5 Handbag Tips

1.  “It’s all about quality and craftsmanship.”
The first rule is the most important to keep in mind when shopping for a bag you’ll carry for the long haul.  You really do get what you pay for when it comes to the quality.  To ensure a lasting investment, seek out fine materials such as leather and crocodile only get better with age.

2.  “Look for a classic shape.”
A handbag is a functional accessory, so you must remember to choose one that really works.  “Are you a clutch woman?”  If so, invest in a classic clutch.  If not, go with a top handle, a shoulder bag or whichever shape suits you best.  After all, the perfect bag isn’t really perfect if you find it too large, too small or too uncomfortable. 

3.  Choose “classic hardware”.
Often, the smallest details – a clasp, a chain – pose the biggest questions when it comes to this decision.  Clarify the matter in one simple sentence:  “Many times in fashion, you’ll find metal finishes that come and go with the trends, but classic silver always looks right, [or] certainly a classic gold detail.”  In other words, think long and hard before spending a mint on bronze or copper or other passing fancies.

4.  Color is key.
“Many times, the color of the moment is just that,” instead gravitate toward bags in shades that will stand the test of time.  Favor black, chocolate, tobacco and natural leather tones, but even bone, navy and “the pop of a brilliant red” can be considered basics. 

5.  “Buy a handbag that you are passionate about.”
Finally, a handbag must not only check all the right boxes in order to qualify for your collection – it must also quicken your pulse.  If you’re truly passionate about the bag the day that you buy it…you will love it forever.

DIY Leather Handbags

How many women would love to design their own high quality leather handbag exactly how they want it?

Do-it-yourself is a pretty popular concept these days, but have you heard of do-it-yourself custom leather handbags? Well, two entrepreneurs are helping ordinary women become accessory designers.

Laura Kofoid, co-founder of Laudi Vidni said, “The reason it took us three and a half years to start the business is the first two years were spent being told no, that it couldn't be done."

But the two founders of Laudi Vidni proved the naysayers wrong. After buying the idea from another entrepreneur for one dollar, they changed the name, expanded the options, and added high end leather. And Laudi Vidni was born.

Co-founder Grace Tsao said, “We did find factories in China, but we decided at the end of the day to come back to Chicago because we had great handbag manufacturers in the United States."

in fact, they make the leather bags in Chicago at a family-run factory, the store is actually online, there you can pick which bag you like, then you choose the leather, lining, and the hardware.

Customer Rose Lizarrago said, "American women like what we like and now we can get it in a handbag." So she decided to host this handbag party as a fundraiser for the Illinois Education Foundation.

Ester Viti -- a customer – said, “I picked out the shape of my bag and then I got to pick out the different materials and it was really cool because with her help I designed a really cool bag."

Customer Stephanie Thompson said, “Actually I went online when they first launched and I fell in love with a bag and I just for some reason I wanted to feel the fabric."

There are eight silhouettes and counting all the fabric and hardware choices there are literally 10,000 different options.

Tsao said, "These bags are the same quality as a $1,500-$2,000 dollar bag, so our customers are really pleasantly surprised at how well-priced they are."

"I had a woman say to me, I asked her, 'What do you think about the price?' and she said, 'It's what you have to pay to get a good quality leather bag," Kofoid said.