Structured Handbags: Yay or Nay

Cynthia

I really don’t like unstructured bags — I lose stuff down in there. I don’t like very large bags either. I have a smallish, structured crossbody that just fits my phone/wallet/checkbook/keys and maybe a bit of makeup.

March 30, 2011 at 3:41 am

kimlee

Veteran

I am another vote of Yay. Like Cynthia, I find that unstructured bags leave me searching the bag for the items that I need at a particular moment. I usually get frustrated. In contrast, a structure bag give me a place for everything and everything stays in place – which makes my Type A personality very, very, happy.

March 30, 2011 at 4:05 am

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I like something with a little bit of structure, just so that stuff isn’t flopping around inside it.

March 30, 2011 at 4:14 am

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I like the look! Still, I find myself continuously searching for ways to dial down the dressiness of my outfits, and unstructured bags are a key ingredient in making that happen. I might be stuck with hobos for a while!

March 30, 2011 at 4:51 am

Lyrebirdgully

Active Member

Yay for structure! I have been waiting impatiently for YEARS for structured bags to come back. I’m so readyto say goodbye to bags that look like unmade beds, and hello to “well-behaved, intelligent” bags which stay put when you release your grip and don’t slump and sprawl all over the place. So chic – Grace Kelly rules!
Sadly for me, I think that the day when structured bags will catch on is still a long way off. The bag shops in my city still carry 80%-90% sloppy-style bags. It seems like hardly anyone wants to buy structured bags, so currently there aren’t many to choose from. I can see I’ll just have to practise patience until the wheel of fashion has turned a bit further – hopefully not for too many more seasons.

March 30, 2011 at 5:01 am

kelsey

I vote yay! I’ve never been a fan of the slouchy hobo style – I like a more classic look.

March 30, 2011 at 5:25 am

Aunty

Veteran

yay from me, I have serious need for that blue one!!!

March 30, 2011 at 5:53 am

theresa

Active Member

I vote yay. My style is pretty casual but I love the clean lines of a structured bag. I can’t wait to see more of them!

March 30, 2011 at 5:56 am

Debora

Veteran

A big yay from me! I love structured handbags and would love to add some to my wardrobe.

March 30, 2011 at 6:04 am

Bianca

Veteran

I think I am gravitating more towards unstructured at the moment. I love the casual vibe they bring….it fits better w/my current lifestyle. If I was back in the office I would vote the other way! Nay (but they do look lovey).

March 30, 2011 at 6:09 am

Dianne

Structured for work;slouchy and unstructured for play.

Slouchy looks wrong with the suits and dress slacks.

March 30, 2011 at 6:12 am

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Yay! I’ve never been too keen on very slouchy bags, so this suits me well.

March 30, 2011 at 6:17 am

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Am I the first naysayer? My lifestyle is casual, and I prefer my bags that way too. Nothing too structural – I find most hobo bags too structured for my liking even. This makes me worry since I have been wanting to add to my hanbag collection. Maybe I’ll have to wait some time!!

March 30, 2011 at 6:17 am

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like these a lot, and I have a couple of bags that fall in this category, but they do look dressier or more conservative than my current lifestyle. However, I don’t like the ultra-slouchy bags — as others have pointed out, it’s too easy to lose stuff in them.

I prefer the in- between territory: structure without stiffness. Plus a little hardware — I’m a sucker for just a bit of hardware for some edge.

March 30, 2011 at 6:25 am

Becky

Veteran

I prefer both the look and function of structured bags. I aim for a “polished” look, (though I may achieve it only rarely). As others have mentioned, structured bags seem to help me with my “a place for everything, and everything in its place” need. In contrast to Laura’s desire for unstructured bags to dress down her look, I want structured bags to dress up my look, since there are elements of my look that are necessarily less dressy (think shoe fit and comfort issues).

March 30, 2011 at 6:29 am

Claudia

Veteran

Yay! And I am glad I didn’t have to pick a team because I equally appreciate both structured and unstructured style handbags for their different charms.

March 30, 2011 at 6:53 am

Debbie

Veteran

Yay from me. The International Hobo is on my wishlist. They do look more polished and that is a look I’m liking lately.

March 30, 2011 at 7:05 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Yay, I love both structured and unstructured bags, the iris blue of the Ted Baker bag is sublime *happy sigh*

March 30, 2011 at 7:05 am

Queen Mum

Veteran

I agree with the others… a structured handbag makes it easier to find things. (I know, I know…. if we cant find stuff, maybe we need to declutter our bags
I don’t always care for the shorter handles that structured handbags tend to sport. I do like the option of the adjustable straps that the Ted Baker bag has.

March 30, 2011 at 7:11 am

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yay all the way! As a petite person, I find the hobo/slouchy bag almost always too large for me and I look like I’m carrying a droopy overnight bag instead of a purse. And like others, I hate having to dig for my car keys or my cell phone in the bottom of a huge sack. Purses is where I absolutely adore vintage – a beautifully structured 1950’s handbag makes my heart go pitter-patter. I even carry this type of purse when wearing jeans and a t-shirt – I like the juxtaposition.

March 30, 2011 at 7:17 am

Lisa

Veteran

I vote yay to a structured bag. I am a big fan of bags such as these. Not only do I feel more polished with one, but I don’t carry a lot of items in my bag and a structured bag always looks “full” even if it is barely full. Slouchy bags can show every lump and bump or even deflate without enough items in them. I also prefer the structured style bag to dress up an outfit. You really change the look of a simple white t, jeans and shoes depending on the bag you wear and I like the mix of dressier with casual that you get from adding a structured bag versus a slouchy one.

