A handbag is an essential part of any fashionable ensemble, whether it is Indian, western or indo-western. It can add to the aesthetic appeal of the outfit; many women use it as the perfect finishing touch to pull the whole outfit together. Though a bag essentially functions as a convenient receptacle for the knick-knacks of daily life, like keys or mobile phones, it can be so much more than that if chosen wisely. One of the most popular varieties used to complete daily wear as well as evening wear ensembles are beaded bags.
Bead handbags are the classiest and most fabulous accessories in the world. Beads have been used as a form of ornamentation for fabrics as well as accessories for many centuries. Though in the western fashion they have become popular only in recent times, in Indian culture they have been used for a long time.
Indian embroiderers are skilled in the art of stitching beaded patterns into soft and hard materials. Beaded purses from India have a different aesthetic and feel than those from any other part of the world, but that is part of their unique and unforgettable charm.
Variety of Beaded Bags
In terms of clothes and jewelry, beads are often associated with a bohemian, hippy fashion style, but that is not the case with handbags. Beaded bags come in many different varieties and styles, including classy, elegant purses and colorful, casual totes. The use of exquisite and intricate beaded patterns adds to the charm of the bag. These designs often have a three-dimensional look that makes the purse look quite ornate and fancy.
This is one of the reasons they are more suited to evening wear than casual wear. More often than not, smooth and shiny silk bags in a pretty color are used as a base for beaded designs. The visual effect of beaded designs against a silk handbag is truly exquisite, a style reminiscent of the regal dresses worn by queens and princesses in centuries gone by.
There are different types of beaded purse patterns to choose from. The designs vary according to the types of beads used; the manner in which they are stitched & on the basis of the motifs created. In India, colorful beads of varying sizes are often stitched together into one beautiful design of the embroidery artists’ imagination. It can be anything, from a simple flower or fruit to a stylized landscape or artistic, geometric patterns. Indian designers often create very unique and attractive beaded handbag patterns by using colorful thread embroidery as the base design. Beads are stitched at strategic spots to add a rich sparkle to the bag.
Thus, a colorful peacock will have pretty beads for her eyes and on her tail, while a flowering tree will have beads studded in the center of the flowers. On the other hand, rich, detailed beaded designs made with thousands of tiny, similarly shaped and sized beads are also very common. The beads may be of the same color or they may be of different colors. A beaded clutch for evening wear often comes with beads in metallic shades such as gold or silver. This makes the designs all the more glamorous and adds to the beauty of the purse. Such purses have a very rich and heavy look and are usually reserved for special occasions.
On the other hand, rich, detailed beaded bags made with thousands of tiny, similarly shaped and sized beads are also very common. The beads may be of the same color or they may be of different colors. A beaded clutch for evening wear often comes with beads in metallic shades such as gold or silver. This makes the designs all the more glamorous and adds to the beauty of the purse. Such purses have a very rich and heavy look and are usually reserved for special occasions.
Casual wear handbags with beaded designs are quite different in their aesthetic than the fancy varieties. These tend to use large sized beads of different colors to create a bright, bohemian look for the bag. The designs used often combine modern digital prints with beaded motifs.
Style Tips
Beaded bags are extremely trendy. With the increasing popularity of Indian fashion in the international arena, ethnic designs and techniques are being more and more appreciated and Indian style beaded purse and handbags are highly in demand. These pair beautifully with bohemian chic daily-wear ensembles such as printed tunics and leggings, kurtis and jeans and Ikat printed dresses.
On the other hand, the classic beaded clutch has never really gone out of style as an evening wear accessory in India or abroad. They are very versatile and pair well with most western as well as Indian evening-wear outfits. Women can wear them with sarees, salwar kameez, lehenga choli and dresses. However, they should make sure the style of the bag matches the style of the clothing.
For instance, silk handbags would be a good match with office wear silk sarees, while tiny silk clutches would be best paired with party wear silk sarees. A balanced ensemble can be created by pairing an ethnic beaded handbag with an embroidered evening gown or dress.
For instance, silk handbags would be a good match with office wear silk sarees, while tiny silk clutches would be best paired with party wear silk sarees. A balanced ensemble can be created by pairing an ethnic beaded handbag with an embroidered evening gown or dress.
