Hold Everything--A Woman Needs a Good Bag in Case She Needs to Pack It In

A woman’s need for a quality purse is not surprising, considering everything that’s packed into it.

“A good purse will have straps and handles that are strong, thick and durable,” says Rebeca Sierra, manager of Accessory Place in Laguna Hills Mall.

Go out looking for purses today and you’ll see a mixture of style and practicality, says Sergio Garcia of Sergio’s Accessories in Santa Ana. “Women want attractive, easy-access handbags, which enable them to find things quickly,” he says.

A good bag has plenty of compartments and pockets for organizational purposes. Especially helpful for today’s on-the-run woman are outside pockets for often-used items such as keys and change, says Garcia.

As for purse material, leather is always in fashion and still very popular. “Leather does a good job of handling the wear and tear that purses undergo and has a longer life than other materials,” says Lisa Costanzo, assistant manager of Wilsons the Leather Experts in the Mall of Orange.

Following is a selection of women’s purses that can hold just about everything:

ACCESSORY PLACE

At these stores, you’ll find a variety of purses such as the Jackson Corp. zipper bottom handbag, which has an extra secret zipper pocket at the bottom. In this pocket you’ll find a mirror and lipstick holder. This 100% leather bag is square-shaped and resembles a lunch box, says Laguna Hills Mall’s Sierra. It has a detachable shoulder strap and two handles and comes in navy blue, black or brown ($19).

The Latique vinyl square-shaped zipper purse comes in black or white. This has one strap, which is decorated with three gold metal loops where the purse and straps meet. The zip-up purse has a front outside pocket and a zipper pocket on the inside ($16).

The L’egent croco-style purse is rectangular-shaped. This vinyl purse has a flap-over front with a snap close. On the inside of the flap is a mirror. Inside the purse are two compartments, with a zipper pocket on the inside of each. This bag has one long shoulder strap and is black with brown accents ($15).

Brea Mall, (714) 990-0294; Buena Park Mall, (714) 828-6112; Huntington Beach Mall, (714) 897-9982; Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 768-5331; MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 543-3343; Mall of Orange, (714) 998-1380, and Mission Viejo Mall, (714) 364-2877.

COACH STORE

Here, you’ll find a variety of purses made by Coach, such as the all-leather Museum bag. This square-shaped purse has a large flap-over front with a hidden magnetic snap closure. Inside the bag there are two open compartments and a center zipper section with an inside zipper pocket. The purse has an adjustable tapered shoulder strap with buckle. It comes in buff, black, blue, celadon and terra cotta ($254).

The large Park Tote has a top zipper closure, an inside zipper pocket and a full-length zipper pocket on the outside. There are two tapered shoulder straps. The all-leather bag comes in terra cotta, black, blue, buff and celadon ($310).

The Delancy Drawstring all-leather bag has a drawstring top closure, an inside zipper pocket and an adjustable buckle shoulder strap. IT comes in black, bone, British tan, navy, white and chamois ($248).

Crystal Court, Costa Mesa, (714) 549-1772.

GOYA HANDBAGS & LUG GAGE

This store’s Piel Columbian leather handbag has a flap top with a magnetic snap. There is one central compartment with an interior zipper pocket and a pocket on the back of the purse. The bag has an adjustable strap which is attached to each side of the bag with brass buckles ($98, for the largest size).

The Simon of California Columbian leather natural-colored bag has a handcrafted flower design. This purse has a square-shaped zipper opening on the front of the bag. There is an adjustable strap ($59).

The store also carries an Argentina-made Leathermode drawstring purse with an adjustable shoulder strap. This comes in natural-colored leather and has an interior zipper pocket ($76).

Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 951-5658.

LEATHERLAND

Here, you’ll find a Feene 100% lambskin handbag. This zipper-open purse has a compartment inside which has a zipper pocket for placing coins. On the outside front is another zipper pocket. The bag has handles and a shoulder strap and comes in plain black, beige, brown or multicolored ($20).

The Californian Hobo Handbag is an oval-shaped purse with a top zipper opening. There is a zipper pocket on the front and the back of this purse as well as a zipper pocket inside. In addition, there is an open pocket on each side of the purse. This bag comes in 100% lambskin or 100% cowhide. You can find the purse in white, navy and tan ($20).

