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Vintage bags are new again. Just look around, they are everywhere. They were the talk of the fashion industry when many ‘A list’ celebrities were seen toting vintage handbags, gowns and accessories at this years Emmy Awards.

Buying vintage handbags is a great way to broaden your handbag collection. There are thousands to choose from and can sometimes be bought for pennies on the dollar. But when is a vintage handbag right for you, and what makes a bag vintage and not just used?

You will need to determine if the new handbag you are in the market for will be used frequently or are you more interested in the bag as a collectable. There is no harm in wanting to use a vintage handbag, how else are you and your impeccable sense of fashion going to be the topic at this years Christmas party, but it is important to buy a bag that will hold up to the challenge. So make sure you follow some simple guidelines when purchasing your new vintage handbag.

Only buy from a reputable dealer. Many of your questions can be answered and your worries set to ease when you know the dealer has done their homework and has a reputation of being honest and fair.

Obviously, anything that you use often must be made to last. Do not buy a handbag that is worn or stained more then a little. Some ‘wear and tear’ can add mystique, but too much damage only looks used. Handbags can be restored and repaired, but it is highly unlikely you would want to go to all the trouble of having a handbag repaired, only to use it on a daily basis. Also, although most people would not be able to tell the bag had been repaired, repairing a bag greatly decreases it open market value.

Understand what you are paying for. Vintage handbags are given value not only for their popularity of past and current times, but also for workmanship. This can include things such as the clasping mechanism. Your biggest concern might be that the handbag close properly, but you could pay top price because the bag you are eyeing happens to have the first magnetic closure ever used on a designer bag. If you happen to find these types of things interesting then this is the bag for you. But if you are more interested in the appearance of a handbag, you might not want to pay this much for a piece of ingenuity and history.

Prices for vintage designer handbags can range from less then a hundred to several thousand. The price depends on condition, uniqueness, design, rarity, condition, adornments (beading), the material from which the bag is made and age.

When shopping online for vintage designer handbags, try using different search words: purse, handbags, vintage purses, vintage designer handbags, clutch purses, lunch box purses, cigar box purses and so on. Also look for an online boutique that offers great detail on the items they sell. A good description of the bag, estimated age and a full list of any flaws should be provided. It is essential that the retailer offer a money back guarantee.

A vintage handbag is right for you if you want genuine GUCCI or Hermes leather bag at a great price and couldn’t afford one new. Nobody has to know that it is vintage, but everyone will be wondering where you got it.

Deanna Key is the author of many articles and resources concerning desinger handbags. She has worked as an importer/exporter of designer fashions for over 5 years, and has imported over $25 million worth of designer goods. Read more helpful articles and get discounts on designer handbags at http://www.handbag-spot.com.

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Is your designer handbag making you look fat? Much thought is given to the perfect pair of jeans or finding just the right blouse that will accentuate your figure. But how about your handbag?

Yes, your handbag can make you look fat or short or maybe even both. But the good news is, choosing the right handbag can make you look thin and tall.

It’s all about shape. You need to choose a handbag that is opposite that of your figure. If you were short and round, the perfect bag for you would be tall and sleek, like a clutch. Say you are tall and thin. Then a short and round bag would suit you best.

Now it is important you keep ratios in mind. Just because you are stout doesn’t mean you should carry around a pencil box, this will only add to the appearance that you are much larger then your handbag.

And don’t forget, fabrics and accents add a lot to the structure of a bag. A brightly colored, wildly patterned Monogram Multicolor Louis Vuitton Boulogne attracts a lot of attention. This bag will give the appearance that there is a lot my substance to your accessory then there really is.

Next, you will want to consider size of the bag. Take for example the Monogram Louis Vuitton Boulogne mentioned earlier. The bag itself has a small, classic, square shape to it, but it also has a long 12-inch strap. On a woman who is five and a half feet tall, this bag would be at or below her hip. This is too long for her height and therefore makes her look shorter. Now give the same bag to a 6-foot tall woman, and the bag would sit comfortably just above her hip and accentuate her waistline. The goal is to show off your womanly curves while hiding the womanly flaws we all have and hate.

Some popular designer handbag styles:

Tote - An open-top bag with straps or handles.

Hobo bag - A crescent-shaped shoulder bag.

Duffle - Tall shoulder bag, often with a wider opening on top.

Field bag - A flap-top shoulder bag with utility-type closure (buckles, snaps, etc).

Clutch - A small, handheld bag (frequently used for evening wear).

Satchel- A large, handheld bag.

Baguette - Long and rounded shoulder bag resembling the namesake bread.

Messenger - A large, soft shoulder bag with long straps (often worn across the body).

Cigar Box - A small, boxy, hard bag.

Pouch - A soft, small bag.

Oh, and a message to all of you who think you are avoiding bad handbag choices and have chosen a backpack style handbag. Watch out how big the backpack is and where it rests on your back. You could be adding junk to your ‘trunk’, or accentuating your ‘assets’.

Front or back, choosing the right bag is as important as choosing the right pair of jeans or the perfect sweater.

Deanna Key is the author of many articles and resources concerning desinger handbags. She has worked as an importer/exporter of designer fashions for over 5 years, and has imported over $25 million worth of designer goods. Read more helpful articles and get discounts on designer handbags at http://www.handbag-spot.com.

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