Lucite Clutch with Square Gems. 1950s. Maker: Unknown. Marbleized pearl white plastic clutch purse with goldtone hardware and interesting square pieces with inset rhinestones. The pieces are set into both sides of the bag. I saw a very similar purse online and it went for a ridiculous amount of money. I swear, one of these days, I’m going to have to sell off part of my collection and buy something fabulous—like health insurance. (P.S. Happy Birthday to my eldest, who is 19 today. Now go get a job!)

Textured Poodle Tote. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. Large tweed tote purse featuring gold leather handles, base and closure. Tons of sequins, jewels and glitter accent this playful poodle frolicking in a flower garden. I paid $28 (on sale, not including sales tax or the gasoline to schlep to the antique mall) for this purse, which is not in the greatest condition—frayed handles, missing gems, loose sequins, etc. $28 doesn’t sound like much for a cool bag, but I pride myself on paying a lot less to get a lot more. This, however, was just so unique, with its maximum mixed media. I have several poodle bags, but I liked this one because, well, it has so much going on. An excellent purse for someone with a very short attention span. Like, um, me.

Floral Needlepoint Handbag. 1960s. Maker: ADG Fashion Imports. Beautiful, well-constructed leather bag with the front completely covered in a floral needlepoint design on a black needlepoint background. This purse was made in Hong Kong, as were a lot of bags from this era, which makes me sad, because of all the trouble we’re having with imports from China these days. I just hope no one ever issues a recall on handbags from the ‘60s. That’d pare my collection down way too much.

Wicker Purse with Poodle Motif. 1960s. Maker: Princess Charming by Atlas. Gorgeous natural wicker handbag with marbleized brown plastic and silvertone hardware. Front features a plastic-covered scene of two playful poodles, one on a leash and one chasing a yellow butterfly. Poodles are adorned with black shells, a common design element among the Atlas purses, because many of them feature a sea-life motif. Some of the shells have fallen to the bottom of the plastic, but it doesn’t detract from the other details, like the sparkly mesh background, rhinestones, flower beads and gold rickrack. Let’s face it—this is just the cutest purse ever. Or, at least, in the Top Ten.

Large Gold Box Purse with Cameo. 1960s/70s. Maker: Unknown. Briefcase-sized bag features a gold faux leather exterior and handle and a goldtone cutwork frame that reminds me of those late ‘60s/early ‘70s perfume-mirror trays. Oddly, and for no reason whatsoever, there’s a painted cameo, featuring a pair of frolicking lovers, glued to the front center of the purse. The cameo is surrounded by clear rhinestones, as if it may have been a brooch prior to being a purse adornment. I have a feeling someone added it later—someone who didn’t think her huge, heavy, gold bag didn’t make quite enough of a statement.

Convertible Tapestry Handbag. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. Large upholstery fabric-covered purse with removable cover. Underneath is a solid black bag. Acrylic handle and sturdy goldtone hardware. This thing weighs a ton. It was featured in the video I made when I entered USA Network’s 2006 “Show Us Your Character” contest. I billed myself as a freelance writer and vintage clothing aficionado, and there’s an embarrassing scene in which I struggle to get the cover off the bag. I imagine this display of my ineptitude, along with my mannequin losing her wig, is what helped me to win a first-place prize in the contest.

Lucite and Gold Thread Box Bag. 1950s. Maker: Unknown. Fabulous vintage box-style handbag with pearlized grey Lucite top, acrylic handle and a lightweight plastic see-through base that shows vertical and horizontal gold threads. Metal frame and hardware. While I don’t have a lot of these types of bags, I get a little chill when I see one in an antique store or at a vintage show. They’re just so ladylike and elegant.