How to Choose the Right Purse Size
I know you want to look stylish and current.
If you follow the trends, you are aware that oversize purses are all the rage.
The oversized purse is the focal point. Purse makes this woman look shorter.
However, you are at risk for looking like a stylish “bag lady,” if you carry one of these gigantic purses around. Especially if you are carrying additional items.
How can you determine the best purse size for you?
Recently a client sent me a picture asking what I thought of the purse she found on-line. She already knew from working with me, the colors she should be looking for.
( A bonus I offer my clients)
For 3 months after I work with a client, they can e-mail me photos of clothes and accessories for a yes or no opinion at no extra cost.
(I always encourage my clients to choose a
shade of their hair color or skin color for their main purse.)
- When you choose a shade of your natural hair color ( if your skin is light, and your skin color if your skin is darker) you will be able to wear your purse with all of the clothing you own.
- When choosing a purse, you should consider both your body shape and your size.
For Example
Ilene is 5 ‘1/2”, and she has an undefined waist. Because of her natural coloring, Ilene needs to wear small to medium size prints. She has a “Timeless Classic” fashion personality and she likes clothes with straight uncluttered lines.
Because her clothes are so plain, she likes to accessorize with textured items.
She sent me the following picture.
This purse is more like a large tote than a purse. It’s size is 15” high by 14” wide.
This purse is 15″ by 14 inches and is too large for Ilene
I originally told Ilene that she could put her thumbs together and stretch her fingers and this would be the largest purse she could carry.
However, a purse this large, in both height and width is too large for her.
I have now corrected myself and told her to put her thumbs together and spread her fingers just a little to get a smaller measurement.
What’s Right About this Purse
-
It’s the correct shape, with straight lines and it ‘s longer than wide (reflecting Ilene’s face and body shape)
-
It has some of her dark brown hair color, and possibly her skin color.
-
It has an interesting print that creates texture.
What’s Wrong?
- It’s much too large for her height
- Even though the print is interesting, she might get tired of it quickly.
A more versatile purse would be a smaller cross-over body bag with or without texture.
A better choice for Ilene
A crossover purse that’s taller than wide, probably 9” high and 7“ wide
Baggalini Cross Body
Where Should A Purse Sit On Your Body?
The Best Placement for Your Purse
The bottom edge of the purse should end at a narrow part of the body.
This might be higher up for someone with waist definition, but for Ilene since she is short- waisted and there is not much difference between her hips and waist, her purse strap should be adjusted so the purse hits at her narrow hip.
For more information about choosing a flattering purse (See my previous blog post 5 Secrets of Choosing A Flattering Purse )
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Nancy Goldblatt, “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant. She can give you a wallet of 40 to 50 of your best shades of color, line drawings of your best styles of clothing, best shapes of jewelry and she will teach you to shop your closet.
Nancy will also help you declutter your drawer full of makeup and give you a makeup lesson.
“I was trained in 1991 by Joanna Nicholson of Color 1 Associates, an International Image and Styling Company. I specialize in working with mid-life women whose size or shape has changed and who have lots of clothes and nothing to wear.”
Say goodbye to those “Nothing to wear moments.”
e-mail to set up a complimentary 20 minute telephone session where you will discover your “Fashion Personality,” and receive a free “Wardrobe Needs,” assessment.
Contact “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore”at Nancy@wardrobewiz.com or call 410-513-9496
The Wardrobe Wizard is available to work with you “in-person,” if you live in Baltimore, Md. & surrounding areas or “on-line,” if you are long-distance.
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