Can’t leave home without a handbag? You’re not alone, as most women consider their bags both a useful item to carry their belongings in and the pièce de résistance of their entire ensemble. Since your bag is with you all day, you’ll want it to complement whatever outfit you’re wearing. And while some work with most clothing combinations, it pays to know which handbags are perfect for the clothes you usually wear. To make sure you invest in the right item, here are the six secrets you need to learn to match your handbag to your ensemble:
- Think about the occasion.
When choosing a bag, the occasion is the first and foremost thing you need to consider. Most of the time, where you’re going dictates your outfit as well as the appropriate bag to use.
Despite ever-changing trends in fashion, two rules in bag choices don’t seem to change much:
- Sporty bags and formal outfits don’t mix. It doesn’t matter if you wear dressy tops or elegant dresses; if you’re dressing up, you should stick to a clutch or purse.
- High-end bags don’t go with yoga pants and other super casual outfits. You shouldn’t bring those sparkling clutch bags to brunch, either; a leather crossbody bag would be a much better choice.
The occasion also determines the size of bag you need.
Smaller pieces like clutches and mini-bags add an air of sophistication to the entire outfit, making them better suited for more formal occasions.
On the other hand, oversized bags like totes and hobo bags create a more relaxed look, making them the best choice for shopping and beach trips. They also complement most streetwear and sporty ensembles.
- Match the bag to your body shape.
Think bags only need to be matched to your outfit? Think again.
Choosing the right bag for you is also a matter of matching it to your body shape. As with clothes, basing your bag choices on your body type can help balance your body’s curves (add where necessary or counterbalance when not) while enhancing your entire look.
Below are some tips on what kind of bags look great with various body shapes:
Pear-shaped
Pear-shaped women who carry most of their weight on their hips should avoid hip-length bags. This is because such handbags emphasize this part of the body, drawing attention where it isn’t needed (or wanted).
Waist-length handbags that draw the eye to the slim midsection or the waist are the best choice.
Petite
If you have a petite figure, steer clear of bags that tend to overwhelm, either by design or by size. Avoid those with long straps or fringes that could make the accessory stand out more than your outfit. In short, keep it simple.
Busty
Saddle bags are a no-no for busty women. To avoid drawing unwanted attention to the decolletage, use a shoulder bag instead.
Curvaceous
Long and slim bags are perfect for women with curvy bodies.
If you’re particularly short and curvy at the same time, having this type of bag will help you look taller. Alternatively, tall and curvy body shapes can benefit from low-hanging bags.
Tall and slim
If you’re tall but quite slim, consider wearing a bag that is the opposite of your body shape. Steer clear of narrow and long bags.
Rounded and oversized handbags are better at balancing the physique.
- Choose hues that go together.
It’s no longer fashionably essential to match bags with belts and shoes, though it is still a good idea to have a theme for your look. Choose a general color range for these accessories and stick to it.
Below is some gorgeous bag-outfit pairings you wouldn’t initially think would work but actually do:
- Red on black or navy blue: A red bag is essential for every woman, especially those wearing plenty of black-and-white or navy blue clothing (e.g., business attire).
- Pastel with grey: Look for pastel-colored handbags to complement your grey outfits. Rose-pink is most recommended, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other tones.
- Green on earthy and contrasting colors: Green and earthy colors work perfectly together on most occasions. You can also use a green bag to create a contrast with both a dark-hued and warm-toned outfit.
It is also a good idea to vary the color of your shoes and bags. If you’re wearing a fire red dress, choose a pair of shoes and a handbag that are slightly darker or lighter so that the entire ensemble doesn’t clash.
- Mix and match patterns and materials.
Avoid using bags with the same material as your dress. If you’re wearing silk for your dress, go with a different material for your purse, like leather.
You can also mix up patterns for a bolder fashion statement, but remember to pair different prints, not similar ones (i.e., leopard with stripes, not leopard with tiger prints).
Also, if you have black and white outfits, the printed bag you choose should also carry a similar palette.
- Maintain the overall balance.
Prints, textures, and colors make for an excellent ensemble – lots of women can attest to that. However, it will only work if you are able to maintain the overall balance when accessorizing.
Remember: The goal is to be eye-catching without overloading the senses.
You can experiment with contrasting colors, monochrome, or patterned bags. If your outfit is printed, choose a color from the pattern and highlight that using a bag with a similar color.
Don’t forget to pay attention to the hardware. Metallic colors in your handbags should be matched with similar ones in your other accessories, as contrasting hardware very rarely works.
- When in doubt, play it safe with versatile bags.
If you’re not confident in matching an outfit together, don’t waste your time trying out different bags to find which one will match all your clothes.
Instead, choose a couple of handbags with versatile colors, like tan, black, cream, white, and other neutral tones. Of those hues, brown and black are the most popular because they go with the most basic wardrobe colors.
For a mostly grey-toned wardrobe, beige or brown leather bags are the safest choices. If you can only have one or two handbags, go with the simplest styles without unnecessary metal trims, fringes, and logos.
The key is to invest in pre-owned designer bags that work with most of your outfits. This way, you save money from buying new handbags, and save time in choosing what to pair with your daily ensembles.
Complementing and Emphasizing
Bags can complement and emphasize the best of your wardrobe. When chosen carefully, they can even match your body type and bring your entire outfit together.
About the author;
This article was written by guest author Mian Muhammad Mohsin.
