How a Touch of Vintage Leads to Bags of Style

Style Considerations



Gucci’s black polished crocodile handbag

How will you wear the bags? Over the shoulder, clutched in hand, slung over a wrist? Will you be happy carrying the bag all day, or do you prefer your hands free? These questions should be carefully considered before purchase.

If your wardrobe leans towards crisp lines, go for a geometric bag. If your look is softer, a scrunchier bag is more on target. If you’re a vintage queen, you have the widest range of all.

Petite women can get shoulder straps shortened (by a good shoe-repair shop) so that the bag hangs at a comfortable spot.

Beware of a bag with flimsy straps. It’s easy pickings for a purse-snatcher.

The quickest way to downgrade the look of a great bag is to overstuff it. Bag volume is always smaller than it looks.



Tod's Mummy bag - great pockets to stash stuff in

Rucksacks kill the lines of a good suit, but stylish ones are great at weekends.

Nothing downgrades a great look faster than a sensible totebag, which people do notice, even when it’s at the end of your arm. If you need to transport bulky papers to and from the office or school, get yourself a stylish carry-all.

New mothers: there’s no rule that says you have to carry one of those cartoonish nappy/toy/catch-all baby bags. A roomy nylon bag in a sleek shape is light and waterproof, and looks ten times smarter.

• Be aware that designer initials turn off as many people as they impress.
  

Great Names in Bags

If a given design house is famed for the beauty of its footware, odds are high it will make gorgeous bags as well.

Asprey, Balenciaga, Bill Amberg, Bulgari, Celine, Chloe, Delvaux, Furla, Jamin Puech, J & M Davidson, Hermes, Longchamps, Luella, Mulberry, Philip Treacy, Smythson of Bond Street, Tanner Krolle and many more.

See also How a Touch of Vintage Leads to Bags of Style - Quality Considerations.