Archive for the 'Shoulder Bags' Category
A black leather shoulder bag comes complete with a nice sturdy strap so you can spread the weight of what is in your bag over your shoulders. This means that you can carry a lot more than just your normal small items, you can carry a laptop or files and even a lot of food shopping. When you are looking to buy a leather shoulder bag, there are several things that you should look out for. Leather is a very widely used material, and this is because it is such a great material for so many applications. The material is not only very durable, but it gets better with age to look at and feel.
Leather is a classy and sophisticated item to have, and a lot of companies even try and make leather look aged to give it more appeal. Make sure that when you are buying a leather good you go for the best that your budget will allow. Make sure that the leather is good quality, but also make sure that the bag is well put together. You should look for a good design with strong stitching, especially around the load bearing areas such as where the zips and straps are. A good quality bag should last you a long time.
Make sure, when you are looking for a comfortable to carry bag, which is just that. The strap should be padded and enable you to carry heavy loads with ease. While a leather shoulder bag will be a functional item, it doesn’t mean it should be boring. Look for a design that you like and you’ll be pleased to use your bag all of the time. There are lots of designer brands out there. These are great if you can afford them, but you can still get a great looking, well made bag if you opt for own or cheaper brands. Just look for a style and design that suits you and you will have a great bag that you will use again and again.
Handbag Styles
A handbag is a handbag right? Wrong! There are many different styles out there. Here’s a quick look at the most popular styles right now.
The Shoulder Bags
With the exception of clutches and handheld bags (bags with handles too small or short to be worn over the shoulder), most handbags fit into this category. Every woman should have at least one shoulder bag in her wardrobe. They’re practical (but that doesn’t mean that can’t be stylish!) and come in handy on shopping trips, out running errands or for the office. They free up your hands to carry other items.
Here are examples of shoulder bags:
Hobo bags: A crescent-shaped, usually unstructured bag. But that’s not always the case. Modern variations include more structured hobo bags, drawstring hobos, skinny styles, even square hobos and bucket hobos.
Totes: Totes are roomy bags, usually rectangular with single or double straps. Totes are available in structured and unstructured styles.
Satchels: Satchel bags are typically small to medium-sized zip-top bags that usually wider than long. They can be structured or unstructured and have shoulder straps or be hand-held. Hand-held satchels are often referred to as bowler bags, like the and the
Barrel Bag: Like the name implies, a barrel bag is cylindrical and resembles a barrel turned on its side, often with a long, thin shoulder strap.
Flap-enclosure bags: Flap style shoulder bags have a flap enclosure that folds over, typically about midway down the front of the bag, with a clasp, turn-key, snap, or other fastener. Check out the Flatiron long shoulder bag.
Cinched and Drawstring bags: The cinched or drawstring bag is a fun variation of the shoulder bag. They gather at the top in place of a flap or zip top. The Bulga Brown leather ‘Krystal’ cinched bag and the Christian Dior black lambskin ‘Cannage’ quilted large tote are examples.
Quilted bags: Quilted leather bags are a popular leather handbag style that incorporates the quilted texture into fine leather, like the Balenciaga (pictured below) ivory quilted goatskin “Matelasse” small bag.
It can be mind boggling while shopping for a handbag. I hope this shoulder bag guide is helpful. Happy shopping!
Last weekend my sister and her husband went out of town on a second honeymoon, so I volunteered to take care of their kids for a couple of days. As I don’t have kids of my own, I was excited to go some outings that I wouldn’t normally make it into my schedule. On Saturday, I decided to take them to the local zoo.
Having not visited the zoo in over a decade, I was as enamored with many of the animals as the children were. However, I was ill prepared for a daylong excursion and found I neglected to bring several items. When we went to the park the next day, I traded in my tiny purse for a couple of shoulder bags to ensure I didn’t leave anything behind.
It is really a great fact that people especially trendy women can not live without handbags or purses. Handbags are not only the must-have accessories for holding daily belongings, actually, they are quite important to complete people’s appearance. Nowadays, the fashion market is flooded by a wide range of handbags in different styles, colors and sizes. Among the wide selection, designer handbags are extremely sought after thanks for their fabulous design, top craftsmanship and practical use. They are mostly considered as signs of fashion statement. Here I list top five basic styles of designer handbags available in the market today. They are most popular categories that always in the wish-list of most trendy persons.
