Handbags - Useful Accessories That Makes You on the Go

What makes us on the go are handbags, be it is a small purse or huge luggage, a handbag help us carry several belongings while away from home. When we go out shopping for a purse, we see to it that our choice would depend on a specific purpose and that it gives us a taste of fashion. There are so many places where we can find different variety of purses to choose from, this gives a shopper many choices in style, color, and most of all functionality.

Purses are made to meet different purposes. They can be small enough to give convenience, however large enough to carry conveniently for several kinds of function. Useful and functional accessories like handbags are best for users who are always on the go throughout the day - professional, students, or those those who simply carry many things. Because of its versatility,a handbag become many people's best friend as it can carry a lot into its contents.

If you need something larger, then a tote bag would be a great suggestion. Tote bags have a quite large size that lets you pack several essential items. This kind of handbag is perfect for items that small purses can't accommodate. Tote bags often comes with several rooms and pockets that allows you to carry a few little extras. You can also find tote bags that have a roomier interior that accommodates bulky stuff like shoes or extra apparel. Tote bags don't have that much difference with beach bags because they both great when you simply need a large empty space.

If you often travel out of the country, a travel bag is your great companion. Travel bags can be smaller or bigger but can organize your several necessities. These bags are usually carry with ease in places like airports or small overhead bins, as well as long road trips. This simply means that you don't have to carry a huge travel bag and get exhausted for you can always find large and convenient bag to carry for long hours of trip. Travel bags often have a functional interior with several pockets and interior compartments to separately pack some items.

There are also utility bags that serves multipurpose functions. For moms, a diaper bag would be their convenient accessory when going out with baby. Baby diaper bags often come in cute so baby-like designs. They also have several rooms and small pockets. This bag comes with different types, such as messenger, tote, back pack, etc.

You can find all these different kinds of bags online. Shopping online gives people a convenient avenue to purchase different handbags out from an endless selection. You can find so many choices of functional and fashionable handbags with different range of prices as well. Designer fashion bags are known for their quite expensive prices and custom handbags, on the other hand, are often affordable. Choices of functional customized handbags include personalized tote bags, monogrammed backpacks, embroidered evening bags and etc. You can even find customized utility bags such as embroidered toiletry bags, cosmetic purses and weekender bags.

By Jnet

Is Your Authentic Designer Handbag Really Authentic?

So, you have just bought a new designer handbag. Maybe you have had your eye on a Christian Dior Saddle Handbag, or Gucci Jackie-O that you know your friends will drool over . You got a huge discount off of the hefty retail price and you're feeling pretty good about yourself. But now you are wondering- is my designer handbag authentic.

Determining the authenticity on any product can be a little tricky, but if you know the basics, you will be able to spot a fake in just a few seconds.

One of the best ways to ensure your new handbag is authentic is to look at the bag itself. Designer handbags are popular and cost as much as they due because first and for-most they are made from quality materials. Take a good look at the stitching. There should be no loose or missing stitches, the color of the thread should match the main color of the bag and the stitches should be evenly spaced. If the handbag is leather, the logo should be engraved, not just printed on the leather.

Also take a look at the hardware. All of the hardware should match in color and sheen. The hardware should also be free of scratches. Many manufactures, including Gucci, Fendi and Prada, protect their hardware with a removable plastic cover that is to be removed only after it has been purchased. The brand name or logo should be engraved, not embossed or simply printed on the hardware. You can also find the brand name of logo engraved on the strap hardware on Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Chanel.

Inspect the material the bag; lining, hardware and accents are made of. Many handbags are made of different types of leather, from Lambskin, Calfskin, Goatskin and Patent Leather, but it is easy to distinguish if the leather is of a good quality or not. The lining is usually made of a satin material that has a nice shine to it and most designer handbags have the name brand name or logo on the lining. Designers almost always use leather accents, not plastic. Some purses have straps that are specially coated and seem to be artificial. However a quick look at the edge of the strap, usually near a stitched joint, should reveal a leather core.

Is there an authenticity card. An authenticity card is a little card that usually has the manufactures logo embossed on the front and has some information about the product you purchased and sometimes includes a magnetic strip, bar code. Many manufacturers, including Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Kate Spade and Coach, use these cards.

