buying handbags tips

Purchasing a handbag is an important decision. You need to know what you will be using your bag for. Will it be a simple work handbag, or something you just throw everything into? Will you be using it for nights out? You need to know how large of a bag you need, from a very small clutch to a huge Mary Poppins-style bag. Are you looked for a showy beaded bag or something with a designer logo? You also need to know your budget, whether you’re buying a cheap bag for a single event or a special purse to last for years.
Handbags
Leather vs. Fabric
Depending on what you are looking for, and what you like, there are many different materials a handbag might be made of, but most are some sort of faux leather or fabric. Which of these is better? Well, this depends on your needs. If you need something you can easily clean, a faux leather might work for you. Typically, most little stains can come right off with a damp rag and soap, but a fabric bag might need to be thrown into the washer. What’s worse, what if you can’t wash the bag? Then you have to spot-treat the bag as best as possible and wait for it to dry. A problem with leather or faux leather is possibly scuffing the leather. There are items that can be purchased in your local store’s shoe section to help buff leather and put the original color back into the bag, but if the scuff is too bad, it will be noticeable. In this instance, fabric can be better, because they are harder to scuff up and tear. Honestly, it is up to your preference as to what you purchase, from leather, to faux, to fabric or straw.
Leather Handbags
Does Size Really Matter?
Size does matter in a handbag. Purchasing one too small or large can leave you irritated while you can’t find your things in a huge bag, or can’t fit your necessities into a too small bag. An everyday bag needs to be able to carry everything you need. If this means carrying just a wallet, a pack of gum and a cell phone, then a very small clutch type of handbag might be right for you. These usually come with a very cute wrist strap so you can either hold the purse in your hand or hang it around your wrist. But if you tend to carry everything from an umbrella to a change of clothes, you might need a large hobo bag. Celebrities have recently popularized carrying enormous bags, which means they are readily available at most retailers. For some women, they neither carry very little nor a whole lot, so a nice, medium bag is necessary.
Hobo Bags
Construction
The construction of a bag is important. When purchasing larger bags, especially, look for sturdy, thick straps for your shoulder and heavy stitching. If you are going to be carrying around a lot, you want to make sure the bag is well made, so you do not have the seams ripping. With any zippered bag, you want to open it up by zipping the zipper open and closed a few times (just to make sure it is zipping properly), or if there is only a snap or clasp, making sure it snaps securely. Once the bag is open, turn it inside out, so you can check out the inside lining of the bag. Make sure that the lining of the bag is sturdy and that there are no holes in the stitching of the lining. This can cause a problem of your items falling into the bag itself from holes in the lining. Also, when you are inside the bag, see if there are any interior pockets. This can be really nice to have if you need to put your drivers’ license or something into it. Some bags are made for organization, they have many pockets inside, which is great if you like knowing where everything is. Some even have dedicated easy-access cellphone pockets.Beaded Bags
If the bag has any metal trim, check to make sure it looks nice. Any metal on a bag should be shiny and clean. Always check before buying and see if there are any spots or stains anywhere on the bag from the shelf. If your bag is going to be large, you want the straps to be proportionate, so it prevents strain on your shoulder and arm from carrying it. Some bags come with a feature of a removable long strap and smaller carrying straps on the purse. This could be a handy feature, because if you needed a long strap, it would be available, whereas if you only wanted to carry your bag, you could do that as well.
Finding a great deal on a handbag is easy. At the end of every season, most retailers put out a clearance section, where you can find that season’s handbag for a very cheap price. This way, if you find a gorgeous spring bag, you can always save it for next spring, knowing you didn’t have to pay full price. Retailers are constantly shifting stock, so what wasn’t on sale last week might be this week.