I’m usually a bit dubious when Bottega Veneta decides to layer a pattern on top of their signature intrecciato woven leather. The material itself is so beautiful and luxurious that it seem a waste to mask it, and often the extra patterns compete with the weave’s natural lines.

This time, though, I think they got it right – the argyle pattern of the Bottega Veneta Argyle Veneta Intrec Argyle Boston Bag works on its own and with the weaving.

The traditional diamond structure of the painted argyle shares some of the diagonal lines of the intrecciato leather without completely mimicking it, which is the key to its success. The rounded edges of the argyle is in contrast to the right angles of the leather, but the two still fit together in a logical and visually pleasing way. From a distance, you don’t notice the woven structure, but it provides a nice surprise when the bag is examined close-up. The bag works on both levels, and it provides a great example for how to mix textures and patterns the right way. Buy through Handbags Gifts for $2700.

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My husband picked up my purse the other day.
“I can do curls with this,“ he exclaimed.

He was right. Looking for something in my humongous handbag is like going on an excavation.
I was carrying a cell phone, a camera, a charger, two makeup bags, a comb, a magazine, a bottle of perfume, some jewelry, sunglasses in a case, a few letters to mail and a wallet full of change; not to mention the hardware on the purse itself, which probably adds another pound.
When I put my bag on the bathroom scale, it weighed in at a whopping 16.5 pounds.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. I’ve been carrying my life on my shoulders ever since my mother gave me my first megabag when I was a teenager. My purses have been getting larger ever since.
Apparently I’m not alone.
Jumbo-size purses are all the rage, but they can also be a big pain in the neck, shoulder and back, and can cause headaches, warns Dr. Shazia Khan, co-medical director at Loyola Primary Care Center, Loyola University Health System.
“I see lots of women for neck pains and headaches, and what I usually do is pick up their purse. Most of them say, ‘That’s what I thought,‘“ Khan said. “Large bags are fashionable, but if women are going to carry them, they need to make sure they don’t pay a price when it comes to their health.“
A woman shouldn’t lug around a handbag that weighs more than 10 percent of her body weight – 15 pounds max, Khan said.
She suggests women use smaller purses made of light material. But if you’re like me and can’t bear to part with your hefty handbag, at the very least rotate it to the other shoulder from time to time. You might want to start incorporating neck, back and shoulder strength-training exercises into your workout routine.
Also look for a bag with broad straps that provide good shoulder support.
Let’s not even talk about the last resort: the fanny pack. Most women – including myself – would rather suffer than be seen with a fanny pack.
Khan also found that a big bag carries more than accoutrements – it can be a petri dish harboring harmful bacteria, including deadly E. coli and staphylococcus aureus, which can cause a skin infection and toxic shock syndrome.
“Women place their bags anywhere,“ Khan said. “In the bathroom, on the floor, any surface. And you can spread infection. It’s like any large object that can pick up germs.“
She recommends women occasionally wipe down their purses – inside and out – with an anti-bacterial solution. And don’t put your bag on the floor at a restaurant or hang it on a hook in a public restroom. Purses also should be banned from kitchen counters and food preparation areas.
I don’t think I can part with my hefty handbags. But I do plan to lighten the load. And I’ll keep it clean from now on.

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A good choice of handbag can work perfectly whether you are wearing a formal or casual outfit. Today, handbags are available in different styles, designs, sizes and materials that are bound to complete different types of women’s wardrobe.

Whoever said diamonds were a woman’s best friend must not know how many beautiful and extravagant purses there are, and woman absolutely love them. To a woman the perfect designer ladies handbags or purse is a great way to express their personality. Woman of all ages carry these bags weather small or large.

Young teen girls enjoy the small but cute purse and colorful bags that they can make a statement with. But most woman search for classy and highly fashionable bags that will attract attention from others without looking silly our standing out. Handbags and purses are made to appeal to other woman who might compliment on the beautiful purse.

If you select the right designer ladies handbags you can have the perfect accessory to your outfit. A handbag can complement and enhance your outfit by adding a touch of color or elegance.

If you are a tall woman you are lucky because you will look good in just about every handbag purse on the market. You should, however, avoid smaller handbags because these will make you look larger.

Smaller or petite women should choose smaller handbag purses because the larger ones will make you look smaller and that is probably the last thing you want. If you are smaller you can make yourself look a little taller by choosing a handbag purse that hangs lower than your waist.

