If there’s one predominant colour in my wardrobe, it’s black. It’s mostly for a very simple reason – black goes with everything. I also find that black is the easiest colour to style, allowing any colour against it to pop, and it’s also easy to get away with wearing black for any occasion – well, almost any occasion.
But in my bag wardrobe, it’s a whole different story altogether.
Black accessories, or bags in particular, are in the minority. When it comes to my accessories, I tend to gravitate towards brighter shades – red, blue, green… any colour is game. In fact, I recently realised that black and brown is highly under-represented in my bag wardrobe.
Naturally, I got to wondering if I’m in the majority or minority here. Do you wear more black or neutral coloured bags or do you go for brighter colours?
Quite many years ago, I remember walking into a Cole Haan boutique to enquire about one of their bag designs that I had my eye on. I’d seen a design online that I liked, in a beautiful shade of hunter green. So, I walked into the store and asked if they had it.
I was shown the same design in black, tan and brown. Not a sign of hunter green or blue, the 2 shades I was keen on. When I asked the SA if they might have it, I was told that in the main, they don’t bring in many colours because most people don’t like colourful bags, and prefer something dark or neutral.
I’ve noticed this to be quite true, although I’m not sure if it’s because we don’t have the colour choices available here, or if it’s because there is no demand, so brands don’t bring in the pretty colours. Chicken and egg story, I guess.
I’ve also noticed that even in the higher end designer brands, local stores rarely have the jewelled shades that I see online. Some of the bigger brands will have one or two in their stock, but black or brown is always popular. I was at LV browsing one day (browsing only, I swear LOL!) and I was dissuaded from a bright red Lock Me because it wasn’t very popular. Thing is, I kind of liked it. It was bright and fun. Black, which looked serious and demure also looked rather boring to me.
I did wonder if I gravitate towards colourful bags because I wear a lot of black otherwise. I’ve been told by some that colourful bags don’t project a serious image, if that’s what I want. For some reason, it seems to appear more casual and frivolous. Black has a gravitas attached to it, that grounds you and gives you the “Don’t mess with me” vibe.
As much as I want to channel that vibe, I’ve realised that I can’t and I’d rather not. My colourful bags are my way of rebelling against the staid, formality of the little corporate culture that I inhabit. I’m all for casual and fun vibes and I love colour. So, if I can’t dress in colour, I’d compensate with my bags! 🙂
So tell me – Do you go for colourful bags or do you prefer sticking to classic black or neutral brown?
Let me share a a not-so-secret tip. If you did not already realise, coloured bags tend to be available in the seasonal collections which often go on sale. So, if there’s a design I want in a brand that I know will go on sale (most designer brands do from my experience, except Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermes) I wait till the sale and pick up a colourful version, at a smaller price tag than that of a neutral, classic colour. Since I love colour anyway, it’s win-win all around! 😉
Paris B
Lovely color there! I have 2 bags in nude color, but none in black. I have always thought of buying bags in black, but when I am faced with colors, I am swayed!
Thanks! No black bags? Now that’s a first haha! Time to *ahem* change that? 😉
Black is never my preference.. I have colourful bags(and so does my wardrobe)!! I have yellow,orange, blue, pink, green, nude,red…..in diff shades for some colours. But no black!
Hahaha another one with no black bags! Here I was thinking I’d be in the minority! High 5 for loving colourful bags too Akiki! Haven’t seen you around in a bit – hope you’re well! 😉
I love neutrals! They are the best mostly because I hate taking things out and changing bags. Call it lazy! But I have pops of colour, which are the minority in my collection for those days where you just wanna be different!
Oh not lazy at all! I’m the same. Once I carry 1 bag, I usually stick to it for a month at least. No patience to keep switching things around from one to another. Helps me then that my wardrobe is so neutral by contrast hehe…
I think it’s a matter of wealth here. If I wasn’t sure that I could afford a luxury bag more than once or twice a year, my first few bags would be brown, black, tan and nude and maybe grey just to get the most wear out of them. Once this bag wardrobe has been established, then colour doesn’t have to be the guilty pleasure choice and can become the indulgence.
