Handbagista

Long gone are the days when the only good place for a tote was the beach. Don’t get us wrong. Beach tote bags are still one of the greatest vacation inventions next to the beach chair and the margarita. But these days totes have gone designer. They can be found featured in every major high-end department store and chic couture houses in New York, London, and Paris.

Monogrammed tote bags by all the big-name designers are all the rage as well, and their value should not be underestimated, even if you would never dare to take monogrammed tote bags near the sand.

Evidence number one is the Louis Vuitton Monogrammed Canvas Small Ellipse Tote Purse. It is all show with its tiny inner patch pocket, but oh what a show it is. With its inside D ring, Louis Vuitton stamp, and padded cowhide handles, you cannot ask for monogrammed tote bags to look any more exuberant. The whole thing closes with a double zipper, or a lock and key. For other carrying options besides the typical tote, try the extra long strap or standard shoulder strap.

Now of course, these ultra hip tote bags may not be for everyone. When some folks think monogrammed tote bags, they think their own initials stamped proudly on a canvas bag with soft leather handles. Or others may imagine those totes with the printed-out faces of their little ones on the exterior of the bag in old-fashioned dot matrix printer detail. You remember those tote bags from the days on the boardwalk by the sea, where for a few dollars the vendor snaps a photo and near instantaneously sears the image on the side of the bag. How come conversations about tote bags always turn back to the ocean, you ask?

Seriously, tote bags, monogrammed or not, may not be your cup of tea simply because they don’t suit your figure. Many tall, slender women don’t appreciate a bag of the same build. It tends to detract from their natural grace and talents. These women tend toward the effusive, the bulky, the saggy. Think Paris Hilton with a motorcycle bag, or her sister with a velvet hobo.

On the other hand, women with curves and shape take to the straightforward, long tote look. For these women, may there be monogrammed tote bags with the appropriate monogram for them, whether they be of haute fashion or their child’s three initials.

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written by Ruth

This list of the different types of bags and handbags is by no means complete We’ll add to it as and when time and details allow!

Clutch A clutch is a handbag that you clutch in your hand It usually does not have a handle Common closures are either a front flap (popular) or a kiss closure (common in evening bags) Evening clutches will be in satin or silk A big look with daytime clutches is embossed leather for a croc look

Barrel The barrel handbag is a very trendy look right now This is basically a mini duffle bag You’ll find this mostly in signature jacquards

Bowling Bag Another darling of the fashion houses this handbag looks just like its name It’s basically a largish handbag with a bowling bag inspiration You’ll find this commonly in signature jacquards

Diaper Bags You can find diaper bags in messenger style tote bag or large shoulder handbag style normally in nylon or microfiber for easy care The insides are usually compartmentalized for easy packing and pulling out of various baby diapering gear Many diaper bags will include a fold out changing pad for baby

Evening bag  When you’re wearing your beaded or sequined gown in satin or silk you need something equally smashing on your arm Well we’d all like to have Pierce Brosnan wouldn’t we? Since we can’t I guess we settle for a fabulous evening bag What to look for in an evening bag? Shop for one the same as you’d look for an evening shoe Get something in a totally impractical finish such as satin or silk It must be so small that you just might be able to get your lipstick and keys into it

Hobo The hobo bag has really picked up a strong following again having cycled through the 1970s for its first surge of popularity A hobo bag is a shoulder bag with one wide strap and may or may not have pockets on the outside It will have a concave top to it usually with a zipper closure While many hobo bags are in slouchy leather you can also find hobo bags that have a lot of structure and contrast stitching

Messenger Very popular with the metro crowd because it can free your hands A messenger bag is a large tote bag style handbag that you wear over your shoulder and across your body It gets its current inspiration from bicycle couriers carrying their papers around New York City in the 1970s Commonly found in nylon but leather crops up as well

MiniBags  Trés chic with the young Hollywood crowd The diminutive size reminds me of a Chihuahua when you see it you can’t help but exclaim Oh that’s so cute! Basically any handbag style out there now is getting refurbished as a miniversion of itself

Satchels  Satchels are similar to a hobo or tote in its use A Satchel is a largish handbag with a drawstring near the top that you use to close off the contents You usually find them in leather but you can also find them in canvas with leather trim

