My Love Affair with Handbags

If it is true that the suit makes the man, then the handbag makes the woman. Women have carried a bag with them everywhere they go for centuries because there are so many items we simply cannot be without. We carry our lives in our bags. And the bag we choose tells a lot about ourselves. Many women even go so far as to coordinate their bags with every single pair of shoes and every outfit they own. This is especially common in the South. If you have ever watched the TV show "What not to Wear," you’ve learned that this level of coordination is unnecessary. It is possible for your bag and shoes to complement one another without being the same color. Who knew? Your handbag should always fit your lifestyle and personality. The plethora of choices available in purses makes choosing the best one very important. Choose well and everyone will know who you are by the handbag you carry.

In the movie "Silence of the Lambs", the sinister Hannibal Lector told Clarice that she wore nice shoes but had a cheap bag. What he was really telling her was that she hadn't left her country roots very far behind. I bet she bought a better handbag after that encounter!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved handbags. I can even remember my mother's favorite handbag: her burgundy leather Etienne Aigner. I loved the feel and soft supple texture, and inhaling the leathery aroma. I always dreamed of the day when I could have my own handbag like that.

Not only did I eventually get a bag just like that one; I actually built up quite a large collection of handbags. As every woman knows, a handbag is more than just someplace to stash your stuff. The right purse can be a true fashion accessory, chosen to coordinate with whatever you're wearing. With such a large variety of affordable purses available, a girl can have one for every outfit! At the other end of the spectrum though, there are certain handbags by makers like Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton that are so expensive, that they are practically heirlooms. Rich and famous celebrities get to have closets full of these super pricey bags, but the rest of us have to make do with replicas and more moderately priced purses.

Handbags are available for every style and occasion. You could go casual with a medium sized denim purse or try a canvas bag for a sporty look. There are big purses for those who carry lots of stuff, as well as tiny ones for those who don't. Mini purses don't weigh you down yet are big enough to carry money, keys and perhaps a tube of lipstick in.

That's all well and good for the minimalists around, but I've always preferred my handbags to be spacious, with zippered compartments where I can hide things like keys and cash. The strap on a handbag is another matter of personal choice. I prefer a long strap that I can throw over my shoulder, but you may prefer a shorter strap or even a clutch purse. No matter what your personal style or preference, there's guaranteed to be a handbag out there that is perfect for you!

Recently, novelty handbags have caught my attention. One day, to the consternation of my conservative, Aigner carrying mother's dismay, I returned from the mall with a darling pink purse shaped like a bustier, complete with lacing and frilly adornment. However, I must say that after my husband also expressed his immense dislike of this purse, I leave it at home in my closet. I do look at it sometimes, but I haven't been brave enough to carry it in public yet. So, what is my handbag of choice? An Etienne Aigner, just like mother's of course!

Copyright 2006 Betty Barton - All Rights Reserved

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