1. Hand-held bags. As the name shows, hand-held bags are hold by your hands due to their small strap. Since they are not very big, they are very easy to carry in any event. While, one important thing you should remember is never dump anything and everything in them. They are absolutely not ideal for holding lot of heavy items.
2. Shoulder bags. Bags carried on shoulder are another iconic handbag styles. Thanks for the long straps, they can be carried on shoulder. Whatever you are a working lady with predominant status or teens, they are absolutely practical. Interior, there have large capability to hold much staff.
3. Clutches. Compared to the former two styles, clutches have no handles to be held or straps to be slung on the shoulder. They are carried under the arm and are mainly used as evening bags to carry just a few cosmetics. Handbag manufacturers always put great effort to make the little items distinctive even in the dark evening light by adding beads and sequins. Clutches are even the most favorable items for celebrities stepping on red carpet.
4. Tote bags. A tote bag always features simple but sophisticated look. Among the mostly used bag styles, tote bags are considered as the most practical ones. You can dump your make-up kit, wallets, even books easily in them. They can be of great style and can be used by anyone.
5. Backpacks. They are widely used for casual purpose. Although they are originally popular among students, now they are quite famous among most keen fashionistas thanks for the rich craftsmanship with lovely colors and great patterns
It seems like the options when it comes to women’s carryalls is ceaseless. Not only are there the standard handbags, but now there is a profusion of totes, messenger bags, hobos and chic backpacks. While this wealth of options may seem superfluous to an outsider, they each have their own special niche.
A shoulder bag, for instance, is for use on long outings to the city where an assortment of accessories will be needed. The large capacity allows a woman to carry all of her essentials-and even some things that may not be very essential. And thanks to increased popularity of these products, leading designers now have a variety of options so that you can find bags to complement any outfit.
Today, one of the most convenient things that is seen almost everywhere is a shoulder bag. There are many people who are now sporting bags mainly because they leave the hands free for use. Whenever one is planning on spending all day in and around the city, such accessories are a must as they are great while on the run.
Shoulder bags provide a variety of features and functionality as they provide the ability of carrying all required items that one might need. At the same time, there are also different sizes that they are available in. These items have also proved to be a boon to new mother’s as they allow the mother’s hands to be free for managing their babies. At the same time, because of the fact that there is a lot of space in such bags, one will not have to spend a lot of time in finding what one wants.
There are many designer shoulder bags that are available today that contain a variety of features and colors. Such handbags cost anywhere between $150 and $750. Although, it might seem that such handbags are expensive, what one needs to remember is that by simply searching online, a wide variety of such items can be found and purchased. Many such bags are very roomy with wonderful designs. There are two types of shoulder bags that can be manufactured.
Those that are made from leather and those that can be made from fabric. Although both of these are favored, the fabric bags are friendlier and more eco-conservative whereas the leather bags usually last for longer. All bags created by using either of these materials are favored by women. The fabric shoulder bags are washable unlike leather and even the carrying of any coarse materials or any spilled liquids will not cause any damage to the bags.
There are numerous places that one can find such accessories. The easiest place to shop is online. There are many online stores that provide such bags at discounted rates. At the time of any clearance sales, such bags are also sold at very low prices.
Nowadays, besides a woman’s personal appearance and personality, handbags are one must-have accessory that will complete her style. With the rapid development of modern society, women become especially fashion-conscious. They always want to add something chic to accentuate their impression to others. Thus, their handbags for daily use are not restricted to the traditional role of serving just as a carrier for money or other essentials. Instead, they symbolize women’s sense of fashion and social status. In the wide selection of bag styles, women prefer luxury bags from a number of designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Christian Dior than the ordinary ones.
