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By N. Bhatta - AOL
Whether you carry only a credit card in your clutch or you fill your purse with everything from a passport to an extra pair of pumps, the type of handbag you choose to sling over your shoulder speaks to your personality. 22% of women would splurge on a handbag if they could only choose one luxury item, so before you start spending, check out these personality traits to find out what your handbag says about you before you ever say a word.
The Briefcase/Purse Combo
Bag Behavior: Carrying only one functional yet fashionable bag is a sign of intelligence and ability to multi-task. You're professional (hence the briefcase) and organized.
Perfect Personality Pick: Kenneth Cole Briefcase
Handbag Hint: To keep leather soft on bags and briefcases, apply treatments and protectors when they are brand new and every month afterwards.
The Photo Bag
Bag Behavior: You are family and friend-oriented and you love showing off the people (or pets) closest to you. You value security and close relationships and your photo bag offers this comfort, even when you're by yourself. Kathryn Eisman, author of "How to Tell a Woman by Her Handbag" considers people who have unusual purses like photo bags to be emotional and sentimental.
Perfect Personality Pick: Classic Custom Photo Purse
Handbag Hint: Your photo bag probably isn't your main bag, so consider buying handbag liners so you can just remove all of your photo bag's contents and put them into your bag-of-the-day in one easy swoop.
Bag Behavior: You're confident enough to survive the day without your entire life by your side and you are capable of streamlining, which is a fantastic personality trait. You are a back-to-basics girl who knows exactly what she needs out of life.
Perfect Personality Pick: Geneva Embossed Clutch at Fossil.com
Handbag Hint: Store your clutches and other purses upright and not on top of each other so they won't lose shape.
The Monogrammed Tote
Bag Behavior: You're proud of who you are, you're comfortable with yourself and you are open to the world about who you are. It's usually easy to pick you and your one-of-a-kind bag out of a crowd.
Perfect Personality Pick: Eddie Bauer's Ripstop Canvas Tote
Handbag Hint: Totes usually have no closure and can easily tip over, so keep your valuables in the zippered compartments.
The Brand Bag
Bag Behavior: You like the finer things in life and you want people to know it. You're someone who is 'fabulous' and you know that certain brands enhance your image and upscale personality.
Perfect Personality Pick: The Hermes Birkin Bag is the pinnacle of branded bags.
Handbag Hint: Brand-name bags can be expensive and household insurance policies often don't cover expensive purses. Look into bag insurance with your household insurance and with independent companies.
The Eco-Friendly Tote
Bag Behavior: You care about your surroundings and the environment and you look for ways to spread the word about your endeavors and to inspire others. You're trendy and enjoy being first on fashion bandwagons, too.
Perfect Personality Pick: Any eco-friendly tote is fine with you, as long as it's environmentally friendly.
Handbag Hint: Hang-dry cloth totes after washing. Not only is it better for the environment but it is also better for the bag.
The Backpack
Bag Behavior: You're casual and health-conscious – you know how damaging a heavy bag can be for your shoulder. You put comfort over style and move quickly and efficiently.
Perfect Personality Pick: High Sierra Urban Compu-Pack
Handbag Hint: The best backpacks come equipped with a lifetime guarantee, so look for this detail when purchasing.
The Oversized Bag
Bag Behavior: You're stylish but refuse to do without your needs. You're often on-the-go, swiftly, sexily, and sassily making your way through your equally as oversized to-do list. Be careful, though – the average woman's handbag is six pounds. Much more weight than that and you'll have a sore shoulder.
Perfect Personality Pick: Pietro Alessandro Oversized Foldover Satchel
Handbag Hint: Take care of large bags, which are prone to spills and pen stains, by storing them in their original dust bags or a pillowcase when not in use.
The Shoulder Bag
Bag Behavior: You're sensible and practical. You don't want to overdo with an oversized bag but you wouldn't feel comfortable downgrading to a clutch for your everyday bag. You're a middle-of-the-road, even-keeled decision maker, too.
