Handbags – I think they were my first fashion love (gosh, if I had any design skills, I would love to be a handbag designer). Before shoes, for me, it was the handbag obsession from my college days.
I have a lot of handbags and like to swap my bags for different clothes. Over the years, I’ve had some failures and failures as I’ve purchased different packs. So I want to share with you some tips on how to make a good handbag that is both functional and beautiful.
- Make sure it is comfortable to carry
Yes, a handbag, just like your clothes must have a level of comfort that you are satisfied with. Many years ago, Gucci had a massive promotion in Melbourne (they would never do it now because it would “dilute” the brand) and I picked up a handbag. I noticed how comfortably it sits on my shoulders without slipping and fits my arms. I remember thinking “no wonder people usually pay so much for this kind of good design”.
So try on a handbag and notice if it sticks your arms out in an uncomfortable way? Does it slip off your shoulders too easily? Do you have to carry it with handles that are not your style?
We can love the look of a handbag, but if it doesn’t have the right level of carrying comfort (and you’ll be carrying it around a lot, sometimes for long periods of time), then you’ll start hating it quickly. 6 top tips for choosing a handbag that is both functional and beautiful
- Make sure it’s not too heavy
I love leather bags like they get scratched (they will) and they can be improved unlike all faux leather handbags. That means my investment will last longer, like a good pair of leather shoes, and I can polish my purse. That said, sometimes some leather bags can be quite heavy when empty, which means that as soon as I empty the kitchen sink into the bag, I have 45kg on my shoulders. Bad for my back (or mood).
So test the bag and notice how heavy it is. Sometimes that extra metal detail can also overwhelm a bag – it looks great, but the weight is unrealistic.
- Fits in your pocket
Is it just a void inside or are there some pockets? If it has pockets, what type and how many?
What you like is personal to you. I found that I didn’t like the center divider pocket, but I liked the pockets that I could hold a pen or two, glasses cleaning cloths, and a few other small items. I love a pocket for my phone, and I really love a zippered pocket on the outside where I can put my car keys. This AULOVELY bag is perfect – it has pockets on the inside and outside of the bag, front and back! 6 top tips for choosing a handbag that is both functional and beautiful
In a smaller clutch or evening bag, I like a lot of card pockets because I don’t want to push a cart around my regular purse, but be able to carry a credit card and a few other odds and ends (like my past I was “swipe” a driver’s license because I look too young to buy a drink!). My Bellorita fish clutch in this post has lots of cute card slots and a nice zipper section.
I also love having a zip pocket in my evening purse – because that’s where I might want to put some money too.
Also, there must be enough space for lipstick, reading glasses, phone and keys. There’s nothing worse than an overnight purse that you can’t keep your essentials in.
- Unzip the zipper
I like tote bags that can be fully zipped or closed so that if I’m traveling, nothing will fall out. Especially with handbags and larger bags, zipper closures make a difference when you need to be able to close the bag properly to keep the contents safe.
This bag from AULOVELY comes in a beautiful teal (the most popular and versatile color) and is made of high-quality leather. I bought it on a recent trip to the UK and found it to be a brand on the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland (I went there while I was there) and I collected some local stuff on my trip.
- Make it beautiful
Then there is the design. I have to love it aesthetically too. I’m a believer in form plus function – not both.
Color is one way – so I have a collection of bags in different colors.
A handbag design can be fairly simple if it’s a fabulous color – the color is the hero.
But if you want a black bag, then it needs to have some extra design details to make it more beautiful. Black and plain colors = dull and unfashionable.
- Make it versatile
There may be bags for specific purposes (e.g. evening bags), but for your everyday bag, if you tend to have just one bag to take with you – anywhere – every day – it needs to be versatile in its design.
It needs to be dressy enough to be relevant to your work attire.
It needs to be soft enough to be relevant to your casual wear.
It needs to match your color palette – so it doesn’t conflict with your outfit.
How to choose a bag that fits all your outfits? Start with a color that reflects your hair color. It’s the signature color you’ll never take off. You’re always wearing your hair, which is why hair color is a great color for handbags, shoes, coats, and belts. Because these are clothing elements that “transcend” many other outfits.