I generally use larger-sized purses that are able to hold my bank cards alongside banknotes, with a separate 'zipped' section to hold my coins. This style of purse is not always suitable for smaller handbags however as they are generally far too big to fit properly in them. Clutch handbags in particular are not suitable for large purses as there just isn't enough room inside to accommodate them inside.

This led me to hunt out a more petite alternative. I had a really nice new handbag, in a small 'rucksack' design and I knew my largely-sized purses wouldn't fit inside, or if they did, there would be no room left for anything else in the handbag..! I found the perfect item in a local branch of Accessorize recently by way of the "Mini Bow Zip Top Purse." I thought the petite size and attractive design of this purse made it the ideal partner to my new bag. I paid only £5 for the Mini Bow Purse which I thought was an excellent price.

The Mini Bow Zip Top Purse is only available in one colour, which is a turquoise/teal shade, as shown in the picture at the top of the Dooyoo page here.

The purse is what I would describe as a 'coin purse' as it is neatly sized and quite flat. It actually only measures about 13cm in length so it is much smaller than other purses I own, but of course the reason for my buying it was for it to be used alongside my petite handbag so this is fine for my needs. There is a zip that runs along the top of the purse and this is how the purse is closed and opened of course, and I like the fact that the zip is coloured to match the rest of the purse, so it is slightly 'hidden' at first glance.

There are no separate pockets or compartments on the purse which is normal practice with a coin purse, as they are generally designed to hold loose change and perhaps a couple of notes. The Accessorize Mini Bow Zip Purse is more than adequate for these requirements in my experience.

There is some pretty detailing on the front of the purse which offers a little contract to the teal colouring, by way of a little tan bow in the centre of the purse. There is a little delicate 'piping' detailed down a centre 'panel' on the purse, upon which the bow is placed. This tan piping matches the tan bow and the contrast between the tan colouring and the teal is very attractive and quite fashionable. Underneath the piping we can see the outer fabric is gathered slightly, which gives an attractive, slightly 'ruched' design.

The materials used in the little purse are of a very high quality in my opinion, and during my time using the purse it has never ripped or torn - in fact is showing very little in the way of wear and tear so I feel it has been quite a robust little item. The purse is made from 100% Polyurethane which is a man-made fabric, so the purse is 'vegetarian' as it is not made from leather or any other animal products. This fabric is extremely robust as I said, and it feels slightly 'rubbery' although no more so than leather I suppose. The purse is able to be washed down with a damp cloth, which has proven useful recently when I noticed a grubby mark at one of the corners. This washed off easily with a damp cloth and a tiny spot of washing up liquid, leaving the fabric looking like new.

During a recent trip out with my friend, she commented on how nice my purse was and so I bought her one for her birthday at the start of August. She was delighted to receive her own purse, and given that she is quite a few years older than me, I think it shows that the purse is suitable for a variety of age groups and 'styles' as it were. It has quite a 'fashionable' look to it, yet it is not overly 'young' that I feel it is not suited to my own style and taste, and likewise with my friend who is in her 40s.

As @ the time of writing (August 2012), you can purchase the Accessorize Mini Bow Purse in-store where it will cost £5. You can also order online, where postage charges apply.

I have nothing negative to report about this little purse and think it offers really good value for money, considering how attractive it is, and how robust the materials used within it have proven to be. I feel it deserves full marks in the product rating as a result.