There is also carry a J and S Camera Case Handbag, which is square-shaped with an adjustable buckle strap. This black vinyl purse has brown leather trim and a horse-and-carriage design in brown on the front. There is an inside zipper pocket ($25).

Buena Park Mall, (714) 821-4167.

LEATHERMODE

At these stores, there is a Carlucci Import satchel-style handbag made of natural-colored leather. This has a zipper opening and an inside zipper pocket. There are two short handles and an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap ($99).

There is also a Carlucci Import tube bag, which is an oversized drawstring handbag made of natural-colored cowhide. This has two shoulder straps. There is an inside zipper pocket ($80).

The Force Ten hat box zippered bag looks like a hat box and opens like one, says Leathermode district manager Afi Brown. This has one small top handle and an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap. The natural-colored cowhide bag has an embossed floral print. There is also an inner zipper pocket with an attached mirror ($56).

Fashion Island Newport Beach, (714) 644-5019; MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 953-7456, and Westminster Mall, (714) 897-0669.

MARK CROSS INC.

This store has a variety of Mark Cross bags, including the Compartment Kelly Bag. This flap-close purse has a magnetic snap closure. It is made of calf-stamped leather and has two interior compartments and one interior zipper pocket. There are handles as well as a detachable shoulder strap. The purse hardware is made of 14-carat gold-plated brass and the bag comes in a variety of colors such as black, brown, white, navy, red, green or tan ($275).

The Nylon Back Pack is highly fashionable, says store manager Melanie Faught. This is made of nylon with a leather tie close, two leather straps for the shoulders and leather trim.

There is one zipper pocket inside and the hardware is 14-carat gold-plated brass. The purse comes in black or navy ($235).

Another purse is the Brunniger Box Bag, which is a unique square box shape, says Faught. This is made of textured calf material and has 14-carat gold-plated brass hardware. The purse closes with a lock and key. It has an optional shoulder strap and one interior pocket that snaps. It’s in a variety of colors such as white, cognac, green, black, red or marina blue ($375, or $325 for a smaller size).

South Coast Plaza, (714) 957-9255.

SERGIO’S ACCESSORIES

At this store, there is a variety of handbags designed by store owner Sergio Garcia. The Marilyn bag is a classic style rectangular-shaped purse. This 100% cowhide leather natural-colored bag is hand-carved in a floral pattern using 40 different tools, says Garcia. This has a handle and detachable shoulder strap. There is an outside zipper compartment and an interior zipper pocket ($79).

The English Saddle handbag has a fold-over flap with a snap close that is shaped like a miniature stirrup. The purse is 100% cowhide leather and comes in tan, black, dark brown and black with a tan flap. There is suede lining and a pocket on the inside. It has an adjustable strap ($95).

The Western Doctor’s Handbag looks like a smaller version of an old-fashioned doctor’s bag, says Garcia. This has a snap close with a key lock, two handles and a detachable shoulder strap. There is an inside zipper pocket. It comes in smooth natural-colored plain leather, natural-colored hand- tooled leather or black and white cowhide ($79).

3413 W. MacArthur Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 540-5222.

WILSONS THE LEATHER EXPERTS

All of these store’s purses are made by Wilsons. The shoulder bag purse is conservative looking, says Orange assistant store manager Costanzo. This rectangular-shaped purse has a zipper top that opens to three different compartments. Over this zipper top is a fold-over flap with a magnetic snap. There is also a zipper pocket on the outside back of this purse. The bag comes in 100% lambskin in black or brown ($70).

The doctor’s bag has a reinforced frame top. This one-compartment purse has a handle and detachable shoulder strap. At the front of the purse there is a latch with a swing catch. It is brown in 100% pigskin ($40).

There is also the Passport Bag, which is rectangular-shaped and resembles a large wallet. The purse is flat with a fold-over snapping flap. Inside the purse there is a place for a checkbook, ID’s and credit cards, which eliminates the need for a wallet, says Costanzo. It also has a built-in mirror and there are two interior zippers. There is a shoulder strap on this 100% pigskin leather purse, which comes in black, brown or green ($25).

Brea Mall, (714) 529-3594; MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 543-9588; Mall of Orange, (714) 283-3050, and Westminster Mall, (714) 891-4385.