Perfect Personality Pick: Isaac Mizrahi Small Shoulder Flap Bag at Target.com
Handbag Hint: Shoulder bags can go anywhere, so pick one in a neutral color that will match as many outfits as possible.
The Bejeweled Bag
Bag Behavior: You love being noticed, and "bling" certainly helps you to achieve that goal. While nighttime pocketbook jewels are more common, ladies who step out in sunshine with shiny purses are confident and fun to be around (and shop with).
Perfect Personality Pick: Kathy Van Zeeland Topaz Stone Age Shopper
Handbag Hint: To avoid scratching the bag's decorative outside jewels, store the handle inside of your bag if it is made of chain.
The Wristlet
Bag Behavior: You are no-nonsense and ready for action. Active and fast-paced, a wristlet is a secure way of carrying your minimalist belongings as you zoom through life.
Perfect Personality Pick: Michael Kors Ranger Patent Leather Wristlet
Handbag Hint: When you need a larger purse, use the wristlet as a wallet.
Loved this article? Then check out our other personality features ... What Your Shoes Say About You' and 'What Your Lingerie Says About You'
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
1. A lady was once known by the company she kept. Now she is known by the bag she carries.
Posted at 2:12PM on May 16th 2008 by Emily Morse
2. Haha I cant stop laughing at the first comment!
Posted at 2:17PM on May 16th 2008 by Amber
3. I don't understand the whole concept of a handbag representing me or defining me. A handbag provides a convenient way to carry money, handkerchief, keys, cell phone, makeup, pen, small pad, odds and ends. My bag should not clash with my outfit, but it does not have to match precisely. For daytime it should have a comfortable shoulder strap, for evening a clutch is fine.
Posted at 2:21PM on May 16th 2008 by Jean Gollay
4. What about the woman who only carries a diaperbag?
Posted at 2:26PM on May 16th 2008 by Athena
5. Brand Name obsession means you enjoy the finer things in life, are you kidding me? That's why people walk along dirty NYC streets to find knock-offs. Carrying a name brand is a status symbol. You want people to think you are wealthy or that you're someone special since you can afford such an overpriced bag. It is materialism and shallowness at its finest. Trying to define who you are through the bag you carry, clothes you wear, etc. There is nothing attractive about the C's on a Coach bag, or the LV on a Louis Vuiton, there is nothing stylish nor elegant about them. Yet women want them, and will buy knock-offs if they can't afford them, because they want to feel special and convey to the world that they have money. Do you seriously think a 10 year old carrying a coach bag is concerned with looking sophisticated, or does she simply want to look "cool" and be able to show off? Well guess what, its the same for adult woman who obsess over designers. The fashion industry has successfully brainwashed peoeple into thinking that if something carries a particular name brand and costs a lot of money, it must mean it's something important.
Posted at 2:30PM on May 16th 2008 by Jane
6. This is a little bit overboard if you ask me. My bag fits on my shoulder but the only reason why I have one like that is because I can guard it well while I am out and about. I use a clutch bag for going out, I have a backpack I use for trips, and I have a designer bag that I just liked, and it isn't in any of the above. I also use a big beach bag, etc.
Posted at 2:32PM on May 16th 2008 by shannon
7. I should also mention you'd be surprised how many wealthy women will buy knock-offs since they want the feeling of carrying a name brand, without wasting lots of money on multiple bags. Finer things in life indeed. If it was all about being upscale, they wouldn't dare buy an imitation.
Posted at 2:34PM on May 16th 2008 by Jane
8. Jane, you could not be further from the truth. There is nothing wrong with a woman wanting to be fashionable. I happen to love coach and buy REAL coach bags. They are the only bags I buy and I can spot a knockoff from a mile away. This DOES NOT make me shallow. And I certainly do not buy them for attention.
