Patchwork leather bag

Many women - myself included - love bright colours but don't wear them very often. We often end up falling back on trusty neutrals or black/navy - either because we feel that bright colours don't suit us or aren't appropriate for our lifestyles/jobs. Or perhaps the plain truth is that sticking to a small palette of "safe" colours/neutrals is much easier - you're thus far less likely to open your closet door in the morning and realise that although you've got loads of clothes, you can't wear any of them because the *one* garment that would have pulled the diverse colours together and made a credible outfit is in the wash, or at the dry cleaner's.

Thankfully, there is a way around this problem.  If you like colour and lots of it, then wear it - but let your bag be the item that's colourful, not the rest of your outfit.  And if you don't want to commit yourself to one colour, then go for a patchwork bag!  A patchwork leather bag, to be exact - there are well-made and on-trend patchwork leather bags out there which will last you for years and give you the fashion equivalent of a shot in the arm every time you wear them.

Tote bags are also enjoying a bit of a fashion moment now. A tote bag is a simple, square or rectangular shaped bag with two short handles, one on each side. It's designed to be hand-held rather than slung over your shoulder.

Another style of bag (which I personally prefer) is the messenger/satchel or cross body bag. You simply wear it diagonally across your body and then forget about it. Well, not forget about it, but other than opening it to take stuff out or put stuff back in, you can pretty much leave it where it is - no having to contort your shoulder in order to keep it in place! A much more comfortable style of bag, provided you don't try and put everything except the kitchen sink in there!

© Empress Felicity November 2011