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Checking out spring handbags, and I found 2 I'd like. The orange to navy ombré bucket bag and the white leather backpack, please.

First, I like my spring bag to be a little smaller than my winter handbag. Does that make sense? I just feel like I want to haul less stuff around, and a smaller handbag requires that. 

Unless it's your diaper bag or carry-on, leave the ginormous handbags on the shelves.

Next, I want a lighter color and lightweight fabric. Trend alert: suede in paler hues is huge for spring. Crazy, isn't it? But I'm telling you the truth. A light tan suede handbag is so chic. Plus, you can carry it into fall, too. I have had the same handbag for years and it's pretty fab. But I'm cheating on it. Check out my spring handbag pick for you in the April Style Vault.

Hello monogram. Thanks for letting people know I'm southern and proud of it.

Neutrals are better than bright colors for your daytime bag that you'll carry everyday with all kinds of outfits. Take more risks with a colorful or even sparkly nighttime clutch that you don't spend as much money on, so you can have a few of them to mix and match.

If you just want one handbag, let it be tan, more specifically a caramel or cognac, like the one above. This color is the only color you need for a year-round bag. My summer bag I've had forever is actually cognac like this one.

You also want a good zippered closure. None of this open tote free-for-all where your kleenex and allergy meds and tampons and lip glosses keep falling onto the floorboard of your car, or worse, on the floor of your son's homeroom. 

Oopsie! If it doesn't have a zipper, walk away. This rule has saved me so many mistake purchases.

I like a handbag that can be a cross-body. In fact, this is genius. Perfect for travel, for moms carting kids's stuff everywhere and for looking cool and modern. Often you can carry it both ways, as a shoulder bag and a cross-body. 

And here it is as a traditional "lady bag" on the forearm. You can either place the cross-body strap inside or leave it out, either is fine. My new convertible cross-body is not this structured, and it converts to a clutch. Available for Vault Insiders in the April Style Vault.

I do love a summer clutch for evenings. Have a little more fun here, but choose wisely. If you are taking more risks with color and pattern, spend less because your cost per wear will be higher. You can afford to be less practical if you don't spend as much. 

The cobalt blue clutch would be fun against white jeans (watch out for color transfer though!) or I could even see it with a patterned batik print dress. The black and white clutch with a tassel is a classic clutch with the just the right amount of punch.

Want the perfect cross-body/clutch handbag I swooned over and included in the April Style Vault? It's the perfect size, it's a convertible clutch/cross-body, and it's available for purchase now inside the Vault for insiders! Get a piece of Nashville style yourself!

Look closely and you'll see I'm in Ceri Hoover's Nashville studio. I'm holding a teeny bag I cooed over. So cute. Style Vault Insiders, you're going to love the must-have bag I chose for you inside April's Vault!

Click below to find out more about our members-only shopping guide, the Style Vault, where you can purchase all my must-haves and entire outfits right from the Style Vault. Special discount codes, too, just for Vault insiders!

Join the Style Vault Now!