Falling in Love Again…with Purses

It’s been going on since we were little girls, our love affair with our purses.

Even before you had a backpack or briefcase or diaper bag, you probably had a cute little bag to go with your cute little dress for your cute little girl things.

Here we’ve collected some of the best local designers who make terrific bags to fit your mood and whimsy—without tugging too hard on the purse strings.

These are definitely not your granny’s handbags – and forget about that old adage of matching your bag to your shoes! With so many great bold colors, shapes and textures, it seems like a fresh new bag really can create a new attitude in you.

Go ahead. Change your handbag. Change your life. And fall in love again.

Pistol
Style: Designer Alison Dryer’s signature look is fabric bags with polished wooden handles and/or accents; Dryer designs the bags and handles and has them cut for order at a wood shop; Vintage upholstery fabric print covers complete the look.
Pick: Black and white damask “overnight big bag” with wooden handle, $180.
Contact: http://www.pistolstitched.com, available at Double Dutch Boutique and Trixie’s Palace.

Bosom Buddy Bags
Style: Childhood buddies Karin Chriss and Andrea Stieff design each of their unique and eye-popping bags in a wide-array of shapes and sizes, from big faux fur weekenders to sassy straw clutches; Vintage jewelry details from the designers’ huge collection of hand-selected English and American sterling buckles add panache. A percentage of every sale goes to support breast cancer research.
Pick: Straw bags with silk flowers; $150.00.
Contact: http://www.bosombuddybags.com

Heaven’s to Betsy Bags
Style: Each unique bag is made to order by designer Colleen Roome Shelton from vintage needlepoint and brocade fabrics; embellishments include ruched velvet sides and handles, antique button closures and lining.
Pick: Aqua and ruby starburst lily shoulder bag with coordinated awning-striped lining, antique celluloid button closure, $185.
Contact: , 410.908.8082

Millie Bags
Style: Designer Ann Tyler draws on her interior design background for inspiration, building her bags with fabrics, trims and leathers in stunning combinations that reflect color, pattern and texture; for spring and summer look for lightweight sisals, bold fabrics, patent leathers, bamboo and seashell motifs for both bag and belt collections.
Pick: Straw purse with Pucci fabric piece.
Contact: http://www.milliebags.com

Liza Byrd
Style: Designer Liza Jarrett weaves whimsical fun into not-so-ordinary totes for all ages; brightly-colored ribbon trim in a wide variety of patterns, including Liza Byrd’s signature “zinnia” print; look for coordinating belts to pull it all together.
Pick: Pink/green Multi Ribbon Wide Tote with rhinestone pin, $145.
Contact: http://www.lizabyrd.com or appointments upon request, 410.215.2525

Rebound Designs
Style: Artist-turned designer Caitlin Phillips creates her quirky chic handbags from old hardback books (think your favorite Nancy Drew title!) and quilting fabric side panels; order from the on-line catalog or bring your own fave to Phillips for a true reworking of an old classic.
Pick: “Nancy Drew and the Secret of Mirror Bay” handbag with polished teak handles and celadon patterned side panels, snap closure, $100.
Contact: http://www.rebound-designs.com