To carry or not to carry? Is it the essential accessory, or the optional necessity? Surely the fashion-forward girl can't stash all her must-haves in her hands or pockets. The latter adds bulk and the former, well it's just impractical. So when you decide to carry a handbag, be as meticulous about its selection as you are with your wardrobe. When making your choice, think style, size, structure, and season. There are times when the situation warrants form over fashion, but with the plethora of inexpensive options at the like there's no reason to sacrifice and carry an old, unseemly bag. Even the wishy-washy types with no apparent personal style can make a nice impression with the right bag.
First, don't think your handbag has to match your outfit. As is the case with shoes, you should use your handbag to render contrast. For example, a red or tan soft briefcase adds just a touch of flair a black or navy suit. A nice black clutch brings polish to a bright print ensemble. Conversely, a fashionable Burberry tote works well with almost any solid. The possibilities are endless, so you can set your own limitations. The only hardfast statute is casual bag with casual dress formal bag with formal dress, etc. If you prefer to carry the same handbag most of the time, choose a neutral go with a bag that represents your own unique style or experiment with color and texture without breaking the rules for your body type. So really the choice is yours!
Regardless of style, the size of a bag should never overwhelm your frame. This means that taller ladies can carry most any size, while petites should stick with the smaller fare. The same logic applies to straps - straps should not be so long that the bag hits your hip or below. An oversized low-slung bag can make even the most dainty woman come off as dumpy, causing her posture to tilt and stride to break. Control your bag (and your look) don't let it control you. Now that you've identified a style and size range, seek out structure. Look for a defined shape that will hold even when filled to capacity. Most often good structure can only be found with good material and even better construction. So the quality aspect can take care of itself. Another feature to focus on is expandable elements such as buckles and other fasteners. Detaching these features provides more room, but at the cost of style and structure. Resist the urge to pack in all in and keep the fasteners intact for a more organized appearance. Otherwise, your purse literally starts to resemble a bag straight from your favorite neighborhood grocery.
Last but not least, be mindful of the seasons. Don't cling to that colorful canvas tote in the dead of winter. Put away to the suede saddle bag when the flowers start to bloom in spring. You wouldn't floss your corduroy in July, so don't carry your heaviest leather satchel while wearing your linens. Remember to be smart when storing your handbags. If possible, place them is a breathable dust bag for protection, so when to seasons change again you're ready to go in one minute flat! Now back to good old fashioned fashion sense. Stand in the mirror and do a sanity check. Is your handbag an asset to your style? Does it overpower your outfit and more importantly, you? Ino time, the handbag rules will become second nature and who knows.... You may just morph into a collector or handbag connoisseur. Happy Toting!
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