I purchased the purse specifically to replace my large shoulder tote to use mostly for shopping. I wanted one roomy enough - yet small - to carry all my essentials with me but not so large and heavy that it would hurt my shoulders or be bulky and in the way across my body. After using it for about 6 weeks I like it better than I thought I would. This purse is light-weight and the strap fits comfortably across my body with the purse at my hip. This leaves my hands free for shopping and attending to other things. It has several internal zippered pockets to keep things in their place and yet a roomy center section for my wallet and keys. It also has two, nice-sized, outside zippered pockets and a zipper across the top center section so items won't fall out when my purse is laid on the car seat, sofa or bench etc. I keep my phone in one of the outside pockets and my lip pencil, gloss, compact and tooth flossers in the other.I wanted a red purse as an accent accessory but I wasn't so sure about the color because it is more of a medium-toned, warm cranberry red rather than a bright, fire-engine red. But after having and using it, I like the color better than I would have, had it been a bright red which screams, "Look at me, I'm red!" and would draw too much attention. Therefore, the red purse is a nice accent piece for my outfits and I think the color will be more "timeless" rather than a passing fad color. Also, I like that both the small handle and the over-the-shoulder, or cross-body strap, are detachable. Both are just the right size and length. I do keep both on for casual use and shopping but take the strap off when going into a restaurant for dinner. The zipper and rings etc. are a bright color of gold - probably plastic. I am happy that they are gold rather than silver. Silver would have made it more of a winter-use only, cool-colored purse and not an all seasons purse - which this is and I wanted. No, the purse isn't a designer bag, but it doesn't look like cheap polyester leather either and is well made and the zippers work smoothly. The purse is just the right size and style for what I use it for. Nice purse for the money. I also purchased it in tan. It is small but carries my most essentials. I now carry the old tote bag in the car with all the other items I want along with me but don't need in the stores while I am shopping etc., therefore, this smaller purse fits my needs nicely.