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Friday 25 November 2011

Types of Handbag

Tote - An open-top bag with straps or handles.
Hobo bag - A crescent-shaped shoulder bag.
Duffle - Tall shoulderbag, often with a wider opening on top.
Field bag - A flap-top shoulderbag with utility-type closure (buckles, snaps, etc).
Clutch - A small, handheld bag or a larger, geometric shape that is tucked under the arm.
Satchel - A large, handheld bag.
Baguette - Long and rounded shoulder bag resembling the namesake bread.
Messenger - A large, soft shoulder bag with long straps (often worn across the body).
Cigar Box - A small, boxy, hard bag.
Pouch - A soft, small bag.
Kelly bag - A classic Hermes style named after Grace Kelly; a large, structured handbag with distinctive hardware closures.

Saturday 29 January 2011

And what about choosing the right handbag


I have been thinking about what are the few notes to keep in mind while choosing a handbag.
I know a few whom choosing a handbag is a challenge. Surfing as usual I found an interesting article and thought I must share it with you. Read on to discover the right one to suit your style and fashion.

They are indispensable to woman. They come in all shapes, colours and sizes, yet do women really know how to choose the right handbag? Choosing the right handbag that complements you is both an art and a science.

Form over Fashion
The first question that most women struggle with is whether to choose a handbag that is large and practical, or to go in for something that is more fashionable than practical. The idea is to decide upon what is essential to carry in your handbag and the occasion for which you are carrying the handbag.

When going on a trip out of station, it is excusable to carry a large, roomy handbag. Even if you need a large bag, the trick is to choose a handbag that is aesthetic. With the numerous options available, affordable to all purses, there's no excuse for lugging around that worn and weathered handbag anymore. The simplest rule is to match a casual handbag with a casual outfit and a formal bag with a formal outfit. If you are the type of person who believes that one handbag suits all, then it is ideal that you choose a neutral handbag.

To match or not to match? That is the question
Whether a handbag should match the rest of the outfit has always plagued women. The reality is, handbags are not like shoes, they don't need to match the overall outfit. In fact, handbags can be used to give contrast and emphasis to the overall outfit. The image of a lady dressed in a red gown with a black clutch handbag is more striking, as compared to one of her with a matching red handbag. The person with the black handbag is likely to have more emphasis. Black is the ideal colour of a handbag to go with bright printed fabrics. Red on the other hand, goes well with a black or navy blue ensemble.




Size does Matter
Your height will determine the size of the handbag that is apt for you. While a tall lady can carry a handbag of any size, a person with a more petite frame should avoid bulky handbags. The ideal size of handbag for a tall woman would be medium-sized or large. She may look awkward holding a handheld bag. For a short woman, a small bag that is held close to the body is ideal.
The length of the strap also needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a handbag. Ideally the strap should dangle the bag just above the woman's hips. A large bag extending below the hips will cause a woman to tilt her posture to compensate, looking awkward.
A person with a fuller figure should use a structured, rectangular or square handbag to create a striking contrast. Ideally, the shape of the handbag should contrast the shape of your body—a tall thin person can pick round handbags, while short and plump people would be better off carrying a tall and elongated handbag.

The Form of Your Handbag
The form of the handbag also needs to be taken into consideration. Ideally, settle on a handbag that holds its form when not full. This usually depends on the cut of the handbag and the material that it is made of. Examine the buckles and fasteners of the handbag. Always ensure that clasps or fasteners are good. A half open, unclasped, or stuffed handbag gives an overall shabby impression. The overall form of the handbag that you choose will eventually reflect your personality. A person who is aesthetic will be attracted to a showy handbag with more frills than is practical. A person who prefers a simpler practical approach will avoid a handbag with tassels, decorative buckles, and numerous pockets, and will opt for a simple and, probably spacious, handbag.

A confident and refined woman who has an eye for detail would choose a handbag crafted out of luxury leathers. She would want to make an impression but not necessarily be showy. She would understand that to make a mark, sometimes, less is more. A woman with a flamboyant personality who wants to make heads turn would opt for fabrics such as lace with a lot of Indian classical beadwork and glitter. Such a woman would choose vibrant colours that bring out her youthful nature.

