What are the rules for co-ordinating your purse and shoes?

Here’s a great style question from one of our readers:

“It now seems to be the style to not have your shoes and purse match.What and how do you determine what to match them with?The old way was to have back,brown,navy,or red if you where feeling wild and they always matched your purse..Some pointers on what is in now.”

~Barbara P.

Deciding what purse to go with your shoes can be tricky. Some women buy only one purse and wear it with everything. Others collect purses and change them around all the time. It all depends on your needs and lifestyle, but in general your purse  needs to be of  high quality and the size should fit your style and personality.

This is a photo of fellow blogger Susan Tabak who always has great fashion sense!  See how the colors all blend and her purse does not stand out, but pulls her simple outfit together!

Here are a few basic rules to remember:

Play with mixing colors, but keep one color neutral : If you have gray shoes, you can have fun with a colorful bag. This look is more for work because of the stiffer, dressier bag. The slouchy bag in front  with the gladiator sandals are better for a casual look because they are both less formal.
An outfit made up of  solid colors will get a lift from a purse with some color or texture : This simple outfit is perked up with these purple flats and a snakeskin clutch.
Don’t do a stiff purse with a casual outfit: If you like to wear casual or soft flowing clothes your handbag should match the look. This purse is too boxy and stiff for this sporty outfit.
This softer,relaxed hobo style purse is much better with this outfit~
Even a formal purse can work with casual  shoes. This formal channel style bag works with these flats, since the flats are shiny and have a dressy look to them.
Coordinate your hardware: It will be  easier to make choices and you will feel more pulled together if you keep your shoes, jewelry and handbag hardware all the same finish. (e.g. silver jewelry, silver, buckles on shoes, silver zipper on purse)

Up close at the Dior 2010 Spring Couture Fashion Show

For all you true blue fashionista’s out there…we had to share this wonderful video by one of our favorite bloggers, Susan Tabak.  This Age-mazing™ woman certainly lives life in the fashion fast lane…always off to Paris fashion shows, hobnobbing with the designers and shopping in NYC.

Here is her latest adventure:

The Dior, Spring 2010 Haute Couture  fashion show… pure fantasy, but fun to see!

Susan Tabak at Haute Couture Spring 2010: Dior and An Interview with John Galliano from Susan Tabak on Vimeo.