Listen up, fancy handbag designers!

I have searched high and low and have yet to find the perfect handbag. When I do go shopping for a handbag, I have certain criteria I’m looking for, and I talk to other women to see what they are looking for, and the vast majority of those my age range (40 and over) are all looking for the same things. If I was rich enough to do so, I would create my own line of handbags. But I’m not … so I’m giving some freebie advice to all handbag designers who’ve got the financial backing … Trust me – a lot of women will buy a purse like this if you will just design it! Here are the requirements.

1. It must pass the drop test. When my handbag is full of goodies and I drop it onto the ground, it must stay upright and not tip over and spill out all of the contents.

2. It must have at least two, preferably three, distinct sections inside and at least one of the sections must be zippered. These bucket bags are nothing but a disaster waiting to happen because you can’t find anything when you need it without digging for hours or dumping everything out. They also need to be sturdy so my MP3 player, sunglasses, palm pilot don’t get smushed by other things in my bag.

3. The inside sections need to be big enough to comfortably hold a full size wallet, not just a coin purse. So use a wallet or dayplanner when thinking about the size of these areas.

4. The material used to divide the sections must be sturdy enough that when something is taken out of one section, everything else in the other section doesn’t cave in and make it difficult to get whatever you took out back in. I get so mad when I take out my wallet to pay for something and then go to put it back in my purse only to find that everything is smushed into the middle where the other contents caved in when I removed my wallet.

5. There must be at least one small zippered pocket inside the sectioned areas, and at least one small open pocket. These pockets are needed to house the various lip glosses, gum, breath mints, loose coins, etc that women tend to carry around.

6. There must be at least one outside pocket to hold a cell phone, preferably on the end of the bag, and preferably a cell phone sized pocket on both ends of the bag. I need two cell areas because my husband or kids usually want me to carry their phone in my purse when we go somewhere. So I would love to have more than one space designated for a cell phone.

7. The carrying handles should be adjustable in length, and comfortable enough to not dig into your shoulder, hand, or crook of your arm when carrying the handbag for a long period of time.

8. There must be a least one outside pocket on the front of the handbag and at least one outside pocket on the back of the handbag. These pockets are used for the items we need to keep handy and at our fingertips, like car keys, pens, eyeliner, lipstick, gum, kleenex. I carry my main stash of gum and mints in the little inside compartments, but also need to have some at the tip of my fingers in an easy to get to area for those bad breath emergencies.

9. The material or design on the outside of the purse isn’t really that important, at least not to me. I’m not into having to carry the latest “bling” designer handbag.

I just want something functional that meets all of my needs. I’ve tried briefcases but they are just too big. I feel a bit like Goldilocks … the majority of handbags are either too small or too big … I can’t seem to find one that is just right!

10. Oh, and it would have to be reasonably priced. So … if anyone out there in cyberworld decides to take the challenge and makes a purse / handbag using these specs, please get in touch with me when you are finished because I want to buy a whole slew of them!

Perform the “smell test” before you buy a designer label online.

What’s the “smell test”?

1. Go into an actual store where you are sure you are getting the “real deal” on genuine designer merchandise. Like a Coach store at your local mall. Do NOT go into an outlet mall or any other location where clearance, wholesale, or rock-bottom deals are being sold. You aren’t going there to buy your purse – You’re going there to TEST the merchandise.
2. Look for the purse that is the exact same model you are planning on buying – or if they don’t have it, one that is close in structure and style.
3. Now, let your fingers and senses guide you when examining the purse. Do your fingers glide across the leather or metal hardware smoothly? Does it feel heavy in your hands? Do you get a genuine sense of how much labor and attention to fine, minute details while this item was being made?
4. Examine the stitches and the seams. Can you see broken threads poking up through the holes? Can you see seams that might appear too weak to be stretched? Do you see exposed raw fabric edges anywhere? Does the leather appear real? And can you smell the leather at all?
5. Now for the price: What is the average price of the label and item you are examining? If the item is too low for the range your product is supposed to be priced at, then it is probably not the “real deal”. Louis Vuitton bags are in the thousands. Coach bags are in the hundreds. Usually, only authorized dealers are allowed to sell genuine designer labels. That’s why it’s important you go to a store where you can feel absolute certainty about handling genuine designer labels. This is important. An unauthorized retailer usually doesn’t want you to know this. So you’re going to get every line in the book about why THEY happen to have Louis Vuitton’s, Gucci’s or Prada’s.

