If you’re a woman, it’s likely that you need a handbag. While men can get by with carrying a wallet, a wallet doesn’t even begin to hold the multitude of items most women lug around in their trusty pocketbook on a daily basis. From hairbrushes to cell phones, most women would feel lost without a handbag hanging from their shoulder.

Although a handbag may be essential equipment if you’re a female, there’s no requirement that it be expensive. In fact, the trend these days is towards undisguised thriftiness. People are proud to divulge how little they spent on an item and more avenues for getting items at a reduced cost are opening up. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on your next purse, discover some of these easy ways get cheap handbags for under $20.00. Keep in mind that a cheap price doesn’t have to mean low quality.

Go Vintage
One way to spend less on a purse while expressing your individuality is to buy a vintage handbag. Although some vintage handbags are extremely expensive due to their collectibility, others are surprisingly affordable. If you buy a purse at a vintage clothing store or antique store, you could end up paying quite a bit. The better option is to watch the paper for local estate sales. These sales are conducted when someone in the household passes away and their belongings must be sold off, including their purses. You can often pick up stunning vintage bags in great shape for almost nothing. Go early for the best selection and be sure to ask about purses that aren’t on display. Clothing and accessories are frequently given low priority at these events and you may end up with a real treasure that no one bothered to put out.

Make Your Own
If you want to carry an inexpensive handbag with some character, why not make your own? Handbags can be crafted from unusual containers such as cookie tins or wooden boxes. How about a cigar box purse? You can find instructions for creating and personalizing these eclectic types of purses online. For casual wear, you can transform an old pair of jeans into a hip and trendy bag. You can even find instructions online for making a purse out of a bra! Could there be a better way to recycle?

Be Thrifty
Thrift store shopping is always an adventure. If you may envision piles of vinyl purses filled with stains and debris, you may be surprised. Higher end designer handbags in good condition can sometimes be found at these stores for almost nothing. Look for high quality, classic leather purses that only need a good cleaning to make a statement. Pick up a container of leather polish on the way home and use it to bring out the beauty of your new treasure. If you don’t find what you’re looking for the first time, check back frequently and you’ll eventually be rewarded. Another option is to buy a purse from a local consignment store.

Of course, you can always find cheap handbags under $20.00 at online sites such as Ebay, but it can be difficult to determine quality without actually touching the item. If you choose this avenue, do your research before opening up your wallet.

Last week we started talking about plus size pencil skirts, and what to do in order to wear them in the most figure flattering way possible. Today we continue discussing this classic, and I think, staple item… sharing with you another 3 tips.

3. Turn it Into a Suit
A long, black pencil skirt looks chic paired with a shorter, fitted jacket that’s nipped in at the waistline. Think of the jackets worn by sophisticated women in the 1940’s. Check out a vintage clothing store that sells 1940’s apparel and choose a jacket that buttons at the waistline and flairs slightly at the hips. Slip on black hose and black pumps to complete the look. Tres chic.

4. Choose Simple Shoes
A black pencil skirt looks best with simple shoes. Keep your gladiators in the closet and bring out a pair of simple high-heeled pumps instead. Avoid sandals with straps that can cut the line of your legs. Pencil skirts worn with complicated shoes can make your legs look shorter and destroy the clean, sophisticated line you’re trying to achieve. In general, heels look better than flat shoes with pencil skirts, although you may be able to pull off the look with a pair of ballet flats.

5. Go Light on the Jewelry
Resist the urge to pile on the jewelry when you wear a pencil skirt. Keep the look sleek and simple with one or two bold sculptural pieces such as a flared cuff bracelet in silver or a strand of oversized pearls. Resist the urge to layer necklaces or wear overly ornate pieces. Keep the focus on your neck, wrist, or ears, but not all three. Simple is better when wearing a pencil skirt.

You’ll love the versatility that a pencil skirt offers and when you have one in black.