Handbags come in so many styles and colors that there is no reason to settle for the old standbys. I was never one to get excited about bags. For me, they were not nearly as interesting as other fashion staples, such as far more glamorous jewelry, or women's hosiery.

I always purchased bags as an afterthought. It was no wonder, then, that I was so bored with what I brought home: purses in the same basic styles, usually in the same ho-hum colors. I usually chose basic black or navy blue because I assumed they would go best with the most outfits. Come spring, I would buy purses in off-white, hoping they would pass muster.

Choices in Handbags

Years later, I can see how silly and lazy that attitude was. When I went online to look at handbags, it was because I was tired of picking them out in the department store. I wasn't excited about them to begin with, so why should I drive all the way to the mall to buy them? What I found in the galleries of the top online retailers, though, changed my mind completely.

Handbags come in every hue of the rainbow, in any size you need, and in styles ranging from practical to theatrical, whimsical to bold. Tiny, adorable clutches for parties, large totes that can safely hold everything and convenient market bags all jostle for my attention. Clear plastic bags with real, dried flowers pressed inside are particularly hot right now. Because I can find stunning designs at such reasonable prices, I can happily report that I'm now a handbag aficionado.