Thursday, 21 April 2011

Choosing the Right Designer Used Handbag for your Body Style


When most women are shopping for a designer used handbag, there’s a good chance they’re not giving it the same kind of scrutiny they give a pair of jeans.  Jeans are critical after all because they highlight the good as well as the bad.  If a designer handbag is cute and it seems to fit your lifestyle then it’s good to go, right?

Unfortunately many woman don’t realize that a handbag is designed to fit your shape and your body just as much as a pair of jeans.  Not only will the right handbag design polish your style to a fine shine but it can also visually knock the pounds off your body and make you appear slimmer.

Focusing on Shapes

When it comes to the shape of the handbag you should go for something that’s a contrast to your current body type.  If you’re someone with a tall, lean figure then you would typically lean more toward a slouchy and well-rounded hobo bag.  For a woman with a short and voluptuous body a longer more rectangular or sleek, small clutch can work wonders on the appearance to compliment the figure

When thinking in terms of shapes, a good way to look at it is that the more round the figure of a woman the more she should focus on a structured bag.  Of course you don’t need to carry around a hard-edged box to counterbalance your womanly shape - you can hit your mark with a nice soft leather that is complimented by rectangular or square silhouettes.

There a lot of popular shapes when it comes to designer handbags - more than just the simple clutches and Hobo bags you see on the circuit.  Popular shapes include open top bags with long straps, tall shoudlerbags with wider openings, flat-top shoulderbags with buckle closures, small and boxy hard bags (cigar box style), and even a small soft pouch that can be easily carried.

Looking at Handbag Scale

While the shape of the handbag should often contrast your figure, the size of the handbag is actually the opposite.  What compliments your figure the most is a bag that’s in proportion to your size and figure.  Think in terms of scale;  a woman that is 5’11” and a size 14 would look out place carrying a small shoulder pouch.  Along the same train of thought, a petite woman wearing a size 1 would look overwhelmed trying to lug around a massive shoulderbag.

Finding the Right Handbag

There are a lot of different style designer handbags to choose from, especially if you don’t just hop on the popular trend and decide to find something else to fit you.  You can simplify the process of choosing from the selection by taking the time try on designer handbags in a store just like you would a pair of jeans.  Use a mirror and see how it looks in comparison to your size and shape.  If you’re buying used designer handbags online, you can still use this method in a retail store to know what you like before buying the cheaper product from an online dealer.

Lastly, avoid being tempted by the trends and what’s popular, especially if they don’t completely suit your figure.  There are a lot of alternatives to the hot trends that are similar in style.  Make sure the handbag you choose fits your lifestyle (because you don’t want to try stuffing diapers into a vintage bag) and you’ll quickly find the designer used handbags that are right for you.

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

Changing Fashion - Fake Handbags Vs Designer Used Handbags


While some may not make the differentiation, there is a huge difference between a replica handbag or other fashion product (shoes, sunglasses, etc.) and a fake handbag.  A replica is a product that carries a similar design, such as a handbag that is made to resemble a certain Prada clutch however that clutch doesn’t pretend to come from Prada.  It’s not carrying that brand logo and isn’t marketed as such.

A fake on the other hand is a blatant attempt to produce a counterfeit.  It’s the process of producing a handbag, a pair of glasses, clothing or other product and placing a designer name on it despite the fact that the item did not originate from that designer.  While there is a big difference between the two, they’re both bad.

Both products hurt the fashion industry, so much so that other countries are fighting back and take the counterfeiting as seriously as someone making fake money.  France is one example of a country that completely understands the harm these black-market fakes are causing the major brands - as well as the consumer that spends hard-earned money on a cheap knock-off.

In France, buying or carrying a counterfeit product (fashion accessory or otherwise) is a criminal offense and it’s punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment along with a hefty fine of 300 000.  Note that it doesn’t just target those who make or sell the products, but those carrying them as well.  That’s why it’s important to know what you’re buying - especially if you purchase designer used handbags.

While the movement hasn’t taken hold in other parts of the world, French lawmakers want to help protect the intellectual property of designers and they’re trying to stretch their reach onto the web.  They’ve long developed a charter among companies to help keep fake products off the web.  It’s a measure to standardize the way luxury labels, apparel, designers and pharmaceutical companies cooperate with the ecommerce sites in an effort to do away with counterfeit products.

