With so many handbags available, how do you choose one that best suits you?
Complement your figure
Any handbag should first and foremost compliment your figure. Naturally, a small bag may be suited to a smaller body shape. If you are tall and slender, stick with round or square shaped bags. If you are on the slighter side, then bottle shaped bags may be a better choice.
Adjust for effect
Even the most gorgeous handbags can look distinctly average if carried in an untidy fashion. Nearly all bags have adjustable straps and handles, so make sure you use them. A large bag should never hang as low as your hips so adjust it to bring it up to your waist line. Shoulder handbags and cross-body bags should also not hang down too low.
Know your material
Be sure to choose a material which is in keeping with the environment you are going to be wearing your bag in. For example, straw bags are natural and casual, and so are perfectly suited to summer outfits of all styles and colours. Of course, whenever you are unsure about material, you can always fall back on leather. Leather handbags will never go out of fashion as they lend themselves so well to any outfit and situation.
By keeping your figure in mind, making adjustments where needed and matching the material to your environment, you will not go too far wrong when choosing your handbag.
No matter if it’s clutch bags, kipling bags or shoulder handbags, one thing that all women go crazy about is choosing the right colour handbag to complete their outfit. In times gone by, it was possible for a lady to have just one plain coloured handbag which would be used for any and all occasions.
Nowadays, of course, the idea of having just one bag to go with every different outfit is simply abhorrent. You would think that having plenty of handbags (such as a good selection of Kipling or Fiorelli bags) would be a good solution; far from it. More choice only creates more confusion. Sometimes though, you just need a bit of inspiration to help provide some clarity.
Inspired seasons
You can take inspiration from nature to help choose your handbag colours as each different season can have an influence on which colours are favoured. To this end, greens are very popular in spring and summer, whereas reds and oranges are often associated with autumn. Blues and whites are perennial winter favourites.
Inspired prints
Print handbags have become ever more popular in recent years and for good reason. The addition of a multi-coloured handbag to a single-coloured dress can be a great way to liven up an ensemble.
Inspired classics
Because they go with practically any outfit, black handbags are, and always will be, a timeless classic. Brown handbags are another classic although they are somewhat more limited than black.
Even if you’re feeling blue, let inspiration take care of your colour confusion.
Did you know that you can tell a lot about a woman from the type of handbag she carries? Although by no means an exact science, it is quite possible to ascertain a general impression of a woman’s personality by casting an inquisitive eye over the type of handbag she prefers. Experts have begun analysing the connections between people and the type of handbag they use, and their theroies make for interesting reading:
Designer
Designer handbags typically cost a bomb, so it comes as no surprise that they are normally the preserve of high-earning ladies. Generally, these are confident women whose accessories must be top end, so they will settle for nothing less than a top brand designer bag.
Under shoulder
Small handbags which fit snugly underneath the shoulder are the favoured choice of classy, sophisticated ladies. Successful professional women or ladies of high stature may well prefer this type of handbag.
Oversized
Large, oversized bags are very informal and so are often preferred by younger women. These are used by girls who are always on the go and need to carry a lot of things. Everyday, down-to-earth girls would carry this type of handbag, perhaps as shoulder handbags.
Whether you carry clutch bags or kipling handbags, you may well be revealing more about yourself than you realise. You may want to think about that…
In the grand scheme of things, choosing a handbag to accessorise your outfit shouldn’t be that difficult. However, there are thousands of different handbag designs to choose from, and many women are simply unsure of which style will best complement their own particular body shape. However, a little browse through the tips below may help in choosing a bag which doesn’t make you appear large or out of proportion.
Tall
Tall and lean body shapes lends themselves favourably to almost any type of handbag. Clutch bags and shoulder bags will suit effortlessly, although the size of the bag needs to be considered. Oversized, large bags look best, whereas smaller bags can make you look even taller.
Short
Women who are not very tall need to be very careful about the types of handbags they choose. Smaller bags generally look best as larger ones can make you look even shorter. Clutch bags and purses which fit tightly against the body can allude to increased height to help make you appear taller.
Plus Size
Being a plus size means staying away from small bags or bags with short straps, as they will only make you look bigger. Bags which are slightly larger and wider than average are good options as they can help make you look smaller.
Of course, one handbag is simply not enough to suit all occasions, so the best solution would be to invest in the widest selection of handbags possible. Just don’t tell your other half…
The word “handbag” first came into being in the early 1900′s and generally refered to men’s hand-held luggage bags. These early bags were soon overtaken by newer, more complicated bags which came complete with fasteners and separate compartments. These modern bags quickly became very popular with women. The 1920′s saw a revolution in fashion and it was around this time that designer Coco Chanel first produced shoulder bags designed exclusively for women.
The Second World War meant that 1940′s clothing reflected the austerity of the times and handbags were designed very much with the war effort in mind. As metal, zips, leather, and mirrors were in short supply, handbag manufacturers used plastic and wood instead.
Social change was the major theme of the 1960’s and fashion houses like Chanel and Louis Vuitton were among the first to reflect the rise of youth culture in the types of fashion and handbags they designed.
The 1980′s saw the emergence of power dressing. This involved young women dressing in suits and shoulder pads with practical leather handbags and cross body bags to suit the utilitarian look of the city.
The first decade of the 21st century has seen handbags develop in ways not imagined 100 years ago. With the environment now such a universal concern, many handbags are made from recyclable materials which proudly reflect their owner’s green credentials. Technology has also evolved and the design of modern handbags reflects how important mobile phones and iPods are to today’s women.
Now, there is an incredible choice of brands and designs, such as Fiorelli bags and Billy bags amongst many others.
Shopping for the right handbag can be a lot more difficult than you think. Whether you have a preference for Kipling handbags or Modalu bags, there are so many to choose from that it can be hard to know where to start. However, before buying a handbag, it can be helpful taking a moment to consider how it will be used, and how comfortable it will be.
Use
The first thing you need to know is exactly what you want to use your handbag for. Is it for general use or formal wear? If your handbag will be for general use, make sure to buy one that has several different compartments and a zip, as it will help keep you organised throughout the day. When shopping for a formal handbag, be sure to keep in mind the dresses you have at home so that you can consider which bag will complement them. Colours such as blacks and browns are normally very good options for formal bags.
Comfort
Whichever handbag you decide to buy, you must feel comfortable wearing it and carrying it around. Aside from some clutch bags, most handbags have handles and straps which can be very important. Shoulder handbags have short handles and are held snugly under the arms. Sling handbags have longer straps and can be left hanging at arms length. Cross body handbags sit comfortably on your hips. A handbag will only be suitable as long as you are comfortable with it.
A little consideration before buying will help enormously in finding your perfect handbag, whether you prefer Fossil handbags or Nica Handbags.
