Look Inside Yourself, Not Your Handbag
What does your handbag say about you? Are you a shoulder bag kinda girl? A tote wearing lady? A bag you’ve had for years, or a fresh change every season?
I have to admit I have a lot of bags… well actually……. eighteen to be exact and that is after a recent purge to the charity shop. I realise this is a little extreme to own eighteen different types of bag. But for me my handbag can be contain everything I need for my lifestyle.
Two years ago I worked with Kenco Millicano on the ultimate bag and what women want from it. We street style stalked Brighton to see what women carry in their bags and why. It was rather insightful really. Most women have a favourite bag, one that they carry all their essentials in, is usually a bottomless pit of contents and one you lose things in, only to find months later. A lovingly worn leather tote, a canvas satchel, a snap over shoulder bag – they come in all shapes and sizes, and these days colours too.
Zara Leather Bowling Bag
My favourite handbag of all time? Well it took a while to review my accessories collection but I managed to pinpoint it down to the Zara Leather Bowling Bag. Bought on the 9th March 2012 online; a new bag purchased ready for summer and also a bag to sport to New Zealand Fashion Week later that year. A two texture leather and suede bag, that I often call my “Doctors Bag”.
This bag has seen me through many a London Fashion Week, New Zealand Fashion Week, business meeting abroad and fashion event in London. Why? Because it’s bigger than it looks, has enough room to stash a lot of essentials and always looks stylish. The leather gives a smart tone whilst the suede is a little stylish and edgy.
The colour choice, navy blue, well I rarely sport black accessories. Navy blue gives a great alternative to the classic black without being too bold and brash. Nowadays I do tend to sport a rather bright handbag most of the time, whether it’s a clutch or a tote.
But I often get drawn to the simplicity of the Zara Bowling Bag and the fact that during Fashion Week I can fit in a Canon 550D, an ipad, note book, makeup, two iphones and a wallet, and occasionally an umbrella if needed. I feel a little Mary Poppins with it to be honest. It does get heavy but it has a detachable shoulder strap so it can either be carried by the handles or on the shoulder to balance out the weight.
Sneaking the Zara Bowling Bag onto the Front Row
I have to admit that I’m not the type of person to match shoes with handbags or team a bag to the colourway of an outfit. I like to clash more often than not. Hence having handbags in a rainbow of colours. From pillarbox red to teal green, mustard yellow to hot coral. They are an important part of my outfit for adding a bold tone, a touch of sparkle and they are usually a conversation point.
I like a bright handbag to bring some happiness to a weekday, to brighten up the winter with a bright red shoulder bag when it’s raining cats and dogs. I tend to go for classic styles but in bright colours to stand out from the crowd. I usually sport the same bag for a week or two and then have a change; depending on what I’m doing. If I’m travelling I have my larger bags to fit a laptop in and all my accessories; enough pockets to fit in everything I would need for a week away! If i’m just in town, out for a coffee with the girls and a spot of shopping then its usually a satchel in a bright colour
Why are handbags so important to us? Could we live without them? Can we have too many? Ladies – tell me about your favourite handbag and what it means to you
Check out the content stream #LookOutsideTheBag on twitter to find out more
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