The Right Bag For You
My mum always told me to invest in a good quality bag – rather than spend money on trendy throw away pieces. The reason being that once you have the right bag, it can dress up any outfit. Taking the time to make sure you choose the right bag is important, considering it can be one of the biggest investments in your wardrobe. There are five aspects that you need to take into consideration when looking for your perfect bag; style, size, colour, hardware and price.
There are a bunch of styles going around at the moment, but the real question is whether or not you need a shoulder strap. If you need to carry a bag a lot and also need both hands to be available for other purposes, a cross body bag may be the option for you. If a cross body bag is too small, a shoulder bag with a removable longer strap could be a better option. However, if you’re not travelling a large distance then your standard shoulder bag should be fine.
The size of the bag you choose should be centred around what you need to carry. If you’re carrying around the bare necessities of life, i.e. phone, wallet and keys, then go for a smaller bag. The upside to having a smaller bag is that you minimise the risk of over-packing and don’t end up with, what I like to call, bermuda-bag. It’s when you’ve got a bag way too big for your needs, and everything kind of just disappears into it.
However, if you’re a student or if you have to carry around a laptop, a big bag is often a necessity. I find that keeping a little makeup bag inside my giant bag is a great way of organising things and to avoid the bermuda-bag phenomenon happening. I also prefer a bag that has compartments included in the bags lining.
I will always, always opt for a black bag. The reason being that it will undoubtedly always go with everything. If you’ve already got a black bag, go for some other neutral colour, such as tan, camel or even grey. Hardware is also something that I feel is far too often overlooked. A look just isn’t cohesive if the hardware is clashing. Which is why, no matter what, all of my hardware in my wardrobe is the same.
The price is without a doubt the most important aspect of your purchase. Always buy within what you can afford, but it’s so important to keep in mind that your investment bag should be one that you can give to your children one day. Not to mention that it should be something you use for at least two years, so that you get your moneys worth, so it should be timeless and good quality.
Above all, take your time, do your research and don’t jump at whichever bag looks the flashiest, but rather the one with the least bells and whistles. The one that will last you a lifetime, rather than a season.
By Jessica Alves / instagram