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Bag Your Style
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| Bag Your Style |
| By Hanadi Merchant |
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| Just like choosing a perfectly tailored suit for the office, picking the right handbag for work wear is equally important. Handbags are the perfect way to accessories, add a little bit of colour (not too much) and make a great statement at work. |
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It is important to do some research before investing in a handbag such as choosing the right colour, the fit, style and the material. Invest in a good quality leather or canvas bags to withstand daily wear and tear. Steer clear from bags that are too bright in colour all over, and look for neutral coloured purses with a hint of bright colour here and there, or even light mustards, blues and subtle reds can do the trick. It is not necessary to only buy a designer bag. Many of the high-street brands also stock similarly designed bags in great quality materials and have a large variety for you to choose from. We especially love Zara, Aldo, Charles & Keith and Nine West for their versatility. There are a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from depending on your needs; something structured, roomy or simply soft. As for the style, we present you a universal guide.
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HOBOS
Hobos have been one of the most popular styles of purses for decades. The hobo is a crescent shaped slouchy purse that is round from the bottom and may or may not have a zipper. Usually worn on the shoulder, it’s available in different sizes and is very functional. This style is extremely roomy, very convenient to carry around and depending on the size can fit all your essentials and even your iPad and laptop! The best part is that it’s a classic design and every designer from Louis Vuitton to Gucci and even the high-street brands like Zara and Nine West make stylish hobo bags every season. You can’t go wrong with this one.
TOTE BAGS
Tote bags, also known as carry bags or shoppers, are another very practical yet stylish category of bags. They are usually rectangular or square shaped with long handles or even short ones (known has top handles) and can sometimes have shoulder straps. They are large enough to fit all your essentials and have numerous compartments for smaller accessories like phones, keys, et cetera. Avoid tophandle totes for work unless they have an optional shoulder strap, else you will be carrying a large and heavy bag at the nook of your arm, which gets tedious. There are some totes that are soft and some that are structured giving you more variety to choose from as per your needs.
SATCHELS
Satchels are more masculine bags; nevertheless they have been very much in mode for women as well for the past few decades. Typically worn across the body (similar to the messenger bag), they have a rectangular shape and resemble briefcases in a softer version. However, modern-day satchels also feature a top handle along with a cross-body strap; whichever suits your comfort. If your work requires carrying around a lot of portfolios and documents, then this is the right bag for you.
MESSENGER BAGS
These bags are similar to the satchels (only larger) and are perfect if you like to be hands free. They usually contain numerous compartments so you are not left rummaging through your bag looking for your keys or phone. This bag is the perfect example of comfortable fashion! And again, like the satchel, they feature a top handle along with a shoulder strap. Shoulder bags, on the other hand, are perfect if you do not carry a laptop or paperwork. However, unless they are delicate and feminine, these purses are usually informal and not the best for work.
BAGS & BODY TYPE
Yes ladies, the frame of your body is also crucial when buying a new purse! For women with an inverted triangle body (prominent shoulders and bust, with waist and hips smaller than the shoulders) bags that finish around the bust area should be avoided. Choose bags that have a longer strap and end at your waist so that they attract attention to the smallest part of your body. Hobos, messengers and satchels are your top picks. Women with a curvy lower body (wide waist and big hips), must choose a bag that finishes between your upper bust and midsection in order to avoid drawing attention to the fuller waist and hips. Opt for totes or hobos that aren’t too long in length (shouldn’t reach your waist or hips). For the rectangular body (waist, shoulder, hips are all the same), choose slouchy handbags that add curves to the body like hobos and satchels that end at the waist. For a full-figured or plus-sized frame, stay away from small bags as they will only make you look bigger. Instead choose a medium-sized or large tote or a hobo.
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