Avant-Garde with Rachel: Guide to the perfect purse

When I think about a woman and her purse, I think of this scene in the Devil Wears Prada:

Nate: Why do women need so many bags?

Lilly: Shut up. Nate: You have one. You put all your junk in it, and that’s it. You’re done.

Doug: Fashion is not about utility. An accessory is merely a piece of iconography used to express individual identity.

Lilly: And it’s pretty!

Women have a lot of bags because it really is a piece of iconography. Women change their clothes everyday, and one bag should not go with every outfit that a woman has. Because you are carrying around all of your worldly possessions in this bag, the bag should not be boring!

When shopping for a bag there are a few things you need to think about:

1.  Look for Versatility. Black and brown bags go with most outfits, when looking for neutral bags, look at the different shapes and sizes to make the bag unique and different from the other black and brown bags you have in your closet.

2. Pop of color: If you are wearing a suit or even a t-shirt and jeans out to the bar, look for a small bag like a clutch in a fun color like a yellow, red, orange or green. Make sure it is big enough to go out with and to hold money, phone, make-up and emergency products.

3. Get a bigger bag: If you know you need to carry a lot of things in your bag, for example if you are going away for the day, use a bigger bag. If you are going out for the whole day and night, and you have more than one bag, use a bag like a carryon bag and put another bag inside of that bag; nothing looks worse than carrying two bags, not to mention, having two bags is a pick-pocket paradise.

4. Size is relevant: Tip #3 is for trips or full days away from your place, therefore this tip is for your everyday life like just going to work or the grocery store. When you go to places like work or the grocery store, you want to make sure you have a bag that is relative to your size. If you are smaller or have small features, you will want to have a bag that is medium to small in size. On the reverse, if you are tall or have larger features, go for a medium to large bag.

5. Buy a new one: A lot of women have their go-to bag, but when that one gets old, you need to recognize when it is time to get your next go-to bag.

6. Should put a handle on it: Structured bags with handles are very chic and feminine; so when you go to a dressy day event or to work, grab a nice structured bag.

7. Studs: Have a little black dress but you have a pair of colored shoes? Add some texture to your bag by added chrome studs to a small clutch or underarm bag, this will keep the only color in your outfit on your feet, but keep some interesting texture and detail on your bag.

8. Investments: Snakeskin, alligator, python, and other skin bags are a sign of “luxury”. They are definitely an investment. When you do invest in a bag, make sure you get something you will use for a good long time. Also look for designer brands. Yes, designer skin bags are very expensive, but if you are going to use it, than it is a good investment. Just make sure that it will go with a few outfits and you will actually use it!   

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