I decided that it was time to simplify my life and went on a mission searching for ‘the right bag’ and had resigned myself to buying 2 if necessary. However, after a visit to Strandbags in Takapuna, somehow I ended up with 3 new bags! Sound excessive? Well, to be fair, they were on sale….only $76.00 each, reduced from $95.00 each.
Personally, I find handbag shopping tricky. Unlike my sister & my best friend, I do not have a ‘handbag fetish’. Nor do I strive to own a ‘showcase bag’ that other people stop me in my tracks to compliment me on (I choose to reserve that position for my jewellery). What I was looking for was something that is unobtrusive and will transport all the parifinallia that I seem to acquire in an organised fashion.
Here is the lowdown on my dilemma….Having a petite frame, I find it difficult to get a bag that doesn’t swamp me and make me look like I am playing dress-up with my big sisters wardrobe. However, by the time I have my wallet, my mobile telephone, my make-up purse, my car keys, a pen, my paperwork, a water bottle and all the other stuff that ends up coming along for the ride, I need a bag of substantial size for practical reasons.
‘Colorado’ produced these 25 cm long by 28 cm’s wide bucket bags which fit the bill. They have 3 internal compartments, which I like, as well as a separate compartment for a mobile telephone (and when I am too lazy to use it, I am sorry,because I can not seem to find the phone in time to answer it). It also happens to have an outer zip and gold zips and buckles which will go with the warm colours I opt to revolve my wardrobe around. Coincidently, they were available in 3 colours that I use regularly as feature colours, so I bought all 3!
The olive green version……….
The red version………….
And the ever practical cream version!
Tips for ‘Bag Shopping’:
- Try on a bag & observe yourself in a full length mirror to ensure that it is working with your proportions. A tiny bag only makes a large woman look bigger, while a huge bag is overpowering on a petite woman.
- Your bag will draw attention to the area it rests on, so ensure that the bag does not rest on a ‘figure challenge’ or the widest part of your body.
- The shoulder strap should be in proportion to your length.
- Matching your shoes, belts & handbags in colour is a tried & true method achieving versatility from your accessories. Neutral colours are recommended for these wardrobe staples.
- Fumbling around for keys, lipgloss or sunglasses means that bags are complicating your basis daily functions. Interior & exterior pocket placement is key to our organisation, so consider your needs before purchasing.
- When seams are straight, stitching is even, linings are sturdy & zippers/closures work without struggle, this reflects a quality bag.
I also managed to feed my cardigan fetish during the weekend, adding two new
additions to my already plentiful collection…introducing a teal blue cropped number
from Bliss in Browns Bay. Cropped garments aid the fashionable ‘layered look’ and also help make ones legs look longer (on sale for $75.00 at Bliss). I was drawn to a true green cardi from Glasson's, for only $39.95. Glassons currently have a great range of cardi’s available at the moment. I really enjoy the impressive array of colours to choose from, which is important to me as I feel the cold, however, the alternative of jackets are impractical due to the ease of movement required in my work.