Check for a serial number. Not all manufacturers use serial numbers, but many do. The serial number for Fendi purses can be found on the inside pocket. Simply turn the pocket inside out and there will be a printed number on the fabric or possibly on the leather tag. Gucci includes a small leather tag on the zipper seam of the handbag which includes a serial number.

If you shop wisely, and inspect the bag carefully, you will be able to spot a fake from a mile away.

By Deanna Key

Wholesale Designer Handbags - How to Become Part of the Hottest Business on the Net,

It is said, to be successful in selling, you must be passionate about what you sell. This is easy if you love designer handbags and fashion. Fashion is a huge industry. Wholesale designer handbags and fashion is also quickly becoming a very large and profitable industry.

But as good as it sounds, there are many things to know before you jump in and become a designer handbag wholesaler.

The most important issue you must understand is the manufacturing and distribution channels of the top designers. The production of designer handbags is almost a top-secret event. With the heavy competition between the designers to offer the latest and hottest trends for the up coming season, handbag manufacturers keep quite about their production runs, the quantity they will produce and orders must be placed two or three seasons in advance just to get any product. What does this mean to you, the wholesaler? It means that you cannot call up GUCCI or Hermes and ask for a couple hundred bags and expect to not get laughed at (in Italian of French of course). It also means that the top designer handbag manufacturers only supply their product to large retailers, small boutiques and maybe a website with an exclusive contract.

So where do all the handbags that you see for sale online come from? Well, that is the key to getting into the wholesale designer handbag business. Most of the bags come from intentional or unintentional overstock by the small to medium size boutiques oversees. They will sell off their surplus of last season’s handbags to distributors who will then sell them to wholesalers. It is your goal to find these distributors.

To find reputable, honest dealers who distribute authentic merchandise is tricky. There are a couple of things to consider.

**Most dealers that sell designers from Italy, France and England are not found in the US. It only makes sense. They need to have a close relationship with the boutiques, and very rarely the manufacturers themselves, that supply them with their overstock. So become familiar with what country the handbags you want to sell were originally produced.

**Learn the language. You will need to learn a little Italian or French. Just enough to understand colors, styles and shapes of the handbags when you are given an inventory list. It would also be good to know enough to at least say hello and what your intentions are when initially contacting the dealer. Learning the language is also extremely helpful when conducting searches on the internet. Don’t limit your search to pages here in the US, search google and yahoo in Italian and French as well.

**Contact as many dealers as possible. This will help to validate which ones are honest and have an interest in a business relationship. Once you have received the inventory/price list from several dealers, cross reverence them. Are the prices similar? Are the quantities on hand reasonable? This is important to gage if the dealer is selling authentic merchandise. If he has 600 of a particular bag, chances are they are not real. It is not reasonable, given the means in which he most likely purchases his stock and the production methods of the manufacturing, that he would have so many of one style.

**Understand all terms of sale prior to placing an order. It is not uncommon that the dealer will want a deposit on your order. You will usually commit 30% up front and pay the remainder when the items have shipped. Many dealers will only accept bank transfers. This is where becoming a designer handbag wholesaler takes a great deal of faith. A bank transfer offers no protection from the dealer taking your money and never shipping product. If he was dishonest and took the funds, but shipped nothing, you could have very little recourse. Unlike a money order or credit card purchase, there is no 3rd party protection. At the least, make sure you have the dealers phone number, complete business address and email address.

Of course, like with all start-up business, there are many, many more things to consider. But to make your search for the right distributor easier, we highly recommend going to ModaImports.com. Unlike the many lists and directories that claim to offer true sources for authentic designer handbags, ModaImports.com has used, or contacted, all of the sources on their Supplier Database.

If you have a passion for fashion and are looking to start your own lucrative business, wholesale authentic designer handbags is a great business opportunity.

By Deanna Key

Vintage Desinger Handbag-Is it Vintage or Just Plain Used

Vintage bags are new again. Just look around, they are everywhere. They were the talk of the fashion industry when many ‘A list’ celebrities were seen toting vintage handbags, gowns and accessories at this years Emmy Awards.

Buying vintage handbags is a great way to broaden your handbag collection. There are thousands to choose from and can sometimes be bought for pennies on the dollar. But when is a vintage handbag right for you, and what makes a bag vintage and not just used?

