In a job interview, unless you're applying for something way-out, conservative is considered the better way to go. It does very much depend on the location: if you're going off to a big conglomerate as a young executive, take a smallish clutch purse in a dark leather, ideally one that matches your shoes. Unless you're applying in a fashion-oriented company, eschew corporate logos: the guys at IBM probably won't be overly impressed with your BCBG bag. Forget fashion-forward textures or even colors that would be considered fashionable by the style-savvy: go for unobtrusive, sedate –even boring.
That said, I'm hoping you'll be applying for a job where the people interviewing you will be considering your personal characteristics, background and fitness for the work over your accessories. I mean, would you judge someone's character, intelligence and determination on her purse? Do you want to work for someone who would? So, if you're interested in reverse-engineering the job interview to find if it's a place that will suit you (instead of the other way around), there's something to be said for showing up with your favorite handbag and letting the chips fall where they may. The fact is, too many corporations are a bit too comfortable with hiring people who are desperately anxious to please, underpaying them, working them like dogs and then dropping them like so many unwanted shoes to hire a new batch of eager, low-paid beginners who won't drain the company insurance or pension plans.
I thin your question is bigger than what sort of purse to take to an interview. The question really is, isn't it time for established workplace conventions to change? Should employers be so powerful that the choice of a handbag will truly limit your options in life, or are there still a few places that value creativity and self-expression enough to take a chance on something other than a discreet Chanel knock-off? How about a blue velvet homemade sac diagrammed with bugle beads? Maybe that fantastic, 1930's metal and enamel evening purse that visited the speaks before you were even a twinkle in the eye? What, in the end, are you willing to sacrifice for a mere job?
