I’m surprised purse hooks or purse hangers aren’t more commonplace in North America. They’re popular in Asia — my friend Denise’s Chinese mum, Rosalind Lee, has a beautiful cloisonné purse hook she thinks might have been her mother’s. (“It’s officially from the olden days,” jokes Denise.)
My first purse-hook sighting (and resulting geek-out) was about six years ago when I was at Canadian Living. For some reason it didn’t make it into the mag right away, and sadly, I can’t remember the name of the local boutique who sent the information (it torments me, the not remembering). Then I fell for a crystal-embellished mirrored version from Rolo, a quirky boutique in Yorkville. I have a few hooks now, stashed in the bags I use most often so I can access them when I need them.
Talk about conversation starters. “What is that?” folks (men, too!) ask when they see it. Or “that’s such a great idea,” they exclaim. People ask how it works (a rubber pad under the table-top bit stops it from slipping; the weight of the bag keeps it in place), and how much weight it will take (I let them hold my purse for a minute; they look impressed and surreptitiously eye my biceps.)
So why don’t more people have purse hooks? Surely I don’t have to talk up the benefits of keeping a nice bag off the usually icky ground or floor. And purse hooks make brilliant gifts. Availability? The My Tagalongs hook ($15 CAN) is available in the handbag section at The Bay, and I’m sure you can find others from a variety of internet sources, too — once you get the hang of it.
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I can’t believe I finally saw a very familiar product :) I have this, in different design but the same hook that you can easily store. I love this, I use this EVERY TIME I dine in a restaurant :) Very useful! :)
Ah-HAH! I knew you’d know and love purse hooks, Nikki! I’ve been waiting for your comment! Tee hee! xo
You kinda know me too well! hahaha I love purses and bags! and I am an organized freak, yup, even where I put my purse, it must be somewhere safe and neat :D
Handy little item! I have an acute case of germophobia, & need to look into getting one of these.
Definitely! You might like a few so you can keep one in each of your favourite bags!
I know, I just love purse hooks too and its still a surprise for many when they see mine hanging up at craft shows! :) I sell handmade ones with pretty Japanese papers in my Etsy shop if you’d like to add anymore to your collection!