No one can resist buying something genuine when it “fell off a truck”, so to speak. After all, when you’re in the face of a truly genuine item and you’re confronted with a “genuine” designer label bag for only a fraction of the real cost, then you are put into your weakest emotional state. You become a motivated buyer – confronted by a very motivated seller.

What to do, What to do….Oh, heaven on earth, what will you do??!

The very last thing you should do is take leave of your senses.

I say, resist the urge.

Only buy when you KNOW for sure that you are getting genuine Prada, Coach or Louis Vuitton. Do your homework. Find out what the genuine article costs and whether or not a certain store is in fact a genuine retailer of that brand or label.

I remember back in the old days, with regard to designer hair products. I could only buy the real item through my hair dresser. Yet, I could find reduced priced versions of them in every grocery store or pharmacy. In fact, that’s all you ever found there. Look-alikes. And everyone always insisted they had the genuine product. Yet, when I brought it home, it was awful on my hair.

Do the same when you are seeking to buy genuine label items. If the manufacturer says you can’t buy their product from anyone else except genuine authorized dealers. Then you can rest assured that your search is over and that you are only guaranteed a fake when you buy any other way.

Everyone’s broke and nothing can be more irresistible than a brand new “authentic” Coach handbag for $25. With the average price of a Coach handbag around $300, online shoppers are all looking for that incredibly deep-discount Coach handbag.

No one needs to remind you that too many online sites selling discount Coach handbags are actually offering fake bags. If a price on a Coach bag is too low, then don’t be fooled into thinking you are getting some kind of super deal. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. In addition to the fake bag being passed of a the real thing, you will also come across sites that sell replicas as a statement of fact – nothing is hidden about the fact that you are getting a REPLICA.

It’s one thing to buy a bag that says it’s a Coach on the label when in fact it’s not.

It is, however, a completely different matter when you are told plainly that the fake is in FACT a fake by the seller. In other words, it’s a high quality replica bag – designer inspired or look-alike. Designer inspired.

If the fake has the emblems and all the “bling” on it – it is the intention of the seller to sell you a fake. These are actually the one’s you DON’T want. There is literally no real re-sale value on it.

But if it doesn’t say it, then it is an “inspired” copy. These are bags that are of genuine quality – much like the real-deal’s – but they don’t cross any lines by putting Coach logos on the bag itself.

Some sites offer authentic-looking replica bags, and are designed to look authentic. They follow the rules by disclosing that the bags are not real, but the print is so small that you could easily miss it. If you are following the price value relationship, then you should always know when something is looking fishy.

But then again, sometimes, this is still not enough of. Some manufacturers or sellers of replicas have absolutely no intention of letting you know they are selling you a known fake – because then they’d lose out on the extra profit. So the price ends up being close to the same as a real Coach.

The only real way to protect yourself is to buy it from a store – in person – that you trust. You need to be able to feel and handle the product. You need to feel comfortable with the purchase. You need to be able to close your eyes and run your fingers over the leather and canvas, over the zippers and the metal hardware. Your fingers can’t lie to you the way your eyes can.

Let your senses be the real judge in picking out your best purse.

However — if you really need to buy online, buy from a mail-order online seller you trust.

Try a major outlet that has a strong, reputable return policy. For example, L.L.Bean has a lifetime warranty on most of their item and lets you return items – postage paid – long after the sale is over. However, L.L.Bean has been around a LONG time and can afford to make such extravagant types of offers to its loyal customers. On the downside, L.L. Bean only sells items made with the L.L. Bean label. You’re not going to find a designer label handbag there.

