Bags - Finding quality and function in one sleek package.

• Big bags are in, but that extra weight can strain your back. Our solution is the "lunch" bag: a clutch tucked inside your tote to take along when you leave the office to eat or do errands.
• Exotic skins can be imitated successfully with embossed leather or vinyl. "Ostrich skin reproduces so well, you almost can't tell real from fake," says fashion historian (I want her job) Desire Smith, author of Handbag Chic.
• Pebbled leather won't show scratches as much as smooth (trust me on this one); it's usually more resilient.
• Watch out for reconstituted leather - this cheesy stuff is made from leather scraps fused with other materials. It feel cardboardy, cracks easily, looks chalky on the reverse side. (I can imagine this being strangely popular with the "green" set, though.)
• Decent hardware has weight and well-soldered rings and chains. Silver, brass, or nickel is most practical; when gold-plated hardware is nicked, the base metal underneath is exposed and things get ugly.
• Inner space is simple to organize with two or three pockets. (I can't live without them.) Faille, rayon, or vinyl linings in dark colors (won't show stains) are most durable.
• Evening purses in metal mesh wear better than fabric ("If a water spot gets on silk, it's done," Smith says). Embellishments, often glued on, are too fragile for bags in heavy rotation.
• Bag rentals - to test drive new styles or get one-night custody of a megawatt clutch - are available at bagborroworsteal.com.