Choosing the right handbag can be a daunting task when there are so many options out there. All the different designs, styles, colors and fabrics can be dizzying. Knowing which handbag to choose can be easier if you take into account the following eight tips.

1. Do not forget that while you want to remain a fashion diva, your handbags is ultimately something that needs to be useful for your lifestyle. If you try you will easily find the perfect handbags that are a great lend of practicality and style.
2. Clutch bags were first designed for formal occasions but are not being found everywhere. They are designed to only carry the basic essentials but you can get more miles if you find one that is more in the shape of a make-up bag than a the stand flat clutch. This will give you more room that fasten it securely and make your clutch suitable for a quick trip to the store or a night on the town.
3. The handbag you purchase for your everyday use should be chosen wisely. Smalls bags are simply not going to work if you carry many items with you on a daily basis. Medium to large size bags will probably work better for you. Just remember to not make them too big because this can lead to back strain if you manage to fill it up.
4. If you are a busy mom or college student that carries their life around with them on a daily basis, be sure to get a larger bag with plenty of pockets. Whether they are inside or out, the will be a necessity for keep all your item organized and within easy reach as you dash from one place to another.
5. Even if you do carry a great deal of items around you can still carry the larder handbags that are in style right now but a smaller handbag may make finding your desired item much simpler and faster.
6. Pay attention to how the size of your hand bags compares to your body size. While their shape should be the opposite of yours, the size should be comparable. Larger women should carry large structured bags while smaller women look better with smaller softer handbags.
7. Your handbag should coordinate with your outfits but does not need to match exactly. A large formal, black leather handbag is not going to go well with a soft, floral summer dress. While the materials do not need to match, they should be in the same category.
8. Never forget that you get what you pay for and handbags are no exception.  While a cheap handbag will seem like a great deal, they are not going to last as long. Investing in top quality bags will allow you to purchase them less frequently and save money in the long run. Of course if you are the type who quickly loses interest in a new handbag and/or likes to change them out often, you may be able to get away with purchasing many cheaper bags since they will not get as much individual use.

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While women do not give their handbags the same thorough investigation as they do their favorite jeans, they should. Most women just find a handbag they feel is the most visibly appealing and works for their needs. They never think of how the handbag is affecting the look of their waistline. In reality the right handbag can be just as flattering to your figure as the perfect pair of jeans. Not only can the right handbag make you appear slimmer but they can update your style in just moments.

The first step is picking the right shape of handbag. You should choose a handbag that is opposite to your body shape. If you are tall and skinny, you will look best with a large round hobo bad. If you are short and round your best bet will be a handbag that is rectangular and tall or sleek and long such as a clutch. Generally you want to go by the rule that the rounder your figure the more structured your handbag will need to be. This does not mean that you’re going to be strapped down with a hard box of a handbag until you magically become a supermodel; there are plenty of gorgeous options of square and rectangular handbags that are made of soft fabrics and plush leather that will work wonders.

Some of the most popular shapes are:

Tote: handheld with an open top that has handles or straps

Hobo bag: large shoulder bag that is crescent shaped

Duffle: shoulder bag that is tall and has a wide opening

Clutch: handheld bag that is small or a larger bag that is held under the arm

Satchel: a larger handheld bag

Baguette: Long shoulder bag that is rounded and resembles its namesake

Messenger: Large soft rectangular bag worn across the body

Cigar Box: Hard handbag shaped like a box

Pouch: Small, soft handbag or shoulder bag

Kelly bag: Large handbag with lots of structure and unique hardware. It is a Hermes style handbag named after the actress Grace Kelly.

While picking the opposite shape of your body is important so is the size of your handbag. The size of your handbag should be in proportion to your body. For example a woman who is six feet tall and a size fourteen will look ridiculous with a tiny hand held bag. While a woman who is five feet and a size zero will be swallowed up by an enormous handbag.

The length of a shoulder bag, where the bottom of the bag connects with your body, will bring attention to the area it strikes. This means if a woman’s hand bag rest on her hips, eyes will be drawn to the area and makes her hips appear wider. A bag that comes to about mid waist usually looks great on any body shape.

Some tips you can take on your next handbag shopping trip are:

Be sure to “try on” your hand bag in a mirror like you would try any other article of clothing.

Don’t just go with the latest fashion trend as they may not be the best for your figure.

Do not forget about your lifestyle needs. If you are a busy mom or bustling college student who needs to carry their life with them everywhere, a trendy vintage bag will not work for everyday use. Better to save these for those special nights out.

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Handbags first appeared in writing during the 14^th century but they have been around in one form or another since the beginning of time. The hieroglyphics done by the Egyptians show them with pouches attached to them. During the Medieval, pictures reveal both men and women wearing what looked like a large belt with a bag attached that hangs down.  During the 16^th century handbags were developed for more practical reasons. They were made of a durable fabric or leather with a draw string closure. People would wear large fabric bags across their bodies like satchels while they traveled.

In the 17th century women would use purse to embroider on and prove their skills to potential suiters to show that they would make a suitable wife. During this time both women and men would carry small handbags. With the massive Elizabethan clothing, woman of great prestige would ware bags under their large skirts and men would carry pouches made of leather in their breeches. Since personal hygiene products were not available and bathing was not done daily, many of the upper class would carry thin fabric bags that help good smelling flowers or herbs. They would use the bags to put up to their noses when going into the city and the smell was too much for them.

