How To Find the Perfect Handbag

The other day, a friend sent me an unexpected text.  Seven little words that made my day: would you help me choose a handbag?  There’s nothing I love more than finding the perfect handbag.  Okay, maybe a few things: family, home, peace, and friends, for example.  What I meant to say was that there’s nothing I love to shop for more than a handbag.  It’s so easy.   A handbag doesn’t have to fit, be weather appropriate, or add to your mountain of laundry.  It can be an instant style upgrade.  If you have slim pickings at the stores in your town, it’s fairly easy to buy handbags online.  *Post updated 2021*

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How do you choose from the millions of styles at your fingertips? Here’s my step-by-step guide to finding your perfect handbag.  

Step 1: Size It Up

I start from the inside out.  The contents of my bag vary during the year (so I actually have a perfect handbag for each season).  The bare essentials are my wallet, keys, phone, and lipstick.  Around the holidays, I tend to carry more make-up, extra jewelry, coupons, and protein bars.  Over the summer, I add sunscreen and sunglasses. In the fall, I spend more time at home and go back to the essentials.  

What are your essentials? Pile them onto a table to get a sense of how big your handbag needs to be. 

If you decide to buy your handbag online, make sure you read the dimensions, pull out a ruler, and figure out if all of your items will fit with a little extra room.  The measurements are for the widest and longest dimensions, but when you take into account the curves and the depth of the bag, it may give you less room inside than you expect.  I love the style and size of this envelope bag, but I hardly use it, as it is too flat to fit my wallet or keys.  

Step 2: Know Your Budget 

The second step is to figure out your budget, which will help you narrow down your choices. Unless you are shopping for an “it” bag, you may also want to wait for a sale. Sales usually start in the middle of a season, however, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale offers fall handbags before fall even begins, so it’s a really good opportunity to buy something you’ll use all season long.

If you have no idea which brands to look at, start with major department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, or online retailers like Zappos or Amazon.  Narrow down the selection by price, and see what catches your eye.  

If you don’t mind an older style or are looking for a classic style, try Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth, and DSW.  Note that many of the outlet stores (Banana Republic Factory and J.Crew Factory) create cheaper and often lower quality versions of their parent brand, rather than past season styles.  

Step 3:  Narrow Down The Style 

Whether you are shopping online or in a store, it helps to know which styles you would consider and which are off the table.

Hands-free Options: Belt Bags, Cross-body Bags, Or Backpacks

For a rockstar look, try Rebecca Minkoff’s Megan Half Moon Crossbody or Jett Camera Bag.

If you prefer a clean, simple look, try Madewell’s Sydney Shoulder Bag or Sol & Selene’s Accolade Convertible Belt Bag.

Professional Options: Top Handle, Shoulder Bags, Or Bucket Bags

Michael Kors always has a selection of professional shoulder bags like the Bradshaw Small Leather Convertible Handbag.

Coach handbags also have that polished look. Try the Tabby 26 Leather Shoulder Bag.

For a very affordable, faux leather handbag, take a look at Mango’s Buckled Flap Bag.

Large Bags: Totes, Stylish Diaper Bags, Hobos

Mango also has leather options at affordable prices, like their Leather Shopper Bag.

Anthropologie’s Julien Leather Tote has such a fun circular shape and comes in 6 colors!

I love the unusual shape of Vince Camuto’s Afina Leather Tote.

Bare Essentials Bags: Mini Bags, Clutches, And Wallets  

If you are a minimalist, you may just need a bag that holds your cash, cards, phone, and keys.

Tory Burch’s Fleming Soft Wristlet is classic and elegant.

Nordstrom brand handbags are affordable but stylish. Take a look at their Selena Leather Clutch.

If you like soft leather, you’ll like Lucky Brand’s compact Kaie Leather Wallet.

If you have multiple personalities like I do (just kidding), then try a larger tote with a clutch or pouch inside so that you can make a quick change.  

Step 4:  Color and Season 

If you tend to wear neutrals, try something bright, or patterned.  If you tend to wear a lot of prints pick a color block or texture.  Unless you have the time to match your handbag daily with your outfit, pick something that will work with the majority of your clothes.  If you are just buying one, pick a neutral color (black, brown, gray, navy, or camel) but if you buy one for each season you have a little more choice of color.  

Step 5.  Finished Look And Feel 

Once you’ve narrowed down your selections, take some photos (in-store, with permission of course) or screenshots (online) to compare.  Which one fits all of your practical needs and your style?  Which one enhances your closet?  If you are unsure, make sure your store allows returns, and take one or two of them home to see how they fit with the rest of your closet.   

Step 6: Trends 

If money were no object, I would start with the trends and buy the “it” bag of the season.  But, since I have a budget, I often buy handbags at the end of the season, on sale, or from an off-price retailer.   It may not be the designer bag of the moment or even an “investment” bag, but it can still be current and fabulous.  

These are some of the current 2021 trends:

1. Circle, crescent, and half moon shaped bags
2. Soft and Slouchy totes and hobos
3. Chain handle bags
4. Bright Colors
5. Oversized bags

Take a look at my favorite handbag of 2021 in this post.

What are you looking for in your perfect handbag? Let me know in the comments below!