I think it’s probably fair to say that most girls have a bag in their wardrobe that they would consider their everyday bag. It’s the bag you carry daily when commuting to work, take into town when shopping and use when having a casual lunch with friends. It’s a bag you’ve used and abused and simply taken for granted so it needs to be good quality, comfortable and practical.
Eventually though it will undoubtedly need replacing, so what should you consider before making your purchase? This is a handbag that will be your daily companion so it’s worth taking a little time to consider what your perfect everyday bag needs to be.
What size works for you
Well first of all this is a bag that you will take to work and go shopping with so it needs to be a reasonable size. If you’re anything like me, I often go on a shopping trip and forget to take a carrier bag, so a larger bag can work out to be quite useful. When commuting to work you may sometimes want to carry a packed lunch for instance, a change of shoes if you do a lot of walking or a tablet or another device. Having said that, it doesn’t want to be so big that it’s awkward or uncomfortable to carry. It’s also important take your own stature into the equation. What works for one person may not work for another.
Suit your style
There are two obvious styles that stand out that would be up for the task and that is the shoulder bag and the tote shopper. Overall the shoulder bag would be the most comfortable to carry. If the shoulder bag is your preference then just think about whether you would prefer structured or unstructured as there are fors and against for both. A structured bag looks smarter but slightly harder to carry and a slouchy hobo is more comfortable but the down side is that smaller items can get a little lost at the bottom.
The tote shopper is a good practical choice but can get a little tiring to carry in your hand or on your forearm over a period of time. A good compromise is to choose a tote shopper with longer handles to allow you to carry it over the shoulder.
Another option to consider if it’s more for work is a messenger bag. This is definitely a smart alternative and will even allow you to carry it cross body which is especially useful on busy commuter trains.
The quality is very important
This is a bag that you are going to use on a daily basis. It’s going to be picked up plonked down, bashed against surfaces and carried around in all weathers. It is important then to make sure it’s well made and of good quality. If you buy cheap, you buy twice is a saying that most people only appreciate once they’ve fallen into this common consumer trap.
Bags can be made from all sorts of materials such as plastic, faux leather, nylon and fabric but for a bag that will be in regular use it really has to be made with good quality leather.
As you know handbags are made all over the world especially the Far East. However, it is Italy that has the enviable reputation of making the best quality handbags you can buy. They are handmade by artisans using traditional skills that have passed down through the generations. The leathers that they use are of the highest quality and are normally tanned with vegetable dyes which is not only environmentally friendly it also gives the leather a unique depth of colour.
Speaking of Colour
For an everyday bag, most women would choose a classic colour such as brown, black or dark blue. However, you may be tempted to choose a statement colour but before you do, just consider that this a general bag that you will be using with all sorts of outfits.
As this bag will be a daily companion, it really is worth considering these point before making your purchase.
Written by Penny