Designs and styles change year after year, but everyone has their favorite staples. That perfect pair of shoes, belt or handbag that goes well with everything. The image of your favorite handbag probably came to mind. That’s OK we all have one.
Keeping up with the latest designers can be exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. Throughout 2009 the most popular designer handbags are very large and stylish. Hollywood starlets are carrying bags designed by affordable name brands.
Memorable Gift Giving
Gift giving is all-too-often taken to the lowest extreme. The less expensive the gift, the more people consider buying it. Some people don’t consider gifting something as potentially expensive as a designer handbag.
Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries are considered major gift-giving opportunities. Gift givers often include the receipt just in case multiples are received. The recipient can easily take duplicate items back to the store for a refund or exchange.
Make your next big gift a one-of-a-kind. Some great Chanel, Gucci, Lv, Prada and Fendi handbags are available for less than $200. Take the time to find the perfect bag at the best possible price.
Know How to Spot a Fake
Your plans to purchase a designer bag must include a clear understanding of authentic vs. fake. Replicas are much less expensive than authentic, ranging from $20 to under $80. While that price range may be tempting, don’t settle for less than perfection.
Authenticity Card: Prada, Burberry, Gucci and Fendi always have an authenticity card. Cards include basic designer information and a model number, sometimes a bar code. If the authenticity card isn’t visible outwardly, check the inside pockets. Fendi often seals their card in a foil bag. Prada uses small envelopes with their logo on the front. Some cards are metal while others resemble a credit card.
Logos and Signature Symbols: Familiarize yourself with logos and monograms before you begin shopping. If the signature symbol is questionable, don’t make a rash purchase. Take time to confirm the authenticity before purchasing.
More than 80 Years of Designer Handbags
The very first sign of the use of a purse is believed to have been in 3,300 BC. Other early examples were waist pouches found in Egyptian hieroglyphics. The first fashionable bags made their appearance in Europe during the 14th century. The quality and embroidery on the bag hinted at sophistication and helped develop the first real designer handbag.
Both men and women carried purses in the 15th century. Some were simple bags or pouches carried under the full skirts that made up fashion. The more sophisticated purses of the period were delicately embroidered and ornamented with gold.
Leather made a big fashion statement in the 16th century. Most early leather purses were fastened with a drawstring and had long straps. Larger bags, much like today’s designer handbags, were carried diagonally across the body.
The dawn of the 17th century brought with it men’s trousers with pockets sewn to the inside. The new addition caused many men to stop carrying their usual bag. Handmade bags, elegantly embroidered were displayed proudly and as a status symbol.
By the early 1900s, handbags included complicated fasteners and pockets. During the 1940s purses were made of wood, plastic or other easily obtained materials. Metal was being used for supplies needed during WWII. The 1950s saw the birth of brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Chanel.
Today’s fashionable designer handbags are created using a broad variety of materials. The combination of textures often increases the value of the bag. Closures include buckles, buttons and ties.