If you are going to go with a small outlet, please make sure you can contact someone from their operation by phone first. You want to be able to call someone when something goes wrong. A friendly sounding voice can go a long way in soothing your nerves more than a standard “we’ll get back to you in 48-hours” email can.

More later on this subject soon…

Okay, hear me out for a second.

I’m writing this in defense of *high quality* replica handbags. Not of those that are cheaply made, which are relying more on a label or logo than on their comparable quality to sell a bag or earn any respect from it’s buyer – or seller.

High quality replicas can actually be a very reasonable purchase – more so than the real deal. Of course, that is if you don’t plan on re-selling your purse at a later date. Many women of high stature often buy fakes, in liue of the real thing, in order to guard themselves from a potential theft. Buying high-quality imitiations of famous jewelry pieces is done to insure the real one is never lost or wrongly taken from them.

There are quite a few out there, worthy of making a small investment in. How do you pick a high-quality fake? Let your fingers do the talking…err…buying. In other words, don’t buy on an impulse online – buy from a reputable dealer of fakes.

In essence, buying a high-quality replica handbag testifies to a woman’s economic acumen. Use it when you know you might need to protect your investments – to guard against potential theft. Don’t use it when you know you will be around trusted company – where you can show off your real goods without harming your good name and reputation.

Save money and protect your investment by finding yourself a high-quality replica handbag.

Yves Saint Laurent’s new Topaz Leather Muse Bag is going to be a classic. It’s bright autumn shade is perfect for the coming cooler weather. YSL’s designers did a glorious job of releasing something as stunning as this is. It’s the classic design with everything we all love about the Muse but with a slight improvement on the rich calfskin leather, this season, the Muse arrives thicker and a lot creamier than ever! Shape, hardware, and lining are all in place, but of course, let’s keep on talking color here. If you could never do with a yellow handbag, this is one you should totally wear this all fall/winter long If the new “Topaz” isn’t exactly your cup of tea, check out the pretty new shade of Brown that’s new to the season as well.

Louis Vuitton handbags are famous for their impeccably high standards in craftsmanship and design. Naturally, their long history commands some of the highest prices around. And for good reason.

Louis Vuitton handbags are known throughout the world as a high fashion “must-have” item and are a status symbol no matter where you go. So much so that there are an exceptionally high number of counterfeits within the market today. Industry experts have estimated that only one percent of Louis Vuitton handbags are actually real.

One percent.

That is a very serious problem and one that you need to be very well aware of to be sure that you don’t end up with one of the fakes.

Louis Vuitton handbags have been around since 1892. The original designer developed luggage for travelers in Paris starting in the early 1800. In 1854, Louis Vuitton began building his own company which focused on designing luggage. He continued to design luggage for a great deal of time and began creating handbags in 1892 which of course is what the company is famous for today.

With the popularity of Louis Vuitton handbags, there are many companies creating similar purses today. One problem that Louis Vuitton also has is that many companies produce look-alike handbags for a much lower price. The company must constantly be on the lookout for trademark infringement to ensure that it can keep its classic design unique within the marketplace. It has sued such companies as Google and the Home Shopping Network for trademark infringement.

You can’t find a celebrity who doesn’t own any one of Louis Vuitton handbags – especially its popular Noe bag. When the Noe bag was created in 1932, the bag was originally used to carry champagne bottles, but was transformed into a handbag when women saw just how beautiful the bag was. It is commonplace to see top models and Hollywood actresses carrying these around.

If you are thinking about purchasing a Louis Vuitton handbag, you can find good deals on the Internet. But nothing can really replace the experience of actually touching and handling one before you buy one. I can’t stress this enough. Touch is EVERYTHING. Your senses can’t lie to you. But the internet can. So, if you absolutely have to buy online instead of in the store, take a this small piece of advice:

Remember the old adage “location, location, location”? Well, this one is just as important: homework, homework, homework. I can’t stress this enough.

