Before you go out there trying to figure out which handbag to choose and what style would look great on you, here are just a few things to consider.
1. Do I need a purse for practical reasons or just as an accessory?
2. Is it practical enough for my lifestyle and activities I want to carry it to?
3. Does it accommodate all of my essentials satisfactory?
4. How often will I be using it?
5. Does it complement my other outfits as well?
However, the key-question you should seriously consider is:
“Does it suit my Lifestyle?”
When you are about to choose a fashion bag, it needs to match to your personal style. Otherwise, it will look like a foreign object on you, something borrowed, something not you. For example, if you love Sporty style, a simple satchel or messenger bag (even a canvas purse) are well-suited. If you are Classy, maybe you should have a leather Tote bag. Any medium-sized model in neutral is much preferred. Now, if you can have the design tailored, then better! Finally, our Bohemia style lovers can look fantastic in larger bags made of suede, real leather or any other original material. If you feel daring, you can have a vintagey and slouchy bag, as well to define your image!
That said, here are some tips that should help you pick the bag that will flatter your silhouette and make you feel like a star!
Shape and length matter greatly. As with any accessory or piece of clothing, wearing an evening bag that is not at the right shape and length will only add pounds to your body figure or take off some extra pounds in the opposite case. Generally speaking, if you want to add width and volume to your physique, a detailed, wide handbag is your bag. If you want to smoothen your lines and slim your body shape down a bit, just do the exact opposite.
Tip: A focal point should be where the bag falls. Does it draw attention to the body parts you don’t like or does it highlight your best features?
If you have:
1. WIDE UPPER BODY
Those that have a full upper body usually also have narrow hips, which is why selecting bags that add width to the hips and thighs, making them look wider look awesome on them. Choose one, such as a messenger bag, or a cross body bag, that finishes just below your hipbone level. To hit the jackpot, pick one with some details. This should add more fullness around the narrow lower body.
2. WIDE HIPS & THIGHS
Women with a fuller lower bottom, meaning thighs and hips, also fall under the so-called Hourglass or Pear body type category (although I am not a fan of putting tags on women’s bodies). If this is your case, then look for handbags that create an illusion that will make your upper body part look wider. So add volume there with a handbag that finishes around your midsection and upper bust to nail it! For example, you can have a narrow-bodied, long bag or a leather mid-riff length, shoulder bag.
3. STRAIGHT WAIST FIGURE
This is where I fit in and always try to add curves around my hips with oversized bags. However, if you are skinny, you will be better off without going to the extremes with the oversized handbags, to avoid achieving the exact opposite outcome and make your frame look even smaller. Not so flattering. So, look for handbags with clever details, such as studs, fringes, tassels, straps and so on. This year’s trends are wildly fantastic and creative! Think Hobo and slouch and anything unstructured and broad, such as hip-length crossbody bags, motorcycle bags, shiny and metallic materials, you name it.
4. CURVY FIGURE
Those wonderful curvaceous or plus-size women look fab in solid-colored, big bags (i.e. a big leather Tote bag) with vertical details that help turn heads up and down. Stay away from small bags, unless you want to give extra emphasis to your full-figure silhouette.
5. PETITE FRAME
Avoid gigantic bag sizes or you will look smaller and shorter. Go for a bag scaled to your body height and size. Now, if you are a Plus size, look for shapes and cool slimming details, but stay loyal to the medium-scaled bags. Handbags with long straps also help elongate your frame and create a lean line on it. The same applies to vertical shaped handbags and bags with details that run at a vertical line.
After all this reading, you should know what best suits you by now, so let’s put together a bag with an outfit, shall we? Here are some general tips as to how to mix and match with a handbag!
First and foremost, decide on the use of your handbag; what is you purpose with it? Do you want a bag for practical reasons, to make a loud statement, or accessorize your look? These are things you need to consider.
Want a rule of thumb? Keep our outfit balanced. In practice, this means that you should avoid mixing too many patterns. If you are carrying an evening purse that is, for example, flashy, it is best to keep the rest of it simple.
Now, depending on how you want to look, there are several things to be taken into consideration.
FOR A CLASSY & TRENDY LOOK:
Match your purse with your shoes and/or jewelry. It is a tested recipe that cannot go wrong. The point is to even out the overall color scheme and give a polished look that will work like a charm for any occasion.
TO CREATE A FASHION STATEMENT:
Anything eye-catching, from fully beaded and colorful to studded will look amazing with a solid colored and plain outfit. You just need to make sure the bag falls on the right places and not draw attention to all the body parts you feel a bit self-conscious about.
ACCESSORIZE A MULTI-COLORED TOP (OR DRESS):
Pick just of the many colors in the print and buy a bag with that color. Do you see reds in the print? Then pair it with a red purse, etc. Alternatively, you can go for a totally neutral bag. This should allow your print dress be the focal point of the overall outfit.
Want to know The Best Handbags to Wear to a Wedding and the Essential Types of Purses Every Woman Should Have? Read on!