There are some very compelling reasons to shop online and more people are doing it now than ever before. The recent economic troubles have hit the high street and the big department stores but web sales continue to rise. The continued growth might actually by fuelled by the tougher climate – we’re all looking to cut costs and find bargains when we shop.
Shopping online is also about choice. On this site alone there is a huge range of clutch bags, leather handbags, shoulder handbags, and every other kind of handbag you can think of. You don’t have to stop at one site either. There are thousands of online handbag shops out there, all across the UK and the wider world. The choice of clutch bags available to you right now, at your own computer, is far greater than in any shopping district, even in London or Edinburgh.
It’s also the work of a moment to compare prices between online shops. Nothing is more annoying than finding perfect shoulder handbags in one shop, making a purchase, then seeing them cheaper in another shop. By shopping online you can be sure of getting exactly what you want for the nicest price possible.
When shopping for shoes and clothes online you have to worry about getting the right size. Not so with handbags – one size really does fit all. If you’re wondering if one of our bags will be big enough to meet your needs, why not measure your old bag and compare that against the sizing we give on the product description page? That way you can be sure that when the package arrives at your door it is certain to contain the perfect handbag.
Today’s women are busier than ever. Even those who don’t have both a family and a career to take care of have a lot on their plate and our handbags and shoulder handbags reflect that. No longer is it enough to carry a lipstick and a purse and maybe a couple of spare tampons and stick or two of chewing gum.
The handbags of the 21st century must accommodate much more. Phones and mobile internet devices, iPods and all manner of useful electronics need to be carried and kept safe and tidy (and in the case of the phone, easy to find quickly when it starts to ring). Our bags reflect our lives and they’re full of much-used diaries and appointment books, music and communication devices and so much more.
Smaller leather handbags can’t really contain everything a woman needs any more, except on a quick nip down to the shops or a formal night out. These days shoulder handbags are becoming more popular because they’ve got that extra capacity busy people need. Being able to hang a bag off your shoulder also frees up your hands to answer the phone, look after the kids, or carry your coffee.
Cross body bags are also gaining popularity. These are a real hands-free option and great for the woman on the go because they won’t slip off when you’re in a hurry or jostled by a crowd but the strap is a lot longer, which can be inconvenient if you want to carry the bag in your hands.
When picking out a new handbag, think through all the things it will need to carry. As long as you choose something with enough capacity you won’t go far wrong!
Keywords: shoulder handbags, cross body bags, leather handbags
Not for nothing are muggers and street thieves sometimes known as ‘bag snatchers’. Good quality leather handbags are, unfortunately, magnets for itchy-fingered thieves. They contain a small collection of a woman’s most valuable items – the purse or wallet complete with cash and credit cards, the phone, house keys, and maybe something extra like an iPod – all in one convenient package, easy to grab and get away with.
Clutch bags are especially vulnerable because there’s no strap to attach the bag to the owner, so if you’re concerned about security, cross body bags are something to consider. They’re much harder to snatch and because they leave both hands free, women are much less likely to set them down on a table or chair as they make change or enter their pin number.
Many handbag thefts happen when bags are set down. Clutch bags and cross body bags make equally good targets on a restaurant table or sitting on the floor by your chair. If you’re going to put your bag on the floor, a good tip is to loop the strap around your toe. Nobody will notice except potential bag snatchers, and it’ll tell them that here is a security conscious individual who isn’t going to be an easy target.
Smaller bags can simply be sat in your lap rather than on the floor or on the table. This keeps them out of sight and also prevents spills – there’s nothing worse than accidentally tipping coffee all over your beautiful new handbag!
The ‘manbag’ is a relatively recent fashion phenomenon probably driven by two factors – the practical and the pretty. Manbags are nothing more than chunky shoulder handbags or cross body bags designed for men. They’re generally larger and squarer than the dainty female equivalent and the designers take care to make them look as masculine as possible so that their male customers don’t feel like they’re carrying a handbag.
The first reason for the manbag is the huge collection of gadgetry that the average urban man carries these days. Smart phones, MP3 players, multitools, iPads and netbooks need to be carted around somehow and the answer – as women have known for decades – is a nice capacious handbag.
Not so very long ago the pockets on men’s casual trousers and jackets used to be large and bulky, ready to be filled with mints, car and house keys, phones, wallets, and all those little bits and pieces women put in clutch bags and shoulder handbags, but today’s fashion-conscious man understands that it’s hard to look your sleek and suave best with bulging trouser pockets. Enter the manbag.
Now, it’ll be a while before we see droves of men with cute little clutch bags walking down the street, but the manbag is a growing trend and it’s probably a permanent one. Men (and women) carry more electronics now than ever before and there’s also a rising male fashion consciousness. Both those factors are only likely to get stronger. We say, why not? Women have found handbags helpful for decades so it’s about time men caught up!
It’s been a long, cold winter but the weather is finally starting to break. The sun is peeping through the clouds and the daffodils and snowdrops are starting to appear in local parks and gardens. Trees are starting to sprout new green leaves and delicate pink and white blossom. It’s the most beautiful of seasons – our reward for sticking it out through the drab grey winter.
Spring is also the traditional time to clean out your wardrobe and redecorate the house. Right now all the girls are beginning to cast off their heavy winter woollies and finding some gorgeous spring outfits to match the change in season. Of course, we all know that with a new outfit you’ve simply got to have a new bag!
If you like bright colours, now is the ideal time to invest in luscious Kipling handbags in rainbow colours or cross body bags that bring a bright stripe of red or blue to an otherwise dark outfit. Even the strongest pinks and yellows don’t look too much against the background of a cheerful British spring day. Now is the time to let your imagination run wild.
We have a huge range of cross body bags, leather handbags, and every other kind of handbag you can imagine. There are choices in all shades and all styles, from the very formal to the completely casual. Spring is the best time of year to try out new outfits and build a new look, so get shopping!
These days we’re all much more conscious of the environmental impacts of the shopping choices we make. As a society we’re more aware of carbon footprints and sustainable production issues than we have been in the past. We know how vital it is to cut down plastic bag usage when we go shopping and we’re starting to really value organic fabrics and materials.
All of this is great news for the environment and while it may sound tricky at first, it’s easier than ever before to be both eco friendly and stylish at the same time. Take the Envirosax range of handbags and shopping bags. They’re stunningly designed in a range of fabulous prints and easy on the earth too. There are plenty of green clutch bags and shoulder handbags scattered throughout the rest of our site too.
Faux leather handbags used to be cheaper versions of real leather handbags. Not so any more! Synthetic leather substitutes are now just as strong as the real thing and they won’t stretch out of shape over time. While some women prefer genuine leather, others are choosing the fake stuff with vegan pride.
Materials like organic hemp and bamboo are starting to appear on the market. Hemp is great from an environmental perspective – it’s naturally resistant to pests so less chemical treatment is needed and it also requires much less irrigation than cotton, so places less demand on water supplies. It’s also very durable when woven into cloth, so if you choose a hemp bag you can expect it to last.
Here at Bags Defined, we have a great selection of handbags to choose from, including Kipling handbags and Nica bags.
