I thought I would take some time and have a little talk with those two or three male readers I have. I’m going to attempt to make this as clear and precise as possible.
This is a purse (or handbag)
This is a tote
This is a Clutch
The purse or handbag, tote and clutch. They are three totally different things. To say something like, “Look at all the purses you have,” while motioning furiously at handbags, totes and clutches is a fashion fallacy. Each has a very specific use and function.
Don’t just take my word for it. I have hard evidence that supports this fact. The following shots are from the “Blue Fly” and “Nordstrom’s” websites.
Nordstrom! You can’t argue with Nordstrom. They have eight selections, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you with talk of hobos and messenger bags on the first lesson.
So, stay with me here: it’s purses or handbags, totes and clutches.
I’m glad we had this little talk. I feel better now.
(Side note: taking removable straps off a handbag does not make it a clutch. Nice try Larry.)
For Marcy’s G.I.R.L. Party. Go to her blog and read how other bloggers are glamours in real life.
thanks for clarifying 🙂
God you are funnier than I remember, and I even
thought you were funny then.
Love the blog! Consider me a dedicated reader.
Thank you for the purse lesson, the boys just don’t understand the need.
Off to grab a diet coke….no straw for me.
Smooches.
Kristy
Everything is becoming so clear to me now. Thanks.
Dear Suzanne-
We at The Glamorous Life Association would like to thank you for your recent submission to the Glamorous In Real Life (G.I.R.L)Party. It is post such as these which serve our glamorous community in many ways. They help to educate the less glamorous (or male) faction of our community, as well as allow other members to utilize when researching their own causes. I am certain woman will be able to rationalize another handbag purchase thanks to you and your comprehensive explanation.
You will receive your lifetime membership card in the mail soon.
Sincerely,
Marcy Massura
🙂
Excellent tutorial. For the next installment, could you cover shoes? I believe that men need to understand WHY women need the same shoe in black AND brown, and why it’s important to have SEVERAL types of shoes in the same color. Thanks! Women all over the world are applauding you right now:)
Printing out for the males in this house. Can you do a black boot and shoe one next?
Hooray for purses of all types and purposes. We also need to do a tutorial on lotions, as in you do not apply foot cream to your face, hand lotion is not the same as face cream, under-eye gel is not the same as hand sanitizer. On and on it goes… we could create a whole side party to the Glamorous Party.
–MomZombie (who relies upon eye gel to look alive)
Amen! Next up, pillows!
Thanks. Wes needed that lesson explained to him with pretty pictures.
I still don’t get it.
Andrea–just doing what I can.
Doug–I will try to be more clear next time.
Marcy–Thanks. I really want a t-shirt.
This is perfection purse-onified! (Ugh, sorry.)
Quick follow-up question: Are pocketbooks a subset of purses, or clutches?
Great post!
Thank you for clearing that up!!!! Now I need to explain this to my 4 year old who told me “mom you never need to buy any more purses because you have SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many”, after going into my newly organized closet. Boys! I think he was promted by his dad.
My Sweetie asked me the other day, after hearing a ‘fashion’ commercial on the radio, “What IS the difference between a clutch and a handbag?” (Like he really cares… he was just being goofy!) But I couldn’t answer him. Now I can SHOW him!! LOL! Thanks for the clarification!
Umm…I don’t carry a purse, handbag, clutch, tote, or even a string bag. I know, I know, I am so NOT a girl…but why have pockets if I’m not going to use them??
Shade and Sweetwater,
K (who may not have grown out of being a tomboy, after all)
This is funny to me because when we were in Las Vegas, strolling through the shops (which I considered a small victory – getting the husband to at least feign interest as we walked past some of the high-end boutiques), he noticed that there were PURSES (his word, obviously the poor soul doesn’t know a purse from a handbag from a clutch, but here it’s a catch-all term) in EVERY SINGLE SHOP and then he fixated on it. He was all, is this what rich people spend their money on? Purses? How many purses does one person need?
Seriously, it got kinda funny, and I started noticing it, too. They were everywhere, the handbags and purses. And while he was all, WTF??, I secretly wished I had so much disposable income that I could buy all the cute purses I saw, because how much fun is a new handbag?? LOVE.THEM.
Hahaha, too funny! Is it bad that I kinda needed this lesson too?
Love this one! One can “NEVER” have enough purses. You see purses do not have size tags on them. So when you are feeling bloated or fat, you can wear any bag. Bags never have to be given away because they do not fit anymore. Husbands need to get that so they will not get all hot and bothered when we wives spend a lot of money on a purse or a handbag. It ALWAYS fits! Key….it ALWAYS fits….
OMG! So Funny! Perfection!
Bahahaha! I am emailing this to my husband. He thinks I make this stuff up!
Huuuhh? me no understand.
I really like your handbag collection, I also buy latest handbags as my passion. Now I want to buy red and white replica handbags, please send me some designs of it.