Buying a Designer Handbag - 2 Important Things to Consider

Nicola PedleyThe TANO handbags - colors and style that is contemporary and prices of yester years

There are many things to take into consideration when buying a designer handbag, but the two most important must be budget and heart-wrenching love. A strange combination, you might think, but buying a designer handbag must be both a head and heart decision.

Budget
There are thousands of desirable handbags on the market today (plus vintage handbags from specialist shops) and the prices differ wildly so it's important to set yourself a budget. DKNY Handbags usually come in at under GBP200 (US$400), but you'll be lucky if you can pick up a purse in Mulberry for that price. The price of bags rises steadily depending on the designer, bag material, desirability and the size of the bag, the ultimate possibly being the recently launched GBP1 million (US$2 million) platinum bag set with 2,000 diamonds (but if you can afford that you're probably not reading this guide!)

When thinking about a budget you have to consider any extras you'll be buying with the bag, namely a purse. The Mulberry Mabel costs GBP595 (US$1150) but if you want a purse to go with it at GBP250 (US$500) you're suddenly looking at a total spend of GBP845 (US$1650). If you're budget was only GBP600 then you've well and truly blown it (and you can't expect to have a cheap purse in an expensive bag.) So think carefully about how much you can afford and what you want. As well as the matching purse you might need a make-up case or even a beautiful Smythson notebook. It all adds up.

I would recommend a budget of GBP 1,000 (US$2,000), but before you decide do a bit of research into your favorite designers and how much their bags cost, and be prepared to adjust this budget accordingly. Doing the research now will save you frustration later when you realize your budget just won't get you what you want.

Heart-Wrenching Love
Before you even consider buying an expensive bag you have to love it. Don't buy a so-so bag just because it's in your budget - put your money in a savings account and keep adding to it until you can afford the bag you want. Believe me; it will be worth the wait.

The best thing to do when deciding which bag to buy is consider the bags side by side and for this you will need a big designer bag selling department store (this is the fun part.) Pick up the bags, feel them, look inside them. Line up the bags you want and see how they compare to each other. The Chloe is beautiful and you love the pocket on front but the Mulberry is elegant in it's simplicity. Which one really appeals to you?

How do you want to use the bag? Is it for everyday use or special occasions? Do you like a shoulder bag, tote bag or clutch bag? Should it be big or small? If you've got a favorite purse you intend to use put it in to see if it fits. Do the same with a book or your make-up bag, whatever you normally carry around (just take care not to mark the bag in any way?) Does the bag work for you, and how does it compare to other bags?

Now walk away to think about it.

If you find that none of the bags are calling to you just carry on looking - don't waste your money if it isn't the right bag.

If you love a bag but it’s out of your budget carry on saving. A well made designer bag will never go out of fashion. It might not be this season's it bag, but that doesn't matter if you love it.

You love it and it's in budget? Go and buy it and love it forever. Then start saving for the next one.

Nicola Pedley loves designer handbags and doesn't own enough of them. Her current favourite designer bag is the Prada Fairy Bag

Big is "in" this season

[ By : Fibre2fashion.com ]

BIG is ugly, big is bulky but this season big is “IN”. No more clutters in the small handbag and carrying of additional bag, one to store your entire make up muddle and other to show off that “in style”. This season we can roam around with a single “king” accessory and have best of both the world’s style and convenience. The latest trend in purse fashion is huge, chunky, and travel size handbags and purses; it would be dense not to have them included in your accessory wardrobe.

These bags pivotal feature apart from the bulk size is their added extras. These huge surprises come decorated with gems, metal accessories and embroidery giving a look of 1930’s. Braiding, grommets, colored leather and pleating are all part of the course on these bags, in which excess is premium. Golden chain straps giving metallic confidence are one more great detail added to them. These bags are available in variety of colors and can be the key accessory of your dressing style. The generous size of the bag with the style check makes it perfect for day-to-night transition. The “it” bag has become the decisive accessory for young twenty something girls partying every night on. Another attraction to using the big bag is the skinnier illusion it creates of the carrier adding much need excitement to any sort of unexciting outfit. These bags specially look good with huge glares adding more dramatic overall effect.

To get inspiration and do a style test let’s check out how celebrities welcome the big bag trend this season. Designer and trendy handbags are as good as precious Jewellery items and ultimate status symbol; it helps the fashion bigestas to show off their credentials with the trend, luxurious lifestyle and their earning status. From classics such as the Hermès Birkin and Fendi Spy, to Mulberry's and channel, celebrities have it all. Paris Hilton was spotted with white YSL Muses while Lindsay Lohan is all praise for her Channel handbag in gold making a classic statement. The channel handbags are value for money and never out of style.


The pop Diva Madonna has laid her hands on beautiful chocolate Prada handbag. Nicole Ritchie adores her love for Balenciaga Lariat bag by buying it in almost every color available; green, blue, pink, black and white. This can be termed as being loyal to your style. Kate Moss is a dedicated fashion follower and owns almost every style bag but this season she is being spotted being dedicated to her Mulberry’s Bayswater and is frequently seen with her black version. Louise Redknapp was recently spotted with Stella McCartney's Ladybird - the latest handbag in Stella's famously ethical range. Never one to miss a trend, the supermodel has been spotted with the latest “It” bag from Mulberry - the Emmy – making it the next hit this season.

These handbags range anywhere from $500 and there is no upper limit to the price tag of this style accessory. It differs from one brand to another. So do not forget to be “in” this season by accommodating the “it” bag in your style check.