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URBANISTA IMAGE CONSULTING LLP

Select Bags According to Your Body Type

"Confidence is a habit that can be developed by acting as if you already had the confidence you desire to have”

Enhance

Body shapes and Bags

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

Hobo bag - A crescent-shaped shoulder bag. This style is often soft and slouchy.

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

Field bag - A flap-top shoulderbag with utility-type closure (buckles,

snaps, etc).

Clutch - A small, handheld bag or a larger, geometric shape that is tucked

under the arm or carried in your hand.

Satchel- A large, handheld bag. Many satchels are structured.

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

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

body).

Pouch - A soft, small bag.

Crossbody bag - A bag -- often smaller in size -- that is worn across the body at

an angle.

Types of bags

Scale

Will the right bag make you look thinner? Not exactly, but it can flatter your shape. While the shape should oppose your body type for maximum flattery, the size of the bag should be in proportion to your figure.

Think scale here: a woman who is 6 feet tall and a size 14 would look lost with a teensy hand-held bag.

A petite size 0 would look overwhelmed by an enormous slouchy bag. A shoulder bag's length (where the bottom of the bag hits your body) will accentuate

whatever part of the body it comes near.

For example, a shoulder bag that ends around the hips will play up your hip width (the eye is drawn to the bag).

Most women look great with a bag that hits mid-torso because it flatters the waist. Crossbody bags are difficult to carry off for busty women because the strap cuts right

across the bustline.

The most common body type among Asians, petite women should choose bags that are neither too bulky nor too big.

Big bags tend to overpower the small frame of petite women so Asians need to go for longer bags such as a rectangular tote to give the appearance of a longer torso.

PETITE BODY TYPE

Ø Petite women should also avoid oversized hobo bags as it tends to weigh down their small frame.

Ø Petite ladies should avoid huge prints on the bag as well and opt for vertical stripes and monochromatic colours.

The model type can get away with almost anything.   The tall and skinny woman can don just about any handbag type – oversized

will look great, shoulder hobos, or even oversized slouchy clutch bags that you see on the runway.  

Colours also flatter their figure.  Long sling bags are also perfect for the tall and skinny.

Boston and dome bags are also perfect for the tall and skinny as it comes in a round shape which gives an illusion of a slightly curvy figure.

TALL AND SKINNY 

Ø Just remember to avoid too small bags and choose slouchy or rounded bags to flatter your figure.  

Structured bags are perfect for curvy women as it makes them appear skinny.

CURVY WOMEN

Ø If they like carrying shoulder bags, curvy women should avoid bags that sit below the waist, it should always end just above the waist.

Ø Slouchy bags aren’t for curvy women so they should avoid that as well.

Ø Curvy women should avoid rounded bags as it tends to make them look even curvier.

 The most common body type for women, the pear shape has an ample hip and a small torso, making it the most flattering shape among all body types.  

Try donning a bowling bag or sling bags that sit just above the hips.   Hobo bags will be the best bet for these women.

PEAR-SHAPED

Ø Make the most out of this shape by carrying a bag that avoids the hip area.  

 Plus size women should know how to flatter their assets and hide their flaws.

To look put-together and smaller, Stick to bags with a defined

structure as this make one look slimmer.

 Bags with short to medium length straps will flatter plus-size girls.

PLUS-SIZE

Ø Big girls should stick to the medium-sized bags and should avoid both too small and too big bags as it tends to make them look even bigger.

Ø Avoid carrying bags with big prints.

Let's summarize

Tips on Handbag Size, Shape & Length

The size, shape and length of a handbag will determine how a person looks wearing it. Here are some fashion rules on which dimensions will work for you.

• The size of handbag should be proportionate to the person’s body type• Short and petite women appear taller with small handbags and shorter with large handbags• Tall and slim women appear larger with small handbags and look best with midsize, large and oversized styles.

• The shape of a handbag should be opposite of the person’s body type• Short women look taller carrying a long rectangular handbag• Slim and tall women benefit from a round handbag

• The length of a handbag – where the bottom hits the body – emphasizes that area• Short handbags make busts appear larger, so choose styles with longer straps to avert attention• Most women look good wearing handbags that hang to the mid-torso

Some signs of crappy handbags include:

Useless pockets or too many compartments. They might seem like they'd be great for organization, but interior and exterior pockets often aren't big enough or could be too big that your stuff will just disappear forever into.

Unreasonably heavy. A heavy handbag is a prescription for shoulder and back pain. The ideal weight of a handbag, according to a USDA study is under 2.2 pounds (meanwhile the average woman's handbag weighs 5.2 pounds).

Poor straps. Adjustable straps are best for flexibility and fit, but if the straps aren't adjustable, make sure they're not too long or short for your body. Also avoid straps that are pencil thin; they'll cut into your shoulders more and aren't ergonomic.

Low-quality materials. Leather bags should be soft and buttery, not plastic-

like, stiff, or squeaky. Non-leather bags, such as canvas or fabric handbags, should be sturdy rather than thin (check if they've been coated for weather endurance). Also look at the interior lining, which shouldn't be flimsy, have tears in the corners, or loose.

