The Complete Handbag Buyer's Guide

Handbags are a must-have item for every woman. It is a well known fact that the larger your handbag, the more things you find that you absolutely have to put into them. I refer to my previous What's in my Handbag post. But how do you go about choosing the right one?

Decide On The Style

The term ‘handbag’ is actually pretty broad. There are so many different types of bag that fall under this category. Some have more uses than other, some are small, some are wide, some have straps, some have no straps. Saying you want to buy a new handbag is just the beginning, you need to dive into things and decide what style of handbag you’re looking for.

When most people say they need a handbag, they’re usually talking about a bag they can carry with them throughout the day, every day. This really refers to three or four styles in particular; shopper bags, shoulder bags, tote bags, and maybe across the body bags too. These are all great styles if you’re after a bag to use for practical purposes as well as to compliment an outfit. Then, you have smaller varieties that are more aimed towards being a fashion accessory more than anything else. The bottom line is that you need to decide on the style before you start shopping.

Consider How Much You Want To Spend

Setting yourself a handbag budget is a must, as you can easily get carried away and buy something way out of your league just because it looks nice. The budget you choose should be representative of your financial situation, as well as how much usage you’ll get out of the handbag. If you’re buying an everyday handbag, then you can afford to spend a little more as you will get a lot of use out of it.

Also, don’t be fooled into thinking you have to pay top dollar for the best designer brands out there. We have places like Nordstrom Rack that sell designer bags by Marc Jacobs, Rebecca Minkoff, and so much more big brands. Plus, you can probably find Nordstrom Rack coupons to drop the price even further. There are loads of other outlet stores like this that sell expensive bags at much lower prices. Bear that in mind when you’re shopping for your new handbag.

Think About The Brand

Some people think that buying branded handbags is a huge waste of money. However, there is a lot of logic behind buying a more expensive, designer brand, compared to a non-brand that’s very cheap.

For one, designer brands tend to be more expensive as their quality is far greater than other bags out there. This means you can get a handbag that lasts you for years without showing any signs of natural wear and tear. With the cheaper non-brands, you might see issues within a year. So, think about the main designer handbag brands out there.

Although I have not achieved my desire for a designer bag yet, I do have a fund that I saving up in to buy one. Something that is classic, timeless and will hopefully last me many years.

* Collaborative piece

The New Fashion Trend: Athleisure

I have always been a dress girl.  A pretty dress and preferably a gorgeous pair of Mary Janes is my constant outfit with lots of variations on pattern on colour.  But there is someone new in my life that is making my change some of my choices.

This fella!

Simba loves to go out for a walk and is never happier when he is bounding around in grass.  I love to see him run across the field or dart through the trees chasing after birds that he sees in the trees.  Unfortunately, my current wardrobe is not really suitable and the only suitable shoes I have are heavy snow boots.

This is why I am turning to the current trend of Athleisure.  

It’s never been acceptable to just crawl out of bed, throw on our trackies and stroll into work. I can't even do that when I am mooching around on the weekend.  While the basics of this look are comfort classics, you’ll need to style it right to create a perfectly polished look. Here, are some of the basics of Athleisure to take your look from slob to sass.

Must-haves:

To really nail the sports-luxe look, you’ll require some of the following must-have items. Make sure you’ve got:

• Trainers are key — forget heels, throw them to the back of your wardrobe, they won’t be needed. This trend all about a great pair of trainers. Ash trainers are the perfect choice, with a selection of sports-inspired styles to help you effortlessly conquer this look.

• A bomber jacket — HUGE in 2016 and set to be even bigger this year, the loose-fitting, bulky shape of a bomber is a must for creating this look. For a feminine look, choose fresh pastel shades.

• Leggings or joggers — we’re not talking your old gym wear here — invest in a pair of branded leggings or jogging bottoms that are tapered and cuffed for a close fit.

• Sports tops — cropped tops and hoodies are perfect when paired with a pair of leggings or jogging bottoms and bomber jacket. If you’re not quite ready to show off your tum, opt for a loose-fitting sports jersey with mesh detailing.