Finally, a woman who wants value for money would look for an all-round handbag. This would be a bag with good utilitarian value, with additional organiser pockets, key chains, and cell phone pockets, yet at the same time, having an aesthetic touch. Depending on your lifestyle you may want to choose a handbag that is lightweight. This is especially true if you will spend a lot of time travelling. Clutch handbag is an inconvenient option for people who travel a lot by public transport and should be thought through. Though a popular handbag these days, they are easy to lose and liable to be snatched away. For such an occasion, a clutch bag with a leather or chain strap is more apt. While travelling a person can sling it over her shoulders and otherwise tuck the strap into the bag itself.

I read this at
http://www.indiaparenting.com/fashion/309_1882/choosing-the-right-handbag.html

Friday 14 January 2011

Finding the right handbag

Saw this article on about.com and thought it might be interesting

You probably don't give handbags the same scrutiny you give a pair of jeans: if a handbag is cute or fits your lifestyle then it works. But did you know that a handbag can flatter your shape almost as much as the right pair of jeans?

Shapes

Tote - An open-top bag with straps or handles.
Hobo bag - A crescent-shaped shoulder bag.
Duffle - Tall shoulderbag, often with a wider opening on top.
Field bag - A flap-top shoulderbag with utility-type closure (buckles, snaps, etc).
Clutch - A small, handheld bag or a larger, geometric shape that is tucked under the arm.
Satchel - A large, handheld bag.
Baguette - Long and rounded shoulder bag resembling the namesake bread.
Messenger - A large, soft shoulder bag with long straps (often worn across the body).
Cigar Box - A small, boxy, hard bag.
Pouch - A soft, small bag.
Kelly bag - A classic Hermes style named after Grace Kelly; a large, structured handbag with distinctive hardware closures.

Scale
While the shape should oppose your body type for maximum flattery, the size of the bag should be in proportion to your figure.
Think scale here: a woman who is 6 feet tall and a size 14 would look lost with a teensy hand-held bag. A petite size 0 would look overwhelmed by an enormous slouchy bag.
A shoulder bag's length (where the bottom of the bag hits your body) will accentuate whatever part of the body it comes near. For example, a shoulder bag that ends around the hips will play up your hip width (the eye is drawn to the bag).

Most women look great with a bag that hits mid-torso because it flatters the waist. Try to choose a shape that is the opposite of your body type. If you are tall and thin, look for a slouchy, rounded hobo bag to compliment your figure. If you're short and voluptous, play off opposites by choosing a handbag that is tall and rectangular or long and sleek (like a clutch).

In general, the rounder your figure, the more structured your bag should be. That doesn't mean that you have to carry a hard box around to counterbalance your womanly shape: rectangular or square silhouettes in soft leathers or fabrics will do the trick.

Tips

  • Take time in a store to try on handbags in front of a mirror just like you would apparel.
  • Don't be tempted by trendy shapes that don't suit your figure: there are plenty of great alternatives that will work.
  • Think lifestyle when shopping for handbags: if you're toting diapers and graham crackers, an artsy vintage bag won't hold up.



More at-
http://fashion.about.com/cs/handbags/a/bagforbody.htm

Tuesday 12 January 2010

How To Find Designer Handbags Online


Knowing how and where to find designer handbags is essential to successful online buying. One of the first things you should do is your homework. Know what styles, price range and brands you’re interested in. Then, if possible, go and actually see the bag at a retail store. Try it on. How does it look on you? How will it fit into your wardrobe? Skipping this step could result in buyer’s remorse. Impulsively purchasing online without knowing exactly what you’re buying could be a mistake, especially when later you find a bag that better suits your needs.

Of course, that’s not always the case. Sometimes we’re out and about, perhaps browsing at our local shopping mall, and we see something we love and it totally blows us away! We pick it up. We marvel at its sexiness, its sophistication, and how it would look absolutely fab with our new cocktail dress. Imagine us stepping out of our Lexus in front of a trendy new restaurant in Manhattan’s Tribeca District, on a warm summer night, our amazing new find clutched in our beautifully manicured hand. Mmm… That’s when our eyes find the price tag! Oh oh. Is the desire greater than the price tag? Well ladies, sometimes we can have the cake AND eat it too! Imagine the feeling after spending $700 on that dream clutch, when you could’ve gotten the exact same, authentic designer handbag for 30% or 40% less.