Examine your handbag for:

Stitching. The stitching and seaming should be consistent throughout, without any loose or stray threads. If the bag has a pattern, the print should also match at the seams. Also tug on any embellishments like hanging pulls or chains to make sure they aren't loose and won't fall off.

Quality zippers and other hardware. One of the best signs of quality is how the zipper opens and closes—it should glide smoothly. Similarly, other closures like buttons or clasps should close neatly and easily.

Connections for the straps. The seams where the straps meet the bag body are very important, since those are high pressure areas. Also, Real Simple advises us to stay away from bags with handles that aren't stitched along the edges of the straps and that are only glued, because those handles will eventually separate.

Fewer seams and parts. The more parts (snaps, latches, buttons, etc.) there are to a handbag, the more ways your bag can break. Similarly, as Saddleback Leather explains, many pieces of leather stitched together into a sort of quilt means lots of seams—and a weaker bag.

Other fine details. Sometimes it's the little touches that show off a quality handbag. Things like feet on the bottom of the bag so it doesn't get dirty when you put it down, a key fob on the inside of the bag, a comfortable zipper pull, and exterior pockets with magnetic closures.

Take time in a store to try on handbags in front of a mirror just like you would apparel. Don't be tempted by trendy shapes that don't suit your figure: there are plenty of great alternatives

that will work. Think lifestyle when shopping for handbags: if you're toting diapers and graham crackers, an artsy

vintage bag won't hold up. Don't forget about comfort and practicality. Yes, handbags are the easiest way to make a fashion

statement, but they also have to carry your personal items. Think about size, compartments, and how long you will be holding or wearing the handbag.

Handbags are a great way to complement an outfit. Use statement pieces in seasonal colors to add extra pop and handbags in go-to neutrals (like white, cream, brown, black or metallics) to carry alongside busier ensembles.

Consider the occasion when selecting a handbag. Size, structure, material and colors will help define the handbag's formality. For example, a satin clutch is perfect for a cocktail party but most often is too formal for work.

Be detail oriented. Handbags with many rhinestones, zippers, buttons and embellishments steal the spotlight, so don't wear them with clothes that compete for attention.

Consider closures, as some styles offer more security than others. When buying an everyday handbag, pick one made in a durable material to withstand wear and tear. A simple way to look put-together is to follow the classic rule of matching a handbag, shoes and belt.

For a modern look, wear mismatched but coordinated accessories that are of the same formality. A well-rounded handbag collection includes at least a large weekender bag, a medium-sized handbag

for everyday use and evening handbag. Regularly remove unnecessary items that weigh your handbag down.

Tips

IN THE MEDIA

Body Language Expert

International Etiquette Expert

Business Protocol

Communication Expert

Personal Branding Expert

Devoted to inspiring people to be their best version, Sheena Agarwaal founded Urbanista Image Consulting LLP in 2010. Trained by master trainers Carla Mathis, Christina Ong and Lynne Marks, along with the unparalleled background in the arena of Image Consultancy, she is a Neuro Linguistic Practitioner and one of India’s first Reach Certified Personal Brand Strategist.

• Director Urbanista Image Consulting LLP, REACH Personal Brand Strategist

Experience

Skills

• Finance Analyst with Goldman Sachs

• Worked with Big Cinemas, Apollo Munich Life Insurance, Shoppers Stop, IIT Chennai, TiE, Ranjan Narula Associates, Beetle, Bharti Foundation, Vodafone and GE.

About Sheena Agarwal

ABOUT URBANISTA IMAGE CONSUTLING

Established in the year 2010, Urbanista Image Consulting LLP is the renowned Image Consultancy firm based out of New Delhi, India and was founded by Sheena Agarwal one of India’s first certified Image Consultant and Reach Personal Brand Strategist.

With the vision to enable people to express their core competence and brand values effectively, Urbanista Image Consulting works on three broad aspects of Powerful Presence: Appearance, Behaviour and Communication.

We are committed to positively impacting lives, which in turn leads one to securing better opportunities and higher recognition and delivering noticeable results for clients - both at an Individual and Corporate level.

An innovator in Image Management, we conduct consultations and workshops for individuals or groups respectively, on matters related to Executive Presence, Communication Skills, Body Language, Business Protocol, International Etiquette, Storytelling and Personal Branding.

With a desire to bring internationally acclaimed Master Trainer from across domains to Indian Shores, in April 2014 we hosted Master Trainer Carla Mathis from United States of America in New Delhi, India to train aspiring Image Consultants and look forward to host many such trainers from across the spectrum in the near future.

We creatively use the theory of evolution on all our clients that involve not just superficial verbal consultation but a total involvement and a sensitive approach.

We encourage you to contact us and discuss how to enhance your personal and professional presence.

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“Image is not about beautification. Its about projection

of your purpose, goal and objective, in life. We help you

create a brand that speaks for itself, day on day!”

~Sheena Agarwal~