Only authorized sellers sell Louis Vuitton bags. Make sure to know what the selling price for this item is both within retail stores as well as on eBay. Take the time to research the item and set a realistic budget on what you would like to spend. Make sure to do as much research as possible about what type of price you want to pay along with prices the item is going for on eBay. You can find a good deal if you’re willing to put in the time ahead of bidding to find what will best fit your style.

Louis Vuitton handbags can range in price up to several thousands of dollars. This is a much higher number than most of the other high end purses, which normally cost several hundred dollars at most. If you want to purchase one of these handbags, make sure to have enough money lying around to purchase the real thing and do your homework to ensure that you have the real thing.

I hope this advice helps.

Happy Shopping!

Everyone is looking for deals, and cheap designer handbags are no exception. With the average price of a Coach handbag around $300, shoppers are all looking for discount Coach handbags on the internet.

For those of you looking for a way to get one, there are things you can do. This information can also be used for any brand of handbag you are looking for. Whether your taste is for Prada, or Dooney and Burke, the advice on purchasing cheap handbags is universal. To be honest, this information is really nothing more than simple common sense.

When you start to search for your bargain Coach handbag on the internet, you will undoubtedly be hit with tons of sites offering unbelievable pricing.  I can’t stress the following enough:  Please use caution and hold back your urge to start browsing these sites.

Many online sites selling “discount” Coach handbags are really offering fake bags.  Coach handbags don’t cost $25 – for any seller online who buys them at bulk and wants to turn around and sell them to you.  This should be an instant tip-off on whether or not it’s real or fake.   Please, please, please do NOT  be fooled into thinking you are getting some kind of super deal.

Remember the old saying?? If something is too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.

In addition to the fake bag being passed off as the real thing, you will also come across sites that sell high-quality replicas. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a high quality replica bag.  As long as there is some way to know in advance what you are buying.  But, sadly, this is almost impossible to do over the internet. The only real way to know if you’re going to love the “known fake” or “replica” is to actually touch the bag – to physically handle the bag and get a real “feel” for it.  You can’t smell the leather when you’re browsing photos.  You can’t hold the hardware in your hands – like the chain link hardware, the studs, the locks, or the zippers – and feel it’s heaviness or try to chip that fake gold paint off the sides.  You can’t see the imperfect stitches of a fake on the internet, nor can you feel the lining itself.  The lining shouldn’t feel like a raincoat or cheap piece of lingerie.  It should feel like silk, satin, canvas or just plain smooth and durable.  All of this is, of course, impossible to do over the internet, which puts you at a very, very bad position as a vulnerable, overly-eager-to-buy buyer — and a highly unfair advantage to the seller – who is only interested in moving the merchandise out of a warehouse – is NOT going to be there for you when you begin to suffer buyer’s remorse, having just received a bag that is not at all what you thought it would feel or look like, based on some very limited photos.  More than likely, you were shown fake photos – or only one very high quality stock photo from the real manufacturer’s website.

If you still want to buy a replica online, make sure you read the fine print. Some sites which offer replica bags, are designed to look authentic, and follow the rules by disclosing that the bags are not real. Some sites take great pride in offering affordable high quality fakes.  Others don’t make it easy for you to know the difference by using print so small you could easily miss it.

Regardless – if you are following the price value relationship, then you should always know when something is looking fishy.

