Disney Traditions and Classes: Purses

Continuing along with this long trail of posts about Disney Traditions and classes, I wanted to do one for purses. It can be hard drawing the line between chic and business.

While we Cast Members are in Traditions and Disney classes, we are under the Non- Costumed Guidelines. The guidelines don't say anything about bags or purses, but the wrong bag with a business outfit could give off a bad impression.

Let's face it, if you ever want a career, you have to know people. And first impressions are vital to meeting the right people. With all of the seminars and classes, we will be coming into contact with incredibly smart and powerful people. I know that I don't want to give the wrong impression.

So how do you distinguish what makes a good professional purse?

There are little to no graphics. Graphics can come across as cheap or junior, in addition to being subject to obvious wear and damage.
 
 
 
 

Another disadvantage to having graphics, or specifically text on a professional bag is that you run the risk of being out of date with the content. For example, the bag above right is 'cool' now, but in eight months or a year it will be out of style.

 

The content of the text also has the potential to convey in inaccurate message about the wearer. If I chose this bag because I like the straps, but hate the print, it doesn't matter. What people see is the print, and because they see me with the print they associate me with whatever that print says.

I would be embarrassed to be associated with 'giant mess', or 'mirror' at a marketing seminar. It conveys the wrong message about me.

 

A professional bag will have structure, and not slouch. Slouched bags look casual and cheap, which isn't the image you want.

 

A professional bag will be an appropriate size. While you want a bag that holds all of your necessities, you don't want it to be awkwardly oversized. Think about it this way, if you saw your professional hero across the room in your class or seminar, would you be able to dash across the room to talk to them.

If you have an oversized bag, you'll have to push your through people, potentially looking crazy.

 

But if your bag is the right size, you'll be able to politely 'excuse me' your way across the room.

 

To be able to professionally and stylishly function should be your goal.

 

Remember: whatever bag you choose sends a message. What do you want that message to be?

 

All bags shown are from H&M: http://www.hm.com/us/subdepartment/LADIES?Nr=4294966587