Bold and Beautiful Handbags for Spring

Yesterday, I met an old friend I've known since my first job after college. She lives in New Jersey, so I don’t see her very often. Once or twice a year, we meet in New York City to catch up on our respective lives over lunch and sometimes a play or shopping or both. One thing my friend and I have in common is our love of handbags. Not surprisingly, she was carrying a beautiful handbag yesterday. It was a B. Makowsky bag in a very pretty blue. Handbags in bold colors—red, pink, orange, bright green, blue, navy, yellow, forest green, rose, turquoise—is a trend this season. For me, the Perlina Tatiana Hobo Teal - Leather Handbags ($150.40) above epitomizes simple sophistication. However, there is tremendous variety in handbag styles, colors and prices for spring. No doubt, there is a beautiful bag to suit every over 50 woman. Below is just a small sample of the handbags available at eBags. Click on any photo to go directly to the eBag site, where you can fine tune your handbag shopping according to color, style, designer, and/or price.




Relic Naomi Crossbody Green - Cross Body for $38.40





B. Makowsky Claremont Hobo Garnet - Leather Handbags for $123.99





Lodis Lexy Crossbody Aspen Cobalt - Leather Handbags for $128





Relic Melrose Tote Turquoise - Tote for $46.40





Etienne Aigner Simplicity Tote Daffodil - Leather Handbags for $59.99





Etienne Aigner Simplicity Crossbody Teaberry - Leather Handbags for $43.99





Etienne Aigner Ambitious Satchel teal - Leather Handbags for $71.99





Elaine Turner Stacy Embossed Croc Lemon - Shoulder Bag for $395





Elaine Turner Stacy Metallic Sueded Snake Cobalt - Shoulder Bag for $280





Nino Bossi Soft Unstructured Hobo with Strap Detail Rose - Leather Handbags for $183.20





kate spade new york Cobble Hill Medium Serena Persimmon - Shoulder Bag for $295





Cole Haan Crosby Snake Print Avery Hobo Golden Yellow Snake Print - Shoulder Bag for $199.99




Sage isn't exactly a bold color. But I'm including this Perlina Jill Drawstring Sage - Leather Handbags just as a reminder that there are plenty of bags in more subtle shades--sage, light gray, white, sand, etc.--as well. It's available for $110.40





Lastly, I'm including this Kipling Egina Periwink - Cross Body because I have a small Kipling that I love in warmer weather. I find leather is often too hot for July and August, when I'm running around in the city or just going to the grocery store. I know it's hard to think about summer when the temperature is still hovering around freezing, but I just wanted to point out that there are lots of colorful cloth bags available, too. This Kipling style is $38.49.

What To Do With Floral Shoes?

Sad to say, there are no signs of winter waning in the Northeast. In fact, there was a fresh layer of snow on the garden beds when I woke up on Presidents' Day. I'm so ready for the early spring that the groundhog promised. For now, I guess, my surrogate spring flowers will have to be the floral print handbags and shoes that I'm seeing in magazines, stores and online. My Fashion Over 50: Pick of the Day are the Poetic Licence Selene shoes above. I love them because they've got a fun floral print, peep toes and a small (1 1/2 inch), but very trendy cork wedge. And they're only $29.58.

But how does one style floral print shoes? For me, easy styling starts with either a blue denim skirt or something white--a white denim, longer cotton skirt or trousers. Below are a few basic examples. I say "easy styling" because white is very hot this spring, so there are lots of white skirts and slacks.



Jones New York Long Tiered Skirt (White) for $99





Jones New York White Denim Button Down Skirt (Woman) (White) for $29.99





Laundered Linen Casual Trousers for $91.20



Some designers seem to feel the more white the better this spring. So you may want to match your white skirt or trousers with a white top, like the Nue Options® Solid Ruched Front Stretch Blouse below. It's been reduced from $44 reduced to $26.50 at Bealls online department store. The blouse also comes in bright yellow.




White and bright yellow is another "hot combination" this spring.

Butter Tops by flattering50 on Polyvore.com

Ralph Lauren silk blouse
$245 - ralphlauren.com

Alice Olivia cotton blouse
$81 - theoutnet.com

Table Flowers - White Daisies in a Vase Singapore
streetdirectory.com