The Art of a Handbag

This may sound dramatic but, as a woman, I know how important my handbag is to my life. It's with me practically no matter where I go. It's not so much that it's attached to me but that I am attached to it. A multitude of handbag styles and related items are available. Not only do our bags have purposes, they are just plain fun to have and carry. Read on for descriptions and uses for various handbags.

SHOULDER HANDBAGS-Versatile and varied, a shoulder bag is, well, where it's at. You can let it dangle off your elbow or hold it close under your arm. You can even allow it to just lay lazily on the top of your shoulder. Shoulder bags are handy because they allow you to carry several other items without getting in the way. Utilitarian to say the least, nothing fills the bill (or carries the bills) like a shoulder handbag.

BRIEFCASES-All the professional ladies out there know how convenient and clever an efficient briefcase can be. A pouch for your cell phone that's easily accessible and a zippered compartment for the PDA that keeps it safe are just a few elements of a good briefcase. Of course, briefcases have all the standard pockets and niches for notebooks and other important documents. If you utilize it properly, your briefcase serves as your mobile office.

WALLETS-The carriers of the almighty dollars, wallets are quite simply a basic necessity. Available in many shapes, styles, and sizes, we keep our most important information there. Besides the obvious-drivers' license, credit cards, insurance information-most of us stick a special note to ourselves or a list of imperative urgency there. Zippers, folds, pockets, and hidden pockets make wallets mysterious.

TOTE BAGS-The all-round must-have bags, tote bags do just about every carryall job there is-grab it when you're going to the organic market, store your extra shoes in it for work, use it for a quick overnight to a friend's house, stock it for that quick trip to the hospital. I even store one flat in the bottom of my luggage on every trip to tote home extra-special treasures and souvenirs I pick up during my special stay.

BEADED PURSES-More of a fashion statement, beaded purses complete your outfit when you are going out for a special evening. Smaller and more compact than a shoulder bag, beaded purses are usually held or "clutched" in one's hand. Beaded purses might also be draped over a wrist. Although not many items can be kept in a beaded purse, a lipstick, compact, drivers' license, and a small roll of cash usually fits snugly inside.

MESSENGER BAGS-Probably the most utilitarian of all bags, messenger bags are the work horse of handbags. Having a flat, rectangular shape, messenger bags are fashioned after the bags messengers carry to deliver important documents. A thick, longer, shoulder strap allows the bag to be slung over the shoulder and neck for safe-keeping close to the body.

No matter where you are going, don't forget to grab your bag. Change it up from time to time, depending on what you will be doing. Better yet, tote that purse just for the sheer fun of it.