What kind of handbag suits my style?

Picking a handbag to suit your look and lifestyle can be a tricky job for any woman, let alone trying to find the right material! Leather handbags are perfect for anyone for a number of different reasons, and every stylish lady should invest in a quality bag to last a lifetime!

In this lens we aim to let you know why Italian leather is perfect for everyday handbags, as well as finding the ideal handbag to suit your style. Whether you are classic or contemporary, practical or like to make a statement, we have the perfect look for you! Ever wondered if a certain handbag works with your body shape? Or what colour to purchase? We aim to give you some key tips for picking the very best bag to suit your lifestyle.

Don't forget to take part in our poll to let us know what kind of style is best for you, and feel free to ask us any questions!

Style and size may be one thing, but finding the right material for your next handbag purchase should never be difficult. Every woman should invest in at least one good quality leather handbag, whether that is top end designer or relatively unknown brands. Just make sure the leather is of good quality! We believe there are five top reasons that the investment will be worth it.

1. Fashion- For many years Italian leather has been seen on top fashion catwalks all over the world. Known for being a truly luxurious material, leather will continue to be in fashion for many more years. It's a timeless material that will always look the part.
2. Easy to maintain- Although often thought of as difficult, leather is actually very easy to maintain! It all depends on the type of leather, but generally good quality leather rarely needs cleaning! If you do want to clean your bag, avoid chemicals and stick to natural products such as beeswax.
3. Hardwearing - Leather is known for its hardwearing nature. The better quality the leather, the more durable it is! Able to hold all your day-to-day essentials and withstand wear and tear with ease, leather really is the only material you want for an everyday handbag!
4. Unique - Leather that has not been sanded or corrected to remove natural marks is particularly unique. Leather ages beautifully with time and gains unique characteristics. Natural marks in the hide are a sign of good quality leather, and they give the bag a unique and unusual appearance that no one other bag will have exactly!
5. Good quality - Leather, specifically Italian leather, is known for being of the highest quality. A lot of care and attention go in to making an Italian leather bag so that you can use it for many years. With a good quality leather bag you can truly see the craftsmanship that has gone into making it.

Before you invest in a leather handbag, there are certain things you need to think about before you make that all important purchase! You need to think about the type of handbag you actually need, what would work best for your lifestyle, and what colour to pick as well as a handful of other things! We have broken it down to a few simple things you should think about before you buy...

Classic vs. Contemporary

If you are investing in a leather handbag, it is important not to be caught up in trends! Even if you value fashion over classic styles, you can still purchase a relatively fashionable bag with a simple design. This means you can use the bag for longer than a season or so! Leather bags are designed for life, so if it is fashion you are after, look for a simple design with a fashionable flair that you know you will continue to use for many years.

What do you use your bag for?

One of the most important aspects to think about before purchasing a handbag is what do you use it for? There is no point in purchasing a large work bag when all you ever use are embellished clutches; similarly it is pointless to purchase a handheld bag when you only find bags comfortable on the shoulder! Take a look at your handbag collection; what is your favourite bag? Why is it your favourite? Try purchasing a bag that has some of the same features so you know you will get a lot of use out of it. Alternatively, think about what is missing from your handbag collection. Do you like organising your essentials but don't have a bag with lots of pockets? Try purchasing one that can help store your necessities with ease!

Simple colours

If you are a loud and colourful character, it is sometimes hard to purchase a bag that lacks colour. However, you are likely to get more use out of a bag with simple colours as it can be teamed with many outfits and accessories! If you like classic colours, this is easy for you. However, for bubbly characters, why not team a simple coloured bag with a brighter outfit? The simpler the colour, the more timeless the accessory.

Your style

It is highly important to think about your personal style before you buy a handbag. Again; look at your handbag collection. See lots of slouchy bags made from supple material? You probably have a more bohemian style. See lots of structured bags with a simple design? You most likely prefer classic looks. If you are unsure as to what your style is, keep reading and you may find out!

What about my body shape?

Try not to get too caught up with getting a handbag to suit your body shape. Generally; if you love it and think you will get many years of use out of it then buy it! Depending on where the handbag sits in relation to your body will add volume to that part. For an example a handbag with a longer strap will add volume to your lower half, whereas a short shoulder bag will add to your top half. A key rule is to find handbags that are proportional to your body size! If you are petite, try to avoid overpowering large bags as this can make your frame look even smaller

Now that we have established what think about before you buy, it is time to focus on what type of handbag suits you best! We have broken this down into five top categories that we think generally incorporates all types of handbags! What handbag are you?

• The 'classic' lady

  You are the classic lady if:

  - You like simple designs

  - You like adaptable bags

  - You like medium sized bags

  -You like sophisticated looks

  The classic lady should look for a simple design that can be used in an array of situations. These ladies like having one bag that they can use time and time again rather than have one per occasion. Think a classic shoulder bag and something that has a simple shape as well as structure. The classic ladies love bags that last a lifetime and can be handed down through generations, so simplicity and quality leather is a must have. The key for searching for a classic handbag is to avoid fussy details; look for timeless designs. The classic lady loves matching their handbag to their sophisticated outfits.

• The 'fashionable' girl

  You are the fashionable girl if:

  -You like modern designs

  -You like casual bags

  -You value style over function

  -You like to keep up with trends

  The fashionable girl loves a modern style whatever the size, shape or function as long as it is in trend! They prefer the casual look and have many day bags. The key for searching for a good quality leather shoulder bag with a modern edge is to search for simple, sophisticated designs with a fashionable flair such as small detailing. Look for something that will be on trend for many years so that you don't waste money! Think structured bags with supple leather, and something in a simple yet fashion forward colour.

• The 'evening' female

  You are the evening female if:

  -You prefer smaller bags or clutches

  -You like smart styles

  -You have expensive taste

  -You like to dress up

  The evening female often goes on dinner dates or to the theatre. A fan of classy handbags and shoes, the evening female loves to dress up and look very expensive. Not bothered about having much room in their handbag, these females would rather look the part and have just the right amount of space for cards, keys and their lipstick! If you are an evening female look for clutch bags or small leather shoulder bags as well as simple designs in a smart colour, you should also look out for lady like details.

• The 'practical' Mrs

  You are the practical Mrs if:

  -You value practicality over style

  -You prefer larger bags

  -You need to carry lots of essentials

  -You like to be organised

  The practical Mrs loves to hold and organise all their essentials. Often in the office or having to commute, this woman needs lots of space to hold an array of work files, documents and perhaps even a laptop. The simpler the better, these women should look for leather work bags that have an uncomplicated design so that they are not overpowering. If you are a practical Mrs look for plenty of storage space and internal compartments to help hold everything you need!

• The 'different' woman

  You are the 'different' woman if:

  -You like unusual designs

  -You prefer bohemian looks

  -You like casual or sporty style

  -You like to be practical, fashionable and classic!

  The different woman likes unique designs that stand out from the crowd. A fan of making a statement, these women often search for unusual looks in their leather tote bags that people may not have seen before. Often a colour enthusiast and a fan on quirky styles, these women like to make a statement. The different woman should look for a style that is casual or sporty with an unusual edge; seek large details and unusual shapes. The different woman can also be practical, fashionable and classic and often likes everything rolled into one!

Still unsure as to what kind of handbag suits you best, we have a whole selection for you to choose from - Luxury Italian leather handbags

Found a style for you but want to know more about Italian leather before you buy? Find out what's so special about Italian leather

Got your signature handbag but do not know how to maintain it? We've created a lens to help you look after your bag once you have purchased! - Leather bag care tips