Look in any fashion magazine from Winter 2007 to Summer 2008, and you can’t miss the ubiquitous giant handbags. Color, design, material, and price range vary widely. From a $30 red double-strap_satchel to a $2,400_washed-python shoulder bag, there’s a giant purse out there for just about every woman’s taste—as long as she wants something big.
Why So Large?
Celebrities, the usual fashion trendsetters, were the first to appear with enormous sacks slung over their shoulders. It’s not unusual to see such stars toting their diminutive dogs in their thousand-dollar satchels. However, the average woman does not have the luxury of bringing Fido or Fluffy along wherever she goes, no matter how tiny the pooch may be. So—along with a wallet, cell phone, makeup bag, and brush—what’s in the bag?
According to Elizabeth Seward at PlanetGreen.Discovery.com, there are several ways to make economical and environmentally friendly use of a stylish giant purse. For instance, instead of paper or plastic, a small order at the grocery store can go straight into the shoulder bag.
When you’re done with your juice or sparkling water, throw the bottle in the bag until a recycling bin is available.
For work, a sack lunch and even a slim laptop will fit nicely on top of the wallet. And almost every purse has a side pocket or two to protect cell phones and iPods from whatever else may be banging around while the sack swings from the shoulder.
The Beach-Tote Hybrid
Many of the new giant purses, especially those made of rattan or canvas, are fairly indistinguishable from the beach totes that have been around for many years. A trendy beach bag can double as a giant purse, and vice versa. Take your towel and a change of clothes along with more essential items, and there’s no need to haul two bags to the shore.
They may not be big enough to tote a beach chair and umbrella—not yet that is. The bags shown in the latest fashion magazines are becoming ever larger.
Where the Bargains Are
As with smaller pocketbooks, beware of “knockoffs” if you want a designer item. So-called knockoffs are not inexpensive, but the materials they’re made of are of very low quality. They cost a lot, but they often fall apart after a few outings. The discerning handbag shopper is better off finding a real designer purse discounted at TJ Maxx or Marshalls, or a designer-inspired piece at Target.
The purse sections of many department stores have a giant tote in every color of the rainbow, so depending upon your budget, it’s possible to get one to go along with every outfit, mood, and occasion.
For women who want to be up on one of the most popular trends around, the door to almost any store opens upon a selection of giant handbags.
