Part of many purses

STRAP

Think of what you might hold onto when carrying a bag over your shoulder or in your hand—it’s often adjustable in length.

This clue is a straightforward definition where "part of many purses" directly refers to the strap—the long, often adjustable piece that goes over the shoulder or around the hand. It’s not a trick or pun; the answer is simply the common term for that functional part. Think of a handbag or backpack, and the strap is what helps you carry it. The word fits neatly as a four-letter answer.