Perhaps, if it was a luxury bag in question 😉 But I think preferences for colour or not will transcend brands. True for me anyway, since I usually went for colour even with affordable brands/designs before I upgraded
I love colourful bags and used to carry them often. I had pink bags, orange bags, green bags, all colours of the rainbow! But as I look at the bags I favour now, they tend to be neutral colours like tan and black with an occasional blue. I do like red bags though so that’s probably the brightest colour I’ll carry now.
I find that in the higher end of the bag brand scale, colours are a little safer in general. So, even if it’s an orange or pink, it’s not crazy scary, and always in one way or another, wearable. But I know what you mean about tastes shifting over time. I go through those phases too – some months, all I want to carry is my dull as dishwater black bag!
I prefer colorful bags. I tend to wear white,blue and black.
Like you say, better bargain since no one wants that bag.
In fact for years I carry a bright yellow Chloe bag. That always stop people and everyone can spot me from miles.
Anyway I like it. It makes me happy.
But sometimes, I gravitate towards navy blue. That’s the darkest I have in my collection
You know, it’s not easy finding a good navy blue bag! And I love the idea of carrying a bright yellow – which makes me think. I don’t have a bright yellow bag! Hmm time to remedy that some time in the future methinks? 😉 Good taste, girly!
I have one bag, and I use it until it’s falling apart, then I buy another bag. Most of my bags have been black/dark blue/netural colours. My latest bag however is a patterned on from Coach so maybe I’m learning to love colours?
Hurray for moving on to colours! 😉 Patterns are always a good way to start incorporating colours in your bag wardrobe and I love how disciplined you are about using your bag to death before buying another! I wish I wasn’t that obsessed with bags LOL I’d have more money to spend, that’s for sure 😛
I think the key word here is “fun” and your accessories, unlike your wardrobe (PS: mine’s predominantly black!) should always make you smile (and nothing does that better than a sunny yellow tote – yes, I recently bought one). Otherwise, it’s really no point spending all the money 🙂
Eee I was just telling another reader that I don’t have a bright yellow bag. So, I plan to remedy that 😛 Now, point me in the right direction please? 😛
Have you seen the Loewe Puzzle Bag? They’ve a yellow in rubber, which I personally think is rubbish. But further digging revealed a calfskin variant. When it was launched, I found the shape and style intriguing. Was just waiting for the right color to come strolling along 🙂
Another one that caught my eye is the Mulberry Kite but the yellow is in Ostrich – ouch!
When I was in malaysia, friends told me not to get colorful bags that makes it obvious that bag snatcher will grab it. So I stick to blacks and Browns. But now that I live in US, the colorful bags are too pretty to resist. And no issue of bag snatcher where I live. I just got a bright pink bag for spring.
Aww it’s kind of sad, but also true in a way. I try to be very careful whatever colour bag I carry! 🙂 But it’s nice to be using colours isn’t it? Love the idea of a bright pink! Must be so cheery after winter.
Though I have a few colored bags, I tend to stick to blacks and browns. However, I do make up for the lack of color by wearing really colorful clothing – bright pinks, electric blues etc.
See! You make your bags work and I love that you’ve a colourful wardrobe. I’m trying to break away from being so monochromatic in my dressing but it’s hard because a) I’m lazy to mix and match and b) I’m not very fashionable so safe, classic colours don’t go wrong! 😀
I tend to carry the same black handbag day in and day out until some weeks later, when I fancy a change, I change to *ta-dah* one of my other black handbags.
My handbags are.. black, black, black, .. another black, and more black. When it comes to buying handbags at prices which tax my wallet, I can only bring myself buy black handbags. I have a mental block towards paying a bomb for colored handbags.
I once went on a shopping spree and came back with 2 Coach and 1 Michael Kors handbags. All black. Now that I have put that in writing, I realise I seriously need to reassess my purchasing inclinations vis-a-vis handbags. One day.
