Designer Handbag Checklist

But about three years ago I started to see handbags as items worth investing in. I realized that no matter what changes you go through in life – getting older, weight fluctuations, pregnancy – your handbag is the one item that will always “fit”. Like a gentlemen’s watch, it’s also the one thing I will never leave the house without, making it the ultimate, and sometimes only, fashion statement I make.

If you are thinking of taking the designer handbag plunge, here are my tips for what to consider before diving in.

The very first thing you need to do before beginning your search (and falling in love), is be honest about what kind of lifestyle you lead. Do you have a 9-5 desk job? If so, you might consider something that can go from the office to the weekend. Are you a busy mom that needs to store snacks and school supplies? Then maybe think about choosing something that can handle a little wear and tear. Does your handbag double as a gym bag/briefcase/weekend tote? Then you probably need lots of space and extra compartments. In the end, the choice is obviously yours. The point of this exercise is to get you thinking about what you actually need as well as want, so your investment doesn’t end up sitting in the closet collecting dust.

The choices are endless, but most leather options boil down to either calfskin or lambskin. Both are luxury materials, calfskin being the more prominent, because it’s heavier and can withstand wear and tear better. Lambskin is softer and lighter with a buttery texture, making it very luxurious but more delicate. Within these two types, there are also a myriad of finish options.

Saffiano leather is a type of calfskin that has been stamped by a machine, giving it a cross-hatch or grainy texture. It is then conditioned with a wax treatment, and the end result is a highly durable, scratch resistant finish that you can actually wipe clean. I highly recommend Saffiano leather for its durability and longevity. Any bag with this type of leather will look as good as the day you bought it, after years of everyday use.

Smooth leather: There’s nothing quite as pristine and sophisticated as a smooth leather handbag. The finish almost glimmers. Smooth leather bags hold their shape very well, but the smallest scratch interrupts that pristine surface. They should be conditioned often, and some will argue that light wear makes them look better over time.

Drummed leather has a pebbled texture and is more scratch resistant than smooth leather. Since it’s not as rigid, it’s great for travel because it responds well when stuffed full, or if you need to break it down. The downside of drummed leather is it doesn’t hold it’s shape as well as smooth leather. To prevent larger bags from puddling or sagging, it’s important to stuff them with tissue paper when not in use.

Satchels, crossbodies, shoppers, bucket bags, the list goes on. Silhouette is probably the most important handbag feature to match to your lifestyle. I adore my Celine luggage tote, but it gets rotated more often than my other bags simply because carrying a bag on the crook of your elbow is nearly impossible 100% of the time. If you love satchels like I do, pick something with a removable shoulder strap so you have more than one carrying option.

Also consider how a bag behaves when at rest and how often you need to get into it.  Most large bags will have metal feet on the bottom preventing them from toppling over.  If you’re constantly reaching into your bag, an open shopper or something with a top zipper will probably be a better choice than a bag with a flap or magnetic closure.

It’s super important to try a handbag on in the store before purchasing. I thought I wanted the Celine Phantom until every sales associate in the room shook their head “no”. It’s a monster of a bag, and I looked like I was carrying a suitcase the size of a Fiat.  A test run will ensure you choose something that has complimentary proportions.  

Whether it’s hardware, fur, beading or crazy graphics, embellishments are a great way to add personality to a bag, but they should be chosen wisely. I love this Anya Hindmarch Tony the Tiger bag, but it’s so specific, I probably wouldn’t carry it everyday. The same goes for bags with excessive hardware and beading. My Rocco is beautiful, but with 90 metal feet on the bottom, it gets heavy. Pony hair has been a huge trend for many seasons now, and while beautiful, you enter into a whole new level of maintenance.  Remember that the more embellished the bag, the less likely you’ll be able to carry it on an everyday basis.

Light colors: It goes without saying that I now stay away from white or very light colors. Although I’m a lot more careful with my bags now, leather is a very porous material that soaks up the oils from your hands. I recommend steering clear of light colors for this reason, especially if it’s your first designer bag. If you’ve already fallen in love with a lighter color, make sure to protect it with a leather spray like Synovia prior to first use and ask the brand who they recommend for routine cleaning and maintenance.

Dark colors: You can never go wrong with a black handbag. It looks good with everything and can easily transition from season to season. Most people opt for black on their first go, but I like to think outside the box and choose colors like navy, charcoal, light grey or tobacco. Still considered neutrals, they offer a little more of a pop, especially with basic silhouettes. If you’re willing to go one step further, jewel tones like cobalt, emerald and red are actually quite versatile but offer that “it” factor guaranteeing compliments wherever you go.

What’s on your designer handbag checklist?

Lifestyle: Black duffel// Green crossbody // Red tote// Grey satchel // Blue wallet on a chain (similar here)
Leather: Drummed // Smooth // Saffiano
Shape and Size:  Crossbody // Satchel // Bucket // Shopper
Embellishments: Beaded // Fur // Tony the Tiger // Metal hardware
Color: White // Black // Blue // Red