I love to use handbags to accessorize my outfits, but a lot of women don’t care to fuss with swapping out their bags several times a week and prefer to have one go-to handbag for each season. In fact, I often get asked to recommend one handbag that “goes with everything.”
Naghedi Nomad Hobo // Sierra Denim Vest (M) // Citizens Ayla Raw Hem Crop (29) // YSL sunglasses
It’s hard to narrow down my suggestions to just one because there are times when an everyday handbag will detract from your outfit, so I’m going to propose three handbag styles that I think every woman should own. You may have multiple options or one of each, but you should be able to complete any outfit (except for formal looks) if you have these three types of handbags.
3 Essential Bags Every Woman Should Own
If you’re looking to update or refresh your handbag collection, I rounded up a bunch of different options in the shopping widgets below each section.
#1. Everyday Tote or Shoulder Bag
The most important bag to have is one you can use on a daily basis. That’s generally a tote or some type of shoulder bag, and it needs to be practical for your needs because it’s the bag you’ll carry the most. Think about how easy it is to get in and out of, and decide if you want an open design or if you prefer a handbag with different sections for organization.
AllSaints Half Moon Bag // Treasure & Bond sweater (XS) // MOTHER Weekender (29) // Franco Sarto Alexandria Booties (8) // Tom Ford sunnies // Theory Car Coat (S) // AllSaints teet (M) // FRAME Le Easy Flare Raw Hem Jeans (29)
I don’t mind bags that are one big cavernous hole because I don’t carry a lot these days, so I tend to carry medium-size shoulder bags like the Naghedi Nomad Hobo below or the AllSaints Half Moon Bag I’m carrying in the photos above.
Naghedi Nomad Hobo // linen tee (S) // Gap Factory Mid Rise Kick Fit Jeans (29) // Beek Sunbeam Flip Flops (8)
As far as colors go, I recommend going with a good neutral like grey, taupe, brown, or beige if you’re only going to carry one main bag throughout the entire season. It can also be black, (and I personally love a black bag!) but black can look heavy and isn’t as versatile as a lighter neutral like beige or taupe. If I only had one bag in this category, it would be taupe or some shade of beige.
You also want to think about materials. Suede is pretty, but it’s hard to keep clean and shows wear faster than a leather bag. Soft leather scratches faster than the Saffiano leather, but some don’t like the hard surface of Saffiano. A nice pebbled leather is a good compromise, or there are some nice coated canvas out there, and woven bags are nice for summer.
Shop everyday handbags:
#2. Smaller Crossbody or Shoulder Bag
When you want to be hands-free or don’t need a larger bag, a smaller crossbody or shoulder bag is a great option to have. I like to have one that’s just large enough to hold my phone, wallet, lipstick, and a tissue pack; but take your specific needs into account when choosing a bag that works for you.
Coach Hutton Box Leather Shoulder Bag // Sarina V Neck Tank (S) // KUT from the Kloth Rose Button Front Denim Skirt (8)
I personally love a camera bag style crossbody that I can carry two ways, or the Coach Hutton Box Leather Shoulder Bag is a versatile option that can be dressed up or down.
Alternatively, smaller shoulder bags and ’90s style baguette bags are a big trend right now, and this JW PEI Joy Faux Leather Shoulder Bag is a great price point.
You may not use this bag as often as your everyday bag, or this may BE your everyday bag. It’s up to you!
JW PEI Joy Faux Leather Shoulder Bag // MOTHER flares (29) // cable sweater (XS) // navy sweater (S)
Shop crossbody bags and small shoulder bags:
#3. Dressy Clutch
This is your going-out bag, and it can be fun and whimsical or fancy and elegant. It just depends on your personal style and lifestyle needs. Because you don’t carry it as often as your everyday bags, this is a good time to opt for a more budget-friendly brand, like this Top Handle Straw Clutch from Amazon.
Top Handle Straw Clutch // Gap Factory Linen Pants (M) // Sam Edelman Deacon Slides (8) // Nordstrom hinge cuff
Another option in this category is a wallet-on-chain. These bags have lots of card slots and organizational compartments (like a wallet) but they have a chain you can use when you want to be hands-free.
Saint Laurent Classic Cassandre Chain Wallet // LOFT jumpsuit (S)
Shop Going-Out Bags and Clutches:
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photos: Alison Cornell
23 Responses
Thank you for this handbag update! My daughter gave me a Saint Laurent shopping leather tote bag for Mother’s Day. It’s black so I haven’t used it a lot during the summer but looking forward to it being my go-to bag for fall and winter.
Oh nice!!! I have that bag and it is minimalistic perfection.
What’s your thoughts on wristlets?
They’re a fun option, very trendy right now.
I also like to have a sporty crossbody/bum bag for when I’m going to a workout or in joggers, sweats, etc.
Definitely a nice option to have. I’d put that in the 2nd category.
I like my crossover bag for my everyday life. I only switch to different bags to go to church or other special occasions.
I love this post. I am interested in what you do carry in your daily bag. You said you don’t carry much and I feel like I carry my whole life !
LOL! Well, I’m down to a cardholder for a wallet, and I have a key pouch for my keys. Then I always have a purse pack of tissues. Beyond that, I like to have a tube of lipstick and a powder compact, my reading glasses, and sunglasses (if they fit). That’s about it.
My everyday bag is a crossbody, because I like to be hands-free. I have smaller ones for going out.
I’m getting there. I used to always carry big hobo bags or totes but these days I just don’t need that much space, and I like being hands-free.
Great post, however, I could not imagine swapping out a handbag several times a week, so it “goes” with my outfit – I just don’t have
the time or rather it’s not that big of a priority for me unless I’m going to an event that either requires something special.
Why didn’t Caroline pick one of her friends from last year to be her roommate? Blessings for your trip and that her new roommate would fit in nicely. I don’t change out my handbag often. I usually go from beige to black or woven this time of year. I use to go to cognac come Fall but I don’t wear those color tones much once I’ve gone grey so only do cognac now for shoes if wearing Navy etc. up top.
Her friends had other arrangements by the time she made her decision to go back.
I just purchased a sporty crossbody bag to wear with joggers and athileisure from Think Rolyn. It is very well made and many cute color options. I always feel strange wearing workout wear or joggers with a leather bag.
Yeah I like having a sporty option too.
I think the link to the skirt on the bottom row second from left is wrong. It might just be a me problem but could you double check that please? Thx!
I use exclusively smaller cross body bags. I have a few different ones that I’ll swap out from time to time but don’t necessarily try to match it to my outfit everyday. I once thought I would be “that woman” that changed her bag daily as part of her outfit, but that lasted all of a minute and I found myself using one for weeks at a time, then switching to another one for more weeks. Eventually I realized I wasn’t that kind of woman I pared my collection down to one or two. Honestly, I rarely even notice what bag a woman is carrying. Just isn’t in my wheelhouse.
I pray that you and Caroline have a very safe trip back to Boston, and I wish her the best with a new roommate. While I don’t really like to change handbags, I do like having lots of options. So much of the time, my mood dictates which one I will carry, while keeping in mind what I’ll be wearing.
Great point about factoring in cost per wear for handbags as well as clothes!
I’ve been carrying the same MZ Wallace black small Sutton Deluxe daily for the last year and a half. I love the size and the exterior side pockets. I’ve been looking for something similar for spring/summer, a top handle with a crossbody strap, and at least one easy-access exterior pocket. I’d prefer not to have 2 of the same bag but…
What are the jewelry items that you are wearing with the YSL chain wallet? They look nice with that outfit.
It’s an older Kendra Scott layer necklace and a Yurman bracelet.