Do your outfit and your handbag have to match? It seems like so much work! 

Really, it’s not as difficult as you think. You don’t have to have a hundred handbags to look stylish every time you go out. The key is ensuring that you have a few show-stopping handbags that can go with a range of outfits from casual to fancy. Because, let us tell you, when your handbag and outfit work together, there’s no stopping you.

So, how do you create that “oh-so-special” look?

Fit the Occasion 

The first key to matching your handbag and clothes is dressing to the occasion. Whether you’re going to the mall, into the office, to a wedding, or out on a date, you need a different Evve Milano handbag to go with the occasion. There are a few quick rules of thumb for this concept:

• Small bags, like our Miro Shoulder Bag, create a more sophisticated look for special events.
• Large bags, such as our Colombo Tote, create a more laid-back look. 

However, there are some situations where these rules can and should be broken. Let’s break down a few outfits by occasion.

1. Shopping: We love using an over-sized duffle or hobo bag when we’re dressed in casual sneakers, shorts/jeans, and t-shirts at the mall. It’s practical and cute.
2. Summer: For your favorite summer dress and sandal combination, we recommend a slim, over-the-shoulder bag like our SPROUSE Tote. The clean lines of this bag will let you focus on the flowing beauty of your dress.
3. Office: At the office, practicality and power are the name of the game. If you’re wearing a tailored pantsuit, you’ll want to get the same business look with a structured bag like our MATISSE Satchel. This type of satchel also looks incredible with a high-waisted skirt and cardigan combo.
4. Night Out: Whether you’re dressed in a cocktail dress or a long gown, that’s your cue for a formal and dressy clutch or miniature bag. This is definitely not the time to wear an over-the-shoulder bag. Instead, grab our Lichtenstein Wristlet. 

Consider Your Body Shape 

The next key to pairing your outfits and handbags is your body shape. Just as you wear different clothes depending on your body type, you should buy different purses. Some bags will help you counterbalance your curves or add curves, whichever you need. Let’s talk about different body types and the handbags made for each.

• Pear-Shaped: If you carry most of your weight on your hips, then you definitely want to avoid hip-length bags. These handbags will only emphasize your hips, drawing the eye to the one part of your body where you don’t want it to go. Instead, choose a waist-length bag to focus all the attention on your slim middle.
• Busty: If you have a large bust, you’ll want to avoid saddle bags. All these handbags will do is draw additional attention to your cleavage. Instead, opt for a shoulder bag like our CARACAS.
• Curvaceous: If you have all the right curves in all the right places, consider a long, slim bag. Particularly if you are short as well as curvy, a long bag will help you appear slim and taller. If you’re tall and curvy, try a low-hanging bag.
• Petite: For women who have a petite figure, you don’t want a bag that will swallow you. Avoid bags with long straps or fringes that could take over an outfit. Instead, keep it simple with something like our BRAQUE Crossbody.
• Tall & Slim: If you are tall and slim, you want a bag that is just the opposite. Choose rounded and oversized bags to help counterbalance your physique. And you definitely want to avoid any long, slim bags no matter what.

Fabric and Color

The final element of matching your clothes to your handbags is coordination. How much matching is too much? You definitely don’t want to look like a grandma with a bag, shoes, and dress that all look like they’re from the same fabric. The key is to match without clashing. So, how do you do it? 

• Vary the Color: When matching your shoes and bag to your outfit, make sure you choose colors that are just slightly different. For example, if you’re wearing a gorgeous fire-engine red dress, choose shoes and a handbag that are either slightly darker or lighter so your reds don’t clash.
• Change the Material: Don’t match the same material as your dress. If your dress is a silky fabric, choose a synthetic leather purse.
• Mix Patterns: It’s okay to mix your patterns up a bit to make a big statement. For example, you could pair our leopard print JANE Crossbody with a striped shirt or dress. Just be sure not to pair one type of leopard print with a different but similar kind.

How do you pair your outfits and handbags? Let us know in the comments.