Handbags Are Adventurous Creations

By: James Brown

Many women will select several different dress styles before they ever stop to think about the accessories for these clothing items that they will need. They think that belts, and fashion accessories
such as rings and necklaces will be relatively easy choices to make, but the handbags that they choose will have to be quite unique to go with half of the items in their closets at home.

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Some women have definitive levels of taste in the handbags that they choose to use on a day-to-day basis. They think that since the handbags will go with them to many locations in town, they have a firm belief that their handbag designs should be adventurous. Some women might prefer to use animal skins and be exotic as well as adventurous and other women might choose to go basic black to play it safe.

Handbags are adventurous creations because the designer can use a variety of accents on each and nobody would consider them to be overpowering. Against a backdrop of brightly colored clothes, a clever designer might choose to create handbags that are bold and brilliant using rhinestones, sequins or any type of colored beading that they have plenty of.

The detail work on the interior of the handbags would also have to be adventurous to keep up with the lifestyle of the handbag owner. The interiors of these handbags might have compartments that are secured with snaps, and others that offer more security through the various colored zippers that are installed. The interior fabrics will most likely feel silky and make the handbag owner feel regal and elegant.

The most adventurous handbags will hang by dainty leads of leather or animal skin. The rugged adventurer might prefer to use handbags that are made of softened cowhide that has been carefully trimmed and oiled to perfection. The more petite handbag holder will most like prefer handbag creations that are small to scale and feel like a silent partner instead of a burden that they want to put down at the first opportunity.

Some women prefer to be very adventurous when they try to match their new handbags with shoes that are in a store located several shops away from a handbag vendor. They will be daring and purchase the handbag they like and then carry their precious possession into the shop and ask a salesperson what shoes would be the perfect match. In some cases, the adventurer might have to leave the handbag at the shop to ensure that the custom colors services can get the color right the first time on the new shoes that they purchased.

Article Source: http://add-articles.com

Designer Inspired Handbags That Stand The Test Of Time

By Craig Thornburrow

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At a time when designer inspired handbags are on the rise, there is only one that has stood the test of time - Louis Vuitton handbags.

Watch any of the home shopping club shows, and you will find a host of handbags by such famous designers as Dooney & Bourke, Gucci, and the like. But nothing compares to the style and detail that Louis Vuitton offers.

As the Louis Vuitton line became more popular, the more designed-oriented the handbags became. Departing from the signature tan, solid colors such as black, red, pink, and blue were introduced. Then came the popular multi-colored handbags such as denim, quilted leather, leather and fur, striped, and textures that only Louis Vuitton can provide.

The Vuitton line also extended far beyond what other designer inspired handbags could imagine. Wallets, scarves, agenda books, sunglasses, and jewelry have become as popular as the original handbags. More importantly, Louis Vuitton has exceeded expectations by offering a men's line of products as well.

Whether you have been to a Louis Vuitton store in the United States, Paris, London, or others countries, there is a distinct sense of class when you walk into their stores. Unlike any other, chic is the operative word to describe an LV store. The items are placed on mirrored shelves and in mirrored cases. One can easily inspect each and every handbag, luggage, and accessory in their showcases.

When an item is purchased, it is wrapped in tissue paper and placed in an exquisite bag along with the dust-covered drawstring pouch. Each one of these items has the LV label on it.

The handbags are durable and spacious. The signature LV lock and key, as well as the inside stamped monogram gives authenticity to the handbag as well as the myriad of products they offer.

Moreover, the handbag not only retains its value, but can be worth a lot of money. Individuals who sell their Louis Vuitton handbags online can expect quite a bidding war, especially if the handbag was the first in the LV line. As with all handbags, however, there are those who try to sell fake LV bags, and the most discerning handbag expert can immediately tell the difference.

The designed-inspired Louis Vuitton handbag is made from one piece of leather. Moreover, the inside lining is a light tan, where a fake would be darker. The agenda books, for example, have a stamped number inside the right flap but, you can always tell a fake LV bag by the outside color. The initials tend to be a bit greener in the light.

If you love designer inspired handbags, it behooves you to take a trip to a Louis Vuitton store in your area. You may not buy anything, but the experience alone is worth the trip.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Creating Your Image With Replica Handbags

By John Grant

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So you want something that is both artistic and functional? Well, here is an idea that is not only fun to shop for but will also leave you with something that will be used often in your everyday life. Something that you can get compliments on as they admire your replica handbag wondering where you bought such a high class fashion accessory thinking it is indeed a designer bag and not something more economical.

So, if you want to enjoy the feel of carrying a designer bag without having to empty your bank account just to buy one, you can always opt for replica handbags. Replica handbags, if carefully and meticulously made, would certainly complement your outfits. You can be classy without having to go bankrupt.

You will find these bags in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors and materials. You will never truly lack of choices. You can use a "designer" bag anytime you want regardless of your moods. Do you want to create a particular look or image? You need to have the right kind of bag to go along with it and replica handbags are perfect for creating the look you want.

There are many reasons why many women opt to use replica handbags. Obviously, the primary reason is that they are able to save a lot of money from choosing these handbags than buying the original ones. Who can blame them? It's not like everyone can afford genuine luxury handbags. The cost of these genuine bags can range from several hundreds to thousands of dollars. On the other hand, you can get a well-crafted replica bag for at most a couple of hundred dollars. There are even replicas that only cost twenty bucks. Of course, the drawback to these poor quality handbags is that they may not last very long.

If you are going for the replica handbags, you might as well splurge a little and buy the high-quality bags. Usually, these are made with the same materials that are used to create the original bags. In fact, you should check the stitches and linings of these high-quality handbags and you will notice that the stitches are quite as fine as the original ones.

Be careful, however, when buying these high-quality handbags. Ironically, these bags may be considered by those owning the original ones to be cheap knockoffs, but there are still many scammers who are out to trick you by passing off as high-quality their low quality wares. It is wise, therefore, to check the materials used to create the handbag and the methods employed by the manufacturer. A good quality bag is fairly difficult to distinguish from the original bags.

