Its in the bag

A woman’s biggest, and probably her most expensive accessory is her handbag. This is especially true if she purchases a designer bag.

We have put together a checklist of four important areas to assist you in making your choice.

They are: functionality, durability, security, and desirability.

Functionality: Is the bag comfortable to carry? Does it have a shoulder strap? Is the strap the right length? Is the bag big enough to contain everything you want to put in it? How heavy will it be when you put everything in it? Is it organized? Does it have compartments for your belongings? Is each compartment easily accessible? Is the bag the right size, the right material? Does the shoulder strap fit over your winter coat? If it’s a handbag with a handle, is it comfortable to carry? Is it low maintenance? How much maintenance will the bag require?

Consider how much you intend to carry in the bag. Will the weight put undue strain on your shoulder and back? If so, perhaps you should consider a saddle or messenger style bag with a cross-body shoulder strap. If you are like so many people today who carry ipods, laptops, blackberrys, flash keys and more, then a cross-body strap would help disperse the weight. If it is not a workhorse bag, then these considerations do not apply.

Durability: How strong is the strap or handles? Is the bag beautifully crafted? Does it have lots of attention to detail? Is it made of a durable, quality material? How easy is it to maintain?

If you are going to carry many things in your bag, then you need sturdy straps or handles. Look at the stitching. If it is angled, then the handles will be stronger. Cotton stitching is used on better bags because cotton expands to fill the needle holes. Most manufacturers today are aware that people carry more in their bags than they used to, so they are paying particular attention to the strength of the straps.

Security: Security is a practical matter. You don’t want pick pockets lurking about.

The best way to protect yourself is to make sure your bag has a zippered closing, and/or a sturdy clasp, and that the pockets are securely fixed to the bag and are securely closed.

Desirability: Choose a bag that you truly love. There’s no point in buying a bag you don’t really like, just because it is in fashion. If not absolutely sure about a bag, go for a classic with a new twist. Go for something that is not inclined to be outdated in a year. This is not a cop out. It’s practical and smart. There are many great looking bags that are even fashionably “edgy”, but they have a classic quality that will allow you to carry the bag for many years. And you will look great!

Choose a scale and shape that is complimentary to your body type. When choosing a shoulder bag, if you have midriff chub, then the bag should hit below the part of your body that you don’t want to highlight. If you are tall and lanky, then an oversized hobo or clutch would be great.

Hot Tip: If your beautiful leather bag gets wet, please do not put it on the radiator to dry. Just stuff it with some tissue paper, enough to puff out the shape, and let it air dry naturally.