0 comments / Posted on August 22, 2016 by Dom Girard

How to chose the perfect handbag for you

Shown here with the new Matt&Nat winter collection

There's a lot of clichés out there about a woman and her handbag. Even if they might not all be true (at least not for all women), the handbag is still THE No.1 accessory for women. It's not surprising that the range is so large and so diverse. The thing is, with so much choice it's difficult to chose at all! Even with restrictions like "I want pink!" The choice is enough to make you dizzy. It's easier when the choice is aesthetic, you know when you have a party and want a bag to go with your new glittering dress (that you probably won't wear ever again - neither the bag nor the dress). But when you want a bag for every day, to go with all your moods, all your clothes and all temperatures ... It's a little less obvious! Of course we all have different tastes, but I'm going to sum up the essentials (or at least the most handy) things to consider when buying a new handbag.

Shape / Size

From left to right : Scarlett , Hamel and Luna

From the large tote to the small evening bag, handbag sizes are infinite. When I shop for a new bag, I make sure to take the things I will always have in my bag - glasses case, wallet, key, make-up, computer, etc. This way, I can immediately try to fit my things in to make sure that the size of the bag is right for my needs and avoid being disappointed when I get home!

 

Care

If you are on the lazy side or just really busy, I advise avoiding materials that require maintenance, such as leather. A genuine leather bag needs to be creamed and protected against exposure to water and sunlight. It's simple and quick maintenance, but it's very important not to forget to do so. Otherwise, your leather may crack or discolor quickly and that's really not what we want !! This is why I have a soft spot for Matt & Nat bags; they are made of vegan leather and require no maintenance.

Inside (pockets, etc)

 

While some of us are tote bags lovers and love to simply "throw" stuff in their bags, anywhere as long as it is in the bag, some others (and yes that's me), want a little more organization. Oh the joys of having a bag with plenty of inside pockets! A place for your computer, one for your mobile, one for your keys ... some bags even have a built beauty kit! Woowwww .... For example, I love the bag illustrated above, with two zipped pockets plus a third one with a press stud and that has another small pocket for your cell phone. An organized person's dream !!

 

Straps

   

In the picture : Portia

Another important factor to consider when you are choosing a new handbag, are the straps! Personally, my handbag should absolutely be wearable on my shoulder. If there is not strap long enough to make it happen, it's not the bag for me! More often than not, bags come with an integrated short strap and a longer one that can be added. That's ideal! Otherwise, a few bags also allow the option of wearing it as a backpack, which can also be a big plus!

  

Color

      

Minka

Finally, the last criteria is purely aesthetic and yes I'm talking about color! From black to white or fuchsia pink to mint green, the choices are endless. If you want an every day bag and want to enjoy it as long as possible, I advise you to choose a neutral color; a canary yellow, for example, does not necessarily go with all your clothes and won't perhaps, be as adequate in winter. Without necessarily going for the black or gray, some colors are more sober and age better for example, khaki, burgundy and navy.

 

There you go! It's all in the bag ;)

Happy shopping!

How to chose the perfect handbag for you

Shown here with the new Matt&Nat winter collection

There's a lot of clichés out there about a woman and her handbag. Even if they might not all be true (at least not for all women), the handbag is still THE No.1 accessory for women. It's not surprising that the range is so large and so diverse. The thing is, with so much choice it's difficult to chose at all! Even with restrictions like "I want pink!" The choice is enough to make you dizzy. It's easier when the choice is aesthetic, you know when you have a party and want a bag to go with your new glittering dress (that you probably won't wear ever again - neither the bag nor the dress). But when you want a bag for every day, to go with all your moods, all your clothes and all temperatures ... It's a little less obvious! Of course we all have different tastes, but I'm going to sum up the essentials (or at least the most handy) things to consider when buying a new handbag.

Shape / Size

From left to right : Scarlett , Hamel and Luna

From the large tote to the small evening bag, handbag sizes are infinite. When I shop for a new bag, I make sure to take the things I will always have in my bag - glasses case, wallet, key, make-up, computer, etc. This way, I can immediately try to fit my things in to make sure that the size of the bag is right for my needs and avoid being disappointed when I get home!

 

Care

If you are on the lazy side or just really busy, I advise avoiding materials that require maintenance, such as leather. A genuine leather bag needs to be creamed and protected against exposure to water and sunlight. It's simple and quick maintenance, but it's very important not to forget to do so. Otherwise, your leather may crack or discolor quickly and that's really not what we want !! This is why I have a soft spot for Matt & Nat bags; they are made of vegan leather and require no maintenance.

Inside (pockets, etc)

 

While some of us are tote bags lovers and love to simply "throw" stuff in their bags, anywhere as long as it is in the bag, some others (and yes that's me), want a little more organization. Oh the joys of having a bag with plenty of inside pockets! A place for your computer, one for your mobile, one for your keys ... some bags even have a built beauty kit! Woowwww .... For example, I love the bag illustrated above, with two zipped pockets plus a third one with a press stud and that has another small pocket for your cell phone. An organized person's dream !!

 

Straps

   

In the picture : Portia

Another important factor to consider when you are choosing a new handbag, are the straps! Personally, my handbag should absolutely be wearable on my shoulder. If there is not strap long enough to make it happen, it's not the bag for me! More often than not, bags come with an integrated short strap and a longer one that can be added. That's ideal! Otherwise, a few bags also allow the option of wearing it as a backpack, which can also be a big plus!

  

Color

      

Minka

Finally, the last criteria is purely aesthetic and yes I'm talking about color! From black to white or fuchsia pink to mint green, the choices are endless. If you want an every day bag and want to enjoy it as long as possible, I advise you to choose a neutral color; a canary yellow, for example, does not necessarily go with all your clothes and won't perhaps, be as adequate in winter. Without necessarily going for the black or gray, some colors are more sober and age better for example, khaki, burgundy and navy.

 

There you go! It's all in the bag ;)

Happy shopping!

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