In today's world, many women gravitate towards those expensive and luxurious handbags. Many of these women, however, do not want to lag around expensive handbags. With replica handbags, you can look good and feel good without having to spend a lot of money. You don't even have to constantly about losing your expensive bag. You can just be a woman of the 21st century.

Excess baggage

Chloe Handbags up to 50% off retail.

BY PRATIBHA UMASHANKAR
khaleejtimes.com


Why do women carry such huge handbags while men get away with wallets? Do women need all that they carry in their bags? And what do they carry? Is the bag a survival kit for all eventualities? Is being prepared for all eventualities a sign of insecurity? Weekend emptied out a few bags to spill the beans. A BAG is a woman’s lifeline. It’s a survival kit. Mine can see me through a couple of days on a deserted island. I seem to be surgically attached to my bag. We are inseparable like conjoined twins. Since it is such a butt of ridicule, I decided to do a bit of soul-searching — rather, bag-searching.

Like the proverbial Pandora’s box, things spilled out when I tipped its contents. A whole lot of papers which had passed their sell-by-date, bills, receipts, stubs of raffle tickets from shopping malls I’ve never won, a twisted sticking plaster that would cause major infection if used on a bruise, outdated strips of Panadol, mouth freshener, writing pad, an assortment of pens and pencils, post-it notes, a half-solved, crumpled crossword puzzle, not one, but two cell phones — for a just-in-case situation — a powdery packet of biscuits, again for a just-in-case situation, a bottle of water, the make-up pouch with light and dark shades of lipstick, a roll-on perfume, nail cutter, hairbrush, hairclips, rubber bands, facewash, a napkin, a bunch of tissues, wet wipes turned dry, a caked and unused powder compact, a congealed bottle of eyeliner (God did I need all this?!), a book — the one I was reading at the moment, an Mp3, a tape recorder, wallet, sunglasses, a diary, a clip-on light that can be fixed to a book so I can read in the dark that doubles up as flashlight, a whistle…. No kidding!

So what do other women carry in their bags? We decided to find out. We chose women from different walks of life. The common denominator was the huge handbag. We set out with a working hypothesis — women feel uncomfortable unless they have absolutely everything with them when they step out of the house. Here is the result of our “findings”. “That’s what’s in,” informs Miriam Westerberg, pointing to her elegant, but over-sized handbag. She should know. She is a model. Home to her is Stockholm and she has been in Dubai for just three months. Her profession keeps her on her toes, literally. When she’s not swooshing off from one photo shoot to another, she’s doing the rounds for casting for future assignments.

Her bag, understandably, is a cornucopia of veritable delights. She has bags within bags — four of them to be precise. “One for my passport and other important stuff,” she smiles. And then she empties out yet another bag — the mini make-up kit. Out come lipstick, sunscreen cream, lip gloss, roll-on perfume, a powder compact, nail polish, nail clippers and even a small bottle of shampoo. And then there’s a largish wallet with credit cards, cash and the like. The fourth satchel snugly fits a pair of stilettos. “Just in case I get a call for a casting appointment,” she informs. Otherwise she goes around in a pair of flat, sensible shoes. At an imposing 5 feet 11 inches, she doesn’t really need high heels.

Ah yes, there is swimwear and a beach towel. “I relax on the beach between assignments if I have time to kill,” she explains. But her glowing, naturally tanned complexion, thanks to her being half Swedish and half Nigerian, doesn’t need a boost either. The big bag itself has tiny compartments to fit her cell phone, an MP3, and of course, the ubiquitous chewing gum. Despite the amount of things her bag houses, it’s neat. She hates clutter. Everything is compartmentalised. No obsolete bills or stubs of lipstick. She just dips into her big bag and picks up the small bag she wants —for a quick freshening up. “Personally I’d prefer a smaller bag,” she confesses. “I carry this huge one because of my heavy portfolio.”

The portfolio, which is every model’s bread and butter, weighs a couple of kilos. “It’s not good for my shoulder,” says Miriam. But I prefer everything to go into one bag. I have this habit of leaving behind one of them if I carry two things. I have lost a lot of bags — in cabs and at counters — with my passport and credit cards. It’s such a bother when that happens in a foreign country. So I stick to my huge bag. But the danger is, if I lose this one, I lose it all!” Miriam often thinks of pruning her bag — paring it down to the bare minimum. “Maybe I carry stuff like shampoo and nail polish that I have never used when on the move. I carry them just in case….”

It’s just the just-in-case stuff that bulges a woman’s bag. Miriam tends to be faithful to one bag. “I buy a good bag that goes with most of my outfits and tend to wear it out. But even a good bag can be used only for a season or two. And then the trend changes.” But why do women carry such big bags and stuff them with things? “You know, I think women are vain,” she says, without the slightest hint of vanity. “We like to look nice and well groomed all the time. So we carry a whole lot of things that we might need.” What about men? Aren’t they vain? “Mmm … they are. Male models are. And they groom themselves too. But guess they leave their stuff in the car,” says Miriam.

“You know, you can rent designer bags. You see, celebrities cannot be seen with the same bag twice. And designer bags cost a fortune. And how many bags can you buy? So they rent a bag. It could come for as low as $100.” With that Miriam picks up her all-purpose bag and strides out. As she leaves, she says, “I must really think of carrying a smaller bag.” If Miriam is a professional model, on the other end of the spectrum we Dr Nishi Singh-Shrivastav, Medical Microbiologist-Virologist and Infection Control Specialist. Currently she is now on the faculty of Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology. “My bag is not among the largest in the market. It’s a good medium-sized specimen. Does size really matter?” asks Dr Nishi.

“I’ve had problems with cervical spondylosis so I was advised by my orthopedic colleagues and physios to not carry heavy loads. Sigh! If only that was possible…. Not conducive to keeping my “swan neck” healthy! But my bag is large enough to carry my all that I need around with me. Dr Nishi’s bag has two small pouches and one zipped one on the outside. “I seek comfort in knowing my bag (the contents too) inside out. So frequent changes are definitely out, unlike Dubai’s fashionistas,” says Dr Nishi. “I guess am too lazy to be bothered.” The Doc then goes on to take an exhaustive inventory of her bag. Except the proverbial magician’s rabbit, it holds a whole lot of things.

