Size Matters

The greatest accessory a fashionista can carry on her arm, besides a well-dressed hottie, is a stylish handbag. I’m talking about the kind of bag that draws both admiring gazes and jealous glances from other style-savvy women.

But like mouth-watering arm-candy of the male persuasion, an important motto also applies to your choice in handbags – Size Matters!

From baguettes to bucket bags, purses come in all shapes and sizes. The right handbag can flatter your shape as much as those fave jeans (you know, the ones that kiss your curves in all the right places)…but the wrong bag can be as deadly as a pair of Mom Jeans in all their elastic-waistband glory.

Not to worry, my fellow Bag Ladies - just follow a few simple rules and you’ll be in Handbag Heaven:

Your bag should compliment your body type. For you tall and thin ladies, don’t be afraid to rock a bigger bag. Hobo bags, satchels and other large, unstructured styles are a perfect fit. Your stature allows you to pull this off, without looking like the bag is pulling you down. If you are a little more voluptuous, opt for handbags that are smaller and more structured, like a rectangular clutch or cigar box bag. Just like clothes, a bag can give the illusion of adding weight, or slimming you down.

The long and short of choosing the right bag is just that – long vs. short. To all petite women: do not carry bags that fall too far down on your body, such as the Balantine style that hits at the knee. They just draw the eye down and make you look shorter! Clutches and smaller bags are a vertically challenged girl’s best friend! You can also opt for a handheld bag that is not overwhelming (I’m a huge fan of Louis Vuitton’s Damier Azur Speedy 30) or an over-the-shoulder mid-sized bag that falls above your waist.

The law of visual illusion states: wherever the bottom of a handbag hits your body is the body part that will be maximized! If you always wanted a bigger bust, start sporting a bag with a short strap – or one that you can tuck under your arm. If you’re trying to lose a few inches in the hip area, avoid a bag that falls at the hips. The best bet for a flattering bag length is one that falls in the middle of your torso.

This goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway – choose a size and shape that look good on you, not because it’s the latest, trendiest or most popular. You’ll know what bags look good on you when you try it on, in front of a store mirror, BEFORE you buy!

Now that you’re armed with these Bag Lady bullet points, you’re ready to walk arm-in-arm with your new hottie. Of course, I’m talking about the handbag, but if you’ve got a man on the other arm, more power to you, sister!

~ Christine Cipriani