For designer Michael Kors, it's all in the bag

Michael Kors was 12 when he designed his first handbag, a fringed suede shoulder bag with whipstitching that he ended up selling to a neighbor.

Since then, the designer's repertoire has grown. Although he is known primarily for his luxurious sportswear collections, Kors, a 45-year-old New Yorker, began selling handbags three years ago. Good accessories can be the key to polishing up an outfit, he says, especially for those who stick to classic clothing styles.

"Handbags are one way to add a little zing to the closet," Kors says.

How many bags should you own? According to Kors, at least four. He recommends that every woman should have maybe one or two in black, one in chocolate brown, and something in ivory or another light shade.

"Then it's time to go for color," he said.

Color works best when it contrasts with what you're wearing, Kors says. No need to mind old advice about matching your purse to your shoes, or worse, your purse to your dress.

"Then you look like a bridesmaid," he says. But if you're prone to wearing dark conservative colors, a contrasting pop of color like fuschia works in more ways than one.

"It lifts up your spirits on a gray day," Kors says.

Bags still come in a few standard shapes -- such as satchels, hobos, and clutches -- meaning that details are what make them stand out. Look for hardware, Kors says, like chains, locks, and studs. Texture is another element to consider, with granny tweeds and crocodile patterns showing up on arms everywhere this season.

As for size, Kors suggests using the trunk of your car to tote bulky essentials in place of a large bag. For those who are forced to carry those essentials with them, he recommends double-bagging: carrying a small clutch inside a tote bag to use in the evening.

Although there are no specific industry figures on handbags, the Accessories Council, a nonprofit trade organization in New York, estimates that accessories (not including shoes) are a $30 billion industry annually in the United States. A handbag can quickly become an expensive purchase, but it's an investment people are willing to make. The hard-to-get Kelly and Birkin bags by Hermes have long been in demand even though they can cost upward of $5,000.

Bags from the Michael Kors collection can cost up to $1,500, while bags from his lower-priced "Michael" line cost between $150 and $350.

Chain stores like Banana Republic also offer a range of trendy bags, many well under $100.

Kors believes more consumers are realizing what handbag fetishists have known all along: that bags are not simply a utilitarian item, that even a simple black purse doesn't have to be plain and boring. Perhaps best of all, Kors notes, handbags are forgiving on days when you're not feeling 100 percent.

"If you're having a fat day, a bag is not a problem," he says.

Emily Shartin can be reached at eshartin@globe.com.