Exhaustive list of contents:

Main compartment:

Mobile phone, home keys, car keys, sunglasses, packet of facial tissues passport photocopy, post-it notes, chapstick, lip gloss, lipstick, small perfume, hair comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, kohl stick, box of mints, throat lozenge, silver box in a velvet cover with fennel seeds, supari and cardamom, chewing gum, mint slips, dental floss and stick, a sachet of Earl grey scented tea and two Kashmiri kahwa teabags, cinnamon sticks, two pens, two sharpened pencils, miniature copies of an extract of the Ramayana, Hanuman Chalisa, a pair of Sri Krishna padukas (silver enameled slippers of deity, magnifying lens with in-built light (do you guys know about this contraption? Very useful for 40+ brethren — or “sistern” — with failing eyesight in dimly-lit romantic eateries), silver business card holder in a velvet sleeve, cloth napkin, hand lotion tube and a copy of the SSY pamphlet (Siddhi Samadhi Yoga).

Wallet (with seven pockets)

Currency notes, coins, sacred red thread, and picture of my favourite deity, more sacred thread, six free AA cards (how does one know when the car is going to break down, so expert assistance at hand), staff ID card, driving license, E-gate card, medical license, health card, air miles card, frequent flyer card, five credit cards, two ATM cards, Medical Association card, two Medical insurance cards (younger daughters' and mine), another license (Hmm!) five copies of my photos of husband and two daughters.

Outside pocket:

Sewing kit with two additional safety pins, after mints sachet, six Band Aids, seven spirit swabs, antacid, Buscopan, Brufen, Panadol, antihistamine and Ranitidine tablets, three Ural and hand sanitiser sachets, dental floss and toothpick, nail emery board. The doctor adds in a parenthetical clause, “One of the allowed luxuries after I left the main hospital/clinical practice and chose academics is long nails. But they have an annoying habit of chipping in working hands. Wish I could be a lady of leisure and flaunt long, sexy, red painted claws….” And then she looks at the contents of her bag and exclaims, “Oh, my God! Do I really carry all this stuff with me all the time? I seem to be prepared for any eventuality! A sobering thought.” Now how does one begin to analyse this assortment of paraphernalia? “Let's begin with the professional stuff,” she says, bracing herself. “I certainly do not carry so many medicines around for my needs (in decent health for my age!) They are in case I am asked to help out at the college campus.

The spiritual stuff is to tide me over the stress of day-to-day living and the waiting/travel time, when I’m stuck in those interminable traffic jams. “Not much make-up stuff. Loathe to be too made-up, but definitely fussy about personal grooming and hygiene, hence the toothbrush-toothpaste, hand sanitiser, tissues, napkin etc. The supari holder is a cherished gift from a favourite aunt of my husband's, who passed away a few years ago. “Cards! The sheer number of plastic I lug around — 24 in all. The professional stuff apart, if I combine the credit limit of all the plastic, the banks have generously offered, I can live in great style. But does one really wish to live on borrowed feathers, so to say. So even though I lug them around, I’m one of the cash-only types. They do come in handy when travelling abroad. Recently we splurged to our hearts' content (female bonding exercise) when visiting my elder daughter at her Med school in the UK and my poor husband got a frantic phone call from the bank reporting frenzied transactions on the cards!

As for the teabags, cinnamon sticks etc, like to carry my own healthier brews. Am I beginning to sound like a fussy old lady? Now for the just-in-case items: The SSY pamphlet. The guru was over to the university to speak to the students and introduce the young Emarati medical lab students to a holistic view of health and wellbeing. Still in situ, just in case someone needs help outside of the strictly narrow medical therapy. “An old M&S IOU of a princely sum of Dh15 have been I’ve been lugging for ages hoping I’ll have it adjusted next time I shop there. Hasn’t happened in years. They’re not going to like that! Does the Doc believe things in the bag expand/increase in proportion to the bag? Is it a case of bigger-the-bag-more-junk-you-carry?

“I resent referring to my precious stuff as “junk” snorts Dr Nishi. I’m fairly meticulous about turning my bag upside down periodically to get rid of the dirt. Neurotic infection control “bugs lady” that I am!” Now for the tough one. We ask her to compare her bag with her husband’s wallet.

The contents of her husband’s wallet:

Notes, two business cards, the lawyer’s business card(!) Indian Consul General’s business card, Health Administrator's card. E-gate card, four credit cards, labour card, ATM card, frequent flyer card, driving license, health insurance card, favourite deity's picture, three silver coins, Salik ID card, AA card and contraption to magnify with light. “I’m amazed at how few things he carries!” says Dr Nishi. It’s indeed a revelation for her. “Not even the same number of plastic!” she exclaims. “I think it’s a futile exercise to go into any “comparative double blind placebo control” studies with the things I lug around.” Dr Nishi admits that her family does get amused by her obsessive carrying some of the stuff the world over that also includes bags of chili peppers-Tabasco while travelling.

“But most of the times they are quite grateful when I produce the required items in times of need,” she says and adds as an aside: “I must say I have a very appreciative brood and spouse, who actually would like me to carry my bag around more often. But I baulk at carrying it to society dos….

“And to be honest, I do carry just the wallet sometimes, especially when grocery shopping. But I find myself juggling the phone, sun shades, keys, cell phone and wish I had brought my hold-all along.” So, a small, dainty bag is a no-no for the Doc. But all we can say is, “Bravo!” for her magical bag. Stefanie Branke, a Senior Account Manager at a PR company describes her bag with four compartments as “Biiiig!” She is physically and emotionally attached to her bag. “Since I got my favourite big bag for Christmas, I’m using it almost every day during the week, as everything I “need” fits easily inside. It’s definitely the biggest bag I have,” she says. When we ask her to empty its contents, down to the last pin and the forgotten receipt, list and analyse them, she gets a bit defensive.

