Chic at 60ish!

Just how big should a handbag be? And what’s in there? Another pair of shoes? Your makeup bag? Your lunch? Is it necessary to carry all of that around? That is the question!

MY FOREVER FAVORITE “HOLDS EVERYTHING” BAG: My cognac-colored Ricky bag, now 18 years old & more luscious & worn than ever; this year’s “beat-up chic” version from Ralph Lauren’s Holiday Collection; the ultimate “Ricky,” in black crocodile, all at ralphlauren.com

THE BIGGER THE BETTER: Chocolate brown boxy bag at fendi.com; YSL suede hobo bag at neimanmarcus.com

Fashion loves a huge bag. There were tons of them on the runway—Gucci, Dior, Fendi, Ferragamo, on & on. But the look is newer, more structured. Like clothes, less slouchy, more polished.

COOL, CLASSIC & FIT FOR A PRINCESS: Created for Princess Diana–so her handbag wouldn’t ruin the line of her clothes–this season’s “Lady Dior” bags, with & without studs, Princess Diana carrying her black calf Lady Dior, all from dior.com

There’s also the argument that the more powerful the woman, the smaller the bag. On both sides of the aisle, you never see a woman in politics with a handbag. Think about it! Royally, Queen Elizabeth became famous for small handbags, which apparently only held dog treats. Dior created the “Lady Dior” bag for Princess Diana—still one of my favorite handbags. Princess Kate often carries a small evening bag—but you’ve certainly never see her with a ginormous shoulder bag, shaking hands as she walks through a receiving line.

SMALL & MIGHTY? You rarely see powerful women with a huge bag–Anna Wintour, Vogue editior-in-chief & Conde Nast global content director, who rarely carries a handbag; the iconic “Birkin” bag, occasionally seen on the floor by Anna’s feet at fashion shows, at hermes.com; newer small structured bags at prada.com

And it’s not just politics. Have you ever seen Vogue editor Anna Wintour with a handbag? She rarely carries one—in almost every photo, she just has her phone. So what gives?

POLISHED & PUT-TOGETHER: The Row “Nina” bag at bergdorfgoodman.com; the newest version of the “Jackie” bag, named for Jackie Kennedy, at gucci.com

But most of us are neither princesses nor the editor of Vogue—we do not have assistants to carry our “stuff.” Women will fill empty space—it’s that “just in case” gene we all have. Besides your wallet & glasses, you’ve got pens, notebooks, tissues & mints. Extra snacks? A bottle of water? Weeks later, I often find sticker books from outings with my granddaughter. Sound familiar?

TO HAVE & HOLD: Newer, smaller bags–grey crocodile collection handbag from michaelkors.com; “snakes” bag from valentino .com; “puzzle” bag from loewe.com

So once more, how big should a handbag be? The answer? Big enough to hold everything you need, without looking like you’re carrying a building—ruining your posture & dragging down the sleeve of your outfit. This fall, try something a bit boxier, more structured & sleek. Like Goldilocks, try out a few & you’ll soon decide what’s “just right!” Enjoy every elegant moment~ Ellyn Golder Saft