How to Find The Perfect Handbag

The perfect handbag not only effortlessly pulls together an outfit but will also function as your trusty personal secretary.  Chic women know picking the right handbag for the outfit, event, and personal style is extremely important.

Five factors you should consider when choosing the perfect handbag:  (1) Right Shape, (2) Personal Style, (3) Outfit, (4) Seasonality, (5) Handbag Material.

Find the Right Shape for the Right Outfit:

Handbag trends come and go but the basic shapes remain relatively unchanged.  The main handbag shapes are the satchel, tote, cross body handbag, hobo, and clutch.

• A Satchel handbag has double handles (usually shorter) and is either carried in your hand or over the shoulder.  Satchels work great with a more uptown look.  Think shift dresses, tweed trousers, dark blue jeans, a great blazer.

• A tote is a medium to large square bag with double handles. This carry-all originated in the 40s and is often referred to as a ‘shopper’.  Totes are so versatile because you can dress them up, dress them down.  Carry a canvas tote in the summer with a pretty sundress and you are beach ready or carry a leather tote to a business interview with a smart suit and you are now career savvy.

• Cross-Body Bags are meant to be worn across the body. They are typically smaller in size with a zip top or flap closure.  We are so happy that this trend is strong right now.  With these economic times, we need a handbag that does double and triple duty for us which is exactly what a cross body bag does.  Wear it as tote, fold it over as a clutch for night, sling it over your shoulder on your city commute.  The possibilities are endless.  Check out our uber chic and versatile The Sak Silverlake Leather Flap

• Hobo Handbags are slouchy, crescent-shaped bags that are usually worn over a shoulder or across the body.  Hobos are so effortlessly cool and chic.  The fantastic thing about them is that they never look overdone or fussy.  Throw on a simple white tee, a great pair of jeans and a fabulous hobo like our Rebecca Minkoff Darling Hobo.  You’ll be the envy of every woman as they try to figure out how you always manage to look pull together.

• A clutch is a small bag that is designed to be worn under the arm or carried in your hand.  Gone are the days when clutches were reserved for night only.  Oversized day clutches are just as fabulous and can be another hands free option.  A great tip I learned from a wise friend is to throw in a little clutch into your day bag, if you’ve got an impromptu work night event or a date, you’ll always be ready with the right evening clutch.

Know Your Personal Style:

Ladies, never fall prey to what everyone else is carrying; pick a handbag that really reflects your true personal style.  Picking a handbag that truly reflects you is always a wise investment choice because you’ll love wearing it and it will never be out of style.

Unsure of what your personal style is?  Check in with the following fun clues to start your personal handbag style discovery.

Are you a Euro Sophisticate?

• Find yourself loving elegant day dresses, tailored pieces, ladylike jackets, cashmere luxury?
• Love the style of icons like Nicole Kidman, Michelle Obama?
• If this fits you, look for structured lady like satchels or totes like our Michael Kors Astor Uptown satchel.  The iconic Birkin bag matches your personal style. Look to bags with this type of structure and clean elegant lines.
• Stick with versatile neutrals or rich saturated colors or like Red, Aubergine, Black, Cream, Cognac

Are you a Cali Casual Girl?

• Find yourself loving great comfortable pieces like a great pair of jeans, the perfect tee shirt, a flirty jersey dress and a great pair of slouchy western boots?
• Love the style of icons like Farah Fawcett, Kate Hudson?
• This look is all about easy breezy fashion.  Look for slouchy hobos like our Big Buddha Soho or our Derek Alexander Yukon.

Are you an Edgy Urbanite?

• Find yourself loving the rock and roll details like leather jackets, ankle boots?
• Love the style of icons like Rihanna, Kate Moss?
• If this is you, look for studs and grommets on your handbags.  Hardware is back in a big way for handbags, even a conservative outfit for work can be made a little bit more edgy with a handbag that has hardware. Check out our BCBGeneration double frame satchel or our B Makowsky Alexandria tote.

Are you a Romantic Eclectic?

• Find yourself loving flapper dresses, vintage inspired sweaters, and antique jewelry?
• Love the style of Maggie Gyllenhal or the adorable Audrey Tatou?
• This look is all about romance and putting together pieces in an unexpected, uncontrived way.  Look to our Offhand Designs Mia Clutch our Timmy Woods collection.  Look for feminine details like lace, brocade, velvet, fringe, unexpected patterns, etc.

Are you a Sexy Bombshell?

• Find yourself loving retailers like Bebe, Arden B?  Or designers like Roberto Cavalli?
• Love the style of icons like Beyonce or Jennifer Lopez?
• If this fits you, you have sexy confidence that should be reflected in your handbag.  This style is bold and vivacious.  Metallic handbags were made for you!  They are bold and command attention, perfect for the bombshell.  Check out our Guess Illusion Satchel.

Consider Materials:

Now that you know what is the perfect shape and style for you, picking the right material will ensure you wear it often and wear it well.

• Consider leather handbags for a classic timeless material.  Next time you go out shopping at the mall, carry a well-made leather handbag and watch the attention you get from the sales clerks.  A well made leather handbag can denote to others a sophisticated and discerning taste.
• Prefer to be animal friendly?  Fear not, cool animal friendly designers like Stella McCartney have re-invented man made fabrics to be just as stylish and covetable as any fur or exotic leather.  Because of this new movement, we are seeing plenty of stylish man made handbags.  At eBags, we pride ourselves on carrying the largest online selection of man made material handbags.  Look to great brands like Big Buddha and BCBGeneration.

• Suede always screams luxe.  Like leather you have to be careful to precondition your bag which is very easy with a suede protector from any shoe retailer.  Suede hobos are the quintessential cool girl handbag.

Finally, after you have considered the (1) Right Shape, (2) Personal Style, (3) Outfit (4) Seasonality, (5) Material, the perfect handbag you choose will always be right and always in style.  With our new filters at eBags, finding the perfect handbag could not be easier.  Bon voyage on your handbag discovery!