“Oh, I just cleaned out my bag this morning,” she says. “But here you go. Two pens, one invitation card to an event some time ago, a laundry receipt, business card holder with business cards, sunglasses, normal glasses, one agenda — private, one more agenda for meetings, purse, mobile phone, car key, a cosmetic bag containing lip gloss, lip balm, hand lotion, hairpins, and nail polish.” When it comes to bags, according to Stefanie, men are from Mars and women are from Venus. “I don't see how you can even compare the two! They are two completely different worlds,” she says.

Point taken.

Strangely, her big bag was a gift from her boyfriend. Even more strangely, he makes fun of her “a bit” about it, “Although the condition for getting my bag for Christmas from him was that I have to carry his belongings in it as well, when we go out together. When I ask him to get something out of my bag, though, he usually gives up pretty quickly!” Stefanie admits she has tried to carry a smaller bag, but felt distinctly uncomfortable. “It’s much more difficult to fit everything into a small bag.You spend too much time arranging the contents so it fits and have to pack and unpack at least 100 times!” she says. So, men, now you know the reason why women carry a holdall. Stefanie says she doesn’t really have any 'just-in-case' items. “If I notice any in my bag, I usually remove them very quickly,” she says. But admits that things in the bag increase in proportion to the size of the bag.

“Definitely, although I still feel that I REALLY NEED everything that's in there!” She follows a simple thumb rule to know she’s carrying way too much: “You can measure the increase in the content of your bag by the increase in back/shoulder pain that results from carrying around all those kilos!”

We rest our case.

Merla Bungcasan, who works for a telecommunication company says her bag is “bigger than the typical shoulder bag”. Unlike Stefanie, she changes her bag every two weeks or so. She too carries bags within bags. “I’m so used to having so many things in my bag I feel I need them and feel comfortable carrying them along, than not having them in case of necessity….” There you go. Fits our working hypothesis! The 'just-in-case' items are safety pins, charger and USB and memory card. Smart girl! And men, wipe that collective smirk off your faces. The woman of today needs both a safety pin and a memory card!

For Merla, her bag is like a security blanket. “Its a good and comfy feeling when you can carry everything,” she says. She admits that family and friends have dipped into her bag for things they urgently need. “They have said it’s a magic box.”

So there!

What Everyone Should Know About Handbags

Melie Bianco Handbags

by jordan shoes

A handbag is a word that brings up numerous images. Depending on the era you most relate too, handbags may illicit memories of the stylish trend associated with your favorite handbag. Yes, everyone has a favorite: sometimes two or three. A good handbag will withstand the test of time. A good handbag can be proudly passed from a grandmother to her excited granddaughter.

Perhaps the versatility of the handbag is the deciding factor in its durability; however, durability has many factors. The majority of fashionable and versatile handbags are designed and created in leather. Even leather is not completely cut-and-dry. There are many types of leather, each with its own characteristics: ostrich, rawhide, lamb, deer, moose, alligator, and swine just to name a few good examples. The process in which the leather is processed, treated, cured, and eventually shaped is extremely important to the life of the handbag. Obviously, many of the handbag designers are going to use a higher quality of leather depending on the potential price tag to the consumer.

Of course, the actual design of the handbag is essential to the life of the handbag as well. The compartments of a handbag are a vitally important feature to any handbag . However, some people like many compartments, some like only a few: some like big compartments, some like small. Handbag designers try to keep the variety of their potential consumers in mind. One thing is certain about the design of the handbag: all handbags are potentially unique. All handbags offer the individual user a sense of uniqueness and style. Handbags are an invaluable accessory to anyone’s wardrobe: yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Price is an important consideration to many people purchasing a handbag . Finding a reasonable and acceptable price is often daunting and something straight out of a spy movie. Finding a Mulberry handbag for $29 on the street corner may seem exceptionally wonderful. However, you must ask yourself: do you honestly believe that a Mulberry handbag for $29 is an authentic handbag handbag? Many people sell imitation handbags -often referred to as “knock-offs”. If a handbag looks like a name brand handbag, has the name brand tag, and is a steal… proceed with extreme caution. Owning a knock-off brand is illegal in most countries. Now keep in mind that many people purchase replica handbags. These handbags do not claim to be the original brand at all, but closely replicated facsimiles. Of course, the replica handbags are not going to be the same quality of the name brand. Remember: you get what you pay for.

Deciding to purchase a handbag is filled with options, options, and more options. Do not feel overwhelmed. Be aware of what you want before you begin. Know the price range you are looking for. Know the options you just cannot live without. Then buy exactly what you want and need. A good handbag will offer the owner many important factors: versatility, reliability, functionality, and all of this while remaining stylish, trendy, and afforable.

Wholesale handbags offer the latest style and quality at the best prices. Wholesale handbags are usually sold to retailers, to industrial, commercial, institutional, or other professional business users or to other wholesalers and related subordinated services. Most companies provide excellent customer service. Some companies provide printed catalogs to introduce their new products. There are others with a comprehensive and updated online catalog. Wholesale distributors purchase bulk quantity handbags directly from the manufacturers at cheap prices and make considerable profit while selling them to customers.

If you want to order the handbags wholesale, then e-mail your business name, address, phone number and tax ID to the corresponding company websites. After reviewing your request, they will e-mail you a link to their wholesale only website. The companies fix a minimum purchase amount for each order. Most companies accept all major credit cards. Some companies do not accept the other company checks and personal checks. In addition to the cash discount, certain companies offer certain free accessories with the wholesale purchasing of handbags. Some companies provide free shipping also. Most companies will ship only to the billing address of the credit card holder, due to security reasons. For international orders, the USPS (United States Postal Service) is the cheapest mode of shipping. Depending on the country, size of box and weight, the shipping charge will vary.

