Handbags Need to be Stylish and Practical

First impressions are so important in a job interview that you must pay careful attention to every aspect of your appearance and mannerism. One thing that is often overlooked about appearance is the handbag. Even when someone is paying extra attention to their appearance, they may not even think about what handbag they should bring to their job interview.

The handbag you take with you on a job interview does help with the first impression the employer will have of you. The handbag you take should be functional as well as smart, as this is where you will likely keep your CV and contact card.

Here are some tips to help you choose a handbag to take to a job interview.

• You’ll want to choose a handbag that is large enough to fit a copy of your CV, without having to fold it up, which will cause it to appear worn and not very professional.
• A good handbag to take to a job interview will be functional; you’ll want the bag to have compartments to hold your mobile phone, pens, keys, etc.
• The best handbags will have Velcro, and zipper compartments so that your bag’s content does not get mixed up if you should accidentally jostle it around or tip it over.
• It is important that you handbag match the clothing you will be wearing to your job interview; it should especially match your shoes. A good guideline would be to choose a handbag that is black or navy blue if you will be wearing darker colors, and if you are wearing lighter, earth tone colors, tan and brown will look great.
• The handbag you bring on your interview should never be made of canvas or denim, as this is too casual. Your best choices would be a handbag made from leather or microfibre.
• Before leaving for your job interview, double-check your handbag to make sure there or no stains or loose threads that are apparent.
• The style of your handbag should be smart and elegant, but not flashy; remember you want to put forth the impression of professionalism.
• You will also want to pay attention to quality when choosing your handbag; you will want this bag to last you a long time so that you can also use it for work once you have found a job.

Paying attention to details such as your handbag can may all the difference in what type of fist impression you give a potential employer; the more professional you look the better. Choosing a professional style of handbag is just as important for events such as businesses lunches and meetings with associates, as it is for job interviews.

Keeping up with fashion can be pretty intimidating for those on a budget. With the bombardment of advertising that seems to shout “couture or the highway!” feeling or looking stylish can start to get a little intimidating for people who don’t have the leisure time to scour for deals.

Thankfully, most of the world’s famous designers didn’t start out with unlimited funds to dress themselves, either. Fashion has always been about style, and style and taste are two things that can’t quite be bought. In fact, the world of high fashion has been preying on the world of street fashion for decades now, with everything from punk rock haircuts to grunge-inspired sweaters finding their way to the catwalk over time. Some of the feistier designers in the fashion world started out downtown, making their mark on some of the hottest players in the underground art and music scenes, before breaking out on their own. One such luminary is Betsey Johnson, who advises that all a woman really needs is one good pair of heels and a dress that fits and that accessories can do the rest of the job for her.

Looking Hot This Season–Without Breaking the Bank

Taking that advice, the best way for those learning about fashion or those on a tight budget to keep up with the seasons is to focus more on accessories or lasting items than something obviously of a single year. Just because it’s hot now doesn’t mean it will pair well with next year’s clothes, and in these economic times with even Marc Jacobs scaling back his fashion week parties, there’s no need to feel guilty about watching a budget.

So for those ladies choosing one new item for the season that’s as chic as it is timeless, the best item to go for is actually a handbag.

Surprised? Don’t be. So often, women forget that accessorizing includes one’s bag, and that one’s bag is just as noticeable to the general population as shoes or a jacket are. And with such fervour for knockoffs, a savvy bag shopper can spot a bad facsimile a mile away. And it’s never fun to be around snooty women who are making snide remarks about faux-toure.

More important, going for one of this season’s hottest bags is actually a great move towards building a great wardrobe. For women who already have a great and timeless clutch purse to take with them to fancier dinners, consider the dire need for an excellent day-to-day bag, that seamlessly transitions from hauling personal affects to work to making a night out on the town look just as classy and stylish as ever. A great bag can go many places, and even more than shoes, women can always add one to their collection and spruce up their look.

Choosing Wisely

Even though handbags are a great investment, there’s no reason to get swept up in things and make a bad decision. Sometimes, something that looks great on the runway or in a store window is just not going to transition well into the street, and knowing when to charge it and when to avoid it is one of the biggest steps in fashion development that a woman can make to truly mature.

Thankfully, most of this season’s hottest handbags are veering more towards a traditional theme, including with colour palette. Perhaps the fashion world is scaling back, or perhaps there’s simply a return to class. Either way, the words that everyone kept using after checking out Fashion Week were “sturdy” and “classic,” with most designers realizing that, before an evening gown, women are going to add a handbag to their collection.

The Must-Have New Styles

This season’s handbags are bringing back a high-fashion take on durability. Not quite as cowboy-inspired as seasons past, nonetheless, fringe is happening in a much bigger way than it used to be, even on smaller-sized bags. Shoulder straps are definitely in, even with potential clutches, and most designers are rolling out at least one Argentina-inspired medium-sized bag where the focus is durable leather gently inspired by simple country bags used out on the range. The look is understated and great, and helps to dress up any outfit for any occasion. Thank God equestrian influence is still in, because it’s really working when designers use it.