Manufacturers of these luxury fashion houses put great effort and dedication to create distinctive bag styles and designs to match women’s different moods and needs: from the classic hand-held bags to the functional shoulder bags, from the casual backpack to the sophisticated clutches, from the small bags to oversized ones. Each designer bag has a utility of its own. Trendy and functional hand-held bags or shoulder bags are perfect in the hands of an office lady, while the more elegant and refined evening bags and clutches with detailed embellishment are more ideal for ladies preparing for a party. Handbags are also available in various colors. Bright or dark, that only bases on your own mood.
There is no need to worry where to buy since with the help of the Internet, you can shop around fast and conveniently online and easily order your favorable designs by clicking in front of a computer. Most online retailers offer pictures of bags from different angles, so that you can clearly know the look and function of a bag in detail. While, the only drawback is that you cannot touch the materials the bag crafted from. Though some retailers with good service guarantee that the materials used are top quality, there still are some poor sellers try to sell out the replica designer bags with synthetic leather materials. Therefore, you are strongly recommended to buy from reputable and reliable online stores that have good customer feedback and quality guarantee. Of course, if you have not the capacity to afford the highly-priced designer ones, there is no need to force yourself to go for. Then, top quality replicas are really the best substitutes of the genuine ones.
Now, if you have decided to buy the one matching your style, just browse through the wide variety of online stores, place an order and get it home delivered.
After wearing a leather handbag around town for a few weeks, it’s more than likely to pick up some dirt and debris. Think about the air pollution that permeates most urban environments. Not to mention the food particles that get ground into the material every time you set the purse down on a café or bistro table. Your only recourse is to clean the item, but exercise caution so as not to cause damage.
Most designer shoulder bags and purses come with cleaning instructions from the manufacturer. These should be followed above all else. Collect a clean cloth, a handheld vacuum cleaner and a leather cleaning product. Dump out the contents of the bag and shake out any dust or detritus that has collected inside. Vacuum the lining gently and spot clean the exterior before applying leather cleaner.
Presently, shoulder bags are coming up with numerous designs. Noted designers are creating decorative pieces with various materials like canvas, leather, recycled plastic, etc. Recently, the famous Malaysian fashion designer Jimmy Choo has launched a new medium sized shoulder bag in the market. This Jimmy Choo Mandah piece is made of calf leather and is studded with crystals and beads of gold and silver shades. Today?s women prefer carrying bags that not only holds all the necessary objects, but it also goes well with their dress. Hence, designer shoulder bags are becoming highly popular.
You can get large number of bag dealers in the market offering contemporary as well as vintage style shoulder bags. See the different types of it to select the suitable one for yourself.
Different types of shoulder bags
Backpack- This indicates sack type bags that can carry numerous objects inside. Generally, this type is ideal to carry sneakers and gym clothes. This hangs at your back keeping your hands free. This is very popular among school going children and teenagers.
Duffel- This type indicates cylindrical bags. These are generally made of canvas and other strong fabrics. Women often carry it in gymnasium. These are widely used to carry sports equipments.
Tote- These are available in several colors and sizes. Some of this type comes in jumbo size that can hold all the objects a person carries in his or her car. Materials like leather, colorful canvas, plastic etc. are used to make tote. The straps of tote are sufficiently wide so that your shoulder is not strained with heavy weight.
Evening bags- These are highly decorative ones with stones, beads, crystals etc. Some of this type is bejeweled with rich embroidery. These are generally bright and the costly ones are made of colored leather with golden or silver clutches. Women sometime personalize these bags by fixing semiprecious stones, filigree and patch work on it.
When you purchase any of the aforementioned type, be sure to buy from a reputed dealer. A good dealer can give you quality shoulder bags that have strong zip, clutches and buttons. The stone embellishments are also firmly fixed so that it doesn’t fall even after several uses.