Wholesale handbags feature front and back open pockets, interior and exterior zipper pockets, or inner open pockets. Single or dual shoulder straps, velvet jeweled shoulder straps, and magnetic closures are some of the features of these handbags. Beaded and embroidered handbags are excellent choices. Sometimes, wholesale merchants allow customers to buy directly from them. This is the best opportunity to profitably purchase a variety of handbags to complement your beautiful dresses.

handbags provides detailed information on handbags , Wholesale Handbags, Designer Handbag, Replica Handbags and more. Handbags is affiliated with Discount Designer Handbags.

So how heavy is your handbag?

By Lisa Jewell Independent.ie

It may be an essential fashion accessory but a survey finds that the average modern hold-all now weighs a ton, and may be a health risk. They're a fashion accessory -- and, really, an absolute necessity -- but modern handbags are quite literally weighing down the modern woman. A new survey has shown that the average weight of a woman's handbag has increased by 38pc over the past five years and now tips the scales at 2.37 kilos (5lbs).

It seems that high-tech gadgets like mobile phones, MP3 players and digital cameras are partly responsible for this increase in weight. However, old handbag favourites such as make-up, hairbrushes, purses and mirrors are still ever-present in Irish women's handbags. The survey was carried out by UK supermarket chain ASDA. We're amazed by how quickly the weight of a handbag has grown -- especially since 2.37 kilos represents only the average figure," says brand director Fiona Lambert.

"This means that, at the extremes, there must be some women carrying handbags which are so heavy that they would put Sherpa Tenzing to shame. "The stress endured by the material and straps of a heavily laden bag as it swings freely from the shoulder is considerable. "It can be the equivalent of a hod carrier on a building site." The increasing weight means that shoulder bags are now the accessory of choice instead of bags carried in the hand or hooked over the elbow. However, the trend for oversized bags means there is even more space to fill with personal possessions. The bigger the bag, the more tempting it is to pack it all in. And carrying that amount of weight every day can have serious health consequences. "When weight is unevenly distributed on one side of the body, it can affect the neck and work its way to the middle of the back," says chiropractor Attracta Farrell of the Athenry Chiropractic and Complementary Health Clinic. "If it's severe enough, it can cause headaches. Handbag weight isn't something that women think can cause back problems -- I sometimes ask clients if I can lift up their bags and the weight is unreal." She advises women to carry the minimum amount of items in their bags and, if possible, to wear a rucksack-type design. "It distributes the weight more evenly across the body. But I have noticed that type of design has gone out of fashion, in favour of the bigger bags. "You should also alternate the bag from one shoulder to another, every 10-15 minutes."

Pack-it-all-in Lisa Lambe (25) is an actress Handbag contents Beret Big make-up bag Wallet Bottle of leave-in conditioner Travel toothbrush Hand cream Travel size hairbrush Script Paperback book Mobile phone Bottle of water iPod Due to the fact that she's out and about in Dublin city most of the time, Lisa has to be ready for different eventualities. "I tend to carry a lot of things around with me, because I don't know how long I might end up staying in town," she says. "I might be going from an audition to rehearsals and then meet up with friends later on."

A self-confessed bag enthusiast, she loves big leather shoulder bags. "My favourite one for everyday use is my leather Miu Miu bag. I love when the leather in the bag gets a little broken in -- it looks great." Lisa says her bags do weigh quite a bit, even when there's nothing in them. "My sisters would ask me where was I going with all that stuff in my bag but it's really about being prepared. "I usually bring make-up with me in case something crops up -- like one time I had to do a photo shoot at short notice, so I needed to have make-up in my bag." Knowing that she carries a lot of things in her bag, Lisa's friends know who to ask for headache tablets or a pen.

The downside is that the heavy handbag can be a strain on Lisa's upper body. "I tend to keep it on my right shoulder and it does feel really sore sometimes. I probably should do a total clean-out." In April, Lisa will be returning to her role as Sorcha in 'The Last Days of the Celtic Tiger' by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly. "The handbags that Sorcha has on stage are very glitzy -- there's a few that I wouldn't mind having!" The burden of proof Here are a few tips to keep your handbag from being a burden on your back. -Grab the bathroom scales and weigh your handbag both with the contents and without. You might be amazed by how much the actual bag weighs without anything in it! -Think through the day ahead and pack your handbag accordingly.

There's no need to cart around sunglasses and woollen hats if the season has changed and you just haven't updated your bag. - Pack a smaller make-up bag with a few of the essentials. You'll only have to touch up your make-up during the day so leave the foundation and brushes at home. -De-clutter your purse of small change -- clear it out every so often or else try to actually use up your change in shops. Irish people are the biggest hoarders of one and two cent coins in the eurozone but that doesn't mean you have follow that particular trend! Organised Elena Healy (24) is a marketing executive with Harmonia publishers Handbag contents Filofax Wallet Keys Pair of gloves Make-up Sunglasses Mobile phone When it comes to her essential handbag, Elena has the contents required fairly well pared down by now. "I probably have about five day bags and I'll alternate them depending on what I'm wearing," she says. "If I use the biggest bag, I'll tend to pop in a magazine to read and a notebook for work. Some days, I'll bring along my iPod and camera as well. "I usually use the same bag for two or three days running but then I'll dump the contents out onto my bed and only re-pack the things that I absolutely need." "I tend to wear quite big bags but that doesn't mean that I have to fill them up to the brim." "I try to just bring things that I know I'll need. Having said that, I'm sure I still carry stuff that I probably don't use all the time." Elena drives to work most days, which means that she can carry things like shoes inside her car. "If I was running around town one day, I'd probably need to bring more things in my bag.If I'm going shopping, I usually bring a light enough bag so I can put things in it." Laura Duff (41) is a mum-of-two and runs a designer maternity swap shop, www.momsoon.ie. Handbag contents Mobile phone Wallet Perfume (handbag size) Lip balm Nail file Notebook and pen Calculator Receipts Laura works from home a lot of the time and she adds items into her bag if she needs them for an upcoming meeting or appointment. "I tend to swap bags around depending on what I'm wearing," she says. "I usually move the same stuff from one bag to another. For some strange reason, I have a calculator in my bag at the moment but I wouldn't usually have that! I prefer the look of bigger bags but I don't carry that much in them. One reason is that I can't stand not being able to find my mobile phone when it's ringing in my bag." Laura says she's into handbags but doesn't spend a huge amount on them. "I prefer to buy a few nice bags for the price of one expensive bag. There are lots of lovely bags available on the high street. I like to change my handbags around a lot so I'd prefer to buy a few rather than spend all my money on one.I think that being on a waiting list for a handbag is the saddest thing ever." When her two kids -- now aged four and eight -- were younger, Laura's bag did end up becoming a hold-all for baby-related paraphernalia. "I didn't have a separate bag for baby stuff and because I like bigger bags, there was room for baby wipes and soothers.There's a bit more room in it now that they've gotten older and don't need those things any more."