While the coverage is isolated to France for the most part, there’s nothing that says other countries and governments could follow suit in order to levy heavy fines on offenders.  Enforcement could even be a lucrative business for governments depending on how well they reinforced their own laws.  France is taking it to strict levels, as they don’t just target the counterfeiting companies.  If you’re a buyer, you can take a hit as well.  Those who are caught pirating music and software online are denied the ability to access the internet.

This kind of forward thinking has us moving in the right direction but truthfully it won’t take hold until people stop seeking out fakes in the first place.  More often than not it’s just a matter of getting something that looks real for a fraction of the cost.  If people took the time to research the products they love, they would see that many can be purchased used that are designer labels and real products, like designer used handbags.  Ditch the desire for fakes or replicas and shop smart for designer used handbags that last.

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Buying Replica Handbags vs Buying Used Designer Handbags


Replica Designr Used Handbags  


When you want to make a statement about style and personality, you accessorize and compliment your garb with all the right extras.  Women have been doing it for centuries and it’s a practice that will continue.   

Unfortunately, staying abreast with current style trends to make the right kind of statement can get a bit pricey - especially when those trends rotate as often as the seasons.  Truth be told it’s often the seasons that force fashion trends to shift and that’s just as true for designer used handbags as it is for coats and jeans.

In an effort to save a bit of green, many fashionphiles opt to stay away from the high-priced designer handbags (some costing more than $4,000) and look for cheaper alternatives.  While the top of the line designer handbags are certainly worth the investment, it gets cumbersome paying that amount several times a year - or even every year.  There are two favorite alternatives to this among women:  replica designer handbags and used designer handbags.

Replica Designer Handbags

The replica handbag is often the most popular choice for women specifically because of the price tag.  These handbags feature leading designs to keep up with trends as well as popular designs from the past to replicate the vintage look.  This is all done in a final package that’s a fraction of the price.  Some replica purses are extremely difficult to spot save for the trained eye, featuring similar stitching and design.

Where they fall short is quality.  It’s indeed true that you get what you pay for and with a replica designer handbag you may very well have a piece that plays the part but can’t carry you the same way it carries itself.  These replica handbags are built for appearance, not durability, and you can’t expect them to last a great deal of time - especially if you use the handbag or purse on a regular basis.  Are they worth the investment?  If you have a tight budget, you can save thousands buying cheap replica handbags but you’ll be replacing them just as often.

Used Designer Handbags

This is the only way to get an actual branded designer handbag without paying the full retail price of a major designer like Prada or Jimmy Choo.  Where boutiques charge thousands for these handbags when they’re new, you can often find gently used designer handbags for under $1k with a select number of online dealers.

The concept of a used handbag might not be appealing, but consider the source of the purse.  Many women will by these handbags and use them (sometimes very little) during the season or trending period.  As a new design is release, they sell their barely-used purse to upgrade to another.  While the purse might be “used”, it’s actually seen very little real use.

For a fashionpile looking to save the most money, a replica is likely the best option on a really tight budget.  Just don’t let anyone look to closely.  If you’re dead set on carrying around real designer used handbags and you don’t mind sporting a design 2 seasons old, then you can save a lot by picking up a used designer handbag to add to your collection.

Tuesday, 12 April 2011

Buying Fake Handbags - Where Your Money Really Goes


Pile of Fake Designer Used Handbags
If you’re a fan of saving money then there’s a good chance you’ve probably spent a bit to save on movies, games and even fashion items like designer handbags.  It might shock you to know however that when you buy replicas or fakes of these items you could be putting ammunition into the weapons that are fueling terrorist organizations.

Interpol has warned consumers around the world that militants in warring countries - particularly in the Middle East - are having been turning to counterfeit production of various goods (especially expensive items like designer used handbags) in an effort to finance their operations.  The process isn’t limited to the Middle East however as counterfeit production rings have been found from Chechnya to Northern Ireland.

The amount of money earned from counterfeit products like used designer handbags, sunglasses, clothing, DVD’s, games and more comes in at more than $450USD billion.  While not all of that money fuels terrorist organizations, rest assured that a good chunk of it does. 

