8 things to consider before buying a handbag 1. LEATHER 2. STITCHING 3. LINING 4. EDGES 5. HARDWARE 6. ZIPPERS 7. HANDLES & STRAPS 8. Weight

1. AComprehensive Guide for Buying the Best Bag
Handbags not only accessorize your outfit and style but also act as viable storage for your items as you are moving.
Choosing a great bag can be a hectic process. The complications exist because there are many different markets based on
quality, styles, and designs. Each bag has something specific to make it outstanding. As the buyer, you must research
extensively in a bid to get the best bag. The decision-making process and ability to recognize ingenuity while shopping for a
bag becomes more comfortable when you are adequately informed on the things to check. Being informed eliminates all
the fear of getting low-quality bags. With the information discussed here, you stand better chances of purchasing the best
bag.
8 things to consider before buying a handbag
1. LEATHER
2. STITCHING
3. LINING
4. EDGES
5. HARDWARE
6. ZIPPERS
7. HANDLES & STRAPS
8. Weight
Leather
Leather is one of the most common materials used for making handbags. It is a durable material that gives you the
longevity benefit. Buying leather bags requires that you assess the originality of the material before making a final choice.
Leather comes in different types. The major ones are the full-grain leather, top grain leather, corrected leather, and split
leather. The listing here is done per quality, highest to lowest. High-quality bags are made from the first three types.
Identifying real leather from faux leather demands that a buyer have a keen eye and sensitive hand. Genuine leather will
have an uneven grainy feel as it comes from natural animal skin. Faux leather, on the other hand, has a near-perfect
pattern.
When genuine leather is pressed, it stretches and forms wrinkly patterns that appear and disappear as you press and
release. Unlike real leather, fake leather is not affected by touch. The other test that you should perform to determine the
originality of the leather is the water test. Real leather absorbs moisture in any form while fake leather does not. For the
latter, the water sits on the surface. The sturdiness of the original leather is impeccable and will stand straight when placed
on a flat surface. Fake leather fails the structural test and stays folded. All these tests help you know what genuine leather
resembles.
Stitching

2. The stitches in a bag determine durability and elegance. A fabulous bag should have small-sized stitches, and this
translates to more stitches per inch. There are different types of stitches used for a handbag, and the popular or common
one is top-stitching. It is super straight and is referred to as edge-stitch in other places. The manufacturer employs fading
pens to mark where the stitch should pass. Once the stitching is complete, it is erased by using a hot iron. The triple
straight stitch is also used to secure the heavy fabrics. The stitch should be applied on the edges of the bag for a firm hold.
Look for the reinforcement done on the bag. Most manufacturers add a second line of top-stitching inside the first one.
The kind of stitching on the zippers is different from the other bag parts.
Remember that the zip is in constant operation (opening and closing), and the stitching done should be sturdy enough not
to run. As the buyer, you should take your time and check all the stitching done to avoid disappointments after that. A
great quality bag should have evenly distributed stitches. Be warned if a bag has uneven or crooked stitches as the quality
could be compromised.
Lining
Disappointments come in different forms, worst of them all is tearing the lining. A buyer must understand that the inside
of the bag is delicate. Several linings of a bag are based on the materials, the effect desired, and aesthetics. The lining gives
the bag a more finished and elegant look. A bag manufacturer can also use linings to enhance the structure and curves of
the bag. Since you are the buyer, understand high-quality linings imply durability in your bag. Cotton and synthetic are the
most common fabrics used in lining.
A bag with thin cotton needs interfacing, while the twill fabrics need no interfacing. You must also check whether the bag's
interior has pockets for more accessible storage of your delicate items on the go. These items could be your mobile phone,
lip balm, or even keys. A small pocket enhances access without compromising the entire bag arrangement. If you require a
bag that has waterproof capabilities, go for the Condura-lined bags. The color of the lining also matters so that it goes well

