Pocket Book Chat

It isn’t uncommon for teenage girls to want a designer purse – after all, name brands are everywhere: teen magazines such as Teen Vogue feature high-end designer clothes and accessories, and teen-friendly shows like Gossip Girl have their characters dressed to the nines.

But “expensive” has taken on a new meaning when it comes to purses. Many of these totes, handbags and satchels are out of reach for even an adult’s budget, let alone a teenager’s.

But there’s a plus: the May issue of Vogue featured an article stating that It Bags, coveted during the past few years, are on their way Out. Classics are In; and that means investing in one great bag instead of buying new bags every season.

The most difficult part of giving a new purse for a gift is making the purchase decision based on what you think the receiver will like, and not buying something just because you would like it for yourself. Here’s some information to use whenever selecting a purse as a gift. First, visualize the woman in her everyday clothing. Is she a jeans and T-shirt person? Does she wear a suit to work everyday? Does she dress conservatively or funky? If you can, look inside her closet. What are her favorite colors? What style shoe does she wear? What style of purse does she carry now? Is it a shoulder bag, a satchel, a tote or a backpack?