Get Flap Happy

Purses and handbags are practically an additional appendage for most of us gals and for some of you guys. Very few of us leave home without something to carry all of our stuff in. We all have mad dash moments, but I know when I don’t have some sort of handbag with me, I feel a bit off balance.

Season after season, we are blessed with hordes of fabulous creations for us to carry everything we think we need with us. One of my favorites is getting a little bit of extra attention: the flap handbag. There are several handbag styles, fabrics, and textiles being used this summer, and this feature is popping up on most of them.

A flap handbag is another one of those items with an unstylish name, but it fits perfectly; it’s a handbag or purse with a flap closure. The flap handbag or purse, like a lot of other hot trends this season, has been around the fashion block a few times and is always available if it is your favorite handbag shape.

One of the characteristics of this style is it isn’t exactly easy access; it takes a bit of effort to get to your stuff, but since that also goes for strangers, that’s a good thing. Robbing you would require an extra added effort if you toss in an interesting closure.

A cross-body bag, satchel, or handle purse is usually the most popular, but this flap feature works on just about any handbag style, large or small. Another plus is this feature works with most fabrications with or without embellishments and hardware. It’s an interesting touch if decorative or contrasting colors and textiles are used.

Hands-free is great, but you can also change things up and carry this style of bag as a clutched in your hand or wristlet style. It’s an interesting effect for drama, but it does keep your hands too busy to do other things. It’s more common for most styles to have some sort of handle or strap that can be used or tucked away.