Types of handbags for women

Types of handbags for women
Types of handbags for women
The most useful accessory is a handbag. And in this blog we w ant to share with you about the types of handbags for women for you to easier choose the right one.

Types of handbags for women

It’s a no-brainer that bags are the most useful accessory that women own. Hard to imagine life without handbags right? Sure, they are quite useful, but it’s hard to get by them without setting a statement. Here is the guide to the different types of bags for women so that you can experiment now and then.

Handbag styles vary so much for every type of occasion, yet originally, there was only one type available.

We’ve put together this ultimate guide on all things handbag, from its history, to the popular styles used today, to the modern movement towards a different type of fashion.

Handbag history

The first handbags as we know them were really just coin purses. These were worn by men and women for the sole purpose of carrying coins. As they became more popular, women in the 17th and 18th century began embroidering their own purses, and so they became a fashion item instead of just practical.

Eventually, due to the demand for something daintier, reticules came into fashion. These were small, wristlet style purses that were made of fine material such as velvet and silk.

What we now think of as a handbag is the brainchild of one man. Samuel Parkinson wanted a set of different bags for his wife to carry, made of the same leather as their suitcases. This set even included a clutch bag and a tote. This was the very first modern luxury handbag, but it took many years before they truly came into fashion.

Types of handbags

Laptop Bag/Satchel

In today’s world, we can work on the move. Computers aren’t just the staple of the office. When carrying your laptop around on the train or to meetings, it’s important that you have the right sort of laptop bag.

This is where the handbag satchel style comes in. Big enough to hold your laptop and some other essentials, it stops you needing two bags at once. As laptops have gotten smaller and lighter, our laptop bags have evolved to be fashionable as well as practical. Still sturdy, they are the bag that people will see you with the most, so it needs to be something work appropriate that people will admire.

Shoulder bag

The shoulder bag is the classic everyday bag that we all know and love. Endlessly functional, it’s just a little bit too easy to end up having way more of them than you actually need! This is because of the sheer variety of styles available, meaning that you can have a different bag for every occasion.

They are also big, meaning that they’ll fit everything you are likely to need in a day. Yes, we’ve all had that moment of tipping the contents of our shoulder bag onto the ground to find that one item, but we need all of those other things, really, we do.

Cross body

The cross-body bag is the handbag that you grab for every day occasions. Whether it’s heading to the shops or for a cinema date, these are small, practical little bags that leave both of your hands free – great if you have kids!

They come in a vast range of styles from super chic to more down to earth. There is a cross-body bag made for every event you can imagine. Definitely an everyday essential.

Hobo bag

The hobo bag is a cross between a formal bag, and a more casual look. It’s similar to a shoulder bag, but is generally not quite as wide, which means that it can be used in a larger variety of occasions.

At the same time, it is not as casual as a crossbody bag, so it’s an everyday bag that still oozes style. It’s a great choice of bag if you’re not quite sure what the day will bring, and a great addition to anyone’s growing collection!

Handbag style backpack

The backpack is back! This handbag style looks good with any outfit and they are a really versatile type of bag. Generally quite compact, they are great if you are carrying a few heavier items and don’t want your arm to be weighed down.

They look cute whether you’re wearing a dress or jeans and are easy bags to grab and go.

Tote

The tote could be arguably the most popular type of bag right now. Used for ‘toting’ items about, they are big, sturdy, and generally unfastened. Tote bags can be made of study fabric which is great for carrying groceries in, or of a thicker, stiffer material, which is perfect for, well, anything really.

Clutch

The clutch bag is for when you don’t need to carry your entire makeup collection with you. Made for lunch dates and weddings, it can be tough to know what to bring and what has to stay behind! You can get ones that are larger, but these are definitely less desirable.

The clutch bag is generally more in sync with whatever outfit you’re wearing and are chosen more for their looks than for any practical reason. A clutch bag is definitely an accessory as opposed to a handbag, and like the reticules of the past, are generally made of fancier and less durable materials.

Wristlet

Wristlets are the purse of the past, updated for the modern world. Just as small as a clutch, if not smaller, they are more likely to be made from fabric rather than leather. As they have the wrist strap after which they’re named, it leaves your hands free, whereas with a clutch you have to, well, clutch it.

Definitely a bag for a party, it has just enough room to hold the essentials and nothing more. Wristlets are just like your wallets but are so much more functional and comfortable to carry.

Purse

The purse can be grabbed if you’re just heading to the corner shop but is in general the most important part of any woman’s handbag. Coming in a range of sizes, they can either match your bag or stand out from it. Whatever the case, find the purse that works best for you and your handbag collection.