3. with the exterior bag fabric colors. Neutral colors such as cream, pale grey, beige, and cream can be used for lining.
Edges
Neat edges enhance the elegance of the accessory. Boundaries are where one piece meets the other and is more
vulnerable to wear and tear. The fabric of the bag determines the edging to be done. It needs to be flat and strong enough
to handle the bag pressure. Most manufacturers use edge stitching foot to enhance the elegance and durability.
Stitch-in-the-ditch is another sewing technique used to secure the bag edges. They are invisible and bind the edges
together discreetly. Under stitching is a great technique that invisibly rolls to the back of the bag fabric. The bag also gains
better stability with the faces sewn.
When making the purchase, you should check the seam finishes as some are zigzagged while others are flat-felled. The
zigzagged stitches result in a sturdy bag, while the latter establishes better strength and stability. A leather bag will have a
different type of edging as compared to the other fabric bags. They can also be trimmed and clipped at an allowance to
allow for an ancient look. If you want a smooth and non-puckered bag exterior, you should go for the graded bags. Grading
involves cutting all the seam allowance I in a lawyer to avoid any allowance for seams. As the buyer, you need to carefully
look for the ones that appeal to your tastes and preferences.
Hardware
The bag's hardware is an essential part of the bag, as it is the visible part. It is all in detail. The hardware is crucial in
influencing the bag's elegance. Zippers, sliders, and rivets are the most common types of bag hardware. Snap rings and
D-rings should also be strong enough to hold the bag. The material of the hardware could be plastic or metal attachments.
They serve certain functions such as hooking, snapping, rotating, grabbing, and clipping. Choose a bag with enough
strength as well as a high level of corrosion resistance.
For this reason, most a bag manufacturer will incorporate two metals in the production level. The significant metals used
for hardware are zinc, copper, nickel, stainless steel, and brass. Each metal has its upside and downside. The buyer must
understand that the bag's value and cost depend on the quality of hardware used. Unique and elegant hardware will cost
you a little more than the regular items. It would be best if you were ready to spend on great quality bags. If the rivets are
copper-colored, they should remain so till the end of time. Even when the hardware is such crucial, look for a bag that has
moderately done hardware. You do not want a bag with too many features that alter the bag's elegance and style.
Zippers

4. Zippers are fastening devices that improve access to the contents of a bag. There is a wide range of zippers that you can
get in a bag. They differ in material, design, and quality. As mentioned above, the zippers are a crucial part as it is the
primary entry point for the bag. Carefully assess the zippers before making a concrete decision. The type of zipper installed
depends on a few aspects, such as the bag's type and design.
Most zippers serve as a security measure of the bag. It makes the opening and closing of the zipper very easy. In other
cases, the zippers are purely useful as aesthetics; you do not have to worry about these. The metal zippers have a
reputation for durability and strength. They are present in different finishes and sizes. However, this is not always the case;
plastic and coil zippers are also useful. Trim bags typically have coil zippers to match the color, while the vast bags benefit
from the close-ended zippers for easy luggage ferrying.
On the other hand, smaller bags require invisible zippers. A duffel bag needs a different type of zipper as compared to a
clutch handbag. The buyer should know that the metal zippers are vulnerable to damage and often expensive to repair.
Handles and Straps
The major determinants for the comfort and ease are the straps and handles. Some bags have straps, others have handles
and selected ones have both. The length and width can check belts. The length dimension covers from one end to the
other, including all the rivets' hardware. It is different from the drop length; these measures the strap's top to the bag's top.
The drop length is dependent on a few things, such as the clothes you wear, your height, bag position, and type of bag.
Due to this criticality, it is not a suitable form of measure. The length (end to end) has standard measures, while others can
be adjusted.
A shoulder strap bag and a short handle strap bag are different. Normally, at the time of sale, buying longer straps will
force you spend more than buying the regular sized ones. Comparing the strap bags that you have heightens your decision

5. making process. The width refers to the part of the strap that sits on your shoulder. The area in contact of the belt
determines the mass distribution and alleviation levels that the bag owner gets. Large strap widths can support
heavyweights, while thin straps can only handle the lightweight.
The Burden of the Bag
A buyer must determine the true weight of the bag before putting in the contents. The weight discussed here is the empty
bag mass. The buyer must find a bag that can serve the intended purpose and sizeable so that you do not alter the
aesthetics. The body mass should be in a position to handle the bag’s weight as well as the contents. Backpack sizes are
now different, bigger and come with many hardware. The presence of the accessories can force an empty bag more
decadent than it should be. Recent research claims that the ideal purse weight should be two pounds. It should not exceed
ten percent of your body weight. Remember that this includes all the bag contents from your phone, makeup, wallet, and
maybe a water bottle. You must also limit the items that you put in your bag so that your neck does not develop pains.
While shopping for a bag, weigh each of them and try carrying them to gauge how they feel on your body. People with
underlying conditions such as crook shoulders, back injuries, and migraines will need some bag selection adjustments.
Some effects are long term and could take your time to notice. One should avoid body constraints and find a bag with the
right weight that they can comfortably carry.
Conclusion
Bags are part and parcel of life, especially for women. They use them to carry and quickly personal items on different
occasions. At other times, the handbags accessorize the look and give you that classy and sleek look. Getting a great bag
depends on the information that you have regarding the purchase. One can purchase various types of bags and gauge how
comfortable they feel with them. Testing different handbags give you a practical advantage as you know the ones that you
are satisfied with and differentiate from those you are not; you know your style in this way. The realization is clear to you
after a few times of usage.
With the above-discussed features and considerations, we hope you can make conscious decisions and choose an excellent
bag for your upcoming occasion or travel expedition. Focus on the quality, aesthetics, and the satisfaction that a particular
bag gives you.
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