Are you the kind of girl who can’t even leave the house without first checking to see if your bag is looking as fabulous as you are? If so, you’ve got great instincts. That tweed tote bag in your closet gets a lot of mileage, but it requires some careful styling for the office. Sure, that Miss Selfridge blazer and ALC skirt are both perfect with jeans and pumps, but what about when you work in an office on weekdays from 9-5? Let’s be real: There’s no way those pieces are going to mix well with a pencil skirt and high heels. But dressing up a handbag is easier than you think; all it takes is a little prep beforehand and some quick tricks during the day. What’s more, you can even wear your bag with a suit!
Keep your bag in sight.
The first thing you should do if you want to keep your bag in sight is make sure it’s the right colour for your outfit. Because black is so versatile, it’s easy to mix and match it with anything else in your closet, but other colours and patterns might be trickier. A bold colour will make your bag the centre of attention no matter what else you’re wearing so choose it carefully. And while you may love that leopard print or that sparkly studded bag you’re eyeing, it might not be the right choice for an office setting.
Mix and match color-ways.
Another way to make sure your bag goes with everything you wear is to mix and match different colour-ways. If your handbag is black but you’re wearing a blue shirt or a floral skirt, try to find a way to incorporate a blue or a floral pattern into your bag. The same goes if you’re wearing white or cream; find a pattern in your bag that matches one of your colours. This will help everything in your outfit flow together.
Accessorize with a scarf or chain strap.
If you want to keep your bag in sight but don’t want to totally rely on it being a neutral colour, try adding a scarf or a chain strap to your outfit. It’s an easy way to create a pattern in your outfit and play up the colours in your bag. If you’re wearing a blue shirt and want to match your bag, try wearing a blue scarf or a blue chain strap. If you’re wearing a floral dress and want to match your bag, try wearing a floral scarf or a floral chain strap.
Check out these cute shoulder bags.
Some bags are easier to mix and match than others. If you have a patterned bag, try to stick to outfits that are predominately one colour. If you have a plain bag, you can play around with mixing and matching different colours. Either way, the key is to keep your bag simple and streamlined.
White clothes with lavender Soufflé Shoulder Bags, which look warm and chic and feels very gentle. Black with lavender Soufflé Shoulder Bag is the best combination that never goes out of style, the effect is almost unparalleled, sunshine, avant-garde, fashion, youth.
Earth-tone clothes with creamy moon Soufflé Shoulder Bags, which bring vitality and energetic. Pale-color clothes with creamy moon tote bag looks pure and fresh.
Black, white, and gray clothes with Morandi Mint Soufflé Shoulder Bags create a straightforward personality.
Add a belt to cinch your look.
If you’re wearing a patterned blazer or a pair of jeans, try adding a belt to cinch your look. You can either match the bag to the belt or choose a different colour to create a contrasting look. If your bag is plain or printed with a pattern that doesn’t match anything else in your outfit, match your belt to the rest of your look.
Or go for platform pumps for height.
If you’re worried that a pair of heels might be too much, go for a pair of platform pumps instead. You can still go for a more formal look but your shoes won’t be quite as clunky or cumbersome. Additionally, platform shoes are a great way to add height to any look without having to worry about trying to find the perfect heel height.
Add a fun, colourful shoe (and maybe even some neon!).
If you want to add some colour to your look, try pairing your bag with a colourful shoe. Choose a colour that matches the bag or one that complements the rest of your outfit. Alternatively, you can add some neon to your outfit with a bright bag or a pair of fun socks.
Whichever way you decide to dress up your bag, the most important thing is to be confident. Make sure to choose pieces that reflect your personal style and keep you feeling comfortable during your shift. You don’t want to be distracted by uncomfortable or unflattering outfits.