Hand Bags

Oh that precious little purse—you know the one; you walk through the mall and other women stop you and exclaim, "that purse is so cool!" Handbags, purses, totes, satchels, hobos, we love them all. Most women invest a lot of time in finding the right Handbag. Unless you're one of those lucky ladies for whom serviceability and price are no big concern, you need a Handbag that is durable, fashionable, functional and comfortable to carry. Your Handbag is one of the first things people notice about you when you enter a room; let it speak volumes about how tasteful and chic you are.

Get the Bag that Fits

There are a few things to consider before you go out shopping for a handbag:

Use—decide beforehand where in your handbag wardrobe a new bag will fit. Is this a workbag, or do you intend to take it on vacation with you? Knowing what purpose the Handbag will serve will keep you focused while you shop.

Price Range—you have to know your budget and be committed to keeping it prior to your Handbag shopping trip.

Style—having a good idea of the shape, texture and material of your future Handbag will let you zoom in on those that fit your needs and ignore those that don't.

Fashion Rules—check out some magazines to see what shapes and colors are offered for this season. A trendy (or updated classic), fashionable Handbag is a great accessory that lets people know you care about your image.

Getting a Handbag that fits is just like buying any other piece of your wardrobe; it has to fit your body size and shape to look good. Remember a few basic rules: if you are small don't get a big bag like a messenger pouch or backpack, it'll just make you look smaller. If you are self conscious about large shoulders or a large bust, buy a bag that hangs around the hip or waste, it will draw attention away from the bust and shoulders. Conversely, if you have something of a pear shape, a short under the shoulder bag might just be the thing for you.

Buying a Bag for Another

Buying a Handbag for a gift is fraught with dangers. After all, a Handbag is something personal, something that takes most of us a lot of time to pick out for ourselves let alone another. If you are buying a bag as a gift:

Ask the recipient to give you some pictures and brand names of the Handbags she'd like. This is as close as you'll come to having her actually pick it out with you.

Know the recipient's style. Flirty or classic? Casual or funky? Keep an eye on what they wear from day to day.

Ask the recipient what things she looks for in a Handbag. A wide mouth that is easy to access, lots of pockets, single shoulder strap or double shoulder strap; check the Internet and update yourself on all the possibilities then get her opinions.

Make sure the Handbag retailer or online retailer has a good return policy.

The Names

Designers are "IN." Having a Handbag with a designer label can boost your caché and drain your wallet. If you are a Handbag diva, nothing says contentment like a designer bag hanging off your shoulder. For those trying to pin down the trends, look for these designers (in no particular order of importance): Fendi, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Prada, Kate Spade and Botega Veneta. Always be careful when buying a designer bag. There are plenty of rip-offs out there. Only buy from an authorized reseller and watch out for ads (Internet or brick & mortar) that scream Genuine, the Real Deal and offer you a designer bag at an unbelievable price.

Unique Options

Maxed out on Handbags? Looking for something unusual to give that Handbag fashion diva? Well do I have some interesting ideas for you! Maybe you'd like to try a box of very trendy chocolate purses, get a socially conscious Handbag or join a club that lets you "borrow" designer bags. If you like chocolate and adore Handbags then Chocochocohouse has a treat for you, a 1lb. box of chocolate purses done up in the trendiest styles.

So you want a bag that reflects your sense of social consciousness? A good place to start is Novica. This online retailer is sponsored by National Geographic and features items made by indigenous peoples from around the world. Bag Borrow or Steal™ offers its members the opportunity to change their Handbag on a whim. For a monthly fee, members can choose a Handbag to use for as long as they like. We're talking designer bags here in all the latest styles. Want to buy that bag you borrowed? They'll quote you a price for it. What a fun way to stay fashionable.

By MS Kauffman

Hand Bags

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