For
most of us, buying $5,000 designer women's handbags is not an option.
So unless you're a movie star, try not to focus exclusively on the
latest trends. Instead, choose a handbag that works for you and your
budget.
First Steps
The first rule when
browsing handbags is to find the right size. Some of us carry a wallet
with a few necessities, while others carry around everything they own.
Determine what will be going into your bag, and adjust to the size
needed.
Think logically when choosing purse size. If you want to
carry a make-up case, brush, money and extra clothing, a little clutch
is the wrong choice. If all you need is some identification and a few
charge cards, buying an oversized bag is a waste.
The next
concern is overall quality. Whether cheap or expensive, handbags that
fall apart in two days just don't cut it. Straps that rip, zippers that
break or seams that split are never the hallmark of a great bag. It
doesn't matter if they'll be "in" next season, because they simply
won't last that long.
Look for a purse that will hold your things
without losing them. The best way to do this is to check the stitching.
Pull and push to create stress on the seams, and check that they hold
well without fraying or creating open gaps. Durability can also be
determined by the material used. This includes everything: straps,
lining or even the zipper.
Thin, plastic handbags don't hold up
well and tend to crack or rip easily. Pleather is a slightly better
choice, though it can wear down quickly, too. Leather is the best
choice, since it provides a highly flexible material that's strong and
durable. Hearty fabrics like canvas work well if leather is not an
option.
Finding a Style That Will Last
When
choosing the appearance of any bag, remember that class never goes out
of style. A bright, boldly patterned purse may be the hottest new
thing, but its glamour will soon fade. The look is obvious and easily
dated. An understated plain black purse, however, will look good now
and next year.
Handbags with large, bright and/or obvious
decoration are the quickest to go out of fashion. Don't get caught up
in a purse with a huge price tag just because it's linked to a specific
design name. Labels come and go, but handbags that actually suit you
are always popular.
Purse colors can still be bright, and
handbags can still be decorated. Just stick to more traditional color
combinations and themes. Blue and white stripes will work with many
more looks than aqua and taupe zigzags will.
Keep in mind that
colors you look good wearing should also be applied to handbags. If
blue makes you look fantastic, a blue purse will always look great. If
yellow makes you look like a cartoon character, a yellow purse will
have the same effect.
Handbags that match multiple styles always
stay in fashion longer than ones with highly particular designs. If
you're going to pay $5,000 for a designer handbag, it'll probably need
to be for a purse that goes with more than one dress. This doesn't mean
you can choose only dull bags; it means you should choose versatile
ones.
An easy way to find handbags that will stay in style is to
invest in one that matches your hair color. This way, the item seems to
go with any attire, and you'll be free from having to buy twenty bags
to coordinate with your wardrobe. Handbags with a matching, slightly
lighter color than your hair help draw attention to highlighted tresses.
Avoiding Back Problems
Any
accessories you carry around with you all day have the potential to
create back pain. Handbags are no exception to this rule. The more
items carried in the bag, the worse potential back pain can be. If
lightening your load is not an option, try using tricks to help ease
the problem.
For large, heavy handbags, use a wide shoulder strap
similar to the ones seen on messenger bags. The basic spaghetti strap
is going to dig into your shoulder when holding all that weight and
cause some serious muscle pain. Handbags with wider straps help
distribute some of that weight across the shoulder, putting less strain
on the muscles.
Handbags with two straps, or one long strap, can
also aid in reducing back issues. The two straps help distribute the
weight over the used shoulder. The long strap is ideal for slinging
over the shoulder and across the body, so that the torso carries more
of the weight.
Choosing handbags created from lighter materials
can also help with back problems. Thin leather, quality linen and
sturdy plastic are all materials that create a relatively strong, yet
featherweight, purse. Avoid handbags with oversized decorations, like
large buckles. Dainty additions can add unneeded weight as well, so
pass up anything with blanket beading or dangling ornaments.
