Choosing a handbag

Read advice from 2Patricias on choosing a handbag,plus information on some UK retailers - high street and on-line - where you might find one to suit your requirements.

Spring is here! And some of us feel an urge to buy something new to celebrate.

Why not buy a handbag?

Here's what we think you should consider when choosing a handbag, regardless of your budget:

• What have you got already? Not only by way of handbags, but what colour is your winter coat? Do you have any colour themes to your wardrobe?
• Do you need a smart handbag for work, or for social functions? Or would a casual bag be more appropriate?
• How big? Over 2006 and 2007, the most stylish handbags were huge! Some of the bags shown in the fashion magazines were positively hernia-inducing. In real life, consider what you need to carry with you, and plan your purchase accordingly.

Looking at handbags in the shop:

• Is all the stitching intact, and are the handles secured firmly to the body of the bag?
• If it fastens with a zip, test it to make sure it opens and closes smoothly.
• If it is a formal bag (as opposed to fabric), is it lined? If so, is the lining smooth, without any loose threads?
• Are there any internal pockets, say for your mobile phone, or to hold keys? -Expect more as the price increases.
• Will it be comfortable to carry? Pay particular attention to the handle - if you have to carry the bag during the day, or perhaps back and forth to work, this is important.
• Does it fasten securely? If you will be carrying the bag through crowds - say commuting to work - would it be easy for someone to steal things from inside your bag?
• If you have items that you really want to carry in your bag, such as a BlackBerry, make absolutely certain that they will fit inside, together with everything else.

Buying a bag on-line:

• Check the measurements. If measurements are not given, ask for them before you commit yourself to purchasing the item.
• Make sure that the supplier has a returns policy!

If you're short of funds, but something that looks expensive, see what's available at http://www.ebay.co.uk/. Take a look before you say ‘not for me' - there are so many bags listed everyday that you can narrow your search down to colour and style - and still have a huge choice. Okay, some of them are still expensive, but you can always find something at £10 or below. It may be close enough to what you want, or you could strike lucky and find the exact thing you've been looking for, and within your budget.

Two other good websites for bags are http://www.next.co.uk/ and http://www.marksandspencer.com/. The Next website gives the dimensions of bags - Marks and Spencer does not, which seems something of a shortcoming.

Both retailers have a good selection of fashionable bags, at competitive prices.

Last February (2007) Pat purchased a metallic look bag at the Sheffield branch of Marks and Spencer for £15 - and it's still going strong:

If you have a more generous budget, you might consider a bag by Radley, Jane Shilton or Tula. Pat has purchased and been pleased with bags from all three. If you want to shop on-line, try http://www.bag-heaven.co.uk/ or http://www.janeshilton.co.uk/

You could avoid mainstream retailers, and buy a bag that will make a difference to people in another part of the world. Hatti Trading is a social enterprise supporting survivors of human trafficking, disadvantaged and stigmatised women in Nepal. Their bags are very reasonably priced, and there is a wide range from smart to casual. For more details, see http://www.hattitrading.co.uk/

Another on-line source of ethical bags can be found at http://www.worldshopboutique.com/. I am quite smitten with the Snooty Bird Tote for £24, and am considering buying a Big Button Clutch of £30 to use as a summer bag.

If you are looking for something unusual, try the V&A Shop (as in the Victoria & Albert Museum). No need to travel to London, they have an on-line shop at http://www.vandashop.com/.

Finally, if your friends are fashionistas, and are able to afford those designer bags that cost about the same as a second hand car, you might be able to find a bag from the range Slow and Steady Wins the Race, designed by Mary Ping. She produced a collection of designs in canvas that recreate the shapes of ‘iconic' designs, which sold in the USA for about $100. There were some items from this line on sale at the V&A shop in 2007, for about £80.

Have fun trying to bag a bag!