Searching for A Perfect Everyday Purse

I have been on the hunt for a new, classic, functional purse—something that truly goes with everything and works for everyday life. In the past, my everyday bags were either too big and bulky to carry seamlessly, or the color was off and didn’t match most of my outfits. That’s how I ended up where I am now: down to two mini bags that I love, but that are far too small to hold my everyday essentials.

Lately, I’ve been searching for a leather black or brown bag, though I’m leaning toward black first and brown later. If there are metal accents, I would prefer gold. I’m looking for something that feels a bit more elevated—not that it has to be high-end—but I do want quality and longevity. That said, I’m not willing to spend a few hundred dollars on a purse right now. No shade to anyone who does; I’m simply learning how to buy purses the right way after making a few missteps, which is exactly how I ended up with only mini bags to begin with.

I’ve browsed online and stopped into a store or two at the mall. I’ve looked through Coach and a few other name brands, but I keep coming back to ALDO. What really sealed it for me was seeing T. Ray on TikTok do a What’s in My Bag video featuring a beautiful ALDO “everything” bag.

That moment made me pause and pay closer attention. While I haven’t come across that exact bag yet, it definitely motivated me to keep looking at ALDO’s collection. Their bags feel well-designed, polished, and affordable without sacrificing style. She mentioned that she found this particular bag in T.J.Maxx and if I were to come across it, it would be an instant purchase!

When it comes to my everyday bag, I need something with structure but a little flexibility—structured enough to hold its shape, but not so rigid that it looks worn if stretched. Size-wise, it needs to comfortably fit hand lotion, makeup and lip products, travel perfume, hygiene items, a wallet, phone, and keys, with just enough room left for extras.

Multiple compartments are a must so I can keep everything organized. After doing some searching, I also know the bag needs to zip closed at the top. I don’t want an open-top or buttoned style; a zipper gives me the peace of mind that everything stays secure. I could honestly do without a long sling strap, but I do want handles that are large enough to sit comfortably on my shoulder—not just something meant to be carried by hand.

These are a few of the options currently catching my eye.