If you have a taste for quality handbags, choosing your next purchase can be overwhelming. After all, there are so many options to choose from!
Although envelope clutches, bucket bags, and doctor bags have their undeniable charm and distinct qualities, four types of handbags have withstood the test of time. Nowadays, they are fundamental pieces of any wardrobe regardless of seasons, trends, or innovations.
Curious? Take a look at the four types of handbags that must become the next mainstays of your collection.
Laptop/Messenger
Ubiquitous and irreplaceable, messenger bags have been a staple of humanity since Roman times and have long been used by couriers and messengers to carry mail.
Messenger bags are easily distinguishable thanks to their iconic appearance. They are characteristically thin yet elongated, with a medium-sized rectangular shape and a cross-body strap. However, the most defining feature is the large flap in front—sometimes plain, and sometimes featuring buckles, zippers, or clasps.
Why is it so popular?
Since ancient times, messenger bags have been used and refined to be as comfy as possible.
They allow you to carry many small-to-medium items with minimal discomfort, making them indispensable for students, professionals, or anyone who needs to carry lots of things.
Satchel
Similar in design to the messenger bag, the satchel is a unique handbag with a distinctive look and aesthetic.
Like the messenger bag, the satchel has a rectangular shape and a cross-body strap. However, it also has two short handles at the top and a sturdy bottom, resembling a suitcase. That is not a coincidence since the satchel was initially designed to carry books.
Why is it so popular?
A perfect blend between utilitarianism and fashion, satchel bags are ideal for adding a touch of elegance to everyday activities, making them excellent school or office wear.
Likewise, its minimalistic silhouette and versatility make the satchel easy to style and wear, allowing for multiple looks and aesthetics with a single handbag.
Tote
The tote bag boasts of a basic design that nonetheless highlights its charm. It consists of a square or rectangular pouch with two vertical shoulder straps or handles coming from the open top.
Although it can have zippers or clasps, it is usually simplistic and direct. More often than not, it has a single compartment, and the size tends to be medium to large with a distinctive silhouette.
Why is it so popular?
The tote bag has a larger capacity than other handbags, making it the ideal option for shopping sprees and carrying multiple items at once.
Likewise, the simplicity of the tote bag’s core design allows for plenty of customization and variation between items. As such, tote bags can range from casual to elegant depending on material, structure, and use.
Duffel
The duffel bag—also spelled as duffle—used to refer exclusively to a type of cylindrical cloth bag with a drawstring on top, the kind you find in the military and gyms. However, the term has evolved to also refer to the weekender, a smaller version of the item.
This type of duffel bag has a distinctive cylindrical shape closed with a zipper at the top, flat sides, rounded corners, and two handles. The flat, sturdy sides keep the shape of the handbag, making it roomy and spacious.
Why is it so popular?
Thanks to their unique structure, duffel bags are spacious. They can store multiple items simultaneously, but without growing large, since they can hold their shape steadily. They are a stylish option for people who need utility but don’t want to sacrifice style.
What to choose, then?
Each of these bags has unique characteristics that make them indispensable in anyone’s wardrobe. Depending on your lifestyle, you may need one of them, or maybe all.
Make sure to invest in handbags made with select and high-quality materials to guarantee your investment is long-lasting and beautiful.
