She can walk for hours together, scurry through air-conditioned boutiques or open air markets with energy, get scorched under the blazing sun or shiver through sub-zero conditions, while looking for that one most important fashion accessory — the handbag. Down the ages and over the centuries, a woman has always shared a special relationship with her handbag.
“These ‘utilitarian sacs’ have been a woman’s companion since time immemorial,” writes Stephanie Pedersen in her book Handbags: What Every Woman Should Know. She explains how a bag is now more a style statement than a practical receptacle of things. The simplest of outfits can earn envy and admiration if it is accessorised with the right bag.
“A handbag is a personal space for a woman. She carries her little world with her in her handbag. It represents something deeply private to its owner,” says Chetna Mehrotra, a image expression artist. According to fashion editors, a handbag is the key to gauging a woman’s personality. “One look at a woman’s handbag is enough to guess her age and background,” says Sulkashana Badani, image consultant, who has seen her clients shell out anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs 2 lakh for a bag.
The term “handbagging” was so widely used in reference to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that it entered the Oxford English Dictionary. Her secretary once revealed that Thatcher would produce it very visibly at big meetings to show that she meant business.’
Today, research has proved that women are spending more on their handbags than on their clothes. Designer brands such as Gucci, Coach, Fendi, Prada, Michael Kors and Guess have made inroads into an Indian woman’s wardrobe, thanks to the growing number of working women who travel and due to their spending power.
“The flexibility in work wear rules today, also gives them the liberty to experiment with varied styles of bags,” adds Chetna.
Style statement
Women don’t believe in the mantra that “one bag suits all occasions” and today, there are special bags for each occasion. From helping her lug all that she considers essential to those non-essential items, the handbag doesn’t just make a fashion statement, but a paragraph.
It has an immense power to make or mar one’s look and it also speaks volumes about one’s personality. More often than not, it is your bag that does the talking, so it is important that it says the right thing about you.
“A handbag projects the personality, functionality and the status of the owner. An appropriate handbag can influence or project an image of the owner,” says Chetna.
Carrying an elegant clutch, for instance, for an afternoon brunch party can portray an easy and graceful persona, while a vintage embroidered bag can give one an edgy look. “The Indian potli bags have become a rage at traditional events and weddings,” she adds.
Right choice
Chetna gives some guidelines that one must keep in mind while selecting the right handbag:
Functionality: What is your handbag going to be used for? Where will you be taking it?
Personality: Remember, a handbag reflects your personality. The texture, colour and the material of the handbag say a lot about you. Take these factors into consideration while buying a handbag.
Shape of your body: If you have broad hips, buy handbags that sit on your waist to give your body a tapered look and curve. If you have narrow hips, buy bags that sit on your hips to give it a fuller look.
Your height: If you are too tall, a small bag will seem insignificant. If you are short, you will be overpowered by a large-sized bag.
But the question remains — are branded handbags a must in our wardrobes? “I feel that a good bag will never let you down and it is definitely a good investment,” says Sulakshana.