The Bag
Women did not always carry bags; for most of history they did not need to. They would carry all their indispensables in dress pockets. After the French and American revolutions, the antiroyalist fervor found a reflection in a simpler fashion. The full skirts were replaced by slim muslin gowns and women began to carry small drawstring bags. As women became more independent and their obligations increased, so did their bags’ size. Their new social roles led to diversified styles for different circumstances – a canvas tote for summer, a leather handbag for work, a satin envelope for evening. These are a few of these styles:
Backpack
Designed for heavy use, the backpack has two straps so the weight can be distributed to both shoulders. The modern version of the rugged soldiers’ mess packs, the backpack comes in different styles and is made of diverse materials: nylon and canvas backpacks are meant for greater load, while leather ones are more urban and elegant. Your height should determine your choice of backpack. If you are over 5′6″, look for packs that are at least I0 inches in length. If you are shorter than 5′4″, however, your pack should not be more than 15 inches in length or it will cover your back and send you tolling the bells of Notre Dame.
Duffel bag
The original soldier’s duffel bag was a cylindrical canvas bag with a drawstring top that folded over and locked into a clamp. It was sturdy, light, and roomy.
The duffel is an oversized sport sac used as gym bag. It’s too big to serve as a purse, but is a great piece of casual luggage.
Envelope bag
Until the 1920s, handbags were tiny drawstring sacks that could carry little more than a lace hankie or a tiny vial of cologne. Women’s new social roles and increased responsibilities imposed the need for a new type of bag. The flat hard envelope-shaped bag tucked smartly under the arm would hold the modern basics in the 1930s-a compact, a cigarette case, and a lighter.
Rather small by current standards, the envelope bag is an elegant accent to an evening outfit. Larger envelopes work best with daytime clothes, while smaller ones are perfect for dressier clothes.
Flight bag
In the early days of air travel a flight was a special occasion. To commemorate the event, passengers dressed up and airlines would give away canvas bags with side pockets, especially designed for the long flight.
Complimentary flight bags have disappeared, but the style can still be found in luggage departments. This is a heavy-use bag so look for solid construction and sturdy closures, and check out the zippers and seams before buying.
Kelly bag
Introduced by Hermes in the late 1930s, the Kelly bag was named after the actress Grace Kelly who was often photographed carrying one. The ultimate status bag, the Kelly is an adaptation of a much larger piece of luggage made by Hermes for the European royals. At first Hermes provided riding equipment to the most famous stables of France, czarist Russia, and England, but with the end horse-drawn transportation in the late 1920s, Hermes branched out to handbags and luggage that incorporated equestrian motifs.
Authentic Kelly bags are an expensive limited edition and there is a list of customers waiting to pay thousands of dollars for the privilege of owning one.
Minaudiè
The exquisite hard-sided evening bag was created in 1930 by Van Cleef and Arpels when Charles Arpels noticed that one of his clients was using a metal Lucky Strike cigarette box as a purse. He adapted the look and named it after the wife of his partner, Estelle Van Cleef, who was minaudiere (charming). At first minaudieres were made of precious metals and jewels, but the dainty bag did not remain exclusive for long: it was selling all over America within a decade.
Satchel bag
The satchel may look like a doctor’s bag, but it is actually a smaller version of the popular 19th-century Gladstone luggage bag, named after the four-term British Prime Minister, William Evert Gladstone. Perfect for travel, the flat-bottomed bag could hold everything one needed to explore the world.
The satchel’s tailored, conservative style works beautifully with pants, suits, sweaters, and jackets. The rounded sides tend to add too much bulk to dressier suits and silky dresses.
You will find satchels in solid leathers, colorful quilted prints, and sporty canvas. They are held either by small handles or longer straps that hang from the shoulders.
Shoulder bag
A shoulder bag is any medium-sized bag with a long strap. It was designed for women in the military in the early days of World War II. When buying a new shoulder bag, look for sizes that complement your own. If you are shorter than 5′3″, the bag should not be 1 ½ times larger than your head. Taller women can handle bags that are proportionally larger. Straps that are too long can be shortened by a shoemaker. Short straps can be replaced by a chain.
Tote bag
The tote bag is simple big sack with two handle-sized straps, perfect for carrying all that, which does not fit into a handbag. Popularized in the 1960s, today tote bags come in all different styles and materials.
Casual canvas, straw, and cotton totes are nice beach bags and airplane carry-ons. Suede, vinyl, and coated linen totes are excellent for work.
If you are petite, always check the hanging length of a tote. You don’t want to drag it on the ground.