For
most of us, buying $5,000 designer women's handbags is not an option.
So unless you're a movie star, try not to focus exclusively on the
latest trends. Instead, choose a handbag that works for you and your
budget.
First Steps
The first rule when
browsing handbags is to find the right size. Some of us carry a wallet
with a few necessities, while others carry around everything they own.
Determine what will be going into your bag, and adjust to the size
needed.
Think logically when choosing purse size. If you want to
carry a make-up case, brush, money and extra clothing, a little clutch
is the wrong choice. If all you need is some identification and a few
charge cards, buying an oversized bag is a waste.
The next
concern is overall quality. Whether cheap or expensive, handbags that
fall apart in two days just don't cut it. Straps that rip, zippers that
break or seams that split are never the hallmark of a great bag. It
doesn't matter if they'll be "in" next season, because they simply
won't last that long.
Look for a purse that will hold your things
without losing them. The best way to do this is to check the stitching.
Pull and push to create stress on the seams, and check that they hold
well without fraying or creating open gaps. Durability can also be
determined by the material used. This includes everything: straps,
lining or even the zipper.
Thin, plastic handbags don't hold up
well and tend to crack or rip easily. Pleather is a slightly better
choice, though it can wear down quickly, too. Leather is the best
choice, since it provides a highly flexible material that's strong and
durable. Hearty fabrics like canvas work well if leather is not an
option.
Finding a Style That Will Last
When
choosing the appearance of any bag, remember that class never goes out
of style. A bright, boldly patterned purse may be the hottest new
thing, but its glamour will soon fade. The look is obvious and easily
dated. An understated plain black purse, however, will look good now
and next year.
Handbags with large, bright and/or obvious
decoration are the quickest to go out of fashion. Don't get caught up
in a purse with a huge price tag just because it's linked to a specific
design name. Labels come and go, but handbags that actually suit you
are always popular.
Purse colors can still be bright, and
handbags can still be decorated. Just stick to more traditional color
combinations and themes. Blue and white stripes will work with many
more looks than aqua and taupe zigzags will.
Keep in mind that
colors you look good wearing should also be applied to handbags. If
blue makes you look fantastic, a blue purse will always look great. If
yellow makes you look like a cartoon character, a yellow purse will
have the same effect.
Handbags that match multiple styles always
stay in fashion longer than ones with highly particular designs. If
you're going to pay $5,000 for a designer handbag, it'll probably need
to be for a purse that goes with more than one dress. This doesn't mean
you can choose only dull bags; it means you should choose versatile
ones.
An easy way to find handbags that will stay in style is to
invest in one that matches your hair color. This way, the item seems to
go with any attire, and you'll be free from having to buy twenty bags
to coordinate with your wardrobe. Handbags with a matching, slightly
lighter color than your hair help draw attention to highlighted tresses.
Avoiding Back Problems
Any
accessories you carry around with you all day have the potential to
create back pain. Handbags are no exception to this rule. The more
items carried in the bag, the worse potential back pain can be. If
lightening your load is not an option, try using tricks to help ease
the problem.
For large, heavy handbags, use a wide shoulder strap
similar to the ones seen on messenger bags. The basic spaghetti strap
is going to dig into your shoulder when holding all that weight and
cause some serious muscle pain. Handbags with wider straps help
distribute some of that weight across the shoulder, putting less strain
on the muscles.
Handbags with two straps, or one long strap, can
also aid in reducing back issues. The two straps help distribute the
weight over the used shoulder. The long strap is ideal for slinging
over the shoulder and across the body, so that the torso carries more
of the weight.
Choosing handbags created from lighter materials
can also help with back problems. Thin leather, quality linen and
sturdy plastic are all materials that create a relatively strong, yet
featherweight, purse. Avoid handbags with oversized decorations, like
large buckles. Dainty additions can add unneeded weight as well, so
pass up anything with blanket beading or dangling ornaments.
