No outfit is complete without a matching handbag. Although it is quite challenging to choose the right bag per occasion (have you checked the Fall/Winter 2015 Handbag Trends? This will help you get started!), nothing compares to the levels of difficulty you reach when you need to pick out accessories for your wedding; your jewelry, shoes, and, of course, handbag! In fact, deciding on which purse to have on your wedding day is just as hard as picking out your wedding dress, and, if you are attending a wedding as a guest, it is equally difficult to picking out which outfit you should be seen in!

Everything has to be paired beautifully so that each item complements the other and create a stunning overall look. However, too big of an accessory will not be handy, considering that you will need to take it practically everywhere on the wedding day. Plus, it will draw all attention to it, making people miss out on your lovely dress, makeup, hairstyle, and so many more. So, it needs to match your outfit and has enough room so that you can carry your essentials from the ceremony to the reception.
So, the usual question is: Do I go with a Clutch or a Purse?
Each one has its beauty, but let’s set things straight.

CHOOSE A CLUTCH IF:

You are any part of the wedding, (i.e. the bridesmaid, bride, etc.). Going with a clutch is also an excellent idea if you are planning on getting up and moving around a lot, as you will then need something you can easily carry around. That aside, you want something that won’t be a pain to carry during the reception, so having something small is a plus, in this case, too. Now, sporting a clutch means you stick to the absolute essentials, such as your makeup basics, cell phone, license, money, credit card(s). At first, you may feel the urge to pack everything into that tiny clutch but trust me, you really don’t need all that space!

CHOOSE A PURSE IF:

You are a happy mom. Having kids means you will need to take pictures using a bigger camera, among others, which requires you have quite a lot of bag space. Also, it will be much more convenient to have a purse that can carry more when you are attending the ceremony!

Many women wonder: Do I really need to carry a clutch or a purse on my wedding day?

According to wedding experts, what you definitely DON’T need is a handbag. You probably won’t have to have your driver’s license with you if you are not driving, and you will most likely not need any money, given that everything is already paid! Now, if you are planning to stay at a hotel after the wedding reception and not get back home, there is no reason to have your house keys with you either. However, if you do need to carry them you can always ask some family member, say your parents, to hang on to them throughout the wedding.

On the other hand, if you believe you might need some items during the wedding day, play it smart and pack a clutch or a purse to have everything you might need corralled in one place. Nevertheless, I suggest you stray a bit from an ivory-colored purse that will match your wedding dress and go for a piece that you will be able to use after the wedding again. For example, you could consider metallic or jewel tones. Perhaps, even something that could convert into a shoulder bag with a hidden shoulder chain.

WHICH BAG TO WEAR TO THE OFFICE?

Besides on our wedding day, we also want to look our best at work. Everything from hair to outfit and shoes is always carefully selected to create a fab office look. When it comes to what handbag goes with our outfits, though, things get a bit more complicated. Do we have a purse for the office and one for every day? Two different handbags or one that we can carry from day to night? A general rule of thumb is to keep it simple and always stick to a basic color scheme. That aside, here are 3 office staples that will help enhance your office look, give you the functionality and versatility you want, and add charm and elegance to your outfits! Ready to dress for success?

1. A Tote Bag

Nothing more handy if you want to carry lots of stuff with you, such as docs you had at home, lunch, etc. Its bulkiness makes it an excellent choice as an office bag and the fact that it comes in several colors, textures, and patterns allows you to play with many different styles. If you want a Tote to match more than one outfit, better avoid crazy colors and stick to, say, a sleek leather Tote in khaki, black, or white so that it is interchangeable with many different outfits. Now, if you fancy a more eloquent look, then a Tote won’t tick your boxes, so keep moving down the list!

2. A Messenger Bag

With a wide range of functionality (it combines a purse and a briefcase) and a slightly bulky, larger size, a messenger bag is a fantastic option to carry work with you! You can wear it either shoulder or cross-body and have your hands free, and comes mainly in neutral colors. What a super easy add-on to any wardrobe! Finally, your day is made so much easier thanks to the inner organization pockets that most styles come with.

3. A Top Handle Bag

This one is ideal if you have more to transport AND also want a handbag to give you a smaller look at the same time! It is usually rectangular, leaving you with lots of space to accommodate plenty of things in it. Compared to a Tote bag, with a top handle bag your outfits will look a bit more put together. You can find top handle bags in a variety of textures and colors. Some are also smaller or larger than other ones. Depending on your personal style, you can finish off your office look with a beautiful bag with a sleek leather finish (especially an Italian one).

4. A Shoulder Bag

Shoulder bags are probably the most versatile and common handbags right now, with literally endless varieties in style and pattern (from textured, faux leather, and branded, to printed and everything in between). Again, keep it simple and you will definitely turn heads at work. A golden rule is that if you wear a handbag with a simple outside, you can match it with more outfits than if you had one with a more detailed design. Most of the times, a simple leather bow or studded leather added to the front is all you need to make a loud statement! It is not uncommon to see leather bags with adorable hardware that fit with all styles. However, if you are carrying lots of stuff to the office (i.e. transporting work with you), it’s best to pick a larger sized bag or add a small briefcase.

For more tips, you can check out The Essential Types of Purses every Woman Should Own! Have issues trying to figure out which bag to choose according to your body type? We got you covered!