Top Tips for Styling a Statement Bag
It was love at first sight. You’ve purchased the most spectacular designer statement bag...but now what?
If you’re a little perplexed by the rules of statement bag styling - you’re not alone. It can be a confusing world to navigate for the uninitiated. And, when you’ve invested in a designer bag for the first time, you really want to make sure you’re doing your statement piece justice!
So it’s a good thing you’ve got a statement purse slinging VETERAN in your corner.
I’ve been rocking the most ridiculous bags since before I can remember, and I’m going to tell you how you can do the same with effortless (okay, maybe there is some effort involved) style and confidence.
I truly believe that the right purse can make all the difference in your outfit (and your attitude) and an eye-catching accessory is simply the easiest way to elevate your everyday ensemble.
So my savage little lollipops, here are my top tips for slaying the day with your jaw-dropping statement bag.
10 tips for styling your statement bag
The average fashion guru will tell you to play it simple with your clothes so your statement bag can shine.
I am not your average fashion guru - and one would rarely call my looks simple.
You don’t need to go with the general consensus when styling your statement handbag - after all, don’t you want to stand out?
1. Go ALL OUT
My tantalising terra-bound siren, you were born to be noticed. So let’s make sure the whole neighborhood sees you coming!
When hitting the town with your statement bag, don’t shy away from patterns and prints. In fact, you can even play with multiple prints at the same time!
Mix plaid and polka dots.
Blend floral print and leopard.
Play with proportions.
Pair a large print with a smaller one.
Plop a neon hat on your head and snatch the loudest, wackiest glasses you can find.
Grab your llama purse and throw on a whole llama print dress, llama earrings, a giant hair bow and a poncho with multicoloured tassels.
YOU DO YOU. Because we all know that you are just FABULOUS.
Just be mindful of colour as you are blending up your fashion storm. Play with opposites or keep mixed prints in the same colour family (more on that) for the best results. There is an art to mixing and matching prints, after all.
2. Keep it in the colour family
If your statement bag has a color scheme going on - keep going with it! When styling a pink bag like a pink flamingo purse, pair it with bright pink shoes and a pastel pink dress. Or any shade of pink you so choose. Because it’s in the same color family as your purse, it’s already going to go together.
Blue is another great example. There are so many fabulous shades of blue to play with when putting together your outfit. If you have a bubbly turquoise fish purse for instance, you could pair that with royal blue, baby blue, or even navy, and you’ll get on just swimmingly.
Monochromatic looks don’t need to be one-note at all. They can be really fun and striking!
3. Pay yourself a compliment
Do you know about complimentary colours? If not, it’s time to learn!
Complimentary colours are colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. These combinations include:
- Red and green
- Orange and blue
- Yellow and purple
- Fuchsia and turquoise
If you pair those complimentary colours together, they REALLY make each other stand out. That’s because there is such a drastic difference in hue!
So, if you have a gorgeous bright blue peacock purse, throwing on a fuchsia or orange dress will make your look a delightful slap in the face to anyone you come across.
DELIGHTFUL.
There is a whole world of colour theory to play around with. Just do a little studying and you might be surprised when colour schemes go together.
4. Match it to your shoes
Or your scarf. Or your hat. Or your sunglasses. I’m sure you get the idea. Your accessories can play so well together when you let them. SO LET THEM.
Does your statement bag have a pop of yellow? Then throw on bold yellow pumps, a chunky yellow necklace and yellow heart sunglasses.
If you’re matching all your accessories with a bold statement colour, try to keep your outfit all of another colour. This could be something basic like black or white, or (if reusing our example of sunshiney yellow) a decidedly different aqua colour.
So long as the other colours in your outfit are not distracting from your matchy-matchy-matchy accessory extravagance, then you really can’t go wrong.
5. Be simply stunning
Okay, I know I said I WOULDN’T recommend this, but neutrals really do make a good backdrop for your statement bag, and the style experts are on to something.
When you really want your handbag to stand out with zero competition, then a neutral, understated outfit can really put that purse on a pedestal.
