What would you do to embellish a handbag, to give it a more designer look?

Well, for a duffel bag you're going to want good strong substantial webbing for the hand grips and shoulder strap, so instead of plain black or white webbing, find some colorful rainbow webbing that compliments the base fabric. You could use some extra ribbing as a contrast band around the two ends of the bag as well.

It's awkward to find things in a plain duffel; I'd want to add some zippered pockets on the outside for the small items you might want to grab quickly. The pockets could also be set off with some of the colorful webbing.

Monogram it with your initials or first name to make it a bit more elegant and really stand-out.

The ends could be in a contrast fabric for added interest. Duffels need to be pretty sturdy. If you don't see a color or print you love in a sturdy fabric, use any light-weight fabric layered over sturdy fabric and sew the two fabrics as one.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for all the great ideas. I like the idea of monogrammed initials. Also, what a fabulous idea, buying the handles rather than making them myself! I think that just took away the entire complexity of the issue for me and it would give it a more finished look, I'm sure since I'm a beginner sewer. Thanks.

what makes the off-the-rack duffel bags look ordinary?

1. not tailored in any way, shape, or form to its intended contents
2. no lining, interlining or other shape-holding features added. Just an empty, baggy sack

so forget the cutesy exterior cosmetics.... they're not cute. Concentrate on perfection of the functional basics

If you wanted to add a little somethinng personal to it you could do a little stenciling with some fabric paint . I've see a lot of leather purses and wallets lately with fabric cut outs sewn on (in different colors.) Maybe some bejewelling??

Cheers Lexy

I have done a half a dozen bags of various kinds for my wife, and on every one of them I have placed, on the inside, a strap on the end of which is a hook/clasp that can hold the car/house keys, and coin purse that holds ID, and drivers license and credit cards. No more of that dumpster diving for the keys and credit cards. They are right on the end of that strap which is attached to the inside top of the purse/ bag. She says she thanks me every time she goes for them. The other thing I did is sewed pockets inside around the base of the purse/bag, that fitted her Cell Phone and other items that she wanted to be able to reach without having to dump everything out to find them. They are always where she places them. That is the really custom sort of thing that makes a difference to the user. It makes it easier for you to use the purse/bag. Thats what I would do. Only you will know that they are there, but you will be glad you do. John

Great idea, Lexy, thanks! I never thought of that.

Thanks, John. Much appreciated. I actually use the duffel bag to carry groceries and such and have my purse for all those functions above (purses always have to have specific pockets for each thing, therefore, which is why I've never hunted around for stuff in my purse) but what a great idea. I'll think on a design for the future for a bag that I use if ever I need a large bag in lieu of both my duffel and purse. Neat idea.