Michelle’s Cheap Purses and Handbags

Miche Purses and Miche Shells

Miche Purses are a very cool idea and I can hardly believe they didn't come around sooner.  They are one of those great ideas you see and then smack yourself on the head for not thinking of first.  Basically, you buy one purse and get TONS of different looks just by changing the outer shell. Below, I'll address finding custom made shells on sites like eBay, but if you would like to visit their official website, just follow this link ...

A Miche bag is a purse on which you can change the outer shell to suit your mood, style, etcetera.  These are an "as seen on TV" item that is actually an outstanding concept.  Think of how much you can save by being able to just change shells!  The best part is you can find hundreds of Miche bags and shells for under ten dollars on eBay.

There is also something else that has happened that I really like.  Some very crafty and talented people out there have taught themselves how to make custom Miche shells that fit on these purses.  That opens up endless possibilities for changing the way your purse looks!  Miche covers are limited only by imagination.

Because these covers are made by individuals, many of them are truly unique and very uncommon.  In order to get these custom covers though, you have to go where they are being sold.  In this case, it is on eBay because that is probably the best spot going for individuals to get their wares seen by the public.  I just checked now and there were over 700 listings for Miche. You can get to them all if you follow the pages below the thumbnails above.

If you are looking, be sure to read the auction to see what is being offered.  Many of these include the bag as well as the shell.  Not all of the listings are for homemade covers.  Many people are selling original merchandise.  All I can say is I really like this idea.  I think it would be great if they came out with a few different styles, but I'm still liking these Miche Purses a lot.

Wallet Purse Basics

Sometimes, you don't want to be bothered with carrying around more than you have to just to get through the day.  In today's world though, it seems that you constantly have to swipe some card when you head out shopping anywhere.  Rather than haul around a large purse everywhere, some go for using a wallet purse.  The wallet purse is for the lady who likes to travel light and only carry the bare essentials with her.  Of course styles will vary by designer, but in general, you will find that you have compartments for money, credit cards, something to write with, and a checkbook in the smaller versions.  As the size of the wallet purse increases, so does the capacity for things like sunglasses, cell phones or other assorted small items.  You will never confuse a wallet purse with a tote bag however.

Some wallet purses come with straps that can be attached and removed depending on your needs.  The wallet purse can also act as a regular wallet for you if you carry larger sling bags, totes, or diaper bags.  Just toss it inside and pull it out when you need something out of it.  It is easy to grab and they are built to be models of efficiency.  Well organized compartments and zippered closures help to keep things from getting messy or falling out while you are looking for something.

These small little purses come in a wide variety of designs.  Most are priced quite reasonably, even the designer brand name ones.  Finishes are commonly in leather, but there are other options available if you look around.

There are some wallet purses that can be converted and worn as fanny packs as well as purses.  The larger the purse, the more zippers, compartments, and such you will find for carrying small items.  This type of bag is not meant for hauling supplies.  Just the bare minimum.

Some women like carrying a wallet purse because they are easier to conceal in crowded areas.  They can be slipped into a pocket or some other larger bag.  Some of the smaller wallet purses are very minimalistic and are little more than coin purses.  Whatever your needs, there is probably a wallet purse for you.

This video shows how someone got creative and used a couple of old cassette tapes to make their own wallet purse.  Nothing too fancy, but functional, and it gives you the idea of how basic these things can be.  I give her a thumbs up for originality and creativity.

The Organizer Purse

Some of us struggle a bit with organization.  For others, it seems like being organized is a completely effortless, second nature kind of thing.  If you are in the former group, you've probably wanted to smack someone in the latter group at some time in your life.  *Just kidding!*.  If you have ever had to dig for more than a few seconds looking for items in your bag, you might be a good candidate for getting an organizer purse.

There are many different styles of organizer purses made by a variety of designers.  Their basic function is the same, to keep your stuff in control and organized.  It isn't as though you will be carrying around a mobile filing cabinet.  You can still choose your colors and materials and whether you want your organizer purse to be more or less structured.  You can find small organizer purses or large ones.  You can find them made of leather or pretty much any other material.  In addition, you can also find purse organizer inserts for helping you on your way to becoming a little bit more in control of your purse.

Purse Organization

You basically are looking at a purse for people who need compartments and pockets.  If you have a habit of just throwing whatever is in your hands into the abyss of your purse, you should probably look for something made for your style.  This would have loose pockets and wide openings so that your move to being organized isn't too overwhelming.  This type of purse will only take you a few extra seconds to keep relatively organized and it really isn't too much of an effort to slip items into a couple of different openings in your purse.  People who are already more organized may want to go for a more highly structured purse.  These are people who are willing to go to the trouble of zipping and unzipping and possibly even using the inserts I mentioned.  To each her own!

If you just can't take the frustration of searching in your bag until you finally hit the point of dumping it on the table, an organizer purse can help.  You are not alone.  I would dare to say that people who just toss stuff into their purses probably outnumber organized people.  Regardless, being able to find what you want, when you want it, is a definite bonus of carrying an organizer purse.

If you are looking for something convenient and fashionable, a backpack purse may be the way to go. These are also sometimes referred to as sling purses and they are one of the hottest items going today in purse and handbag fashion.  These very functional purses are larger than most, but not quite as big as the specialized designer diaper bags that are also quite popular today.

These bags are not quite as large and bulky as the backpacks often seen being lugged around high school and college campuses. The often have a narrower top that can be drawn closed, but this can vary by designer and style. Most major designers have versions of the backpack purse so there is no lack of choice involved here. Because they are smaller than traditional backpacks, they are not really made for carrying enough school books to get you through the day.  This purse is trying to keep some of its style after all.  Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Vera Bradley, and Kate Spade are a few of the designer brands popular in the backpack purse market, but pretty much every major designer has something to offer.

Backpack purses are great for times when you want to have more than just the bare essentials with you. There is plenty of room on board this bag for your makeup, wallet, cell phone, brush, and even bulkier items like drink bottles. This is sort of like the "anti-clutch" purse. If you want to make sure you aren't leaving anything important behind, a backpack purse is the way to go.

These purses are made from pretty much any material you have ever seen used in purse construction. The different materials can add to the different looks. A canvas sling purse is lighter to carry, but you may prefer one made of leather for a slightly dressier look.

Most backpack purses are built to be fabulous AND functional. They should be made from durable material if you plan on putting them to serious use. Check out the straps and handles to make sure the bag will accommodate the way you like to carry your purse. There should also be plenty of storage compartments built in to the bag to help you keep things better organized.

Although these bags can be very nice looking, they don't quite fit in at more formal events. I wouldn't recommend carrying one of these large purses to a friend's wedding unless you are looking for a way to stand out from the crowd. If you are going out for a day with friends though, it should serve the purpose well.