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The contents of our handbag on any given day have to measure up to 5lbs for sure, here take a look wallet keys shoes book ipod blotting papers mirror lip gloss cell phone gloves and hat notepad pen If you are looking to lighten the load, than here are a couple of designer handbags that are small enough to prevent you from putting too much stress on your shoulders and back but roomy enough to let you carry all the 'essentials':

CHANEL designer handbag pink caviar small tote bag. This is one of Chanel's classic designs carried by celebrities and fashionistas world wide. Although it's named a small tote bag, it really is a perfect size tote for everyday and can easily transition into evening attire. The Chanel small tote bag measures about 9.5 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches with double leather and leather-woven chain straps measuring about 22 inches each with 9.5 inch drop. Guaranteed authentic and comes with a sleeper bag for storage. Shop this authentic Chanel handbag at 22% off now.

CHLOE designer handbags runway collection brown patent leather shoulder bag. Chloe shoulder bag in a rich deep dark brown patent leather with contrasting green cotton canvas exposed zippers and gray with tan napa leather accents. Chloe bag measures about 12 x 13 x 6 inches. The longer of the two leather straps measures 28 inches long with a 9 inch drop. The shorter strap which can hang creatively on the backside of the bag measures about 24 inches long. Comes with authenticity details. Guaranteed authentic. Sleeper bag included. Shop this authentic CHLOE handbag at 30% off now.

Purse selection based on womanly needs and lifestyle

By E.S. Cromwell

As if picking the perfect purse wasn't already a taxing and overwhelming experience, we women also have to take careful, tedious consideration toward selecting a purse or handbag for multiple uses or occasions. And normally, picking just one purse that can be utilized for numerous purposes, suitable for multiple occasions and complimentary to various outfits is almost impossible. This makes any woman's life a bit crazy, merely because we need to have multiple purses to, well, simply live, but also maintain practicality and some sort of fashion sense.

Gaining perfection, or more so pin-pointing multifaceted usability in our purses and handbags is all encompassing, too much so at times. And this is where the frustration lies as the options seem endless. To fill in all the gaps and meet purse requirements is all too befuddling, but there are ways to organize your thoughts, confusions and inquiries.

Before actual purse purchasing you should know just what you're going to purchase. And in the least, you should know the types of purses you can buy so you can meet your varied lifestyle requirements. Here are five purse and/or handbag options to consider, mull through and research, taking into consideration to your specific situation:

Tote Bag -

Commonly known as the standard 'carry bag,' this enlarged purse, of sorts, is used for toting purposes and proves as a practical option for busy mothers, but still maintains that casual and non-gym bag style look for all women on the run. This casualness helps with retaining a level of comfort in all locations and still provides functionality.

Satchel -

These purses are over-the-shoulder types of handbags that are used for toting purposes, specifically work related. Working women will use these types of bags to tote important work items to and from wherever they travel. Think of these bags as a woman's version of a man's briefcase. Files, laptops, lunches and other work related odds and ends are stuffed in these bags to travel around. Satchels provide a great amount of room to stop a woman's worries of not being able to have enough room in a purse.

Clutch -

This is a type of handbag used for minimal things and purposes. Minimal in the sense that only a few items can fit in a purse with no handles. Basically, what you can hold in one hand is what you can fit in your clutch. Ideally, this is used for evening outings where women can put all their essentials in one convenient and compact spot. Styles can range from casual to classy, based off tailoring and fabric types.

Duffel -

This 'gym-bag' style purse is large and primarily used when traveling on holiday or business trips. Multiple and large compartments are built into these style bags so women can put traveling essentials away, such as: shoes, a travel wardrobe and various clunky beautification products. If you're a traveling woman with lots of items, a duffel is for you.

Hobo -

Primarily crescent shaped, a hobo bag is meant to carry a good amount of lady essentials for women on the go. They're mostly shoulder strapped, with a casual and even work-style look at times, which can change based on fabric and tailoring style again.

Now that you are aware of the different types of purses and handbags, hopefully you'll be able to narrow down, which one -or few- would work with your style, but more significantly, your lifestyle. As already stated, it's almost impossible to select just one purse that proves universal for all our womanly needs and actions. But, this is positive for us women, in a way; now, we just have an excuse, more reason to purchase multiple purses for our versatile qualities.

Shop for authentic designer handbags now!

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Madonna's High-Fashion Fundraiser

by Sarah Hall

When one thinks "impoverished nation," pop stars and designer handbags aren't generally the first things to come to mind.

Leave it to Madonna to change all that.

The Material Mom is partnering with Gucci to host a fundraiser to benefit UNICEF and her Raising Malawi foundation, which she created in 2006 to aid the southern African nation's 1 million orphans. Madonna aims to raise in the neighborhood of $2 million at the Feb. 6 event, which will feature a dinner, musical performance and a party to mark the opening of the luxury goods purveyor's new Fifth Avenue outpost.

"I am grateful that Gucci is joining forces with me to bring attention to a country with millions of children in desperate need of our help," Madonna said in a statement. "Raising Malawi has already done tremendous work in helping these children. But we have much more to do, and this event will surely bring us closer to our goal."

