Bags, bags, bags. I love them. My wardrobe is brimming with them & I probably change mine nearly as often as I change my underwear! For me, they are the perfect accessory. You can dress up the plainest outfit in the world if you’ve got a bit of candy on your arm.

When you’re bag shopping, keep these things in mind:

Durability
How long are you seriously going to be using this bag for? If you’ve fallen in love with a bag that’s on-trend now, but you won’t be using it in 6 months time, it’s okay if you buy something that’s on the cheaper side (as long as you’re not going to be using it to lug around a ton of books!) However, if this is going to become a staple item for your wardrobe, look out for quality leathers (take a sniff! The stronger the smell, the better the leather) & suedes (or equivalent man-made materials for all the veggies & vegans) silk-linings, double stitching & clasps/zips that work well. Fraying seams & poor linings are a no-no!

Price
If this bag is an investment piece, you’ve got to be willing to part with a fair bit of money, if you want it to last. No one’s saying you’ve got to spend hundreds on a beautiful Balenciaga or magnificient Miu Miu, but up your budget to around £100-£150 & see what you can bag. Look out for seasonal sales & check out discount stores like TK Maxx or Century 21. I got hold of a lovely Betsey Johnson Rock & Rosettes bag in New York this April for around £50. Bargain! On the other hand if this bag is a bit of a one-hit wonder that’s going to live at the back of your wardrobe come the end of the season, there’s not much point in spending over £20, particularly if it’s not made to last. Go to Primark instead & donate it to charity or a friend when you’re done with it.

Design
You won’t find a single plain bag in my wardrobe! Handbags are the place you can go OTT with everything, if you don’t have the guts to do it with the rest of your wardrobe- think clashing colours, patterns & animal prints, glitter, sequins, studs & gems. Be bold, bright & tacky. Be brave!

These luscious bags are on my wishlist right now:

I can’t help but love Paul’s Boutique & Betsey Johnsons quirky style.

What’s on your handbag wishlist?

Related Posts

1. Betsey Johnson
2. Eight Perfect Date Outfits
3. The Big New York List
4. What’s In My Bag – Video!
5. Wishlist

	Filed under: Articles, Inspiration, Shopping, Style and Beauty On: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Love: 2 Comments »