You can do a lot of surprisingly chic things with an all-white or all-black outfit. And, as noted above, if it’s feeling a little TOO simple, you could always add one other accessory in the same colour-way as your statement bag, like a thin waist belt or a headscarf.
You’ll look absolutely classic without needing to try hard at all. Winning!
6. Rock a bold lippie
Do you know what else is easy? Throwing on some lippie.
(And if it isn’t easy, then invest in a lip pencil and a great moisturising lip balm to make that canvas easier to paint!)
Red purse? Red lipstick. Pink purse? Pink lipstick. Purple purse? PURPLE LIPPIE.
See how easy that was?
What was said about complimentary colours can work here too.
An orange-based lipstick will POP RIGHT OFF YOUR FACE when doing the dance with your blue statement bag.
You can make QUITE the impression with just a few flicks of the wrist.
7. Rely on the vibe
Does your statement bag have a distinctly tropical air about it? Well, then that can inspire your outfit! Think jungle prints, flowy fabrics, big hats and fabulous sunglasses.
Is there something fishy going on? Then maybe you want to opt for a nautical look with red, navy and white, chunky gold accents and stripes for days. Or just every sea-inspired thing under the kitchen sink - from mermaid dresses to pearl necklaces to starfish earrings.
Do you have a whimsical unicorn purse? Pile on rainbow, pastels, and glitter for days my darling!
You can really immerse your entire look in the theme of your purse. In fact, I encourage you to.
8. Brooch the subject
Brooches make everything better. EVERYTHING. So, it’s high time for you to find yourself a collection of over-the-top vintage broochies.
If your statement bag is a cat purse, you can not only have cat brooches but fish brooches, bird brooches, or any quirky brooch that matches your colour scheme.
I simply have piles of brooches to play off my statement purses (though please, never ever attach a brooch to your poor bag). And, if I can’t find the brooch I want, I have someone make it for me. You might be surprised at what you can get commissioned!
So pop on down to your nearest vintage store or take a look on Etsy and see what fantastic little gems you can find.
9. Go for throwback
While we are on the topic of vintage gems - they don’t only come in the form of brooches. Vintage clothing and accessories are statement pieces, and so they often stand up quite nicely to a statement bag.
This is especially true if you have a wicker bag! In fact, we have a whole blog post on how to wear wicker with your vintage looks.
If you haven’t noticed, I’m a bit retro obsessed, but you can’t go wrong with a fabulously printed a-line dress and some classic pumps. Look for fun vintage hats, gloves and waist belts to add to your closet. Or some timeless cocktail dresses and skirt suits.
If you’re not sure how to get started, try a cute button-down blouse with an a-line or pencil skirt (extra props for a bold print), a brightly coloured cardigan and a statement brooch. Your statement purse will look right at home amongst your resplendent retro finery.
10. Don’t be afraid to be ridiculous
If you think you’re looking a bit over the top...ADD MORE ACCESSORIES. After all, we are trying to make a statement here!
A handmade wicker bag like the ones at Wicker Darling will give every outfit in your wardrobe a bang. So don’t go meekly into the streets. BE BOLD!
Just have fun with your wardrobe. Don’t take yourself too seriously - because that’s simply NOT what life is about.
I promise, people will think you look so fun they’ll be dying to get to know you and see what makes you tick.
You’ll be striking up conversations left and right - because a statement bag mixed with an obviously fun personality is something no one can resist. They will be like moths to the flames of your ridiculous glory.
Are you ready to make a statement?
You’ve got all the tools you need to completely shake up the scene when you strut out with your eye-catching handbag.
And, if you’re looking for more statement bags to add to your collection, you can’t go wrong with a hand-painted purse. Hand-painted purses make the ultimate statement bags, as no two bags are exactly alike. You will have a truly unique showstopper on your arm.
At Wicker Darling, all our designer wicker bags are lovingly made by hand by artisans in the Philippines. So, when you purchase one of our adorable wicker animal bags you are also keeping wicker traditions alive, supporting hardworking artisan women, AND getting a limited-edition wicker chonk to shock the neighbors with.
Statement purses are truly the best collectors items. Limited edition and stunning to behold, your jaw-droppingly fabulous purse will steal the show no matter where you wander.
