Does your purse make you look like an old lady?
Here is a great fashion question from one of our readers: Dear Glam Gals, Wondering what handbags you would consider “old lady” and which would be considered more youthful…..thanks! L. C. Vandercook Hi L.C. We had fun looking for some good examples to share with you. Here are our Do’s and Don’ts
| Example | Don’t | Do |
| This bag on the left is too stiff and old lady like, plus it’s boring beige.
See how the bag on the right is more relaxed and soft. That’s what you want. Soft is youthful and the color adds life! (Nordstroms) |
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| You see these bags like this one the left all the time on older women. These bags look heavy and tired. Do you want to look heavy and tired too?
Try shiny black patent leather with white piping instead for a fresher, up to date look. (Black House White Market) |
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| Patchwork may be in, but over 40, sorry, it looks like you’ve taken up quilting.
Try a single bright pop of color with a classy touch of hardware for a more powerful chic look. (Saks) |
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| Red is always cheery and can be sporty mixed with tan or brown, but this bag on the left has a boring shape making it look ho-hum.
Instead,try this cute one on the right. It’s got a less uptight shape, is also more matte, so more sporty and the tassels are a great stylish. Tally ho! (Nordstroms) |
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Speaking as a 47 year old style conscience fan I have to chime in on this one as it hits close to home. Several friends and I had this very conversation over lunch. The best tips for avoiding old-lady handbag syndrome:
#1 Buy a quality handbag. This doesn’t have to mean expensive. Just look for the best quality bag you can find within your budget. A good quality handbag can last several years.
#2 Choose handbags in colors other than black, brown, beige. Try colors like deep teal, purple, rust or dark red. I actually carried a dark lavender purple last summer and was amazed at how it complimented my outfits.
#3 Now there’s nothing wrong with black, brown, beige or any other neutral tone but if you choose one of these make sure it has a distinguishing feature such as contract stitching, interesting outside pockets or braided handles/strap.
Happy Shopping!
Hi Meg,
Great tips… we love this topic! Thanks for your input!
I love my suede dooney and bourke black hobo. It has just the right of hardware, white contrast stiching and leather strap. I spent just under $300 for it and find it’s a good investment.
At my age (46) I think a woman is entitled to a designer investment bag. My advice to avoid OL bags is to read the fashion magazines and look at what the young women are wearing. Accessories don’t have an age. You will never go wrong wearing the latest bag, shoes, and belts for the most part.
Hi Elle,
Yes, you are right on!! Both Deborah and I have invested in good purses over the years and have gotten lots of wear out of them. One thing we did not mention was “knock offs”. We are both against them. You can usually spot a knock off, a mile away.
What’s wrong with taking up quilting?
Love this title! A friend and I were thinking of starting a new group called “The Old Bags”
Would you like a little psychological insight into the meaning of a woman’s purse? If you dream about your purse, it represents your IDENTITY!
Keep up the good work, GLAM gals!
I agree with everyone. I love a handbags but sometimes I see older women carrying handbags that are really meant for the young….mainly the brand bags like bebe and juicy….Nice bags but I personally consider them “too young” for me @ 51
My chiropractor told me years ago that my heavy handbag was aggravating my old injury from a traffic accident. I’ve had to downsize my belongings and switch to a tiny bag just big enough to hold my keys, cell phone, credit card, ID, and cash. No wallet, no PDA, no sunglasses (sigh). I’d love to hear your thoughts and see some of your recommendations for tiny bags. They do have the advantage of making me feel less encumbered.
Oh, baby! Have fun with your bags. I buy Coach, D&B, Kate Spade, etc. These bags are well worth in the investment considering the wear and tear they go through. These companies offer good bag maintenance services for low cost plus postage. When I retired several of my work bags went to my co-workers–they asked for them! How cool is that???
Rabbi Wendy: I carry a large Coach wristlet filled as follows: credit card envelope that will hold driver’s license, two-three insurance cards, debit and credit card; $$ bills, slimline pen, Mary Kay or other slimline lip gloss or lipstick and my set of keys. Spare change? I donate it along the way each day so it doesn’t become an encumbrance and generally goes to a good cause–it all adds up! Take a peek and think small yet functional. [I traveled 100% of my work time and easily tucked the wristlet into a brief case/computer bag (rolling type, of course) or my hand bag as a Million Miler Road Warrior.] ☺
Hi Rockin Robin,
You sound like a go getter and like you are organized! One thing you mentioned we really agree with. Women in the workplace, should try to carry just one bag. A briefcase. It can look sloppy and awkward, to have a purse and briefcase. Coakley has a wonderful bag that functions as a briefcase and purse in one. (www.coakleybusinessclass.com)
I love purses but they have to be functional and funtional can be fashionable! I find the Kathy Van Zeeland Shopper Bags to be spot on when it comes to fashion and functionality. I loved them so much I had to buy two! And purses don’t have to be expensive, places like discount stores sell that at a great price! I bought purple and beige with gold and a little bling that Kathy Van Zeeland bags offer. I like the side scoop pockets on either side for quick access to that so important cell phone call! Purses come in all sizes and varieties…I highly agree that purses are a great way to update my look at my age. Love the “shiny” suppel material too! Thanks so much for this article!
A handbag or purse in American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag that is often fashionably designed’`-
I have several bags including a juicy bag and a black bebe bag. Since i’m only 24 i can get away with then. Although i have a couple bags that look so boring it’s not even funny especially the black handbag i got from kholes. I have 1 of the bags i really like and it’s brown and has 2 straps a long detachable strap and 2 handles to carry by hand. it’s brown but i like it. Other than that i have several in different colors including several coach handbags and a fossil bag which is cross body and is my favorite and an aldo bag which i just got which looks like one of those bike rider’s bag. it’s roomy and just right for my very petite body.
Nice post! I definitely agree with some of the points mentioned here. However, if you stick to a classic leather bag in a classic colour (think creams, browns and black) then you really cannot go wrong! Plus it will always look the part. A coloured handbag is great, but if you’re looking for an investment piece always stick to simplicity. Thanks for the post!
Hi Hannah,
Yes classics are a great investment but many of us have more than one handbag yet are afraid of investing in one that has color. If you work in a conservative environment or most of your clothes are already neutral (aka, black) then having a handbag with some color is a wonderful way to spice things up! However, your point is well taken. If you want to invest in a gorgeous handbag, it’s not a bad idea to choose a classic color.