During the day I generally always have a big bucket of a handbag hanging off my shoulder. Something nice, mind you, but a purse that can hold my notebook and printouts of boards, digital camera, iphone, tapemeasure, wallet full of credit cards, environmental sacks, and all the other myriad of tools needed to style a job. However, when I go out at night, all I need is a couple of bucks, lipgloss, and my iphone. I need my hands free to dance and hold a cocktail, and I need the bag to be a cute compliment to a small dress. Gladly the cross-body bag has made a comeback, and I have been on the lookout for my perfect one for a while now. When it comes to shopping for myself, I am very much a hunter. I do not grab the first item that I see, I always have a long list of requirements (not the least of which is for an item to fit my style and what currently occupies my wardrobe). In this case I was looking for a small bag, just big enough for my iphone. I wanted something shiny, without being tacky, and I wanted mixed metal tones.
This Liz Claiborne bag (well if you are gonna bring back a trend from the '80s, might as well be authentic about the designer as well) was found at TJ Maxx for a whopping $12.99. Yes, I said $12.99. It opens up like a wallet with a nice compartment for ID, credit cards, cash dollars, and change, as well as a pocket that fits my various sundries. When I first found it, it had an ugly strap, made with the same silver as the body. This I solved by purchasing a heavy duty brass chain from Toho Shoji on 6th avenue, as well as the right findings to attach the chain to the bag (I made it removable with clasps). I chose brass instead of silver to play up on the mixed metal theme of the snap closure. Admittedly, the chain I purchased cost more than the bag, but in the end, I believe the final piece to be worth more than the sum of its parts. I now have a fabulous bag that goes with everything I own, and is practical as well.
The moral here is to hold out for what would be perfect for you, but to also be prepared to make a few minor modifications. Let a fantastic discount merchant take you halfway to where you need to go, and the DIY stores will take you the rest of the way.
2 comments: on "Purse Crisis Solved (pt.1): TJ Maxx + DIY"
Hmmm, bright shiny bag with money and I phone in it? I hope that chain is extra strength, because that thing looks like a target for scallywags.
Actually, Doraemonkey, the chain is very thick and strong (no WAY it could be snapped). but furthermore, in the winter I wear this small purse under my coat, so it is in fact much more protected than a normal purse.
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