The world of fine handbags probably begins in Italy which is known for its incredibly high quality leather for shoes, purses and gloves and famous designers. You will never beat the French for their design and artistic sense. If you invest in a purse from a designer such as Chanel it will still be relevant and beautiful many years later. If you are a teen you are likely to go for the latest trends. If you are an older woman you likely will choose purses that fit your personality.
Did you know about vintage purses? This genre is defined by a bag that usually features a style decidedly different from what is "in". Vintage can date back as early as the 1980's and as far back as the 1880's. A super online store, Blair, has purses with a vintage look! Read on for an education about the current state of the modern woman's purse!
Getting A Handle On It All
As a shopper I look for the functionality a purse can dish up as much as its outer beauty. First, because it’s foremost in my mind, is an interior of adequate size. My version of adequate; it holds all the following contents: wallet, comb and brush, makeup, lotion, sunglasses, cell phone and address book, checkbook, MP3 player, keys and a rolled up magazine. No, I for one don’t care if it holds a chihuahua or a teacup poodle or whatever the latest trend in take-along pets is!
So much for the inside. Now we get to the outside–how it looks on you. Buy a variety of styles of handbags as well as a few different colors. The style should match your level of dressing up vs. dressing down (going casual or bumming it). The color range is important to match or complement whatever coat, jacket or shoes you are wearing on a particular day. The more you dress up the more closely your bag should match your outfit and shoes. There's a store that carries the most creative designs in purses I've ever seen. So swing by LittleEarth!
Purse Pains
Okay, now let's get this over with....the expensive and the ugly. This fall some handbag designers decided that more was better. Not! In the $2,000 to $3,000 range is a Prada leather handbag with 3 1/2 lbs. of hardware featuring 3 rows of zippers. Gucci
has a rabbit hair bag with studded metallic fringe. Does it shed hair? Does it shed fringe? Rumor has it Versace made a huge handbag with lots of metal and a very tiny handle. Jimmy Choo has a pony hair bag with a non-functioning strap across the top. Say "no more" to "more is better"!
Health Advisory
Extra stress can result in the shoulder area by wearing a purse too heavy. The wearer unconsciously lifts the shoulder to keep the purse from slipping. The good news is that experts in anatomy and chiropractic say to switch sides when carrrying a heavy bag. That way you'll give each shoulder a workout. The threshold for serious damage is 50 lbs. Make an effort to square your shoulders as you carry a purse. You will minimize your risk for always standing with one shoulder higher than the other. Consider weekly chair massages to ease muscle aches. Lighten your load by clearing out unneeded items so that the bag doesn't weigh more than 10% of your body weight.
Anatomy Of A Purse
Technical specs here ladies....
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Bottom Feet - 4 knobs attached to the bottom of a stiff-sided handbag that it stands on. They protect the contents--all those credit cards--from getting wet from water on the ground soaking through. Plus, they help keep the bag from undue wear and soiling along the bottom surface and edges.
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Bracelet Handle - This handle is like the circular shape of a giant bracelet.
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Brocade - Within the weave of the fabric designs or patterns are raised.
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Buckle - This makes a shoulder strap adjustable in length.
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Canvas - Durable fabric used that is often chemically treated to make it repel moisture and resist stains.
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Clasp - Shoulder straps sometimes have these so that they can be removed from the bag.
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Closure - A general term meaning a clasp, latch or snap or a method such as a drawstring used to open and close parts of the bag.
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East/West - Term that refers to a bag that is longer than it is tall.
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Embossed Leather - When leather is imprinted to simulate an exotic skin such as snakeskin.
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Fabrics - The basic building blocks of many purses that usually will be bengaline, burlap, canvas, crepe, denim, duck, cotton twill, faille, knit, linen, tapestry, moire, needlepoint, petit point, satin or silk brocade.
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Frame - A strong, inflexible structure that was first popular in the 50's.
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Gusset - The triangular end piece of a handbag to give depth and roominess to the shape.
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Handtag - A metal or leather tag with the designer's name on it.
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Nameplate - This metal plate is usually fastened to the interior with the designer name or logo.
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North/South - Term that refers to a bag that is taller than it is wide.
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Open Pocket - A pocket that has no closure at its top.
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Piping - Decorative trim along exterior edges that also helps keep the exterior shape.
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Pouch - Refers to handbags with a framed closure.
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Pulltie - Aka. drawstring.
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PVC - Manmade vinyl material.
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Rhinestones -Imitation gem stones made of glass, quartz or paste.
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Serial Number - A unique identifying number assigned by the bag's designer that proves authenticity.
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Shoulder Guard - The flat piece on a shoulder strap that distributes the weight of the bag.
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Tassel - A decorative or useful attachment that can be used as a zip pull.
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Top Handle - The type of handle designed to only be carried in your hands--won't fit over your shoulder. Often paired with frame bags.
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Zipper Pull - Much like what you have on your jackets, but many are a signature to a particular designer.
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Zipper Top - A handbag or a part of the bag like the compartment or side pocket that zips close at the top.
Buy Online ... 1 Size Fits All
Browse to your heart's content!
 | Bags Direct UK
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 | BagsBuy.com
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 | ESPRIT
Esprit.com is an international youthful lifestyle brand offering smart, affordable luxury, and bringing newness and style to life. Esprit.com offers 11 product lines encompassing women’s wear, men’s wear, kid’s wear as well as shoes and accessories through over 630 directly managed retail stores and over 9,700 wholesale point-of-sales worldwide. Shop at Esprit.com for colorful, vibrant clothing for colorful, vibrant lifestyles!
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 | Milan Clothing
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 | Oscar de la Renta
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 | Wet Seal
Wet Seal, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of fashionable, contemporary apparel and accessory items. Wet Seal offers young women’s clothing and fashion that is trendy, sexy, and fun. Wet Seal provides the hottest selection of dresses, tops, bottoms, shoes, intimates, accessories and more. For the latest styles and the hottest fashions, visit wetseal.com today!
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