Have you have ever known someone to get engaged and then decry the size of her ring by saying, “Now, I have to dress nice all the time to live up to the ring!” you will understand that need with a handbag.

When you purchase a beautiful designer handbag, you likely think that you now can’t go out in sweats anymore. The bag will look odd. Maybe you think you can only carry the bag to formal functions and you can save your cheap and non-designer bag for regular wear, but the reality is you can make your designer bag look right at the dinner party and the Laundromat.

First, if you can only afford one designer bag right now and you want something that will work for many occasions; pick one that has a versatile styling. A satchel is a great all-around handbag, as is a shoulder tote-style bag (though that won’t necessarily take you well into the more formal events). Choose a fabrication that’s versatile; leather is always the best choice.

Your final decision is color.  While we love the bright pinks and the corals and the forest green bags, if you want to get a bag that has that versatile styling, be sure to pick a color that will work for every need. Black is always safe and it’s versatile enough to head to the grocery store and the dinner party. But red will also work for this purpose. In the summer, white will work as well.

Now, if you choose a satchel and you are heading to a party, don’t carry it over your shoulder, but rather hold it by the handles, or hang it over your wrist. That gives it a bit more of a formal look. Don’t overstuff it with unnecessary items. A bag that’s about half full hangs the best on the arm.

When you are carrying that same bag around town for errands, lunch and to work, you can carry it any way you like and you can even add more items to the bag – your child’s snack, your planner, and your banana for lunch.

When you’re carrying that designer bag during your day, however, keep in mind that if you wear cheap megastore sweats and torn sneakers, your designer bag (whether truly authentic or not) will look fake. Try to live up to the standard set by the bag and at least wear clothes that are pulled together. A good designer bag will up the ante on what you are wearing however, so take advantage of that and realize that even when you’re wearing casual clothes, there’s a certain elegance that your designer bag can bring to your whole look.