Madonna will be joined at the event by a panel of celebrity cohosts, including Adrien Brody, Arpad Busson, Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault, Téa Leoni, Lucy Liu, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher and Gwyneth Paltrow. The pop star and her husband, Guy Ritchie, have been in the process of adopting two-year-old David Banda from Malawi since taking him out of an orphanage in October 2006.

In September, the Ritchies were visited by a Malawian social worker, whose role was to observe the boy in his familial setting and evaluate how he has been fitting into his new home. Madonna has repeatedly denied accusations that she used her celebrity to skirt red tape during the adoption process. In September, the singer's spokeswoman said the adoption was "proceeding as outlined almost a year ago." Assuming all goes according to plan, David's adoption is expected to be finalized sometime in February 2008

Pretty, practical, timeless: 100 years of handbags

By From Staff Reports - The State News

Dangle, clutch or shoulder them, purses have long been the female’s accessory of choice.

“The Purse and The Person: A Century of Women’s Purses,” an exhibit at the State Museum, celebrates 100 years of it bags from the Edwardian Era through the 1990s.

The collection isn’t just for looks, according to curator Elaine Nichols.

“By examining purses collected and used by women, we get a glimpse into the lives, personality and concerns of women over the past 100 years,” said Nichols.

Grab your bag and your friends, and see some beautiful history before the exhibit ends Dec. 30.

The State Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors and military; and $3 for children ages 3 to 12.

Photo - State Museum Courtesy of Smith Kramer Traveling Exhibits.

Ladies in the 1950s worked to pull it all together for a poised and polished look - purse and all.

Mark your calendar for Purse Day

WHAT:
Fun and informative sessions, including “Make Your Own Purse,” “Protect Yourself from Identity Theft” and “Develop Your Creative Designs Into A Small Business.”

WHEN:

10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Nov. 10

WHERE:
State Museum, 301 Gervais St. COST: $30 for “Make Your Own Purse” session RESERVATIONS: (803) 898-4952 or http://www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org/

eFashionHouse.com supports the South Carolina State Museum Purse Event and hopes it has a great response! Purse collecting is good for the soul!

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Gucci to stay with made-in-Italy strategy

Gucci CEO Mark Lee says his company is at the official beginning of its Indian adventure

Gouri Shah

Mumbai livemint.com

Riding high on their incredible financial success (a 35% growth in revenues over the last two years), Mark Lee, chief executive officer for Gucci, is looking forward to establishing the 86-year-old luxury brand’s presence in India. In Mumbai for the official launch of their store, at The Galleria in South Mumbai, Lee spoke to Mint about the potential for luxury brands in this market and also shares the company’s future strategy. Edited excerpts:

The Indian wedding, a time when families with the most modest means splurge. What is Gucci doing to capture this market?

We are very aware of unique cultural phenomena. Gucci is a perfect luxury brand in that sense with an incredible product authority, built up for decades across a range of product categories. Leather goods are our core business, accounting for more than 50% of the revenues of the brand. Footwear and ready-to-wear are also important categories. In leather goods, we have categories that range from handbags to wallets to small leather goods... So we are an idea brand as a gift brand. Jewellery is a new category, but one we believe in very strongly. There is a focus in terms of real gold, real precious stones and diamonds. Yes, we have started working on bolder pieces. But like all our products categories, it is linked to our tradition.

Is Gucci planning to set up any manufacturing facilities in India? No. Made-in-Italy is really a... part of our strategy. We are very interested and very active in terms of developing new markets. So, we are moving in terms of entering new and exciting markets but it is very important to us, and our strategy to enter with the same products... made in Italy. We are... fortunate to be growing our revenues and we are growing our profits as well. Our Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) from 2005 to 2006 moved from 26% to more than 29% as an incidence on sale and (is) growing faster than our revenue. So, we do not have a need or desire to de-localize as a means of cost-saving or in terms of increasing profit.
Many luxury brands are stocking or manufacturing special products that start at smaller price points to encourage consumers who have never bought luxury brands. Will Gucci do the same? Not really. Within the breadth of products under the Gucci brand, we have a wide range of products. Within leather goods, we have a tradition of... designing, making and producing wallets, all forms of small leather accessories, whether it is the card case or key chain. We don’t have anything that is specific to India in terms of lower prices or entry price points. In fact, the opposite is true, we wanted to make sure that our first store, here in Mumbai, was a full-range store. So, you find up to the most glamorous and the most expensive ready-to-wear evening dresses, coats, and items in fur and leather with high price points right down to a wallet, a key case or a pair of sneakers.
How does one sell a $1,000 handbag? (Laughs) The first point is to create the desire. The success we have enjoyed all these years always comes first and foremost from the desire we create. No one needs luxury. The definition of luxury by nature is something is an unnecessary pleasure. Nobody needs a $1,000 handbag! We are creating desire, but it is a two-way street. The world today has an unprecedented level of wealth. If you look at the current situation, the amount of countries that exist in the arena of luxury goods is completely different from what it was 10 years ago. Twelve years ago, Russia didn’t exist as a luxury market and today, it is becoming one of the most important luxury markets in the world.
What is the potential for Indian women to buy and wear gowns? We purposely wanted to make the first store a full-range store, including the full range of ready-to-wear. At the store, you will find day wear, weekend wear and evening wear. Within the very first weeks, what we’ve experienced in sales, we have very high penetration in ready-to-wear dresses and evening dresses. We are catering to an elite segment and really, an international customer. Mumbai has really hot weather, but downstairs we are selling coats and heavyweight things because the Gucci customer is a traveller, and they may buy a coat not necessarily to wear here, but when they travel abroad.
India doesn’t have as many fashion glossies as developed markets do. What is your advertising and marketing strategy going to be here? Magazines will still continue to be an important base of our advertising strategy as it’s a great medium to show the imagery of the brand and its very nice to have glossy, print advertising images. You have some titles, which have been around for many years, and now you also have Vogue, definitely a big step for the Indian market. Of course, events will always be important. Over time, we will study the different media vehicles to see which formula works best.
A lot of luxury brands have signed up celebrity endorsers. Will Gucci do the same or will you continue gifting products to celebrities who then sport them at social dos? The history of the Gucci brand, fortunately, is that celebrities are attracted to Gucci. So, we’ve never had to chase celebrities. We have had a long history of celebrities following the brand. Starting with royalty such as Princess Grace, in the 1990s it was Madonna and still is today. On a local scale, long before we arrived in India we have been dressing some of your most famous and beautiful actresses such as Aishwarya Rai some of her red carpet occasions for some of her red carpet occasions. There is that aspect which is ongoing, but it is not contractual.
Where does India fit into the larger scheme of things at Gucci? India will no doubt in the future, in five, 10, 15 years—it is a question of time and remains to be seen—become one of the important countries in the word for luxury and for the Gucci brand. We are at the official beginning of our adventure in India. We have two more stores coming up soon in New Delhi—one before the end of the year and another when the (DLF) Emporio Mall finally opens in the first half of 2008. We will also be looking at other cities such as Bangalore.
Shop authentic GUCCI handbags at up to 60% off now:

