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Here's a smattering of my fall handbags I'm bringing out from storage to start putting in the rotation.

A structured handbag does for your frame what a pair of high heels does for your bum - makes you stand a little straighter and look a bit more put-together. Easier to dress up, too, than a hobo bag.

My beloved Ralph Lauren Ricky. You know her. I use her year-round. That's the beauty of buying neutral colors and timeless shapes. This one is really showing its age, and I do have a back-up, but gosh I just am so attached to this one because I've been carrying it for, count it, 10 years. (Warning - they are VERY pricey; I got mine with points thankyouverymuch.)

Another advantage to a structured handbag is that you can slide in your clutch for evening (and maybe even a change of heels) so you can truly go from day to evening.

Please don't hate me, but I got this Prada tote at none other than TJMaxx several years ago. I debated and debated whether or not to buy it, but I'm glad I did. I still love it so much. Even though it has the logo, it's subtle. And I can carry it with the logo facing my body if I want to be extra discreet. But the point is, you need a good tote to schlep all your stuff around without forcing it in a backpack or an undersized handbag or, worse, in your hands. Things like notebooks, agendas, books, magazines, snacks, water bottles, whatever you take when you are in a long day of meetings or traveling. I typically carry a tote on those days with my clutch inside for later.

Bonus points if yours has a zipper closure (so you can stuff it under the seat in front of you on a plane), and it's in a neutral. Neutrals are just more versatile, plus I think more sophisticated. Just added a great tote to the Style Notes of the September Vault, and it's under $100!

It's hard to carry a "ladybag" all the time. Sometimes you just want fun, you just want trendy. This is my way of doing that, but notice it is still quite practical and I think has more staying power than most trends.

As I've said for years - before it was super trendy - fringe is in. Actually I stole that from my cool friend Jenni who's been a lover of fringe and all things western glam as long as I have. Cross body bags are so smart to have - perfect for traveling, flea marketing, and any other fun activity where you still need access to your lipgloss and cash.

Such a brilliant and necessary addition to your handbag wardrobe. You need a clutch that can go from day to evening. That means it is as great with jeans as it is with a cocktail dress. This is your bag, ladies.

The Ceri Hoover Currey Clutch is in a gorgeous navy. It is the perfect size to hold your keys, phone, touch-up makeup, mints, money, receipts and lists, and maybe even some kleenex.

Why navy? Becasue it's not black. And it looks good with black, grey, white, camel, brown, and primary colors. It's so chic. If you haven't heard of Ceri Hoover, you're about to, big time. She's a Nashvillian making gorgeous hand-sewn leather bags, and just got picked up by Anthropologie. But she's giving Style Vault Insiders, and only Insiders, an exclusive 15% discount on this Currey Clutch. Spend $7.99 to save over $35? Pretty smart. Plus save over $600 on all the other great stuff featured in the Style Vault this month. Join here.

Sometimes you need a pretty little clutch that just looks sweet but really isn't very practical. So you know what I'm going to say, right? Don't overspend! Because the chances are you won't use it very often. But they can be little works of art, so I guess you could always display them and get more mileage out of them that way.

I need to add that these evening clutches need to be updated WAY more than you have been doing. Because you carry them so infrequently, you just go to pull out your black shiny one that hasn't seen the light of day since your father's retirement party or grandparent's 50th anniversary, and you think "it's fine, no one will even see it." Nope. It's terrible. Get rid of it unless it's truly vintage, and spend the $40 to update it. We always suggest buying an evening clutch that you could actually wear with jeans or carry to a wedding or a christening or a holiday party, so that you don't feel as bad spending the money.