wrist strap is a really clever option. These purses often come in smaller, square designs, so you won't need to lug a heavy and cumbersome object around with you all night.

Fashion and Looks

So after you've considered your size, and whether it's going to be a check book wallet, a credit card purse, or a tri-fold purse, next thing to think about is the style. If fashion is a big part of your life, you'll want to choose a purse that reflects that. Maybe you'll go for something that has a bit more of a statement? There are hundreds of different colours of purses and ladies wallets available on the market, and hundreds of designs, from plain, spotted, striped, to sequinned. Have a think about what your current wardrobe is like, and what your current handbag is like. Will you want something to match? But also remember, many women simply have several different purses. Why not? They are beautiful and affordable, so why try to find a "one size fits all" purse, when say, you might fancy a beautiful leather hand crafted purse for most days, a credit card holder as an extra for business, plus a glitzy gold purse for festive occasions.

Designer Purses

If you are considering looks, then see some of the wonderful purses in our "Designer Purses" sections on the right. We have hand picked some of the finest, yet best value, ladies purse from all the top designer names. For something with a little traditional style, consider Aspinal or Osprey. For something a bit more fun and funky, then take a look at the Radley, Lulu Guinness or Orla Kiely purses. Or perhaps you're after something contemporary, like the DKNY, Marc Jacobs or Paul Smith purses. And finally, who could resist a little bit of Italian flair, from names such as Fendi, Coccinelle and Fiorelli.

Purse Colours

Rather than choosing a favourite designer or label, you may want to base your search for the perfect purse on looking at certain colours. We have included all the best purses in a variety of colours. Use the links on the right to check out a great choice of purses in a great choice of colours. Maybe you have a particular yearning for a red purse, or something bright and breezy, such as orange. For something particularly feminine, such as a pink purse. If you're using the purse for business, where it's important to smart and elegant, then consider black or brown leather. Or maybe to the other extreme, you have a social event to attend, perhaps a night at the opera, in which case, only a glamorous silver or gold purse will do!

Purse Materials

If you're looking for something that's going to last, you'll probably have to invest a bit more money than a few pounds. Really well-made wallets stand the test of time. Usually, the long-lasting designs and materials are made from leather. Just beware the cheap imitation, as it won't last as long as the real deal. It will fray and tear much quicker. Real leather is, admittedly, more expensive, bit it is a great deal more durable. If you do invest, go for something you know you'll always be able to use, such as a natural brown or black, or for something a little richer, perhaps deep purple or red. And of course, if you do decide to spend lot of money on a purse, make sure that it's a classic design, for example from Aspinal or Osprey. You don't want to spend hundreds of pounds on a purse that's only going to be in fashion for a few seasons.

Choosing is Fun

Don't be daunted by choosing your next purse. A woman's purse needs to hold everything of importance, so make sure you take the time to think about your decision. Before you buy, make a little list of everything you want out of your purchase and you won't be tempted to waste any time and money on a style or design that's not going to suit you or your lifestyle.