Shoppers  Woo hoo! Where would we be without these? Tote bags weren’t comfortable enough on our shoulders Regular sized handbags were just too small darn it So we have the Shopper handbag a tote shaped handbag with long straps to wear on your shoulder Shopper bags are lovely in leather but also very practical in nylon Think Tod’s D ring bag or Kate Spade

Shoulder handbag  A shoulder handbag covers a lot of ground but basically it’s a purse that has one strap (often times adjustable in length) that you carry on your shoulder The shoulder handbag is the workhorse of working women who can’t afford a free hand to carry a handbag without a shoulder strap back and forth to work

Sling Bags These bags are normally signified by the unisex tyoe single strap that cuts across the body With a velcro fastening half way down they are bags that you literally sling over your shoulder Fast soft and meant for puishment they won’t be fashion statements for a while yet!

Totes You won’t usually find a tote that hasn’t morphed into a Shopper style (see above) however many still exist in a beach bag look

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written by Julie

Most handbag manufacturers won’t tell you what to look for in a counterfeit because they don’t want to tip the scales in the counterfeiter’s favor.  Think about it; it’s like the US Treasury telling you exactly how they design bills.  But not to worry, that doesn’t leave you standing out in the cold.

Location, Location, Location.

It’s true about real estate and it’s true about the handbag industry.  The most important thing you can use to help yourself spot a fake handbag is to consider the location of where you’re trying to buy your handbag.

Why?

Because that’s the only way a designer handbag manufacturer can control the delivery of their products.  By this I mean most designer handbag manufacturers will only allow their products to be sold at their own flagship stores, through authorized department or specialty stores, limited duty free locations, at their own online stores and very limited online opportunities besides that.

If you’re being hawked a handbag from the back of a truck, by a street vendor, or at a house party, then you know that handbag cannot be the real thing.  I’m not sure what’s worse, but the only other possibility besides being a counterfeit is that the handbag is stolen.  Neither of which do you want in your possession.

Most of the counterfeit bags we see in America comes from China and are classified as being such good copies that they are virtually indistinguishable from the original bags.  So the best way really to distinguish a real one from a fake one doesn’t have to do with the bag itself as much as it has to do with from where you buy the bag.

The only true predicament you might find yourself in is when you’re looking at vintage or used handbags.  Here is a legitimate situation where you just don’t know if you’re looking at a fake or a real find.  Here a few tips to help you spot a fake:

* 1.    Get acquainted with the designer’s line.  Many times cheap knock-offs will be very creative in their designs (as in the original fashion house doesn’t even make a bag in that style).

* 2.    Look at the quality of the stitching.  Is it wobbly or uneven?  Does the leather pucker at any of the seams?  If so, you’re not looking at an original.

* 3.    Get your hands on an authentic handbag; look closely at the embossed production dates, the placement of the monograms, and the hardware used.  Usually a counterfeit won’t have everything 100% right.

* 4.    Don’t use add-ons as a guarantee of authenticity.  Felted storage bags and “authenticity” tags can and often are faked well. Although if they aren’t included you should be concerned about the handbag’s authenticity.

* 5.    Finally, get to know your buyer.  Look at their feedback both associated with their website and perhaps “floating” around on the web.

As long as there is a desire to own what is realistically beyond your ability, there will be handbag counterfeiters ready to do business with you.  Considering that handbag counterfeiters often see up to 1000% return on their costs to produce the bags and penalties are much less than drug trafficking, it’s no surprise that there is such a deluge of counterfeit handbags.

Before you buy a counterfeit handbag online with your credit card, consider this for a few minutes.  If these people you’re dealing with have no scruples selling fake handbags, with what respect do you think they’ll handle your credit card information?

Ever heard of the email spammers who buy your email name and address from a list? Stands to reason that there are also lists available on the internet that list your name and CC number - from when you did business with a “not quite 100% legit” source.

You know if you are going to buy from a bona fida company like City Moda.com or Metroluxury that they will be paying members of a privacy of information security certificate and secure server hosting! You r numbers and details will be in the internet version of Fort Knox.

Can you honestly say the fakers will treat your details with as much care and consideration??

A-ha!

