Sometimes, it is actually easier to find the dress and shoes you are going to wear to that very important black-tie affair, than it is to pick out the perfect handbag. Once you have decided on your outfit, one of the worst things you can do is pair a mismatched handbag with your eye-catching ensemble.

It is important to note that knowing which handbag to choose to complete your outfit depends on what type of event you are attending, and what your outfit will consist of. For example, if you have decided to wear a classic little black dress, you have the option of choosing many different handbags that will still enable your complete look to be stunning. Small clutch purses and chic evening bags go perfectly with the ever-popular little black dress. The Crystal Evening bag is just one example of a great evening bag. Crystals tend to be the perfect complement to black dresses, and can really help a gown to stand out from the crowd.

A standout metal such as gold or silver paired with crystals is another combination that guarantees an evening bag to be a beautiful accent to your little black dress. Generally, the more complex a handbag is in its pattern and color scheme, the better since you are matching it with a basic black. Geometric patterns and shaped purses are great ideas when including various colored crystals and swirls. Combine bold colors and shapes for a really fun bag, or stay with a classic and simple look in black and silver vein for something sharp and less daring.

Metal material also works well when matching it with black, whether it is a little black dress you are wearing to your formal event, or a longer black gown or pantsuit. A chrome bag, or even one with a bronze finish, makes for a unique look that will not easily be copied at your next formal event. A metallic bag that is unique in shape or size will definitely help you to stand out in the crowd with a one of a kind creation. The old-fashioned metal bags that were strictly in a cylinder style is not seen as much anymore. Instead, we are seeing more oval and round shaped bags that are taking over red carpets and the party scene alike.

Sequin bags can be a great choice for the any black attire that you may wear to a formal event. Sequin bags can come in a wide variety colors and styles. Because they are available in many colors from purple-toned, to green shades, to clear aquamarine, you can easily match your purse to your shoes or jewelry seamlessly. Your black dress will look stunningly sharp on you as you walk into any party with a sequined purse and matching shoes.

If you love colors and are choosing not to wear black to your next formal event, you will also need the perfect purse to go along with that beautiful dress you will be donning. Whether you are wearing red or white, there are many purses that can perfectly complete your look for a one–of-a-kind style.

On the one hand, if you are wearing red, the best colors for your evening bag would be a very glossy white or a metallic tone. It does not matter if the metallic is gold or silver, but it would be wise to stay with either of these two classic metals instead of branching out into the less popular copper or bronze tones. Doing so could cause your handbag to clash with the red tones of your dress. If you choose a very pearly white or a bright silver handbag, it really does not matter what shade of red you are wearing, whether you are as bright as a stop sign or more subdued in a brick shade. Although black may seem like a safe bet in a purse most of the time, try to stay away from this for formal-length red gowns, as it will be too jarring and distracting, and can sometimes take away from the gown itself. You want your purse to complement your outfit and not to take away from it. Gold shoes and a gold bag with red is extremely complementary, but you should try to be a bit more critical in choosing the tone of your bag depending on the shade of your gown. Remember, if you are wearing an evening gown, especially one that is a floor length ensemble in a bold color, you want your handbag to be rather small. A clutch, or a very delicate wristlet or shoulder bag is most appropriate.

If you are wearing white, on the other hand, you will have the most fun choosing an evening bag for your formal event due to the amount of options available. If you do not like any other colors, you can even wear a white purse as well, making sure that the white of your dress and the white of your purse match exactly. If color is something you definitely want, you can also choose to carry just about any color in the spectrum, so long as the fabric and style are appropriate. The sky is the limit with white, so be daring, and wear a multi-colored bag.