GUCCI designer handbag black tote bag monogram motif. Gucci monogram designs on black nylon satin twill fabric with leather trim at top. Designs include gold chain handbags boots caps charms. Colors are gold pink lavender red white and gray. Black leather bottom and straps. Inside is fully lined in pink with one zippered pocket. Has a polished silver metal Gucci key ring on outside of bag. Measures approximately 15 inch length by 12 inch tall with a 5 inch depth. Leather straps measure about 22 inches with a 7.5 inch drop. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag.

GUCCI designer handbags large hobo in blue floral. White canvas with blue floral design with natural colored leather trim. Measures approximately 16 W x 11 H. The leather strap measures about 13 inches long. One inside zippered pocket and one cell phone pocket. Gucci light gold hardware. Strap has a horsebit metal work. Comes with sleeper bag. Guaranteed authentic.

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A Handbag Defines a Woman' s Outfit

A handbag defines a woman' s outfit, and adds the finishing touches that all women enjoy having to contribute to an attractive and stylish appearance. Having the proper bag for most women is as important as having the proper pair of shoes, wearing the right dress, having appropriate earrings, or any other type of jewelry or accessory. In fact, accessorizing a person' s appearance through use of the right bag is something that most women learn at a very early age and it is a lesson that sticks with them for a lifetime of fashion consciousness.

A young woman for instance may decide that a shoulder style handbag is more appropriate for her looks and her lifestyle than some of the more formal bags that older women wear. Many times young women carry bags that are quilted or made of denim fabric. Others prefer a handbag made of leather or another material that is water resistant. The choices are many, and no one type of handbag is more right than any other as it comes down to personal preference.

Bags Change with Age

When a woman becomes more mature the type and style of handbag she carries is still quite important, but the style will probably change. A career minded woman will want to carry a bag that is practical and businesslike, and yet still feminine. Many times a woman will carry a leather bag made by a well known designer. Some will go for a retro looking handbag, others a replica handbag that resembles the designer bag. Still others will go for top quality in a bag preferring a name like Gucci over some of the handbags that are perceived to be less stylish.

Whatever handbag a woman chooses to carry, the choice is an individual one. Picking the handbag that is right for her is a woman' s prerogative. Men, when choosing gifts for women should keep in mind the types of bags they have seen the woman carry in the past. When in doubt it is always wise for a man to ask another woman, perhaps the sales person in the store, for advice on choosing the right bag. A Skilled sales person can get an idea of a person' s lifestyle and help choose the proper bag. Whatever the choice made happens to be, a handbag is an individual accessory, but all women carry them.

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Marc Jacobs Trendy And Unique Designer Handbags

There are a multitude of designers out there. From Gucci to Guess to Kate Spade to Prada. Have you noticed that many of the handbags look alike in style and color? Marc Jacobs stands alone as an independent designer who has developed and promoted trendy handbags that are like none other.

Marc Jacobs has a unique style of casual vintage grunge with sophistication. He is a young designer who prides himself on being unique and bold with his use of colors and designs. He is adored and respected across the board from rock stars to Hollywood starlettes. He has a diverse crowd of followers who are looking for something different that is not mainstream.

Marc Jacobs was born in New York City and studied at the Parsons School of Design. He originally designed hand knit sweaters. While he was still in college, he has won numerous awards including the Perry Ellis Gold Thimble and other prestigious awards. His first collection was ?sketchbook? and he was a partner with Robert Duffy. After working with him for several years, Marc Jacobs went out on his own.

He designs clothing and handbags for both men and women. He introduced his handbag collection in 2000. One of the most popular is the satchel which has a zipper closure with a belt like strap. The strap doubles as a shoulder strap or it can be carried by hand. Typically, the purses are lined in suede. The purses retail for $1,000 however, if you shop on line you make be able to find an authentic Marc Jacobs handbag for around $500-$600.00.

The Hobo handbag is made of soft leather with two front flaps. It has a front pocket with a buckle and a double shoulder strap. Other popular handbags include the lambskin quilted Stam bag, Ursula Bowler, Luxury Leather Marisa and Ventia Bronze.

The Spring line of Marc Jacobs handbags include a white calf leather and is named Karolina White. The Elise is quilted with a vintage look. The leather straps are rolled and it has a roomy interior. Also a pocket for a cell phone and many small functional compartments which makes this handbag very practical.

Womens Daily magazine named him the ?Guru of Grunge?. The line includes bright colors, many layers, stripes and large prints. Marc Jacobs is known for going against the grain and he is not afraid to take chances and risks. In 2002, Marc Jacobs designed a yoga bag to benefit Cancer research. He is also working on an accessory line to compliment his handbags. His style has been desribed as edgey and he is described as an enlightened designer who is forward thinking. If you are looking for a unique handbag pay attention to the Marc Jacobs line and see what is next on the horizon. You will most likely be pleasantly surprised.

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