Guide to Women's Handbags

Guide to Women's Handbags

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 more information on handbags, visit the beauty section of Life123.com.

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