I’ve never been obsessed with “It” bags. Shoes are much more my thing.

But my latest purchase from the universe of so-called “carrywear” has me so rattled I don’t know whether to proudly spruik its existence from the rooftops or leave it in the original packaging, too afraid to admit it even caught my eye.

You see, the bag I bought isn’t exactly a high fashion purchase. Yes, the black patent finish is totally of the moment, and it’s tiny, squishy structure with small bow and shoulder strap is seriously cute. But, and here’s the rub, it’s a – shhhhh – child’s bag!

Exactly what does $14.99 buy these days? Amazingly: the cutest purse. From, in case this story couldn’t get any sillier, the children’s wear section at Target. Which just happened to be right next to the Designers for Target area on the day Josh Goot’s range hit stores.

I’ve seen little girls carrying their mum’s personal vintage Chanel quilted chain purses circa 1985 in the wake of Mischa Barton making the label her school bag of choice on The O.C. but I never expected to be carrying a little girl’s plastic purse in adulthood.

As a fashion writer, serious bags costing four figures and more fill my waking hours. And some sleeping hours too. Just the other night I dreamt my best friend scored a red suede Bottega Veneta shoulder bag for $30. Reduced from $3,000.

So what happened when I saw this delicious little liquorice morsel dangling from a rack displaying miniature woollen cardis? I zeroed in for a closer look, spied the price, noted the embarrassing description (complete with a choking hazard warning declaring it unsuitable for under-threes) and slung it over the Josh Goot for Target long-line black woollen hoodie I’d decided on.

Mission accomplished. Two anonymous-looking fashion finds that will work with the more exclusive pieces in my wardrobe. And that’s exactly what discount department store fashion should be all about.

Image Credits: Clockwise from top left: Stylebyts, Fabsugar,Showbuzz, Momist.