That’s not to say they all need to be worn together. You can play around with them to create the perfect sports-luxe outfit – or work them into other outfits — for example, why not wear your trainers with a flirty, feminine day dress? The juxtaposition will cement your status as the ultimate fashionista!

Whilst this look is versatile, keep these golden rules in mind:

• Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise! — sportswear is generally quite plain, so make your outfit pop with jewellery — think 90s throwback gold hoops and choker and delicate gold necklaces.

• Wear a coat — one of the easiest ways to take your look from gym to street is to wear a coat. Whether it’s a loose-fitting, vintage-inspired denim or bomber jacket or a longer, open duster coat, they’ll add to your look on cooler days.

• Cover your bum — if the thought of wearing leggings fills you with dread, tie a checked or denim shirt around your waist. Acting as a super-cool, bottom-covering skirt, it will tie-in with your look without cramping your style.

• Keep your workout clothes separate — if you are going to the gym, keep your workout wear separate to your athleisure wear so not to cross-contaminate fashion with fitness.

*In collaboration with Daniel Footwear

Jewellery Styles for Every Occasion

Jewellery is the perfect accessory make a bold and unique statement. An exquisite collection of jewellery is the ultimate accomplice to any outfit to add some sparkle and shine. Some jewellery is for daily wear and some should be reserved for special occasions. Here is a guide to styling your jewellery for different occasions to get the best out of your outfit and turn heads.

Jewellery for weddings

The invitation for a wedding is the signal to flaunt your finest pieces from your jewellery collection. Pearl jewellery is the perfect accessory to wear to this special occasion. A beautiful but simple pearl necklace matched with cute pearl earrings will help elevate any wedding guest outfit to a whole new level.

There are many different types of pearls available but when it comes to special occasions like weddings, styles such as Akoya and Tahitian pearls are a perfect choice. You can follow CoCo Chanel’s lead and layer up strands of pearls for a real statement. If white doesn’t match your outfit, you can find naturally dyed pearls in many stunning colours.

Jewellery for casual wear

Beaded jewellery is the perfect accessory for casual wear to glam up a simple t-shirt and jeans combination. The beads can be made of plastic, shells or glass as well as various metals. A simple beaded matching set of necklace and earrings paired with a few gold bangles are perfect for daily wear and are also easy to maintain and clean.

Statement necklaces can be styled to almost any casual outfit to make a fashion statement. They are perfect for a shopping trip or lunch out. You can find them in most high street shops for reasonable prices with an expensive and elegant look.

Jewellery for a holiday

Boho style jewellery is the perfect fit for your holiday. It is lightweight so won’t weigh down your suitcase and the bohemian style of these accessories complement holiday outfits. Styles with feathers or animal designs in or flowers embedded look great and the loose and flowing style means it’s easy to wear in warm weather without feeling uncomfortable.

For evening dinner dates while you’re on vacation, a Boho shell choker with silver pendants compliments floaty maxi dresses or denim shorts and floaty tops. This beachy style will look amazing on your glowing skin from the sun. You can make your own seashell necklaces that have a Boho feel and are perfect to take away with you.

Jewellery for a job interview

The advice to those attending a job interview has always been ‘dress like you’ve already got the job you want’. Go for a designer watch and a pair of diamond stud earrings. This is not too ‘in your face’ but shows confidence, style and sophistication.

You want to use your jewellery for this occasion to show your unique style so go for accessories that say something about your personality. Coloured diamond earrings like pink or blue say approachable and sociable while gold or silver says maturity and class.

Jewellery for cocktail parties

These are the ultimate occasions to go OTT with your jewellery and get out your finest jewellery from your collection. To make your mark and look a million dollars Pair some pearl earrings with a stunning pearl necklace. Lace your wrists with dainty silver bracelets and be sure to add in 1-2 stunning rings on those fingers.

So, whatever the occasion, whatever outfit and however your feeling, use your jewellery collection to glam-up and add some sparkle. Using jewellery in an outfit is like using spice in a cooking dish, it should be used to compliment what’s already there and make you feel and look uniquely amazing.

* A Collaborative Piece