Note: Written as a ghostwriter for this U.K. based luxury bag retailer Lulu’s. I loved writing both articles so I posted just to show versatility. In general, I did multiple articles for one client and had to use British English verbage.
Choosing the right handbag takes careful consideration. The color palette of the season should be incorporated into your decision process. This season is Fall/Winter 2015. Fall tends to have lots of dark colors like charcoal, matte black, dark greys, and so on. For this season, offset the dark tones by selecting bags with beautiful pops of colors. Brilliant Red, Tangerine Orange, and Petrol Blue are high in demand for bags, clutches, and even coin purses. Of course, the staple bags that are trans-seasonal come in brown, tan, black, and white. Bags in those colors will always be highly sought after and easy to style. Now that the palette is taken into consideration, we can move on to the silhouettes. There are a variety of styles to choose from. Square clutches look better with long winter coats, and hobo bags coordinate better with petticoats. Colour, and quality is really the key to handbag shopping. A quality bag will last the test of time.
The availability of quality vintage bags can be limited during Fall. Buyers for major retailers tend to plan their budgets around the basics. The safe colours are what women gravitate towards in general. Black is and always will be a great place to start with selecting a bag. A womans bag collection should start with calm colours then grow into more vibrant colours. Silhouettes are important when dressing, but also when selecting what bags to purchase. Variety is the goal to aim for with bags. Get the basics; hobo bags, slouchy clutches, pill box strappy or ringlet shoulder purses just to start. There are new advents in purse designs at every level; every season brings something new. Don’t necessarily go with what is popular at the moment, go with a bag of high quality. Understand that a bag collection shouldn’t just be about style, but functionality too. No one wants a “one trick pony” wardrobe. Vintage and gently used bags tend to incorporate all the qualities stated. The older the purse, the more reliable, but that depends on the material. Leather will always be the best choice; it’s organic and versatile. Bags from classic brands like Louis Vuitton, Channel, and Gucci have a reputation to uphold. They will definitely produce items that consumers will invest in over and over again. Also over time, those bags tend to not depreciate in value since the style is hard to find. Used bags tend to be more budget-friendly and easy to revamp too.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the number of creative options and styling in bags, purses, and clutches available on the market. If a bag is unattainable right now, it definitely will be in the future. Take your time in selecting bags that elevate your current wardrobe and support to your specific lifestyle. Remember, new is great but gently used and vintage is even better. Although the classics are hard to find, there are still plenty of options in modern designs. Following the suggestions above will keep you fashion-forward for years to come.