Let’s face it: the vast majority of women today want to always feel prepared and confident for any occasion — this particularly happens when they think about how their personality reflects on other people.
One of the ways you can feel prepared and confident as a modern woman is by having a well-curated collection of ladies’ handbags in your styling arsenal — apart from boosting your confidence, each handbag allows you to style effortlessly without the need for constant new purchases.
Ideally, you want a handbag collection that can help transition from brunch with friends to running errands to date night or girls’ night out. We are talking about a handbag collection that strikes a perfect blend of functionality, style, and timeless elegance.
Here are five must-have handbag styles that will ensure you are confident and ready for any occasion.
1. A Crossbody Bag
If you are a fashion enthusiast, you probably have an idea of how a crossbody bag can elevate even the most boring of outfits. But one of the best things about a crossbody bag is its hands-free, comfortable, and convenient carrying experience. They are small and compact enough to hold your essentials whenever travelling or running errands.
So, how do you style them?
Well, styling a crossbody bag calls for your consideration of the length of its straps in accordance with your type of outfit. In that case, you can adjust the straps to let it rest against your upper hip or have long straps to let the bag fall lower on the hip or thigh.
Whichever way you decide to rock it, you can pair it with casual or formal wear. For example, it goes well with a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers for a casual look.
If you choose that sharp-tailored wear for business, we suggest you go with a sleek, compact crossbody leather bag — the goal here is to appear polished and professional.
2. A Sling Bag
There are so many reasons why sling bags are a must-have for women. These accessories offer the perfect blend of style and functionality, are versatile for every occasion, are space efficient, and, most importantly, guarantee a hands-free experience wherever you go.
If you want to add a sling bag to your collection, we suggest you go for an adjustable one because they ensure you always stay on trend.
When it comes to styling a hands-free sling bag, you can pair it with a sundress to achieve a polished look. A pair of jeans, a T-shirt, or a loose button-down shirt will also do the trick in this case.
Moreover, you can style it with a mini skirt, knit vest and heels for a preppy style.
Whichever style you choose, ensure you buy a bag with clean lines and solid colours because they pair best with a gold bag chain strap without overwhelming an outfit.
3. A Hobo Bag
Another bag that adds a blend of style and practicality to your daily life is the hobo bag. This accessory offers a laid-back yet polished aesthetic with its soft, slouchy structure and spacious design.
It can fit a good amount of belongings, including seemingly bulky essentials like a laptop, weekend wear, water bottle, and a packed lunch, depending on the occasion. Plus, their unstructured silhouette doesn’t feel too rigid when you are out and about.
You can pair it with high-waisted jeans, white sneakers, and a slightly oversized sweater — this look lets the relaxed shape of the hobo stand out.
4. A Tote Bag
A tote bag — especially a black leather tote — screams timeless elegance, to say the least. We believe this is the perfect companion for fashion-forward ladies who love carrying their little world in a single bag.
This bag is also spacious enough to fit a laptop, makeup, books, sunglasses, and other essentials.
Whether it’s work, travel, or running errands, there are many ways you can style a tote bag. For instance, a casual look calls for denim jeans or a simple sundress. If you want that workwear elegance, we suggest you pair a leather tote bag with a blazer, fitted blouse, and trousers.
5. A Belt Bag
When it comes to ladies’ bags, it doesn’t get more sleek and stylish than the belt bag. Also known as a bum bag, a belt bag was especially en vogue between the ’80s and ’90s. At the time, they were called “fanny packs”. Today, belt bags have become a staple in the fashion industry for their versatility, practicability and understated vibe.
Belt bags particularly pair well with athleisure due to their minimalistic aesthetics. Originally, they were inspired by activewear and streetwear, which are still relevant in today’s fashion.
Final Thought
The truth is that a handbag is not just a functional accessory. It’s a reflection of your personal style. View it as a fashion statement that compliments your outfit, depending on how you rock it.
However, it’s worth emphasising that when buying a handbag, you should always prioritise quality over quantity. Also, we advise you to balance classic with trends and consider multi-purpose options for versatility.
Longchamp images supplied. Other images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
