In The Bag

Let me paint a picture for you.

Me. Rushing out the door. Late for work or a party or to meet people for dinner. Or anything, really. Purse on one shoulder. A computer or a birthday gift or a plate full of cookies in the opposite hand. Keys precariously dangling from a finger. Crouching, squatting, bending trying to lock the front door or open the car door. The purse slips off and catches on my elbow. The computer/birthday gift/plate of cookies threatens to crash to the ground. Exasperated sighs. Mounting frustration. Ultimately, danger and disaster narrowly avoided.

Sound familiar?

Well, do I have some good news for you. This Spring's hottest bags-- cross body purses that act as a hands-free hybrid of messenger and shoulder bag styles-- are all about practicality. Take it from Deborah Kalkstein, owner of Contemporaria, a Georgetown boutique with a little bit of everything, including furniture, accessories and, naturally, Spring's hottest bags! Read more about her take on the season's new cross body purses, and then check out a slide show of some more spring bag trends.

And then tell us, what do you think of cross body purses?

Are you pumped to go hands free, or is the classic shoulder bag more your cup of tea?