Handbags

From Domicella's wikiStyle

Handbags

Finding the perfect bag to complete an outfit in the back of your closet is reward enough for not getting rid of bags after one season. A durable, classic handbag will always come back in its own, which is why we choose to tuck them away in their storage bags and shelve them in our closet for a rainy day. Here are some styles that should never be given away.

The Kelly Bag- Coined after Grace Kelly, Hermes renamed the Kelly bag in 1956 when Grace Kelly used her Hermes handbag to hide her pregnancy.1 The Kelly bag size from 32 centimeters across.

The Birkin Bag- Rumored to have a year-plus wait and costing approximately $7,400, the Birkin is for the girl who has everything.3 This boxy bag comes in five sizes ranging from 25 to 50 centimeters wide.4 Born from the Kelly bag, which was originally designed by Hermes in 1892, the Birkin bag was reborn when actress Jane Birkin complained while traveling on an airplane that the Kelly bag was not large enough to carry her things. The president of Hermes, Jean Louis Dumas, also happened to be traveling on the same airplane when he overheard Birkin’s comment. Dumas determined to create a larger version of the Kelly which was coined the Birkin in 1984.

The Clutch- Oversized, tiny, leather, satin or suede, the clutch never goes out of style. Impractical because it requires a hand to carry it, or at the very least, a tightly clenched arm, the clutch is eternally elegant because it embodies nonchalance. Shopper Tote- Originally designed to serve a purpose, the functional shopper tote can also be fashionable.

Portfolio Case- Practical for carrying flat objects, such as paperwork, the portfolio case comes in many sizes. Its flat shape makes it impractical for carrying bulky goods.

Hobo- This slouchy, structureless bag acts casual but lets its wearer carry plenty of business. It is like a never ending cave of purse goodies. The hobo can expand to a size big enough to carry wallet, cosmetics case, cell phone, sunglasses, plus a few extra goodies, but it can also collapse when its contents are removed.

The Messenger Bag- A long shoulder strap and a flap enclosure are the signature trademarks of the messenger bag. Designed to be worn diagonally across one’s chest so that the strap hangs on one shoulder and the bag lands on the opposite side of its wearer, the messenger bag is in an androgynous fashion style.