If you buy online, buy from a respected seller that you feel comfortable buying from.  Being new, it’s hard to know who to trust.   One place to consider is from auctions. The reason for this is most auction sites like eBay, will provide seller feedback, and their individual rules and selling guidelines are required by eBay.  eBay does not allow sellers to sell fakes.  They are, however, allowed to sell replicas (big difference! one tells you it’s real but is instead a fake, the other tells you it’s a replica or fake up front).  If you stick to the sellers with high ratings, and good comments, then you are probably in good company (seek out sellers who have no negative points against them within the past year). Make sure you also check the stats offered on the item, make sure the picture you are looking at is the actual bag, and contact the seller to make sure they are stating that the bag you are looking at is authentic. Never buy anything when you are emotional. What happens is you get caught up in the moment, and end up spending more than you plan or budget for. Always set a walk away price. When the asking prices hits that number, walk away. There will be other bags offered.  When you get emotional during an auction, you will more than likely be paying too much, and will regret it later if you made a mistake in your purchase.  You definitely want to keep your head on while bidding.

Also, one more important point about auctions:

If you pay for your bag using PayPal, your purchase is guaranteed and protected if it turns out the seller lied about what you were sold – i.e. you were given a guarantee that you were buying an authentic Coach bag, but after you received the bag and had it evaluated it, the bag turned out to be a bona fide fake, and the seller refuses to give you a refund.  You can seek a refund through PayPal by filing a dispute.  Since you will be able to prove you were sold a fake, and the seller  is refusing to cooperate, your purchase is protected, and will be given a refund.  You will more than likely have to go through the trouble of shipping the bag back, possibly at your own cost – but don’t do anything until PayPal has completely been able to guarantee you a refund.  Once that is done, go ahead and mail your bag back, and see about getting the cost of shipping it back refunded as well.  Make sure you follow all of the rules and policies of PayPal – and the seller – regardless of how the seller is behaving, you’ve got a much better chance of getting what you want if you communicate clearly and politely.

Don’t wanna hassle with eBay or PayPal?  Another great place to find good deals on handbags is to look on free classified sites, like Craigslist. Just make sure you follow the advice of the site, and that is to buy local. When you buy local, you have the opportunity to make arrangements to see the product for real before making the purchase. Most time you will get the chance to meet some pretty interesting people. One thing you will also discover is that you will come across people that still have the original receipts to prove authenticity. One side benefit is you may have the opportunity to meet someone who buys bags so frequently, that they will offer the bags for sale at such a cheap price to fuel further.

Finally…

Seek out sellers who have built up quite a collection of authentic handbags, and are simply trying to get some of their hard-earned money back on bags they never ended up using.  Buy locally when possible, and always let your hands – your senses – and your eyes – tell you whether or not the bag is real – and most importantly, whether you like the bag at all.  Just because it has a fancy label on it shouldn’t force your hand in deciding on a bag that will be in your possession forever…

Petite women have many challenges when it comes to fashion and accessories, and it can be tricky to find the right match to balance out the latest looks. Finding the right size to suit your petite frame takes a little trial and error.

The right handbag can make you look thinner if you’re naturally stocky or athletic, or simply add some weight to your figure if you’re long and lean.

The key thing to remember for the style-savvy petite woman: choose a shape that is the opposite of your body type.

Being petite and carrying a excessively small purse or bag will only overemphasize your smaller features.

On the other hand, an overly large bag or tote can be equally unattractive.

You’ll want to find the perfect match with a medium-sized purse, bag, or tote whenever possible, On your search for the perfect handbag, here are a few tips:

1. Choose a bag that is proportionate to your size.
Even though you’re looking for your opposite, don’t overdo it with an excessively large tote. The season’s best picks include hobos, satchels, and rounded ruched bags that are medium-sized. Structured bags will also give you a smooth and polished look. Top designers that offer structure and proportion: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton.

2. Don’t carry a handbag under your arm.
The season’s classic clutches work best in your fingertips. Avoid tucking them under your arms as they will draw attention to your chest area and essentially create an unbalanced look. Pick up a carry-all style instead; top picks this year include Mulberry Bayswater, Bottega Veneta Ombre Tote, and the Louis Vuitton Onatah line.