You will need to determine if the new handbag you are in the market for will be used frequently or are you more interested in the bag as a collectable. There is no harm in wanting to use a vintage handbag, how else are you and your impeccable sense of fashion going to be the topic at this years Christmas party, but it is important to buy a bag that will hold up to the challenge. So make sure you follow some simple guidelines when purchasing your new vintage handbag.

Only buy from a reputable dealer. Many of your questions can be answered and your worries set to ease when you know the dealer has done their homework and has a reputation of being honest and fair.

Obviously, anything that you use often must be made to last. Do not buy a handbag that is worn or stained more then a little. Some ’wear and tear’ can add mystique, but too much damage only looks used. Handbags can be restored and repaired, but it is highly unlikely you would want to go to all the trouble of having a handbag repaired, only to use it on a daily basis. Also, although most people would not be able to tell the bag had been repaired, repairing a bag greatly decreases it open market value.

Understand what you are paying for. Vintage handbags are given value not only for their popularity of past and current times, but also for workmanship. This can include things such as the clasping mechanism. Your biggest concern might be that the handbag close properly, but you could pay top price because the bag you are eyeing happens to have the first magnetic closure ever used on a designer bag. If you happen to find these types of things interesting then this is the bag for you. But if you are more interested in the appearance of a handbag, you might not want to pay this much for a piece of ingenuity and history.

Prices for vintage designer handbags can range from less then a hundred to several thousand. The price depends on condition, uniqueness, design, rarity, condition, adornments (beading), the material from which the bag is made and age.

When shopping online for vintage designer handbags, try using different search words: purse, handbags, vintage purses, vintage designer handbags, clutch purses, lunch box purses, cigar box purses and so on. Also look for an online boutique that offers great detail on the items they sell. A good description of the bag, estimated age and a full list of any flaws should be provided. It is essential that the retailer offer a money back guarantee.

A vintage handbag is right for you if you want genuine GUCCI or Hermes leather bag at a great price and couldn’t afford one new. Nobody has to know that it is vintage, but everyone will be wondering where you got it.

By Deanna Key

Is Your Handbag Making You Look Fat?

Is your designer handbag making you look fat? Much thought is given to the perfect pair of jeans or finding just the right blouse that will accentuate your figure. But how about your handbag?

Yes, your handbag can make you look fat or short or maybe even both. But the good news is, choosing the right handbag can make you look thin and tall.

It’s all about shape. You need to choose a handbag that is opposite that of your figure. If you were short and round, the perfect bag for you would be tall and sleek, like a clutch. Say you are tall and thin. Then a short and round bag would suit you best.

Now it is important you keep ratios in mind. Just because you are stout doesn’t mean you should carry around a pencil box, this will only add to the appearance that you are much larger then your handbag.

And don’t forget, fabrics and accents add a lot to the structure of a bag. A brightly colored, wildly patterned Monogram Multicolor Louis Vuitton Boulogne attracts a lot of attention. This bag will give the appearance that there is a lot my substance to your accessory then there really is.

Next, you will want to consider size of the bag. Take for example the Monogram Louis Vuitton Boulogne mentioned earlier. The bag itself has a small, classic, square shape to it, but it also has a long 12-inch strap. On a woman who is five and a half feet tall, this bag would be at or below her hip. This is too long for her height and therefore makes her look shorter. Now give the same bag to a 6-foot tall woman, and the bag would sit comfortably just above her hip and accentuate her waistline. The goal is to show off your womanly curves while hiding the womanly flaws we all have and hate.

Some popular designer handbag styles:

Tote - An open-top bag with straps or handles.

Hobo bag - A crescent-shaped shoulder bag.

Duffle - Tall shoulder bag, often with a wider opening on top.

Field bag - A flap-top shoulder bag with utility-type closure (buckles, snaps, etc).

Clutch - A small, handheld bag (frequently used for evening wear).

Satchel- A large, handheld bag.

Baguette - Long and rounded shoulder bag resembling the namesake bread.

Messenger - A large, soft shoulder bag with long straps (often worn across the body).

Cigar Box - A small, boxy, hard bag.

Pouch - A soft, small bag.