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written by Karen

In the whole history of handbags, for as long as we’ve had important things to keep close to us, we’ve had one form of a handbag or another.  Here’s a brief timeline to get you started.  Watch out.  Once you get hooked on the history of handbags, you’ll start looking for more and more on it.

Purses or handbags have gone in and out of fashion literally.  Depending on what the fashion of the day was, a lady or gentleman might wear their purse on their outside of their clothes, the inside of their clothes, or within a pocket of their outfit.

1990s.  While many men still prefer the manly man look of a backpack, you see plenty of men carrying around messenger style bags or even rugged totes for their wares.  Black nylon has really come out in full force.

1970s. In the 1970s, we see hippy chic is big.  You’ll find most handbags are handmade or in natural colors, with lots of leather and unstructured silhouettes.

1940s - 1960s.  Due to manufacturing innovations, we see more adventurous designs with handbags getting more structured and polished.

1930s. By the 1930s, we see saddlery shops taking an interest in producing leather “handbags.”  Hermes produces their Noe “handbag,” which originally was for a wine-maker to carry his bottles around.

1920s. Here we really have the advent of our modern handbag due to the “paring” down of women’s fashions.  You also see the beginning of beautiful mesh handbags for evening wear.

1840s -1880s.  The Victorian age provides us with many innovative and creative styles for handbags.

1700s. Men now have pockets in their pants and women have chosen to continue to hide their purses within a pocket of their ample skirts.

1500s. Because women are now wearing hoop skirts, they can hid their purses inside a pocket between their clothes.

1400s. Both men and women carry purses with long strings that they hung from their waists.

1300s.  Women begin to carry a chatelaine, which is a pin worn at the waist that has chains to hold useful everyday items such as scissors, sewing tools, etc.

1000s. Men really are carrying the purse strings right now.  Small leather pouches hold just enough money for walking around town in.  Money purses get more elaborate with adornment and they get larger as people start carrying other things in them as well.

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written by Ruth

For many of us handbagistas out there, buying a handbag is something of an investment.  Or at the very least, we need to take care of our handbags so that we can maximize our enjoyment of them.

Here’s a few handy hints on how to care for our bags. Do remember as you read through this - make sure you always test any suggestion on a small area of your bag first, leave it then check later - after at least an hour - to ensure this doesn’t react badly. Where possible, ALWAYS use the suggestions made by the manufacturer in the care booklet! Handbagista can not be held responsible for any problems occuring from using any of the following advice in any form. It’s worked for us and people we know - but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t test and be safe yourself!!

For fabric handbags (including jacquards), most modern fabrics are treated to be both water and stain resistant.  If you spill something on your handbag, blot it up at once.  It will come out easier if it is still wet.

If a stain is resistant, you should be able to use a gentle soap to softly rub out as much of the stain as possible.  For some all-cotton totes, their manufacturers will suggest that you can wash them in sudsy water if spot cleaning isn’t sufficient.

Remember - If you’re in doubt about the care, contact the manufacturer.

For nylon bags, you’re going to want to stick with spot cleaning or talk to a professional dry cleaner to help you clean your handbag.

For leather handbags, consider using a leather conditioner to keep the leather soft and supple.  Watch out though, most conditioners will darken the color of the leather prematurely.  Check with the handbag manufacturer, often times they’ll have a recommended product to use with their specific collections.

For suede, use a suede brush to gently remove any debris.  If you feel it necessary to further clean it, go to an expert for help.

For patent leather handbags, keep all petroleum based products away from them.  That means no leather conditioners.  You can use a soft damp cloth to wipe away debris. Patent leather can act like Silly Putty so make sure you don’t keep any offending items next to it (newspaper, magazines, etc.).  Store in a felted storage bag and keep away from sunlight or dry heat.

For evening handbags, experts suggest that you lightly stuff them with acid-free tissue paper to keep them from getting wrinkled.  Store them in a felted storage bag or a pillowcase to keep the dust off of the fine embroidery.

For all of your handbags, don’t store them in plastic (it doesn’t breathe) and don’t hang them, it puts stress on the handles and stitching around the handles.  Lightly pad the inside of your handbag with acid free tissue paper to keep it from developing “wrinkles.” Hat boxes make great storage units for handbags that are out of season.

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written by Ruth