| Handbags, purses, totes, clutches, shoulder bags - I | | | | fabric bags with warm water and a mild detergent. |
| don't care what you call them, I love them all. I am a | | | | Rub in a circular motion, and never, ever scrub at the |
| handbag addict. I have them in a countless array of | | | | fabric. Check the maintenance instructions that come |
| styles and colors. | | | | with your new purse and follow them. |
| Trends come and go, but "tote couture" remains. True | | | | Choose Your Bag According To the Occasion |
| handbag fashion is timeless. It is not about seasonal | | | | Are you going to an evening gala? The beach? To a |
| fads, but about creating a personal style and reflecting | | | | little café to meet some friends? Is the bag for |
| your good taste. A good purse will last not only for this | | | | work? All of these situations require a different purse |
| season, but also for years to come. This means | | | | to suit different needs. A hobo-style bag is too |
| investing in quality bags, taking care of your purses and | | | | unstructured for a formal event such as an evening |
| totes, and shopping for styles that work best for you. | | | | gala. A better option is a clutch or wrist bag, with |
| Here are a few simple rules: | | | | beading, a luxurious fabric, or an eye-catching color to |
| The Person-To-Bag Ratio | | | | accent your little black dress. Despite the popular trend |
| Do not carry a bag that overwhelms your body size. | | | | toward casual office attire, a student-style knapsack is |
| Petite women should not be lugging around oversized | | | | inappropriate corporate attire. Women should look at |
| bags that slap their thighs because they hang too low | | | | other options such as a Kelly bag, a supple leather |
| from the shoulder. Not only does it look bad, but can | | | | school bag, a structured messenger bag or even a |
| be harmful to your lower back if your bag is too big | | | | large leather tote. |
| and too heavy for your frame. Conversely, tall women | | | | Mixing and Matching |
| look silly with a wrist purse. Shop according with | | | | Should you choose your everyday black handbag, or |
| proportion in mind. | | | | go for your new aqua Mulberry Roxy bag? It may |
| Summertime is Fun Time! | | | | sound simple, but it really depends on what you are |
| Enjoy your summer and be more playful with your | | | | wearing and how you feel. At one time, it was de |
| purse selection. Invest in straw bags, brighter colors, | | | | rigueur to match your handbag and your shoes. Over |
| clutch purses with retro designs or a Pucci pattern | | | | the years that rule has become less important. |
| shoulder bag. Generally speaking, summertime purses | | | | Nowadays, handbag fashion is more about creating a |
| are less expensive and so it is easier to experiment | | | | look. Consider the color of your outfit, and choose a |
| with a variety of styles and colors. Find bags that | | | | handbag that accents it. If your look is monochromatic |
| complement particular outfits. | | | | grey, you might want to consider something that will |
| Quality Is In the Details | | | | make your outfit pop, like fashionista pink. However, if |
| Before screaming, "I love it - it must be MINE!" and | | | | you are wearing a highly patterned dress, consider a |
| running to the cashier with credit card in hand, take a | | | | simple cigar box purse, pulling one of the colors from |
| good look at the bag. Examine the lining to make sure | | | | your dress. |
| it fits properly and isn't too loose. Be sure the clasp or | | | | Style - It's in the Bag |
| closure of the bag works properly and looks solidly | | | | Attention shoppers: Get out there and express your |
| made. Inspect the stitching and see if there is any | | | | personal style and attitude through one of the most |
| fraying or other sign of poor quality. | | | | fashionable accessories on the market, the handbag. |
| The Care and Feeding Of Your Purse | | | | When shopping for your new bestfriend consider your |
| Just as leather and suede shoes need a little TLC, so | | | | lifestyle, your body type, your wardrobe and the quality |
| do leather and suede bags. Purchase products to help | | | | of the goods, but most of all have fun and look |
| keep the leather soft, supple and lustrous and apply | | | | fabulous, darlings! |
| them several times a year. Remove any stains on | | | | Copyright: A. |