3. Choose something that is opposite to your body type.
If you’re a tall and skinny petite, pick something that’s rounded and has some extra weight. If you’re short and muscular, look for slim silhouettes and rectangular or structured styles. Top designers to get this look right: Marc by Marc Jacobs, the Indy Bag by Gucci, or a classic Birkin.

4. Don’t be afraid to draw attention to the bag.
This season’s ritzy metallic looks and flamboyant colors are bold and will definitely catch the crowd’s eye. Use this to your advantage by finding the right size and adjust the shoulder strap (if there is one) to sit at the most flattering place on your body. Adjustable shoulder straps are a great way to keep things in order. The Chloe Paddington is a great choice in brushed silver, while the Miu Miu patchwork quilted tote is another attention-getter. Play around with different looks and see what fits with your personal style.

5. Use the miniature handbags for special occasions only
Avoid matching up your daily outfit or business ensemble with a miniature bag. These work well as accessories and are a step up from holding a wallet at party, but they don’t suit many petite figures quite so well. Look for simple details and elegant touches if you do pick up one of these for a night out; cross-body bags are another option to show off a a trendy designs and eye catching fabrics.

Shopping for the perfect handbag is an adventure for any woman, but petite women in particular have the challenge of finding the right proportion and style combination.

Make sure you have a chance to explore the variety of handbags available before selecting your loyal companion. Today’s designers offer plenty of distinct shapes and sizes that can be used to your (size) advantage.

London is one of the world’s top cities for fashion trends and classic styles, and offers plenty of browsing opportunities for the average handbag shopper.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect handbag, here’s where you’ll find some of the best handbag boutiques in the city:

• Burberry of London is well-known around the globe, but you’ll never forget your visit to the beautiful store in central London. Burberry was founded in 1856, and continues to provide quality accessories, clothing, and its much-coveted bags for classic tastes.  Head to the Burberry shop for some of the latest collections and learn about the history of Burberry plaids from the store reps while you’re there. Check out the Mayfair in London to enjoy the experience.  Burberry is located at 21-23 New Bond Street.

• Mulberry is another U.K. classic that offers plenty of classic and contemporary handbags. The store has been frequented by many celebrities, and it’s just a few doors down from other classic labels and fashion designer boutiques. The traditional Mulberry bag is a must-have for any Londoner that can afford it, and it’s easy to find a range of accessories to match your final selection. The Mulberry store is located at 41-42 New Bond Street in Mayfair, London.

• Anya Hindmarch has become a powerful brand after the ‘I’m Not a Handbag’ craze back in 2007, and continues to feature a collection of fashion-forward totes, clutches, and miniature handbags for a taste of modern style. Whether you’re looking for suede, patent leather, or a simple fiber bag, the collections at Anya Hindmarch offer plenty of choices to create your signature look. You’ll find the Anya Hindmarch shop in Notting Hill, right on Ledbury Road.

• Knightsbridge is another area of London that features boutiques from the world’s most coveted designers, and the Chloe store in London is one of the most beautifully designed in the world. There’s nothing like a classic Chloe handbag, and now you can pick out your favorite from the designer boutique in Knightsbridge. With excellent service and plenty of displays to absorb, this one will quickly become a favorite on your trips to the city. The Chloe boutique is ready for your discovery at 152-153 Sloane Street in London.

• Picking out a Hermes bag directly from the boutique isn’t your average shopping trip–unless you’re ready to fork over the $5,000+ for your handbag of choice. Still, a trip to the Hermes store is an event with the beautiful displays, lineup of gifts, and a brush with fame when a celebrity comes to visit. The store is beautifully decorated and the staff is ready to guide you into handbag haven. You’ll find the store at 155 New Bond Street in Mayfair, London.

From Chloe to Burberry, there’s plenty to explore in the handbag department on your next trip to London. You’ll find most boutiques lined up in Mayfair, Knightsbridge, and Oxford Street; other highlights include Miu Miu, Lulu Guinness, Dolce & Gabbana, and Chanel–so be sure to plan out your route before making the rounds.