Posted at 2:42PM on May 16th 2008 by Dee
9. 2. What about the woman who only carries a diaperbag?
Posted at 2:26PM on May 16th 2008 by Athena
It is said that the woman who carries a diaperbag; it is said that your a mother. LOL, sorry I could not resist.
Posted at 2:42PM on May 16th 2008 by egyptiangodessse
10. Get a life...how do you know what is good for a person, whether it is a purse, clothes, shoes, underware, etc. Good grief. Most of you making these comments don't even know how to dress.
Posted at 2:45PM on May 16th 2008 by Anastasia
11. We think it is fun to find cool designer bags at TJMax or Marshalls. you can go at the end of a season and find fab bags for half or more off the price. Look for bags that can go from season to season - timeless colors and fabrics.
have fun
http://models-fashion-advice.com
Posted at 2:48PM on May 16th 2008 by renee
12. Jane is far from the truth. I love Coach because they are long lasting quality, timeless fashion bags. I can't afford them usually, so I go to an outlet to buy them. I buy them because I like them. I'm far from shallow--but apparently you are very close to shallow indeed.
Posted at 2:48PM on May 16th 2008 by alison
13. it may be the c's are not attractive to you, but they may be to others. I don't care for them either but to suggest EVERYONE who carries such bags must want everyone to think they are wealthy is very judgemental. my mother like coach, not for the status, but because they last a really long time. she has owned 3, with no c's mind you, and each have lasted at least 10 years, still looking really nice. can't say that for the target bags I buy that I have to replace every 3 months are so.
Posted at 2:50PM on May 16th 2008 by Tricie
14. I Love my designer purses,I love the fact that if i make enough money to spend a couple hundred dollars on a purse and it makes me feel good who cares what people think.
Posted at 2:51PM on May 16th 2008 by Jeanette
15. I'm with you Athena. Always a diaper bag. LOL! Although lately I've just been buying oversized purses that can carry diapers and bottles AND my wallet.
Posted at 2:52PM on May 16th 2008 by Starley
16. A woman walked into the office of a psychiatrist who
was famous for his diagnostic skills. As soon as she
sat down, the doctor said, "You're here to see me about
an identity crisis, aren't you"? "You're right, doctor" she gasped. "But how could you tell without
even interviewing me"? "Easy, replied the doctor! Your
glasses have Anne Klein on them, your scarf says Ellen Tracy, your purse says Liz Claiborne, and when you
turned around to shut the door, you had Gloria Vander-
bilt plastered all over your butt"! Now tell, me lady"! "Just who are you, anyhow"?
MORAL: If you know who you are, you don't need designer
labels to define you!
Posted at 2:52PM on May 16th 2008 by Evelyn
17. For me, a bag is a bag as long as it's really cute. I do have some Baby Phat bags and some are Roxy bags. For me they are expensive but if you are going to pay good money for a bag then it should be something that you really want. I have a extensive bag collection though. I think the only thing I have more than bags are shoes. I love them too. (lol)
Posted at 2:53PM on May 16th 2008 by Marie
18. While I agree that some women may carry certain brand name bags for the status they think it brings with it, I received a Coach bag (a real one) as a gift, and I must say that despite the beating that poor bag has taken, with me unmercifully flinging it into the front seat of the car, onto the desk, leaving it on dirty, dusty backstage floors, etc. it still looks as good as the day I got it. Maybe you do get what you pay for.
Posted at 2:53PM on May 16th 2008 by Karen
19. My favorite is when you see a woman wearing a knockoff, bu she is also wearing a ratty t-shirt, sweat pants and socks with her sandals. Who are you fooling really?
Posted at 2:55PM on May 16th 2008 by brandy
20. Name Brands aside, there is a superior quality of material used on expensive bags. There is also a timelessness to the most classic of bags. Same goes for shoes.
Posted at 2:57PM on May 16th 2008 by Hope Tuch