I have 1 (inexpensive) bag each in nude, brown and blue. I am presently on the hunt for a (not break the bank) white handbag.
hahahhaha You totally cracked me up JK! 😀 😀 But maybe it works for what you do – besides, you can NEVER go wrong with black – goes with everything and projects a very professional image. Unlike me swanning about with my red bags, thinking I’m being very professional when in fact I’m not LOL! 😀 I actually started buying colourful higher end bags because I noticed they’d go on sale, unlike black or neutral shades, which are considered classic colours and therefore never go on sale. I never look a 30% discount in the mouth! I’d actually be very cautious about a white bag. I had one, but the problem with white is that if you don’t baby it, it’ll end up turning grey or in the case of leather, yellow. Never very pleasant. I didn’t pay a bomb for mine, but it still displeased me! How about really bucking the trend and do something in red? 😉
My bags are black or neutral, all the way! I don’t switch bags often on day to day basis as it’s troublesome to shift my stuff back and forth, so my bags need to match all my clothes!
Wise girl! 😉 I don’t switch mine often too, so I guess I’m lucky I work around my rather monochromatic wardrobe – that way I don’t clash! 😉
I like coloured bags and have a red, purple, grey, navy and turquoise as well as a back and neutral one. But my bag habit isn’t as high-end as yours!
A turquoise bag! Now that sounds pretty 🙂 Yes, I do have a bit of a problem with high end bags, but a happy one,I might add 😉
Black bags for me. The brightest bag I own is orange, and I use it when I feel like I want to channel that ‘fun, young(?) and sunshine’ sort of energy/spirit. But that doesn’t always happen. I guess I am a boring person, ha! Oh, and stain/ dirty on black bags doesn’t get noticed as easy, which make them almost look like a new bag forever. They do look more work appropriate too.
You are so right about how much easier it is to care for dark bags – I once drew with my ball point pen on a pretty yellow bag I used to own. Broke my heart because there’s no way you can clean it! Kept it for as long as I could but it bugged me too much in the end. An orange bag sure does channel a fun vibe 😀
2 posts in a row on bags! This has to be a record! (I’m not complaining, merely observing and enjoying every bit of it! :))
As for colours of bags, I don’t discriminate. I love a good mix of neutrals and pops of colours depending on mood but I agree, having a bright piece of accessory is instantly uplifting 🙂
It’s good that you’re well aware of your wardrobe and you make it work by popping in bright pops of colours – good on you! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Not quite in a row, but close 😉 I have too much to talk about and too little space to! haha… I think all colours have their place don’t they? Some classic ones, you can’t help but do them in black. Others, well, life’s short, have a little fun 🙂
Colours for me 🙂 since my clothes are mostly, black and navy.
Hurrah, High5 Sista! 😉
LOL! I can so understand where you’re coming from. I wear alot of black clothes myself but in terms of bags, I have them in shades of purple, orange, green, yellow and blue! I’ve mostly been complimented on my bold choices of colour for my bags 🙂
See! That’s coz so few of us are brave enough to rock colourful bags, we stand out! 😉
I have 2 black bags, a taupe bag, a grey patterned bag, and a patterned black bag. Lately colorful bags have been catching my eye though. But I think I’ll have to wait until one of my current bags wears out 🙁
You know, a coloured bag is a nice way to ease into the warmer months 😉 Ok, I’m not helping you haha!
LOL, no, you’re not helping at all! I forgot, I have an everyday grey patterned bag too. Really can’t wait for that to outlive its lifetime!
I have all types of bags mostly, browns black and one dark purple, .I can carry a Fendi, Coach, Bottega , old Vuitton typical bags . Then one day at an estate sale there was Burch bag this cool artsy girl had dyed the Burch bag a beautiful shade of orange hint of red color because she did not like original color so I bought it and I get stopped all the time people asking me about it and same goes for tote that is from Nepal that is made out of rolled wool and felt with a zip top it has dark muted flowers circulating the top of bag I get asked about this hippie bag all the time I just start laughing when someone ask me about it because of the big luxury bag market . My conclusion step out of the comfort zone from time to time and get a fun splash of color bag you will see people are attracted to colors and some creative expression