The Best Purse Organizer

Buying Guide

If you have a purse with a large open compartment, a purse organizer can give you flexibility and convenience. This accessory goes into your handbag and includes compartments you can use for loose items that would otherwise be harder to find in your purse.  You also get protective benefits, since the organizer prevents things from spilling directly into your purse and also helps your bag keep its shape. And you can easily switch your organizer to another purse, making sure you don’t forget anything.

Picking the right purse organizer size is crucial, because you want it to fit properly. Many manufacturers make this accessory for medium, large and extra-large purses, but you can sometimes find mini and small sizes as well. You’ll want to know your purse’s height, length and width before you start shopping.

The number and types of compartments you get will vary widely. Some purse organizers offer at least a dozen, but some have more than 20 for different purposes. Look for small slots for credit cards and larger outer pockets for items like phones. The inside of an organizer usually has one or more large open sections, plus pockets in the middle or on the sides. Some pockets are zippered for security, while others are open. An organizer might also have some removable compartments.

Most organizers are made of a soft and lightweight material that offers durability without adding too much weight to your purse. Felt is a very soft option, while nylon versions can offer the benefit of water resistance. If you want something more luxurious, you might opt for an organizer made of suede leather. Keep in mind that organizers made of any of these materials sometimes have cardboard for reinforcement, and this generally adds some weight.

When considering the color of your purse organizer, you’ll find that solid colors are the most widely available. You can choose the color to match your purse, if you like. However, you can also pick something more creative — like your favorite color or even a pattern of flowers. In any case, your purse organizer will be mostly out of sight, so you don’t need to worry about coordinating with clothes or accessories.

• For convenience, you can find some purse organizers that have a built-in keychain so that you don’t lose your keys.
• Keep in mind that purse organizer sizes aren’t universal, so a medium in one brand will often have different dimensions in another. This emphasizes the importance of checking the particular manufacturer’s size charts. Some of these charts will also show different purse models that the organizer will fit into, but you should also measure your own purse’s height, length and width to be sure.
• When your purse organizer gets dirty, you’ll usually spot clean it per the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid putting one in the washing machine or immersing it entirely in water. You’ll also want to avoid heat since some materials, like felt, can shrink.
• The flexibility you get with purse organizer compartments will vary. Some products have a whole compartment you can remove and use as a pouch for small items or even as a wallet. Others may have a divider with small pockets on it, and you could remove it if you’d prefer a larger open compartment.
• Even if you get a matching size, you’ll want to consider how much handbag space the organizer will take up. Some organizers are rigid with a wide base. These stay open and take up much space regardless of the items you actually put in the organizer. Others are much more flexible so that you can partially fold them when possible and save some space in your handbag.
• Some purse organizer options can also function as standalone bags with a handle, so you might consider these for versatility.
• To get the most out of your purse organizer, you’ll want to do some planning; do an inventory of your items, throw out trash, and then group the remaining items by type or function to determine where you’ll put them inside the organizer. Once you’re ready to start putting items in, consider accessibility and keeping the most-used items in easy reach or in outer pockets. Very small or valuable items may go best in a zippered compartment.