Purse On Us

From subtle, feminine evening handbags to the chunkier, more versatile chloe handbags, we present our picks for the perfect handbag for every occasion. Handbags of all varieties can be found online to suit any everyday situation or special event. Here are the five most popular handbags for the month of August, selected by our readers. To find these handbags online, check out our links page or use your favorite search engine.

1. The chloe handbag: These handbags are funky, durable, and large enough to hold just about anything without resembling a saddle bag. The large variety of styles, colors, and accessories available are a big hit with our readers. Readers also mentioned the practicality of this type of bag, often making it useful for work or school. This bag isn’t merely decorative””it’s also practical and versatile! You may find the best prices for these handbags online.

2. evening handbag : This type of handbag is just a cute and delicate piece. These bags are basically made for taking to elegant parties, they are unable to hold anything more than your keys or lipstick but this lack of size and inability to hold much is compensated by their beautiful looks. A versatile hang, the hobo is roomy and relaxed, at place in just about any setting. Comfortable to wear, our readers were in love with how much they could hold. Though not quite a perfect fit for some of the more upscale events one might attend.

IV. Bowling: Although not truly for bowling balls, these cute bags are sort of made to look like an old time bowling bag. These trendy bags are great for most occasions. Also, people like them because of their medium size and the wide styles of colors they are made in.

Five. Messenger-Style: These types of bags were first introduced to the fashion world as men’s bags. Messenger bags have been adapted to feminine styles in recent years. Now instead of coming in two colors, they now come in a wide array of colors, styles and designs suitable for any type of event. These bags are also practical and suitable for work, school or social events.

In the 1930′s Chanel started her jewelry line with a selection of daytime wear chains, pearls and glass gemstone jewelry. The quilted jersey fabric purse with chain strap is a signature of the Chanel style. However, Mlle. Chanel also was a highly regarded designer of costume jewelry.

In the 1930′s Coco Chanel started her jewelry line with a selection of chains, pearls and glass gemstone jewelry that was meant to be worn with her daytime sportswear collection. Later, Chanel presented a design that is still in popular use in jewelry today – that of the Maltese cross. She incorporated this cross into her necklace, pin and bracelet designs.

The Maltese cross is differentiated from other cross designs in that the four arms of the cross are equal in length and they widen as they extend from the middle of the cross. The origin of this cross design was that shown on the back of the robes worn by the Knights Hospitallers – a religious and political order headquatered in Malta in the 11th century.

The original Chanel cross was designed by Verdura and was made of hand-poured glass. Mlle. Chanel’s later designs were inspired by early Persian and Egyptian jewelry. As an aside – Fulco di Verdura, designer of the Maltese Cross collection for Chanel, went on to open his own design house which is still thriving today. My next series of articles will discuss the interesting topic of costume jewelry – what it is – what sets it apart and hi-light various costume jewelry artists.

Style
You’re browsing, and you spot a bag that you’re absolutely in love with. Sitting on the rack (or calling to you from your computer screen), it’s the cutest thing you’ve ever seen! But unless you’re going to hang it on the wall of your apartment for your guests to admire, you’ll want to ask yourself this question: What is this bag going to look like on me? Remember that a bag is only one piece of the puzzle – it should ideally match an outfit or your wardrobe (not just color, but also style and attitude). So before buying, mentally cruise your closet and try to think of what you would wear while carrying that bag. Image is everything!!! When considering handbags/outfits, look at the image you are trying to project. Whether you’re going for cute, sexy, cool, chic, conservative, etc. think of how the bag will help you pull off the image. Remember, everyone is unique and some styles don’t work for everyone. Also, not all styles work for every occasion. Generally you will shop with specific kinds of activities or events in mind – and of course a formal night out is not going to be the same as a day of running errands. You might eventually want to develop a rotating repertoire of different styles for different occasions. Finally, consider your body shape and size. Handbags come in many different shapes and colors along with style, so make sure to pick one that is flattering for you. Take a look at a guide to matching body and handbag shape before picking (see Links at bottom of article).

Carrying Capacity
All right, so you’ve found a handbag that looks great on you. But it is a bag, after all, and you just might also want to put stuff in it. How much will you be able to fit in your potential bag? Also, what are you going to put in it? Along with the overall size of the bag, give some thought to things like compartments and accessibility.

Comfort
Another question: how easy will it be to carry? How big is the bag, and what kind of handle does it have? Depending on where you’re going and whether you have a place to put your bag, you might end up holding it for a while. You’re going to look great with your new handbag. You might as well be comfortable too!

Price
From the infrequent buyer to the shopaholic, we all eventually ask ourselves: How much should I spend? What is this bag worth to me? “Worth” is not just a matter of a dollar value, but also of what it does for you when you have it. Will you be happy that you spent the money and bought it? Is it worth giving up lunch for a week to own that cute bag? Is it worth giving up the extra week’s lunch for the matching shoes you now need? Whether you spend thousands of dollars on a Hermes Kelly Bag or $8 on a tote bag from Target, if it was worth it to you, then as Bob Barker says… the price is right.

In the end… Shopping for a bag should be fun. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? But if you take a little extra time to consider whether the style, carry capacity, comfort level, and price all suit you – you can end up being that much happier with your choice. And hey… Informed shopping can be that much more enjoyable anyway!