There are several main styles of handbag that pretty much remain constant over time as the needs of women have pretty much remained the same. You can get anything from a satchel, the ever popular hobo, a stylish messenger bag or a delicate clutch style handbag to name a few. The fact is that these designs have remained constant as they have evolved to serve a purpose be it to carry your work documents around or just to keep a few essentials on hand.



Now we have covered some of the types of bag let us take a look at design. Design like fashion changes all the time and certain designs even become fashionable again over time. There are many designers from Versace and Calvin Klein to lesser know designers such as Kathy Van Zeeland.

Every designer has a certain style and there is always a story behind every new trend. It is rare that a design will stand the test of time but there are a few well made and well designed handbags such as the little black bag that will remain with us forever.

The materials used in handbags has grown from simple leather and cotton to plastics, nylon and even hemp. Leather is a popular material as it retains a certain quality over time where as plastic just looks tacky after it has worn.

It is important to look at build quality such as the materials used, any metal work such as studs or rivets and the quality of the stitching. There is no point buying a cheap bag that looks nice if once you start using it the stitching comes apart or the bag warps as soon as it gets damp.

Whilst brand names, quality and materials used is an important consideration even more important is the colour and size. There is nothing more annoying that buying a trendy expensive designer brand handbag because your friend has one only to find you can not fit anything into it or bright green is not the colour to be seen with this autumn.

In all seriousness you need to consider size and colour as they will be the two practicalities that will determine whether or not you ever use the bag or if it will end up at the bottom of the cupboard.

Try to imagine yourself in the places you will be using the handbag and wearing the clothes you would usually wear. Does the colour match your general style, remember it's better to blend or compliment than it is to clash.

What will you be suing the bag for, will it be a bag you can use everyday or is it going to be used for special occasions. You need to consider the sorts of things you are going to be putting in your new handbag. Choose one that is too big and you will either end up cursing yourself for having to cart around this great heavy thing or you will end up with so many things inside it will be impossible to find anything again.

Conversely choosing something too small and you will not be able to take your essentials around with you. There is nothing worse than trying to close a top zip at the counter with everyone staring at you and items bulging through the sides of your bag. Choose the right bag and you and your new handbag will have a long and happy relationship.