The Ultimate Outfit: Heels vs Handbags

“high heels” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by The Freelens

When picking that killer outfit there are two key components to pulling off the perfect look. The two accessories most commonly credited with helping finish a show-stopping outfit are shoes and handbags. Many women tend to place themselves in one of the two camps, whether they favour a pair of Louis Vuitton’s or a perfectly formed Mulberry. It’s a topic of hot debate when it comes to deciding on your look, from a night on the town to formal business meetings, it all boils down to the same question; handbag or heels?

That’s not to say you can’t rock both accessories at the same time but choosing one of the two as the centre piece for your outfit can really have heads turning. Here’s the all important argument for the pros and cons of heels and handbags as well as some pointers of when and where to wear them.

Heels take you high

“Heels High Heels Other People’s Shoes” (CC BY 2.0) by lampenlee

High heels are perhaps the most classic killer fashion accessory. Proven to change your posture and make women’s legs look longer, some researchers claim high heels exaggerate the feminine walk or ‘gait’  with evidence indicating that both men and women consider women walking in heels to be more attractive than those in flats.

Interestingly a study carried out by PromoPony revealed that the majority of men consider shoes to be women’s number one accessory, with 35% of the men asked (the highest percentage of respondents) voting shoes into the top spot on the list of female fashion priorities.

All that is well and good, but everyone knows the feeling after a long night out in a pair of their most precipitous heels! While high heels certainly help with that killer look and bring your style to the forefront it’s worth remembering to invest in a set of gel pads to save the balls of your feet, and before you head out make sure you’re not going anywhere with cobbled streets! You can also check out other methods to make that heel experience more comfortable.

The perfect handbag

“Louis Vuitton” (CC BY 2.0) by Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view

If you’re looking for a slightly more practical approach when it comes to your choice of accessory then you need look no further than the perfect handbag. From clutch to tote, satchel to shoulder bag nothing quite finishes your look better than the right bag for your outfit.

A sparkly clutch with your evening dress or a black leather and neon tote to jazz up your work outfit will help you make a statement, not just in fashion but about yourself. Nothing says no-nonsense like the perfect business meeting bag and being practical has never been more stylish with a pastel  leather satchel bag.

We all know the perfect handbag can be pricey, especially when there’s a different kind of bag required for a different outfit. That said, while we might not all be able to afford designer celeb styled bags, with so many good quality alternatives available online and on the high street the handbag is an accessory anyone can use to form the ultimate outfit.

So, be you in the heels or the handbag camp or even rooting for both, either of these well loved accessories can make you stand out from the crowd and help you make a statement that goes above and beyond popular fashion!