Men vs. Women vs. Purses

Every woman in America has her own purse "criteria". More than any other accessory or article of clothing -- a purse is a unique, individual thing that you carry with you EVERY SINGLE DAY of your life. Your purse says something about your sense of style or self.

I have this theory that women subconsciously buy the same purse, over and over again...in this picture from last summer, I am carrying a purse that met all my high standards....(I wore this fabulous purse out)

My favorite purse -- arty, lightweight, cross-body strap, zipper top, more horizontal than vertical...outside pocket for my phone....(it was a gift from my talented cousin, Jackie!)

Mary Mulari carries a travel/purse that must fit into the compartment of her carry-on suitcase .  Emily prefers a small purse that fits under her arm. Marion found the perfect purse two years ago -- a colorful lightweight fabric bag with a cross body strap...

My Grandma Little probably only owned three purses in her entire life -- but they all looked the same. Black vinyl with two zippered sections on the inside and two handles on the outside. She called it her pocketbook -- and it always sat on a chair at the back door (in case there was a tornado)...

My friend Gail has probably owned 200 purses in her life -- but they also look the same. They are always real leather, always black, and always ENORMOUS.  I'm certain she carries hairdryers, electric toothbrushes and toasters....  Her huge purses are so heavy, they have caused back pain and chiropractic visits...

Recently, I was considering changing purses.  Five or six thrift store purses were in contention from my huge supply of purses-in-waiting living a basket in my basement -- (somewhere under t-shirt mountain.)

With the contenders laid out on the floor in front of me -- I was considering my own purse criteria --and started to have this conversation with Ross -- who was sitting in an adjacent chair. He listened as I explained the various things about purses that matter to me....a cross-body strap, an outside pocket for my cellphone...

My own purses need to be more horizontal than vertical; it needs to be big enough for my wallet and my camera; it cannot have a black lining (because then stuff gets lost in there). Ross was nodding as I explained the importance of a zipper at the top of the purse...yada yada...

I was considering a purse that had a bright pocket on the outside, and the perfect adjustable long strap.  I held up that candidate, and asked Ross,  "This bag has one big obvious flaw....Can you see what's wrong with it?"

Ross looked up -- then over at me -- like a deer in headlights... "I'm sorry, Mom. I quit listening ten minutes ago..."

I started to laugh...then he said, "I didn't know there would be a quiz..." 

I was still laughing...

then he said, "Where's Lilly??""