In the 18^th century the skirts and layers of under garments were replaced with more narrow skirts. This allowed the purse to come back into the public view. Also make up had become accessible to the masses with most women insisting on carrying their powder, lipsticks and a fan at all times. They also needed a handbag to hold visiting cards, cards that they would give potential suiters their contact information. Their handbags were usually designed to exactly match their outfits. In the 19^th century is when they actually started being called handbags but was not what we think of today when we hear the word. Then is was a small piece of luggage carried by men when they traveled.

When women desired something like it, purse designers recognized the need and began to make them for them. Women wanted them due to their many compartments for organizing and their locks or intricate fasteners. This lead to smaller handbags for women to emerge on the market that were designed to carry just their daily essentials. Matching the handbag with their outfits went out of style in the 1920s and instead women would carry a handbag that may compliment their outfit but not match exactly. The clutch became very popular because it could be easily carried under the arm and they were made with beautiful designs. This is when handbags began their switch from just a necessity to a real fashion statement.

In the 1930s manufactures began to make the classic handbag with a claps frame and handles, as well as the satchel purse and shoulder bag. They made them from many materials, such as plastic, not just leather. They had abstract patterns and colors that went along with the Art Deco Style. Handbags in the 1940s were made larger and had a practical, military style to them. Designer handbags got their star during the 1950s with Vuitton and Chanel. Today handbags come in a variety of style and colors. They are made from every material imaginable and in all sizes. They range drastically in prices and the possibilities are endless. They have certainly come a long way since they got their ancient start.

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Nothing is better than having a collection of handbags available to coordinate with all the outfits you have in your closet. If money was no object, most women would have a handbag to match every outfit they have. But, money is certainly a concern for most people especially in today’s economic times.

But just because money may be tight does not mean that you have to sacrifice style. With a few tips you can have affordable handbags to match every outfit. You don’t have to stop buying them all together, simply shop smarter and you can find that you will have plenty of handbags to match your entire wardrobe without breaking the bank or going into debt.

When considering a new handbag, look at your wardrobe and determine the color scheme you most often wear. For example, if you typically wear conservative, dark colors, choose a handbag that will work well with those.

Instead of buying dozens of handbags in different colors, choose neutral shades that will work with the majority of your wardrobe. Perhaps buy a brown and black handbag as well as one more brightly colored purse. This way you don’t spend a lot of money but maximize the handbags you have for the most outfits.

Another thing to consider is the style of clothing you wear. If you are like most women you probably have a variety of different styles of clothing. You probably have some professional outfits, some casual clothes and a few snazzy outfits for club wear or going out on the town.

Choose handbag styles that will work well for each occasion. Choose a typically casual style of handbag like the hobo bag or tote. You may also want to get a more formal purse such as a clutch for evenings out. Both a shoulder bag and satchel are good all purpose styles that work well for any occasion.

Classic styles and colors are also a good investment when it comes to handbags. While everyone likes to be trendy and get the occasional handbag that is in style this season, odds are either the color or shape will not be as in style a year from now. But, if you stick with the classic types of handbags you will have a great investment that will last for many years. They are classic because they never go out of style. You can wear them with the trendiest of clothes and the most conservative so are definitely a good investment.

Finally, you should always look for quality in a handbag. While it may seem tempting to go with the cheapest purse, if it will not hold up to a bit of wear and tear, it will not be worth the money you spent on it. Instead, consider spending a little more money for a well made handbag that will last several years with proper care. This way you can get the most out of your money and maximize its use. Affordable handbags to match every outfit in your wardrobe are not difficult to find as long as you know how to shop and what to buy.

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They often look cheap 
A genuine designer handbag exudes luxury and exclusivity. The fabric is of high quality and every little detail has been carefully thought through creating a well-made bag which is worthy of its (often) hefty price tag. Too many people buy into the ‘brand’ without worrying about quality. Fake designer handbags lack the quality that genuine designer bags boast, which can result in a cheap-looking imitation. Cheap replica handbags look cheap! It also defeats the point of promoting a label if you’re not prepared to purchase the genuine article.

Unless stated as a ‘fake’, replica handbags are illegal 
If sellers declare the bags as ‘fake’ then it is legal to sell imitation handbags as they don’t infringe on the designer’s copyright. If they’re not clearly labelled as fake then it’s illegal to sell counterfeit designer handbags.

You’ll be supporting organised crime 
If you buy a fake designer handbag then you’re not just simply buying a cheap handbag, you’re supporting a highly organised crime. Many of the bags are produced in Asian countries such as China and are often made by young children who work in poor conditions. Taxpayers are the people who end up with the bill from this illegal enterprise – don’t add to our taxes!

Who wants substance over style? 
Ok, so you like Chanel and Luis Vuitton. Everyone has there favourite designer and there’s nothing wrong with wanting a beautiful designer bag but when it comes to buying a fake designer handbag you’re faking so much more than your bag. Don’t forgo the quality for a cheap alternative, either buy a second-hand designer bag or buy a bag inspired by a designer classic.

You could buy a handbag inspired by a designer classic for a fraction of the price. 
Why waste money on a cheap fake designer handbag? There’s something tacky about a handbag which has been made with inexpensive materials that has been designed to ‘look’ expensive you’re not fooling anyone! Even the relatively expensive fake designer handbags don’t look 100% like the real thing. If you like a particular design then instead of buying a fake branded handbag why not choose one of the many styles that have been inspired by designer classics? For example if you like the new Gucci hobo then opt for a good quality unbranded leather hobo. There’s a lot available in the market, if you really want you can easily avoid a “fake” one and still remain stylish.

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