A beautifully made Italian leather handbag is such a joy to own and of course a valuable long term addition to your wardrobe. However, with the vast amount of options available, you maybe asking which leather handbag should I buy? Well that depends first of all on how you view handbags. If you're the sort of person who loves bags and already has a collection (and why wouldn't you), you are more likely to be tempted by a new season style or maybe choose a bag to go with a particular outfit. Alternatively you maybe the sort of girl who obviously see's the benefits of having a bag but is content with owning only one or two, in which case you are more likely to purchase a functional classic style that you can use on most occasions. So lets consider some options to help you decide.

So first of all why leather and why Italian? Leather is the perfect material for making handbags. It's strong, durable, waterproof and lets face it very attractive. Actually it is also a sound ethical choice as it is simply a by-product of the food industry. Why Italian? Well Italian's are famous for their sense of style, also more importantly, Italy is highly regarded for its leather industry and the high quality products it produces. Each piece is handmade by true artisans who use traditional skills that have been passed down through the generations. The leathers are generally tanned using ethical vegetable dyes which give each piece its own individual character and in fact can improve with age. There is also a wide range of finishes such a grained or crocodile print which will further enhance the look of the leather.

Which Style?
The style of the bag is very important and a very individual choice. Consider how you prefer to carry it. A shoulder bag is probably the most convenient to carry and if you're a one bag girl this would probably be the most likely choice. Whether it's a slouchy hobo or a more structured shoulder bag is the decision that is influenced by your own personality and fashion style. The slouchy hobo would be the obvious choice if you're mostly happy to wear say jeans and a casual top. Whereas something a little more structured would be the most flexible choice as it would suit both a casual and more professional look. 

Not everybody is comfortable with the weight of a bag on their shoulder especially if you are dressed very smartly as you may consider that it ruins the line of your outfit. In this instance you would want to choose a top handle bag such as a tote or grab bag. These tend to be a more structured affair, which means they will always look very smart. These are perfect for say a professional environment or a smart function. I suppose the down side is that you probably can't carry so much in these compared with a shoulder bag but the upside is that you can find things more easily. For extra versatility you may want to look out for a smart top handled bag with a detachable adjustable shoulder strap for the best of both worlds. If you want a top handle bag that can carry a little more for say shopping trips, you could choose a tote shopper. These tend to be a little less structured but perfect if you want to buy a few things from the shop.

If you're after something that would be perfect for the office, you may want to consider a cross-over style bag such as a laptop handbag like the fabulous MSB Poppi Croco giving you the style of a handbag with the versatility of a briefcase.

On those occasions when your best frock is required such as a formal function, a ball or maybe a cocktail party, a clutch bag would seem the perfect choice. Again there is plenty of choice not only in leather but also jewelled like the Anna Cecere Fiori and even metal options.

Considering the Size
Once you've chosen your preferred style, you now need to consider size. Think about what you are likely to carry. Of course there will be the standard essentials, mobile, make up, brush, tissues and purse but what about the odd item you carry occasional such as a tablet or maybe a book. When thinking about size it is important to remember your own stature. There have been many occasions where we've had bags returned because the bags were too large and this was because these customers were petite. 

Choice of Colour
Of course colour is a personal choice and we all know our favourite colours and this season there has been a particularly wide choice of bright colours to choose from which is great. Now you may choose a colour because it goes with a particular outfit or accessory that you already own. Red handbags are always very popular probably because it offers a strong accent colour to your outfit especially black. Floral fashions are very much back in fashion and some clever customers have been buy one of our floral handbags such as the Arcadia Suzy Fiori and offsetting against a plain outfit that they already own. 

If you're just after that all in one bag that won't date, the obvious choice is brown, black or blue. To help you decide simply take a look at the colour of your shoes and belts and match to those. 

Cost
Okay everybody wants good value for money and there are plenty of bags on the market especially from China that appear to be so. On closer inspection you may discover that the finish isn't all it could be and the leather may not be quality leather but rather what I call leather with science. This is reconstituted or bonded leather which normally consists of fabric backing with a shredded leather pulp bonded onto the front and as such won't last the test of time. Handbags aren't on the whole throw away items so it makes sense to buy a quality leather handbag with some Italian style thrown in. As well as being a joy to own, it will serve you well for years to come. A good handbag should cost you between £150 to £250 and for something a little more special £250 to £450.