Everyone loves a good handbag. No one loves a good handbag more than I do. Unfortunately, that has left me with a lot of handbags stored at the top of my closet. One day, while I was going through the many boxes that now hold secretive surprises, I ran across a box that had been hidden away for maybe a decade. I love finding those hidden boxes! Well, I proceed to open the box with all the care a precision of an archeologist at a cherished dig. After I blew the dust off the top of the box, I lifted the lid – careful not to hurt the hidden contents of my hidden treasure. Inside was none other than… one of those rhinestone handbags I had bought at a discount store.
Maybe you don’t understand the true beauty of rhinestone handbags. If you have never owned one, you can never truly understand. Those rhinestones are simply marvelous; they glisten as the light refracts off those diamond-like surfaces. Rhinestones have been used for a long time to embellish belts, purses, gloves, clothing, and jewelry. These beautiful pieces of glass like material are amazingly decorative, bright, loud; did I mention cheap? Of course, rhinestones are one of the least expensive embellishments you can probably purchase.
Rhinestone handbags are not usually expensive, but no one would ever claim they are bland. Take these couple of handbags as evidence.
1. My first handbag is pink. Shaped similar to a spy handbag and is 15+ inches wide by 10+ inches tall and 5 inches deep. The single handle is a brown, braided leather that fits comfortably on my shoulder. The pink is a soft leather type material – I dare not call this leather. Right in the middle of the handbag is a huge, pink, rhinestone cross. I would say it is similar to a Celtic cross, but I tell you, it is shiny and simply amazing. A quick check online shows that this beautiful goes for about $29 USD. I think I paid $19 USD a decade ago. Therefore, by using the evidence presented, should this handbag be presented to my ancestors throughout the ages, in about 10 generations this handbag will be worth a small fortune. Of course, 50% increase in 10 years is nothing to scoff at.
2. I had another beautiful rhinestone handbag stored in the mess of my closet. This one is about the size of a woman’s compact. I remember buying it at a rummage sale for $4 USD because I thought it was neat looking. Imagine my surprise when I rediscovered this wonderful compact again. This is solid and opens like those old-fashioned cigarette cases. The outside is just line after line of rhinestones of the same shape and size. When I open this beauty wide, I see 5 little round compartments perfect for nickels, dimes, quarters, pennies and maybe a half-dollar. The inside is kind of a swirled golden color. I love this little change compact. I am honestly not sure what it is worth, but it looks like it is from the early 40s.
3. The last rhinestone handbag I found in the disaster I called my closet, hither forever to be called the abyss, is a little black change purse. I honestly have no memory whatsoever of how I came into possession of this beauty. I felt like a child opening presents as Christmas though! This looks like an average change purse with the metal framed closure. However, it is covered in rhinestones. There is a multicolored pattern on the front that looks like maybe it is a flower design with colors like light blue, green, white, brown and pink all against the black background. The metal closure is covered in clear rhinestones, as is the extra long strap. I see a small tag on the inside but I cannot make out a name. This sure is gorgeous though!
After doing my research, rhinestone handbags are quite the collector’s items. These beauties can be bought and sold for a price ranging from extremely high to extremely low. These rhinestone handbags offers beauty, style, and grace. Everyone has a favorite rhinestone handbag regardless of socioeconomic status.
Another wonderful thing about these fashionable handbags is that they are good for any occasion. Nothing beats a rhinestone handbag with a fancy, evening gown. Yet, a day at the beach is made complete with the right rhinestone handbag. Rhinestones are simply one of the most beautiful embellishments that a person can have on that handbag.
Rhinestones are dirt cheap. Why? Because all a rhinestone is, is a cut and shaped piece of glass. They look a lot like diamonds and have a beautiful glow and shine to them. I love my rhinestones accessories; they do not stop with handbags. I still have that huge, loud rhinestones belt I bought in the 80s. I thought those rhinestone belt buckles would take the fashion world by storm. Sadly, I was mistaken. However, rhinestone handbags never go out of fashion. They keep on giving and giving.
Rhinestone handbags can be purchased just about anywhere. Seriously, I find them at thrift stores I haunt on a regular basis. I see them on the Internet when I go “window shopping”. In addition, I see them at most retail chains. Even antique shops have rhinestone handbags. Rhinestones never go out of style, they just age to perfection.
