Purses.  Handbags.  Pocketbooks. Whatever you call them, they can make or break a look -- a concept that too many women overlook. 

Your purse doesn't exist in a vacuum.  It isn't invisible when you walk out the door.  It is an integral part of every outfit, for better or more often for worse.   Here are some guidelines for finding what works for you.

Be wary of big patterned or embrellished bags for every-day use.  They are more likely to clash or fight for attention with your outfits than they are to coordinate quietly.  You don't want an "oops" like this one:

Although they are cute and carry big brand names and hefty price tags, bags like these probably won't work well as basics in your wardrobe:

If you want a single daytime bag, it needs to play well with every outfit in your closet.  The color most likely to do that is your Key Neutral (closely related to your hair color). 

If you want a collection of bags as fashion accesories, you may add one in each of the neutrals in your wardrobe, plus your favorite accent colors.  My personal collection incudes black mock-reptile, dark ash brown and pewter (all hair color variations for me) plus navy and bright red.

The size of the bag you carry should relate to your body scale. In general, smaller gals need smaller bags while women with a more grand body scale can successfully carry larger bags. Slightly up-scaling your bag makes you body seem slightly smaller by proportion, but you don't want to overdo it and look like a pack horse. 

Here's one guideline for size: try keeping the width of the bag no greater than space between your hip bones and the bag's height no more than the distance from your waistline to the crease at the top of your leg.

One more size criteria: will it hold the things you need to carry? Maybe this is a good time to re-think "the things".  Do you really need to lug all that stuff everywhere you go, or could some of it reside in your desk drawer or your car's glove compartment? Edit your items until they will fit readily into a bag that doesn't weigh you down or overwhelm your body size.

  The shape of your purse should reflect the angularity or curve of your facial structure.  A woman with angular features will look best carrying a bag with a geometric shape and straight design lines.  A woman with softly curved facial features will probably want to repeat those gentle, flowing shapes in a purse.  You'll notice that my personal collection (above) is moderately angular like my facial structure.

The material your purse is made from relates to the season of the year and to the intensity of your coloring.  Leather and high-quality look-alikes are in season all year. (If  you choose a look-alike it should be realistic enough that you have to check the label to be sure.)  Suede is a rich look, typically limited to cooler months.  Straw, raffia and casual fabric bags are usually summer looks.  Shiny finishes on leather and synthetics are a popular option.

If your color pattern is bright and you skin and hair are smooth, a smooth leather or shiny synthetic is a great look for you.  If your coloring is more gentle, the soft surface of a suede, matte leather finish or a natural straw will be good options.

The structure of your bag relates to fashion personality and lifestyle.  A classic or dramatic woman - or one who needs to convey a formal, tailored business appearance - probably wants a bag with inner structure to hold its shape.  A more casual woman - either by nature or by lifestyle - will probably choose a big with a softer, more relaxed bag.

Choose the length of the handles or strap to position your bag at a flattering spot on your body.  Curvy body types -  hourglasses and especially triangles -- are usually best with a bag that rests near teh waistline where their body is slimmest.  Straighter types -- rectangles, inverted triangles and ovals -- are usually trimmer at the hipline, so a lower bag position works well best. 

For tips on shopping for the best bag, check out Lesson #44, coming soon ...