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Today fashion represents not only clothes but the jewelry and other accessories also. A Ladies fashion handbags is one of the major accessories of today’s fashion world. Trendy bags are used both by the ladies and the teens to complete today’s crazy fashion beauty concept. Fashion hand bags work brilliantly with both the formal and casual dresses and for every occasion.

Ladies fashion bags are available in innumerable styles and design that is bound to suit the distinct taste of the buyers. The selection of fashion handbags include bright colored casual bags, to hand bags that are really fantastic for holidays and multi-pocket shoulder bags in gorgeous shades. A unique look is given to each fashion bag by mix and matching materials to metal latches, padlocks and heavy-duty chain straps etc. These include beach bags, sports bags, shopping bags, tote bags, travel bags, wine bags, jewelry bags, drawstring bags, shoulder bags, evening bags etc.

These bags reflect a great variety of design, size and color. The various designs of fashion Bags are inspired from the combination of art, fashion and the confluence of modern and traditional cultures. Embroidery work, beaded work, totally handcrafted work, mirror work, sequin work etc are used to add more elegancy to these ladies handbags. Ladies Fashion handbags are crafted with elegant pattern in incredible, rich colors.

Fashion hand bags are mainly made from silk, jute, cotton and canvas. The manufacturer’s also customize these bags to match all the specifications and requirement of the buyers. Other fabrics used are nylon, plastic, denim, leather, polyester, vinyl, etc. Handbags are elegant functional creations as well as decorative objects. Designer handbags are used by all ages and their various designs and styles are suited to all tastes. Buyers can choose distinct handbags by style, uniqueness and unmatchable quality. The varieties of designs of ladies fashion handbags are unique and exclusive.

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To begin, recognize that getting a better bag won’t make you a “one bag” traveller: there’s little that the bag can do to reduce the amount of stuff you bring with you. Once you have acquired more efficient travel skills, though (and abandoned the notion that you need to pull a small trailer behind you), you will find that an optimally-designed bag can make a huge difference in your travel comfort and convenience.

The most important aspects to consider are:

1. quality — because even non-checked luggage takes a beating, and because quality should always be an important consideration
2. transportability — because you will carry your luggage more than the carriers will (and yes, whatever your actual plans, you will carry it)
3. airline carry-on limits — because most people who learn to travel light find that everything they need to pack will fit easily into one carry-on-sized bag (which is fortunate, as in the real world there are two kinds of luggage: carry-on and lost)

In addition to these basic concerns, there are several criteria pertaining to the design of the bag itself, including:

• overall shape & balance
• quantity, volume, shape, & arrangement of compartments
• accessibility of those compartments in different stowage situations
• type & configuration of zippers
• availability of internal tie-down & external compression straps
• handle & shoulder-strap design

Truly wonderful bags are few and far between: luggage design — like the design of anything else — is an exercise in the complex art of compromise, and the great majority of what you will find in luggage shops is influenced far more by marketing departments than by the needs of travellers.

Naturally, the principal use of the bag should be considered as well. This ultimately leads to an understanding that there are really two different solutions, depending on whether your primary goal is business travel in urban locations, or exploring Europe (or wherever) on vacation (or whatever). I do both kinds of travelling, so use both types of bags; I address individual aspects of the two categories on the associated pages of this site.

In both cases, however, you want a bag that’s no larger than carry-on size (for aircraft, the most common rule is length + width + height = no more than 45 inches) with soft sides (which conform better to both their contents and the places you might stow them) and sturdy construction.

A helpful insight into luggage design can be had by considering the simple adaptation of a classic computer design adage shown at right [in the original, the second word is "fast"]. In other words, you can produce a bag that maximizes functionality/efficacy, or reliability, or low cost; in fact, you can perform well in any two of these categories, but not all three.

Fortunately (and unlike the case with computers), luggage can be a lifetime investment; a good bag doesn’t become obsolete in five years. Consequently, the most intelligent designs will be those that focus on the first two elements, being both highly functional for their intended use, and able to last a lifetime. Such bags will not be the least expensive ones on the market, but they needn’t be inordinately costly either, especially if purchased directly from the manufacturer instead of via a cost-multiplying network of distributors and local dealers. Should cost be the critical factor, however, the wise lightweight traveller (who rarely needs to check a bag) will choose good (i.e., functional/efficient) over durable as the second most important factor.

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