For many organizations, regardless of their intentions, peddling illegal or fake goods like counterfeit designer used handbags can be as lucrative (if not more so) than dealing in drug smuggling and drug production.  As the economy continues to ride its rollercoaster ups and downs, the interest of militants in fake products will continue to grow - mainly based on the fact that consumers are looking for ways to get the products they want at a fraction of the cost.

One of the main issues with combating this problem that plagues not only the fashion industry but other industries such as electronics is the relatively light penalties that many counterfeiters face depending on the country.

Even France is noted to have a strict law against counterfeiting yet in comparison it’s relatively weak:  150,000 euro fine vs a 10 year prison term and a 7.5 million euro fine for drug smuggling.  Considering that some groups earn a half a million USD each month in counterfeiting (or more), those fines barely make a dent.

The main issue that fuels this industry, again, are consumers that are out to save as much money as possible on the products they want.  What consumers need to realize is that they can still get the products they love, from actual name brands, at a fraction of the cost.  Buying used products is one of the best ways to support the real brands while keeping those funds out of the hands of terrorists and other militant organizations.

If you’re interested in high-fashion designer items but you can’t afford to spend $4,000 on a new Prada handbag then don’t but it new - turn to the web and find a trusted dealer whom works only with authenticated gently-used designer handbags. 

By purchasing designer used handbags, be it from a preowned boutique or from a trusted seller through sites like eBay, consumers can get their hands on all the products they need without breaking the bank.  Of course even when buying used products you need to be carefully to ensure that the products are still authentic.  Take time to research the supplier or seller and made an educated decision.  In the end you’ll be supporting authentic retail commerce while keeping those funds out of the hands of the wrong people.

Monday, 11 April 2011

3 Steps to Choosing the Right Designer Used Handbags for Formal or Casual Wear

Think about the women you bump into on a daily basis while running errands, shopping, meeting your groups or working out at the gym. Have you noticed that a great number of women tend to carry the same handbag everywhere they go – regardless of what they’re doing or what they’re wearing? Believe it or not, some of these women have numerous handbags – some designer used handbags – yet they still default to a one-size-fits-all attitude that winds up doing them a great disservice when it comes down to fashion and style.


Now take a long look at yourself and think about how you wore your handbag for the last month. Were you guilt of the same error? It’s time to think about your own handbag and whether you need more than one or if you simply need to upgrade from a classic purse to designer used handbags that fit your style (while protecting your budget).

Matching your Designer Used Handbags for Formal & Casual

Different outfits and different events require a different kind of handbag. You simply cannot wear the same designer used handbags with every single outfit and on every occasion. You need variety. Some women shy away from this because they don’t feel confident trying to accessorize their handbags – others aren’t even sure where to start.

Above all else, relate the color. The color of your handbag against the rest of your clothing and accessories does not need to be an exact match but it should somehow relate to your outfit. For example – it’s not a good idea to throw on a little floral sundress for some spring shopping only to draw a massive black bag behind you as you go.

Likewise, it’s not chic to don a pair of classy jeans and then tote around a briefcase style handbag or a graphic bag. A formal suit or an evening dress would need something beyond a sparkly clutch or hobo bag – certainly more refined than the bag you would run your errands with on a daily basis.

You can put together a great combination depending on clothing and occasion by considering these three simple steps:
Consider the formality of the occasion and your clothing; satin is a great choice for formal but it’s not a fabric worn for shopping in jeans or a trip to central park for some sun.

1) Keep the colors in mind; make sure you choose colors that will not clash so you’re provide comfort for the eyes. Your handbag should accent color, not create its own attraction (or sideshow).

2) Always keep size in mind; your typical day bag tends to be a lot roomier than a handbag you would use in the evening.

On a final note – unless you have a fairly conservative personality you should generally avoid trying to match designer used handbags to your shoes unless they’re either black or brown.

Keep these tips in mind when you’re trying to put your outfit together or you’re shopping for a new designer used handbags. If you’re on a tight budget and you’re in a pinch, designer used handbags can help you put together the perfect outfit without overspending just to get the designer label that best accents your style.