Matching
accessories do not necessarily mean a huge gold necklace or a massive pair of
diamond earrings.
Even a simple clutch bag
or a tote can add to your grand statement. A handbag engraved with stones,
diamantes, beads and sequins add that sparkle to any outfit. And, with the
season in for a change once more, it is the ideal time to go shopping for your
favourite kind of bags. Note what Roopa Vora, a boutique owner, has to say,
"With the red carpet and the Cannes festival swarming with them, tiny clutches
are now a must-have accessory. Even totes and huge bags have made a comeback."
The trick is to enhance the
beauty of your dress subtly. Play it simple. Says Shruti Navre, "Since I
can’t really dress up much at work, I make up for it with wacky coloured
bags. Most of my bags remind me of a beautiful painting with a rush of colours."
It’s not just colours you can play around with, but the fabric as well.
Leather, canvas, cloth or even bags with monogrammed logos, pick what suits your
personality best. "I like carrying big bags even though I don’t have much
to put in it. I prefer using something that’s in vogue, though I like
cloth bags more. They are lighter, easier to carry in summer and are washable,"
says Niyati Rao.
And, with more
and more women donning corporate suits, box bags look very professional.
Vasundhara, a manager at a leading software company, wanted a bag for her
laptop, but wanted it to be colourful and fun at the same time. So, box bags
perfectly suited her needs. Says she, "It’s great for professional use
since carrying pint-sized bags don’t serve any purpose. I can put in quite
a few papers and carry my laptop with style." Big bags are not only stylish, but
are useful for carrying everything you need for office or college.
But, Harshavardhini Barse, another
marketing executive, prefers a clutch bag as it’s the best thing to carry
when you want a no-fuss small bag. "We keep having get-togethers at work and I
hate carrying my bag around. These clutches are the safest options as they are
compact. All I need them for are to put in my keys, my cellphone and perhaps a
lip balm. The space is just
right."
As for colours,
neutrals are the best. They go well with outfits of any colour. For instance,
muted gold and silver go with most other colours while black is classic.
Mix-and-match all kinds of colours with your outfit. The more the clash, the
more the match. If you aren’t too keen on experimenting, stick to
monochromatic colours whether light or
dark.
So, get going and pick up your
arm candy. But, make sure it suits your personality.