While few women would ever let another person look into their handbag, readers were delighted to tell us what they keep in there. When Island Style asked readers to write us about their ideal handbag, we hit a nerve. They described must-have features in great detail. They e-mailed photos.
Some respondents are optimists, who just know that the handbag is out there somewhere.
Others are convinced they'll never find the perfect bag. In order to make sense of all the responses, Island Style set up a spreadsheet listing how many pockets were requested, favorite fabric, color, fastenings, straps and size. Here's what readers told us they seek in the perfect handbag. Pockets, please Readers asked for at least three pockets or compartments, on average, though a few women wanted as many as a dozen. The pockets should not be too deep, just adequate to keep everything in its place.