When presenting as a woman, every detail matters — including your handbag!
The right bag can bring your whole outfit together and add that feminine touch, while the wrong one can throw off your look and even draw attention to areas you’d rather not highlight.
In this post, I’ll share some simple tips for crossdressers and trans women to help you find the perfect purse. Let’s explore the 6 key factors to consider when choosing a handbag.
1. Length
Length is an important and often overlooked detail. Your handbag accentuates the part of your body it falls next to, so keep these tips in mind:
- To make your hips look wider, choose a bag that falls at hip level.
- To make your waist look more shapely, choose a waist-length bag.
2. Shape
Handbags can range in shape from square and structured to soft and rounded. To provide balance, look for a bag with features that complement your body shape. For example:
- If you have a straight body shape, look for a slouchy or rounded bag to create the illusion of curves.
- If you’re on the heavier or rounded side, a more structured bag will flatter your features.
3. Size
Your handbag should work with your overall body proportions. If you’re tall and/or have a sturdy build, a tiny bag may appear out of place.
Conversely, if you’re petite, an oversized bag can overwhelm your frame. Opt for a bag that harmonizes perfectly with your proportions.
4. Style
A bag that’s too casual or too formal for the rest of your outfit is a common fashion faux pas. Study fashion magazines and blogs to learn which bags look best with specific outfits.
Pinterest is another fantastic resource for discovering bag-and-outfit combinations that can inspire your style.
5. Function
Your handbag should not only be stylish but also functional.
There’s nothing more frustrating than a small bag that can’t hold your essentials or constantly losing items in an overly large bag.
Ensure that the size and compartments of your bag suit your needs perfectly.
6. Color
Color is one of the most important handbag considerations. Here are two tips to keep in mind:
- Forget about the old rule to match your bag to your shoes. While your bag and shoes should coordinate, they don’t have to be an exact match.
- A black or brown bag will give you the most mileage, but don’t be afraid to try something different. Red, burgundy, forest green, and dark blue are surprisingly versatile handbag colors.
Let’s talk handbags!
As much as I love shoes, I might be even more obsessed with bags. That’s why my collection is constantly growing.
What about you? How many handbags do YOU own?
Take my poll and tell me about your favorite handbag in the comments below! Even better, share a photo of it with us!
Love,
Lucille
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P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Male to Female Transformation Mini Course.
Just wanted to add a picture to my comment
Turns out my original comment didnt post…
So last time out i “borrowed” my wifes black Kate Spade – have to say i did like it and it was well proportioned for me… im quite tall 6’4″
That said i was in Target and they have such a selection. Im a big fan of Target as they have a great return policy.
I do want a little clutch, but after reading your article i think a bigger clutch will help hide large hands…
Thanks for the tips
Last trip out i “borrowed” my wife’s Kate Spade – black and simple. But, odd the this article has just come out. I was in Target and they have a fantastic selection. I do want a little clutch, maybe impractical, and maybe should be bigger rather than smaller due to my hand size…
I have too many “things” to try and find a bag to carry them all. I’ve gotten a very concise number of essentials that go with me. First car key, must be in a place where it won’t get list. This means in a pocket on me. I’ve even seen in Pam all key pockets to skirts to keep the key in a safe place. I prefer smaller clutches with optional straps. Fits my walk, attitude and keeps my hands in correct swing. And the strap can be used when I need my hands free. In the bag is compact eye shadow, lip color and one gloss, two or three Altoids, spare mask, small mascara and brow pencil. And small hand sanitizer. And glasses cloth and one tissue. Ulta has been a great place to get all the small size essentials of my fav makeups. I like leather and burgundy for sure. (I may stash a condom and lube on occasion too. Shhhh). Fashion and function are both key. What’s on your list of what’s in your bag??!! Plan ahead always.
I could never understand why these things have always been only for women. Why are men (still) forced to cram everything they may need in their pockets? And what do they do with things that don’t fit? Just another example of equality NOT really being equal.
Hello all,
I love having my little red Guess purse at my side when I’m out and about. It’s a definite eyecatcher, yet not over the top…
Love,
Cynthia
My significant other helps me with getting bags. The 1st was a multiple use shoulder / strap-less clutch in soft, black material with zippered apartments. It was compact size. The 2nd was similar to the previous apart frm being forest green & large. These were bought for travel. I also have soft, calico handbag for shopping since I do family shopping. It’s reusable and kept clean by machine washing. I’m pro-environment. It’s easily folded & stored. My bags are utilitarian & I love decorating one of them with badges showing support for various issues, causes and such as peace symbol, conservation & human rights etc.,
Recently, we also purchased a smaller back-pack bag. Hands free to shop & refer to device when walking re: maps etc., Also (in larger bags) carry book to read in cafe during “pit-stop.” Also rest eyes frm devices!
I have a nice baggallini Triple Zip Crossbody Bag in a green shade that’s not available anymore, But still comes in many pretty shades That holds everything I need to carry when I’m out and about plus doing my monthly bill paying 🙂 🙂 🙂 I so really LOVE My Baggallini a whole lot 🙂 🙂 🙂
I see this one is recycled, and I posted in 2017. Wel-l-l, I repeat that I seem to never have time to change bags for the occasion, so I keep carrying the same one, even tho not always just “right”. A nice moderate size black one was good, but it needs a strap repair that I’ve procrastinated on. So now it’s a pink patterned one which rarely matches my outfit (altho nice and cute). It would matter more if I needed to be fancy, but that’s rare. Thinning the bag collection is overdue. Size: too small and you can’t cram in enuf stuf; too large and you just keep filling it with more and more… No matter what size, whatever I am looking for can really hide well amid the other contents. It’s a mystery. A note to those who want the right bag to concealed carry a handgun, if you get one specially made for the purpose, some police are trained to recognize them. Not a problem if you are legal, but it could make the officer nervous.