| Introduction: Making it Work | | | | when it's a well-designed handbag. |
| Whether dressing it up or dressing it down, the best | | | | But for some reason, knowing how to shop for |
| way to change up an outfit is with accessories. One | | | | handbags seems to cause a little bit of trouble for |
| well-cosen scarf, pair of sunglasses, or necklace can | | | | women, who end up with closest full of great bags |
| completely transition an outfit and make it easy to go | | | | that just don't seem to go with anything. There are a |
| from day into night without any elaborate costume | | | | couple of ways to solve this problem. |
| changes. But even more important than that, for most | | | | Choose a handbag like choosing an important item of |
| women, including the rich and the famous, it's simply not | | | | clothing. Just like there are crucial key pieces that |
| possible to wear an outfit once and throw it out. Being | | | | everyone woman should own to wear: a little black |
| able to mix and match isn't just about changing it up | | | | dress, a crisp white button-up shirt, a classy cashmere |
| with clothing--it's also about knowing when to throw in | | | | cardigan, there are different styles of bags that should |
| a great accessory to completely shift or transform a | | | | be in every woman's closet as well. A dainty clutch fit |
| look. | | | | for a cocktail party is not the same as a bag to go to |
| And while women might often go right to jewelry or | | | | a job interview with, and a durable and classic satchel |
| shoes as the cornerstones of changing up a tired old | | | | will simply not make it if there's a more formal dinner |
| outfit, one of the best things to add to the mix is | | | | happening. |
| actually something it's likely difficult to leave home | | | | And just like with any other piece of clothing, don't |
| without: a handbag. | | | | impulse buy if it doesn't fit. Sometimes, a bag looks |
| Bags as Accessories | | | | great in the store, but paired with a person and that |
| Most fashion-forward women already know the | | | | person's style, it's just never going to work. It is possible |
| secret of having lots of handbags to choose | | | | for something that is "one size fits all" to not actually fit |
| from--that's why their closets are packed with them! | | | | all. Just like with hats, sunglasses, and jewelry, don't |
| But there's definitely a lot more to handbags than | | | | assume that the bag actually works just because it's |
| meets the eye. For instance, a casual looking outfit can | | | | not as obvious as an ill-fitting pair of jeans. |
| turn into something more just by picking up a slightly | | | | Some Pairing Tips |
| more elegant clutch purse. Want to look truly | | | | Just like a fine wine is made even better by the |
| downtown chic, but not quite there with the choice of | | | | perfect cheese to accompany its flavor, knowing |
| shoes and clothes? Getting a large, chic looking satchel | | | | some secrets about which handbags look particularly |
| will totally transform you into East Village bliss. Need to | | | | classy next to which outfits is half of the battle. Even |
| look like you power lunch with the best of them? A | | | | more important, if women can identify the most likely |
| simple dress paired with a stylish handbag has you set | | | | occasions they experience, it's that much simpler to |
| in most major cities around the world. | | | | make outfits that will last with the perfect bags, too. |
| Just like a single piece of art or furniture can really tie | | | | For example, women who head to many formal |
| an entire room together, knowing which bag to choose | | | | gatherings will naturally need more than a couple of |
| for an outfit can really make things perfect. It's such an | | | | bags that can work the nightlife scene. Likewise, if a |
| important part of dressing for success to have a | | | | woman is a jet-setting bohemian, it's going to make |
| number of handbags to choose from, but something | | | | more sense to focus on a bag large enough to hold all |
| that so many women don't learn how to do until much | | | | personal effects but not ugly enough to drag down a |
| later. Just think about bags like shoes: would you only | | | | great outfit. |
| wear one pair of shoes for an entire year, regardless | | | | Identifying the most frequent occasions in one's life |
| of the occasion? The answer is likely no, so if that's | | | | makes figuring out handbag distribution that much |
| the attitude happening with bags, honey, it is time for a | | | | easier. Lots of dinners, cocktail parties, and galas? |
| change. | | | | Then go with more than one smart black clutch. |
| Choosing Wisely | | | | Perhaps one that's more low-key, and one that's more |
| While knock-offs are easy to spot and regrettable to | | | | outgoing, to alternate as one sees fit. For women who |
| buy, the biggest mistake that women make is thinking | | | | spend more time going from fast-paced work |
| to only look at the big names. Most up-and-coming | | | | environments to occasional dinners and meetings, a |
| designers, including student designers, are making bags | | | | classier, equestrian-themed bag is often the best ticket, |
| that are just as chic and hot. Especially in larger cities | | | | sometimes with a little bit of fringe, other times with |
| with fashion schools, and abroad in countries where | | | | buckles to dress it up. |
| skillfully working with leather isn't a dead art, finding a | | | | Putting It All Together |
| great handbag is easy. | | | | Once women figure out which occasions call for which |
| After hitting the boutiques and hitting the fashion | | | | sorts of bags, shopping for more handbags is a lot |
| schools, it's also great to check out some of the more | | | | easier, and closet space is more likely to be occupied |
| reputable vintage stores. Even if you don't shop | | | | with items that actually see the light of day, rather than |
| vintage, it's great to do some browsing, see what's | | | | seasonal impulse buys. Making smart, fashionable |
| really being pushed as a hot style, and then head to a | | | | purchases is actually the best way to stretch one's |
| trusted department store or medium-level designer and | | | | budget for clothing and accessories |
| see if the influence is easy to spot. Find a nice and | | | | And that's what successful fashion truly is: looking |
| unassuming new bag with some characteristics of a | | | | great, feeling great, and bringing it all together. Because |
| hot piece of vintage design, and it is possible to stretch | | | | it's easy to buy fashion, but it's much more difficult to |
| looks for a whole lot longer. Sometimes, buying new is | | | | buy style. |
| even less expensive than buying vintage, especially | | | | |