Suede is also making inroads into handbags this year, with a number of designers showcasing smaller suede bags, especially with fringe. Thankfully, the suede handbags aren’t too age-of-Aquarius, but certainly will put a spring into anyone’s step, because they sure do manage to make even the most average outfit look a little bit edgier.

Another hugely popular trend that’s holding strong and is apparent in this season’s hottest handbags is the versatile satchel. Nothing says New York quite like one of these simple and sophisticated bags, and some of the hottest names in New York’s fashion world designed truly fabulous ones that are all the rage at both the boutiques and on the catwalk. Wrap-around buckles are frequently used to dress the bags up, making them perfect for a night out.

…and Some Things to Steer Clear Of

Even though it’s tempting to splurge on something blue, pink, yellow, or whatever is the colour of the moment, it’s important to think about making it last. A well-designed handbag in a colour that might be adventurous this season turns into something that might be hilariously out of vogue next season. Stick to the basics if you want your look to be hot now, and tomorrow.

It’s totally understandable how someone might, in a delusional moment, think that it is perfectly acceptable for a grown woman to buy a bag with any sort of pyramid studs. But before making that mistake, consider two things: the only grown women who ever looked good with studded anything were during the height of the 1980s, and buying a bag with studs is a sure-fire way to accidentally match your sulky 14 year-old niece’s faux-punk rock belt from Hot Topic. There’s just not a good way to put studs on a purse, so just say no.

So Now, So Then, So Future, Too

A wise choice from this season’s crop of handbags will be able to make it long after spring has come again. A truly great choice, and you might have your daughter begging you for the bag in 25 years or so. That’s how great fashion works, so choose wisely, and make your look last for a long time.

Giving the gift of a handbag also allows mother and daughter to share in a mutual appreciation of luxury and fashionable goods. It is a standard which the daughter can look up to later in life. You buy your daughter her first designer handbag, and then eventually she will be able to buy her own and start her collection. Many women long for their very own designer handbag collection which they will then pass on to their daughters, who will pass on to their daughters and so on. A handbag collection is a family treasure, it’s something to be passed down through the generations to cherish and to love. Designer handbags preserve their value throughout time. They are simply eternal.

Think about it, after all the work of university, the long hours, the tiresome burdens, your child is now ready to step out into the real world. Nothing shows your appreciation and sentiment better than a really nice handbag. This is a big transition in her life, so you want to make it special. A designer handbag never goes out of style. It lasts. It really is a gift that keeps on giving. You cannot go wrong with a stylish handbag.

Before, the typical graduation gift used to be a leather briefcase, with perhaps a monetary surprise tucked inside along with some graduation cards and other such things. Nowadays, however, graduates often crave something more luxurious, something more ostentatious and significant; they want something they won’t be able to afford all on their own—a briefcase doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s old school and it doesn’t convey the gravity of the situation. So when it comes to a girl’s graduation gift, a designer handbag goes a long way.

Luxury, high end handbags are available at consignment stores. These cost significantly less than say a Birkin, which may be a little extravagant for a first time graduate especially during a recession. Vintage designer purses, say a vintage Gucci or Chanel can cost half the price than a brand new version, making them very affordable and yet still very chic and classic. Or if you already have a collection of handbags, passing one of your own to your daughter when the time comes can be a very significant gesture. It makes the occasion even more personal and special. Also, you can find some really beautiful brand-new Italian designer leather handbags in the Birkin style on our website.

If you do decide to buy a used handbag, it should be something that expresses timelessness; designer vintages, classics usually never really go out of style. Think the Chanel 2.55, designed by Coco Chanel herself, this bag, which has gone through a few reincarnations is really a great staple; it is a classic. Another great vintage model is a Hermes Kelly, named after the princess Grace Kelly, who famously used the bag to hide her pregnant belly. There are quite a few online sites that specialize in vintage designer fashion bags. Here you can usually get great deals; however, you do want to exercise caution when you’re shopping online as fakes are prolific. Many people hawk fakes of very high quality and it is quite difficult to tell the difference between a real high end designer handbag and a fake.

Bigger bags, hobo type bags for instance or bags that can be carried in different style are also great buys because they are versatile; this can be used for carrying books and other school materials—they also are great for going to work. A Balenciaga weekender bag fits the bill perfectly—it’s large enough to fit books and it works for traveling back and forth from home to school.

Even guys can get into the handbag craze with elegant messenger bags or briefcases. These are perfect for carrying into a job interview and are popular for male graduates.

A graduation is a special occasion. Don’t be afraid to splurge a little. A designer handbag is timeless. It’s a gift your child will really love & the graduation photographs with gown, moratr boar & designer handbag over the shoulder will be a lasting reminder of the special day.