Oh, and a message to all of you who think you are avoiding bad handbag choices and have chosen a backpack style handbag. Watch out how big the backpack is and where it rests on your back. You could be adding junk to your ‘trunk’, or accentuating your ‘assets’.

Front or back, choosing the right bag is as important as choosing the right pair of jeans or the perfect sweater.

By Deanna Key

Authentic or Replica - Which Handbag is Right for You?

Real or fake? This question is asked of a lot of things: paintings, jewelry, bosoms and yes, handbags. Whether your Louis Vuitton is real or fake is your business, isn’t it?

Well, yes and no. Obviously, if your LV is real, you will probably eagerly correct anyone that hints that it is not. After all, you paid good money for the bag, and might even be appalled that someone would assume it is a replica.

On the other hand, if your bag were a replica, would you really tell people that it is a fake? Would you tell them by purchasing a replica, instead of the real thing, that you knowingly took money away from the designers that created the real bag? Would you mention that the money you spent for the bag possibly went to terrorist organizations. Or that the manufactures of your fake bag could have used their handbag business to transport thousands of dollars worth of cocaine into the country? I doubt you would mention any of these things to an inquisitive acquaintance.

I know it sounds harsh, but knowingly buying a replica bag is wrong. (Note: buying replica handbags is not illegal but selling them is.)

Designers like Gucci, Kate Spade, Chanel and Hermes charge so much for their product because they are highly sought after and they are made from quality materials. Many bags by these designers are made by hand. Also, these designers spend millions on advertising, customer care, quality assurance and customs. By buying a replica, you are taking directly from these designers.

Buying replicas also takes from the US economy. Companies that sell replica handbags often do so as cash based, tax free business. If you have bought a replica handbag before, think back, did you pay tax for on the purchase. Probably not.

We all know that authentic designer handbags are pricey, but that doesn’t mean you should buy a knock-off. Just because something is out of your price range is no reason to rip off the company that manufactures the product.

Real or replica…which is right for you? I don’t really see you have a choice. Always buy real.

By Deanna Key

Importing Handbags and Luggage

Importing bags and luggage has become big business but there are some things that you need to know before setting up such a business.

Designer copies - these products are illegal and you may end up having your bags seized at customs, being fined and possibly facing a breach of copyright charge from the design owner.

Bags such as straw baskets and cane purses will be subject to Quarrantine

Leather bags will not need to be quarantined but may be examined to see that the leather is properly processed and not from an endangered species.

Luggage for Children - needs to meet Australian standards for the bag and its components.

Bags and luggage can be bulky to ship and this will affect your overall costing.

There are clear labelling requirements for bags that are made from leather and imitation leather. Labels need to include the country of origin and a true description of the bags.

That was some warning information. Now what about looking at what you can do?

Why not design your own range of bags or luggage? You can have personalised fabric created using specific colours. You can brand it with your logo. You can choose the manufacturer and have the process monitored along the way. Bags start from only US$1.

My favourite are evening bags - elegant and sophisticated or vibrant and fun. Why not create a signature range? Source fabric and fittings and create your own line.

PU bags have no duty so you can go wild here and look for stylish handbags or tote bags. There is a growing market for synthetic bags and purses which look like leather or crocodile skin.

Enviro bags are popular especially for promotional items. There are varying weights so you could create bags for school or shopping or even as backpacks. You are only limited by your imagination.

Benefits of importing are endless so take time out to really think about all the possibilities, your own designer range of luggage, kids designer luggage - not much competition there. Wallets, purses, totes, no-one has done anything exciting in this area for years. Just think of the fun you could have with your own creations.

Disclaimer:

1. The contents of this document do not constitute the provision of any legal representations or warranties. Whilst precautions have been taken in the preparation of the information on this document, no reliance may be placed on this information and Jolt Consulting Pty Ltd disclaims all representations and warranties, including, but not limited to, warranties as to the quality and accuracy of the information of whatsoever nature and warranties of fitness for a particular purpose.

2. Neither Jolt Consulting Pty Ltd nor any of its directors or representatives shall be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss or damage arising from any misrepresentations, negligence, omission of information or incomplete information, caused or resulting from any reliance on the contents of this document.

By Jacqueline Mikami