Brown/beige handbags - YouLookFab Forum

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Brown/beige handbags

Patience

Veteran

In my long quest for a handbag, I've seen a lot of brown, stone, taupe, chocolate, etc. handbags. I understand the need for a neutral colored handbag but these colors don't do it for me. I'd prefer cream or white. Maybe I'm not attracted to these mostly because I don't think they'd work with my wardrobe. But it's also a little frustrating because often styles I like come in only black or some shade of brown. What are your thoughts on this? Is there a place for beige/brown handbags? Or how do they work for you?

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from

Tanya

Veteran

I personally think that there is a place for both, and that brown looks better with some outfits then black. I wear them both.

Since you do not find the use for those colors ( is your wardrobe in mostly cool colors), how about a very pale grey as an alternative? I have been eying this bag for a while in moon grey color (still haven't decided though):

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....8;color=20

Patience

Veteran

Tanya, that is a great handbag. Are you saying that you think browns work better with a warmer wardrobe? Which colors do you wear with brown handbags? I actually have had a lot of brown in my wardrobe, just not handbags. I have a straw and brown leather bag I got last year which I still love but have not felt like it fit with my outfits this summer.

Tanya

Veteran

Hmm, I have one camel and one brown bag. I tend to wear the camel one with my brown wool coat ( or other brown jackets), when black would clash and brown is too matchy. The brown one is usually worn with some combo of jeans, cream, red and/or olive.

shiny

Veteran

I love my cream Coach handbag and have definetly found it to be the most versatile bag I own - no matter what the season. So if you can only own one bag, then DO be persistent and keep looking!

I don't know your price range, but here's my cream coach bag:
http://teamsugar.com/look/1054313

... they do tend to offer a range of cream bags each season. Unfortunately, you can't sort by color on their site. The price may make you choke, but from a cost-per-wear standpoint, I think I'm in the $1 per wear category by this point... by end of '09 it will easily be down in the pennies-per-wear category!

I do not own a single black bag. Okay, that's not true: I have one black bag but I haven't used it in years. I think chocolate is a great color and works well with fall and winter colors. Here are my two chocolate bags, when I get bored and want a change up:

BR bag:
http://teamsugar.com/look/1119521

... a little hard to see in this photo, but I fell in love with the leather. It's sumptious. And it has nifty pockets for cell phone and such.

Inexpensive slouchy bag:
http://teamsugar.com/look/1083943

... which works quite well with mauves and greys too:
http://teamsugar.com/look/1083909

This fall I may invest in one more bag... but I will be looking for something in a fun color. Not sure what just yet, possibly something like this, in purple or the green....

http://www.coach.com/content/p.....ory_id=264

As you can see, I'm a huge fan of Coach - just not any of the ones with the logo prints. I also find BR bags quite nice:

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....?cid=13920

.... hmmm, some of these soft greys are appealing to me....

Dani

Veteran

Patience, I carry brown handbags during the fall and winter. I think colorful handbags are carried primarily during the warmer months, but you can definitely carry them on through the year. I tend to gravitate toward the chocolates or chestnuts. My fall/winter handbag wardrobe consists of neutrals like black and brown but I also have an olive bag with red handles and a plaid handbag in navys and tans that I carry when I'm in the mood for a handbag that's a little more fun. I think my handbag choice in the fall and winter is more determined by my coat than my outfits. I have a bright coat so I tend to carry more subdued handbags. I'd really like to add a tan handbag this year, I think.

I think you could probably carry a cream handbag through the fall and winter since your climate is so warm. Have you considered a burgundy bag?

Nicole

Veteran

I have a brown handbag, but I see nothing wrong with wanting to avoid brown in your handbag search. Bright colorful bags really seem to be the current trend, so I have been seeing a lot of colorful bags, even for fall.

If you prefer a cream bag, then don't settle for a brown one just because you like the style. Perservere for that perfect combination of color and style. No sense in wasting money on a bag that you don't absolutely love. I'm sure you've got plenty of those that you can use until you find the perfect one!

Here are some cream ones I found at macy's:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=27692

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=27692

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=27692

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=27692

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

OOoh I think this may be my favorite---and it's available in grey also...

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

shiny

Veteran

Dani's comment about coat working with handbag made me realize I really DO need a bag other than my cream one... since now I have a cream coat for fall!

Hmmm... purple is sounding like fun....

Nicole

Veteran

I like the idea of an avacadoish green with cream....

Anonymous

I wear both brown and black in my wardrobe but can't stand switching bags all the time. So I have a matte silver/metallic bag that works with everything. But all my browns are deep/bitter brown so the silver works with it...it wouldn't work with camels and other "warm" brownish colors.

I like the idea of having a bright colored bag! Purple, blue or burgundy. Yummy!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good question Patience. I absolutely feel there is room for both brown and black handbags if it’s you’re style. But it’s not a necessity. I do not own a brown bag.

I like Tanya’s suggestion of grey and Marlene’s suggestion of pewter. Cream bags are fabulous and seasonless. Don’t settle for brown in you don’t want to. There are loads of other options.

Lori

(website)

I have a brown bag, and I find that I don't carry it too often, as I prefer to have a pop of color or something that I can keep longer and match with black. I do have a cream bag and carry it quite often, and I just purchased a grey one this weekend and love it! I also have a yellow clutch, green bag, and red bag, so I enjoy the variety. I do think that if you don't think brown if for you, you can get away with many other colors!

Patience

Veteran

Thanks everyone. I really would like a cream or bone non-patent leather bag. It's hard not to get the choices mixed up with stone. I reread Angie's post on whites and hopefully I can keep things straight. I will just be patient.

Right now I am really tempted by this one:

http://www.intermixonline.com/.....word=kooba

I tried it out-- I wish I had taken a picture-- and I don't think it was too big on me but it is quite a statement. Also something to save my pennies for.

Lori

(website)

That is really cute! I love it!! Definitely worth saving your pennies for.

Sihaya

Veteran

I don't have brown. I rarely use my black but it does come in handy for some outfits. I mostly use bright colors - light and dark yellow, red (of course). I am looking to replace my red with a new one and also get white and/or cream. Nicole, thanks for the links. I liked the Guess Portofino, I might try to swing by Macy's and check it out.

Munequita

love that purple Kooba bag, Patience! I love handbags and I think there is a place in your wardrobe for all colors!

I will be watching this thread closely as I am in the hunt for the perfect cream/white bag too...

Anonymous

I love cream and white bags. Do you have a Cole Hann outlet nearby? I went there recently and they had a TON of great cream and white bags that are great quality leather, all marked down a good amount.