March 05, 2025 / by Emma Jones

Women’s bags are not just a stylish accessory. They’re a practical addition that will help you carry around all of the essentials like your wallet, phone, keys, hand creams, notebooks, and much more. They’re an important part of the outfit and can make or break the whole look. Luckily, you can find many options on the market that easily fit your style.

Crossbody Bags

woman with crossbody bag
source: louenhide.com.au

This bag has a long history, dating back to ancient times. Its design isn’t anything new. It gained popularity in the 1960s and over the years its design changed and developed a lot. The current models have a more modern and contemporary aesthetic and work well for almost every fashion style. There’s a wide range of high-quality, stylish women’s cross body bags to choose from.

It has one long strap that rests on the shoulder and the bag itself rests on the opposite side of your body. They are often smaller, compact, and good for carrying everyday essentials wherever you go. 

There are several types of models in this category. The messenger model is roomier than the others. It’s a great travel companion because of functional features like pockets, compartments, adjustable straps, and buckles.

Hobo bags are stylish yet laid-back. They have a half-crescent silhouette that’s very structured. They’re perfect for casual outfits and relaxed outings. The mini crossbody bags are meant for people who don’t carry a lot of essentials. They’re good for evening events and brunches. You can also find saddle bags with curved silhouettes and a flap closure. They’re medium-sized, elegant, and have embellishments and distinctive hardware accents.

Crossbody bags for women can also have a wallet design with a chain strap, which brings glamour and style to the piece. They’re not very practical and you can’t carry a lot of stuff inside, but they can elevate your look.

When you’re choosing a crossbody type of bag for your wardrobe, there are a few things to consider. One of the main things is the material it’s made of. Some of the most popular choices are leather, canvas, faux leather, and nylon.

Leather is a more expensive option but it’s very durable and authentic. If you want to go for something more budget-friendly, you can opt for canvas or nylon. These accessories also come in many colours and patterns and can match almost all outfits. Size and capacity are a very personal choice. It depends on what you need to carry throughout the day, whether in the office or when going out with friends.

Totes

A tote is a large bag with space for carrying a lot of stuff and a large opening on top. In simple terms, it’s any bag with two parallel handles on either side for support. On days when you need a lot of storage space and have a lot of chores and things to get done, this is a great choice. Totes are incredibly practical, fashionable, versatile, and durable.

They come in a wide variety of colours, designs, and sizes and can be the perfect wardrobe essential for summer. The size is mainly determined by how often you’ll use it. If it’s your everyday companion, you can buy a larger one that fits everything you need. 

The material is also important. Totes are usually made of leather, cotton, canvas and jute. They all have their pros and cons and are worn in different weather conditions. Similar to women’s cross body bags, the tote’s handles can also vary in length. 

When it comes to your budget, it’s always a good idea to invest as much as you can. This is a practical accessory you’ll use and wear a lot. You don’t want to buy a new tote every other month. A pricier, high-quality one will last for many years.

Handbags

Handbags are convenient everyday accessories you can take everywhere. They come in several varieties. Satchels are the perfect balance between a daily purse and a laptop bag. A sling bag is a combination of practicality, style and comfort. It’s good for shopping, travelling, or running errands. If you need to attend a black tie event, get a clutch. Clutches are elegant, stylish and sophisticated.

Its size is the sole disadvantage; you can’t take everything with you. Some of the clutches come with small compartments inside so you can stay more organised. Another choice you have is the hobo bag. It’s crescent-shaped and has a casual look. When it comes to colour, design and size, you have plenty of styles to choose from.

Shoulder Bags

A shoulder bag has at least one strap you can toss over your shoulder and carry it hands-free. The straps can be thin, wide, short, long, thick, braided, and more. They vary in style, size and storage space. Of course, because you’re wearing it on your shoulder, it should have comfortable and soft handles. This is the perfect bag for shopping, work or dinner dates.

Laptop Bags

Laptop bags are the best choice if you’re working in an office, and always trying to balance home and your job. They are practical and can fit many items. These bags should have extra protection because of the items you carry inside — your laptop, important gadgets, documents, and files. Extra cushioning can go a long way in protecting what’s inside. When it comes to colour, black is the most popular one, but brown and grey shades are also nice options.

Fanny Packs

Fanny packs are practical accessories, especially when you’re travelling. They’re not just made for women, men can wear them too. They come in 2 styles: waist and belt bag. A waist fanny pack has a more traditional shape. It looks sporty and you can fit smaller items like a passport, wallet, ID card, keys, phone, cash etc. On the other hand, belt fanny packs are designed to sit on the hip like a belt. While they look sleek, they’re generally smaller and can fit less.