A woman’s handbag is more than a purse; it’s her portable universe encased in a safety net. A lot is going on in a woman’s handbag. Makeup, napkins, keys, wallets, water, sunscreen, chargers, earbuds, mint, hairpins: the list is endless!
If you are searching for a guide on handbags, this is the ultimate one. Let us get right to it, shall we?
Basic Everyday Must-Haves
1. Tote Bag
Every woman needs a dependable tote bag that looks good and has enough storage capacity. A tote bag is an unfastened bag that comes with two parallel shoulder handles on either side. It’s easily one of the best handbags for girls to carry whenever you have to carry more than a few items, whether you are headed to class, work, or simply running errands.
2. Shoulder Bag
A shoulder bag is, without a doubt, the most basic essential bag that any woman should own. It has all the features you’d expect from a standard handbag, including zipped pockets, compartments, and a closure mechanism. This casual bag has thinner and shorter straps than a tote bag and comes in various shapes, sizes, and silhouettes.
3. Saddle Cross-Body Bag
However, the saddlebag has become a must-have fashion accessory after a few more refined makeovers and sophisticated designs. A saddlebag is distinguished by its front flap that folds over and is attached with a clasp. They’re typically small and have lengthy cross-body straps on them.
4. Satchel Bag
A satchel bag is like a soft-sided briefcase and is another famous classic. It’s a large bag with a big loose sack attached to a pair of straps commonly used for casual situations. Traditional satchels come with a long strap that can be worn diagonally across your body. However, modern renditions of the bag come with a flat bottom and a rectangular body, making them roomier than the conventional satchel bag.
5. Hobo Bag
A hobo bag is a slouched, crescent-shaped bag with a long strap that is worn over the shoulder. It is made of soft, elastic material and usually has one large pocket with a zipper. Hobo bags are super fashionable and come in various sizes, shapes, and textures.
For Practical Purposes
1. Duffel Bag
This one is more of a unisex carry-on than a women’s handbag. A duffel bag is a big, cylinder-shaped bag with two straps and rounded ends. It is commonly used to transport fairly heavy luggage, such as the gym or on a short trip.
2. Laptop Bag
This practical unisex bag is designed mainly for carrying a laptop and other small items. Laptop bags are popular among office workers because they offer ample space. Typically horizontal and rectangular in design, laptop bags come with thick cushioning to protect the equipment inside. It comes with a long, wide, and adjustable strap to ensure optimal comfort.
3. Messenger Bag
Messenger bags are sleek and elegant. Typically made with leather and canvas, these rectangular bags have a long, wide, thick strap and a fold-over front flap with a clasp.
4. Backpack Purse
A backpack purse is a smaller, more refined version of the traditional huge backpack, often with frills and details. Backpack purses are available in leather and canvas.
5. Barrel Bag
This bag comes in a cylindrical barrel shape, as the name suggests. Characterized by their shorter shoulder straps and top zipper clasp, barrel bags can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
6. Belt Bag
A belt bag, commonly known as a fanny pack, is a compact zippered pouch with a buckled belt strap that is worn around the waist. Unlike fanny packs, however, belt bags are more about style than usefulness.
7. Weekender Bag
The weekender bag is designed for short trips such as weekend getaways, and it has recently gained popularity. Typically made of leather or canvas, this roomy bag usually comes with short straps as well as a long, broad adjustable strap.
The Style Staples
1. Clutch
A clutch is a compact, flat handbag that comes with no straps or handles and a top sliding clasp: a must-have for formal events. When it comes to women’s clutches, you can choose from various styles and designs, including textured, solid, embellished, sequined, embroidered, quilted, and more. Clutches are designed to be held in hand or carried under the arm, with just enough room inside for small items like cash, lipstick, or napkins.
2. Bowler Bag
A bowler bag is a popular, vintage, medium-sized, dome-shaped handbag style from the 1990s with short, thick straps. Bowler bags come with many compartments and are supremely versatile as you can style them with casual daytime looks and more formal nighttime outfits.
3. Envelope Bag
An envelope bag is a thin, long rectangular bag with a triangular front flap, much like an envelope. It is designed to be hand-held. Envelope bags don’t have any straps. Intended for more formal gatherings and parties, they come with just enough room t carry a few essential items.
4. Minaudière
While a minaudière is essentially a women’s purse, it also works as jewelry. It’s a compact box handbag that looks like a clutch, but Minaudière features embellished details or embroidered fabric. They’re designed to be worn with formal outfits like what you’d wear to a wedding, party, or celebration.
5. Cross-Body Flap Bag
A cross-body flap bag is an absolutely essential item, especially for semi-formal occasions such as a low-key lunch date or a home party. You’ll typically find one in a size that falls somewhere between small and medium, with a front clasped flap as the main feature.
6. Baguette Bag
The baguette bag is similar to a barrel bag, except that it has a cylindrical body. This compact shoulder bag comes with a thin strap-like handle and originally appeared in the late 1990s in Fendi catalogs.
7. Wristlet
A wristlet is a small clutch-like purse with a zipped pouch attached to a loop meant to be worn on the wrist. A wristlet is larger than a wallet, with a compartment for your keys, phone, and other items. There is a smaller zipped pouch for cash and cards as well. A wristlet is timeless and versatile, something you can easily wear with various looks.
For The Lovers of Quirk
1. Round Bag
Round bags are sling bags with a circular body and a long strap to wear over the shoulder. You can wear this one-of-a-kind handbag with any fancy ensemble to playfully elevate your look. Round bags are typically made of leather, fabric, metal, and jute.
2. Bucket Bag
Bucket bags are bucket-shaped and range in size from a tiny backpack to a palm-sized carry-on. Their appeal originates from their styling versatility, with many styles available for school, work, and everyday use. These bags’ color, material, and style have altered over time, but the core bucket silhouette remains.
3. Doctor’s Bag
The modern doctor’s bag is a classier version of the portable medical bag hauled around by physicians during house calls. It’s a sophisticated take on a traditional shape, with tiny embellishments like gold clasps and beautiful leather straps on the trendier versions.
4. Muff Bag
Muffs are fuzzy winter bags made of faux fur, wool, or velvet. Typically round or cylindrical in shape, muff bags have a single compartment with a zipper.
5. Basket Bag
A basket bag is a basket in the shape of a bag with straps, usually made of jute or straw. A basket bag is often gathered as a handcraft fashion piece rather than as a purse for regular use. A basket bag is a classic handbag style that is now commonly used for activities such as excursions to the beach or picnics. You can totally turn a basket bag into a fashion statement with the proper accents and adornments.
- Parting thoughts
A woman can never have enough shoes or bags. Now that we have laid them all out for you, it is time you get to pick your favorites. Add flamboyance and flair to all your outfits with the perfect handbag.