Handbags & Shoes

The essential staples:

• One pair of  “I’ve arrived”, statement shoes for when you want to be noticed.
• Black medium-heel court shoes, that are versatile, elegant and sophisticated.
• Comfy ballet flats in a variety of colours.
• Hiking/walking boots, tan is usually the best shade for a casual trendy look.
• A really great handbag, that makes you feel good and adds elegance and style to the overall look.

Carrying a bag that is in proportion to your figure can literally take pounds off you. Be it designer or High Street, learn to choose the perfect bag for your body shape.

There are two fundamental fashion rules:

1. Wearing the correct style of handbag is just as important as the cut of your clothes. The wrong handbag can make or break an outfit.
2. A handbag can take pounds of your figure or add to it, depending on the bag’s size, shape and where it falls on the body.

Nothing is more ageing or unflattering than the wrong bag for your body. Just as you’d consider the style and cut of your clothes, equally you should think about the size and shape of your handbag.

Bags can be used to draw the eyes away from the bits of your body you prefer to hide, and also to draw attention on those parts that you consider your best assets.

The right handbag can lift an outfit, updating it, changing its look and giving it a new sense of style. We don’t all realize that a handbag today is not so much a “fashion” accessory as a “necessary” part of a great outfit.

There’s a huge selection to choose from, oversized, small, slouchy, pouchy, round, rectangular, squidgy and cubed. The type and length of the handles are also a consideration. With so many shapes and sizes to choose from, which style should you choose?

Choose the Right Bag for Your Body Type

Big Busts and Big Shoulders

Women with broad shoulders or heavy bust should avoid carrying short-handled bags that finish around the bust area, as this only serves to accentuate your breasts and shoulders more. Go for a longer length finishing around your middle, or a clutch purse that is carried in your hand.

Wide Waist, Big Hips or Large Stomachs

Choose a bag that finishes at the upper torso, just under the arm, rather than around your middle. You want to draw eyes away from heavy waist and hip, but deflect attention elsewhere! Stylist Jacqui Ripley says “Any bag that falls at your widest part will make you appear dumpy,”

Large Frame

Try to avoid carrying a tiny bag, as this only serves to make you look bigger. Choose a more tailored bag, which will give definition and go for a medium to large size. Clutch purses are fine provided they are oversized. If you’re statuesque, a tiny bag can make you look like a giant.

Bony or Tall Frame

Avoid long skinny-style bags. Counterbalance your figure with something broad, slouchy or unstructured like a Hobo type.

Short Frame

Go for something long and lanky to provide height such as a small saddle-bag (cowboy style!). Avoid wide, oversized tote bags they will make you look shorter.

As a general rule, select a bag shape that is in contrast to your body type. Voluptuous or curvy women would do well to choose a rectangular, longer shape, whereas a tall, willowy, slim figure would be better off going for a slouchy, rounded one. If size-zero celebrities like Victoria Beckham can get away with wearing the latest in big bags, if you are slight and petite, so can you!

If you want to flatter your waist then choose a bag that finishes around this part of your torso. If you want to draw attention to your bust, shoulders or neck then go for a bag with short handles or an underarm clutch.

Lastly don’t be afraid to try bags on before buying. It’s important to see how well it flatters your figure.

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Visit our facebook page Marians Bridal – Boyle and Galway to see the current collection of affordable, cool bags.