Buying a quality leather handbag is a much different experience than purchasing a cheap bag at the department store. The cheap bag will wear out, tear, or otherwise break in a year or so and you simply throw it out and buy a new one. Your decision on which bag to buy is short term and therefore not very important in the grand scheme of things.

On the other hand, buying a leather handbag is an investment. With proper care, a quality leather bag can last you the rest of your life. Leather handbags come in a multitude of styles and it’s important to think ahead to ascertain what your needs might be not only now but in the future.

The first decision you will need to make is whether you want multiple handbags that can go with individual looks or occasions or whether you want to purchase a single bag that will fit in with most of your social and business engagements. For example, a day out with the kids shopping for new clothes might call for a large bag that can store not only regular handbag items but also snacks and juice for the kids, extra pairs of socks to try on shoes, and a novel to read while waiting for the kids to come out of the changing room. An elegant night out on the town, however, calls for a much smaller and more tailored handbag to carry only the essentials.

Once you have decided what purpose your handbag will serve, you will have to select a style. Larger totes often are not as tailored as smaller bags and give an air of casualness. Keep in mind also that larger bags packed full will be heavy and may cause shoulder and back pain if not carefully managed.

Students may wish to opt for a backpack style handbag with two handles to put arms through. This is a convenient style for carrying textbooks and notes and also distributes the weight of the bag more evenly for more comfort in carrying.

Hobo style handbags are in fashion and fit well with casual summery looks. These bags have no internal support structure and are soft and limp when empty. They often have few if any internal dividers or pockets which would make it difficult to quickly locate small items without digging through the entire bag.

Professional business women often carry a leather briefcase as well as a handbag. The handbag should complement the briefcase in color and style. It should have rigid supports to keep its shape and have a more formal look. Another popular option is to purchase a very small handbag that can travel inside the briefcase while on business.

Ultimately, the leather handbag that you choose has to feel right for you and reflect your own individuality and style. Choosing a timeless style rather than a fashion fad will serve you well twenty years from now when your handbag is still your constant companion.

My husband winces when I tell him what I spent on my handbag and wallet.  And since the amount was close to our monthly mortgage payment, I can see why.  A practical person might think spending a lot of money on a handbag or purse is a ridiculous waste of money.  But there are some practical reasons that every woman should splurge on herself in at least this one way.

Your handbag is something you carry every day.  A purse is not like a shirt or pair of pants that you may wear once or twice a month, perhaps weekly if it is a favorite wardrobe item.  Obviously, your handbag is something you should really love if you are going to be toting this accessory with you everywhere you go.  And a well made and well chosen purse is something that could last you for many years.  Personally, I have carried the same handbag for almost four years.  So when you break down what you are spending on a quality handbag by the number of years you will use it, the cost is a lot more bearable.  Think of buying your next handbag not as an accessory purchase, but as an investment.

As I said, if you want a handbag that will last many years, you must choose wisely.  So following are a few simple tips on making the right handbag selection for you:

The handbag construction and material should be priority number one.  Forget about style and trends initially.  It does not matter how cute the bag is if it is going to fall apart after just a few months of use.  Choose a bag that is well constructed.  Check the zippers, seams, and other hardware for quality.  If the purse you are considering for purchase looks and feels flimsy, it probably is.  Choose a handbag that is made of a sturdy material, like leather for example.  Leather has a timeless and classic appeal and can be durable while still being indulgent.

The size does matter.  I once purchased a very nice leather purse, only to get it home and realize that I could not even fit all of my essentials in it (cellular phone, wallet, lip gloss) much less the other handful of random items that rotate in and out of a woman’s purse on a daily basis.  Thankfully, the store I purchased this handbag from allowed me to exchange it for a bigger size, but save yourself the trouble and plan ahead.  Now, when I am handbag shopping, I am certain to give each handbag I am interested in a test drive.  I simply place all of my essentials in the bag to make sure everything fits and there is still room for extra items.

The last thing you should consider of course is handbag style.  There are many different styles of handbags on the market today: the clutch, the messenger bag, the rucksack, the shoulder bag, the tote, the over-the-wrist handbag, just to name a few.  Which type you choose is a matter of your personal fashion sense.  Do keep in mind your lifestyle when choosing your new handbag.  For example, you don’t want to choose a clutch if you need both of your hands free when you are out and about.