How I Choose A Handbag

Do you carry the same bag every day until it falls apart? Choosing a bag to complement your look can complete it and pull everything together with finesse or add a punch of color with your neutrals.

“How do you decide which color, type, and size of bag to carry when you change them so often?” It is a question I often get, so today; I will share what I consider when deciding which bag to carry.

I chose a woven black leather clutch to tie in with the top and the necklace in the photo above. Working with three pieces that relate in color helps to pull a look together. The bag’s style usually relates to the style of the shoes, but I don’t typically match the color. Unless you are wearing a monotone look, it is more modern to carry a bag that is a different color than your shoes. (I always try to wear shoes that visually lengthen my legs.) Here I am wearing Valentino Rockstud inspired pumps, which required a more sophisticated bag.

Sometimes I use a bag to add a pop of color and add a scarf to include some pattern to an otherwise monotone look of all black. When wearing all one color, always vary the fabric textures. You never want it to appear that you tried to match the colors but failed.

When we go out in the evening, I switch to a small clutch, which relates to what I am wearing. The leather jacket required a more geometric blanket scarf rather than a silk print. I followed the same path when I added the studded box clutch. All of the elements of my look have a more urban edge to them, so they relate to each other. Keep all of the items in the same tribe.

I rarely carry a shoulder bag, but it is slim and structured like this one when I do. Nothing ruins the line of your clothes or makes you look more substantial than a big slouchy shoulder bag.

A classic Chanel-inspired chain bag with a quilted texture could work with almost any look.

I am wearing comfortable flats with a hands-free crossbody bag in the photo above, so I was likely going grocery shopping that day. Notice that basic neutral pieces can easily be combined to create smart-looking outfits without much effort going into the process.

The colorful clutch above was out of my comfort zone. I have rarely purchased a bag that included so much color and texture, but I carried it often last summer. I wear one or two of the colors in the bag and then let it be the star of the show. This clutch’s texture and attitude say casual summer, so I put it away for the winter months.

A straw or rattan bag always says summer to me. Those, too, are put away in the colder months.

Large suede-trimmed or reptile embossed bags are for the daytime and serve me well when traveling in the colder months. I always think of these textures as winter accessories, whereas I think of patent leather for springtime.

A top handle satchel in a light neutral color serves me well for regular daytime use, as shown above. In summer, it is often a light tan color. In the winter months, it might be a light gray, as shown below.

Last year, I did a video on how to organize the contents of your bag here. This trick allows me to change my bags often since I can grab what I need for the day.

The clothes and accessories I show you are from my collection, so that means you will see the same items again and again, hopefully, combined in different ways.