March 30, 2011 at 7:23 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

More structured handbag love!

Laura and Queen Mum, you are right about a slouchy handbag effectively dressing down a look. For that reason I don’t want them to disappear, even though I sway toward the more structured handbag look. Semi structured handbags are also an option

March 30, 2011 at 7:24 am

taylor

Veteran

Yay from me too!!

March 30, 2011 at 7:35 am

MsMary

Veteran

Yay! I never really went away from the structured look, and I don’t have any plans to do so now! But I have branched out into semi-structured!

March 30, 2011 at 7:35 am

Melody

Active Member

Big yay for me. I always go for structured. I really, really dislike unstructured bags … for me, it’s comparable to carrying around my belongings all jumbled up in a plastic grocery sack. I prefer a bag to sit up by itself instead of slouching over and spilling the contents out every time I put it down.

March 30, 2011 at 7:42 am

rae

(website)

Veteran

Uh oh, a nay for me. I do like some shape, but I prefer my bags to feel like an extension of my body. A bag with too much structure feels uncomfortable and (perhaps because my features are not very angular) really looks like a disparate element in most of my outfits, IMO — like the bag is just dangling there instead of hugging my shoulder.

March 30, 2011 at 7:51 am

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I’m with Janet – structured but not too stiff. I never owned a hobo or slouchy bag and likely never will. I’m a freak for organization and have to have at least 4 separate pockets for things. I would go crazy with one big open catchall space. Have I mentioned how much I love my new purple crossbody with it’s place for everything lol? And I have already window shopped that Ted Baker bag! Out of my range, but nice to look at

March 30, 2011 at 7:51 am

cloud9

Veteran

I really prefer a structured over a slouchy one, especially from the functional point of view. My current one is a a slouchy one, even though it’s in my favorite color of purple, I find that I’m disliking it more & more because it’s too slouchy and things get lost easier. I have been on a hunt for a more structured one for spring.

March 30, 2011 at 8:05 am

Joy

Veteran

A big Yay! I haven’t seen structured bags in stores here yet though. Top of my spring shopping list is a medium to large structured bag in aqua blue.

March 30, 2011 at 8:09 am

Lisa Goulet

(website)

I vote yay – I do love the look of unstructured bags and have a few but I’m always annoyed by not being able to find anything in unstructured bags. Structured bags give you a place for everything and they stay there!

March 30, 2011 at 8:11 am

KT

A big ole YAY for me. I love structured bags. I’ve never quite gotten on board with the slouchy bags… I need a bag to stand up when I put it on the counter. lol

March 30, 2011 at 8:26 am

Diana

Veteran

Yay in principle, although in practice I need a bag with a long enough strap to stay on my shoulder and/or a crossbody strap combined with enough space for all my stuff, and I think a big structured bag slung over a shoulder or crossbody can look a bit too clunky. I like a medium to small sized structured bag for non-commuting/work purposes though.

March 30, 2011 at 8:41 am

Christie

Yay! My best handbag is structured, and just how some have said a slouchy dresses down their outfits, my casual outfits like a bit of dressing up.

March 30, 2011 at 8:42 am

Antje

Veteran

Yay here, I like the look at lot. My own bags, however, are mostly unstructured as I have a tendency to avoid anything that feels too “dressy”. I’d like to get over that, though…

March 30, 2011 at 9:00 am

Holly

I vote Yah for structured handbags and as they tend to dress up my look. I love, love, love, the Ted Baker handbag in your post, Angie! A few years ago you suggested, in your blog, that blue was a great color for a handbag that season; last year I carried a blue L.A.M.B. handbag all winter long and had wonderful comments on it. That color blue seemed to blend with anything I wore. I love seeing your beautiful white handbag in your outfit postings but I’m having trouble getting over my phobia about carrying white handbags. Working on it though…….

Holly

March 30, 2011 at 9:01 am

Lain

Another rare Nay. My grandmothers both carried very small structured bags, so they make me think “older lady.” For work I carry a semi-structured bag, but I really prefer a big slouchy tote I can load full of stuff. Bag organizers make it so I never lose stuff. Its all of the wonderful organization of a structured bag hidden in a sack.

That said, I have three of thier vintage Hepburn-style crocodile and lizard bags. Love them, but never carry them. Don’t hold anything but lipstick and a compact.

March 30, 2011 at 9:03 am

Inge

Absolutely yay, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this look, and I’m very glad they are making a comeback!
Also: I love the blue-purple Ted Baker, such a fab colour!!

March 30, 2011 at 9:04 am

mamark

YAY YAY YAY! I love structured bags! I’m currently carrying a large purple structured Kate Spade with chain handles. And I love that brown bag – totally shocked such a gorgeous bag is Hobo brand. LOVE

March 30, 2011 at 9:10 am

LoP

Veteran

Big yay here!

March 30, 2011 at 9:16 am

mamark

My bag is the Kate Spade Maryanne. What I like about it is that it stays upright when you sit it down, and I love the little metal feet on the bottom for this purpose.

March 30, 2011 at 9:21 am

Saretta

(website)

Active Member

Structure, all the way! I can’t find anything in my slouchy bags, that drives me crazy!

March 30, 2011 at 9:32 am

wilson

Active Member

Yay structured handbags!

March 30, 2011 at 9:38 am

drmama

Active Member

yay! yay! yay! I love retro vibe of many of these. (Though I love some slouch too).

March 30, 2011 at 9:51 am

Yardshark

I do prefer bags with at least some structure. My vote doesn’t really count though since I am not much of a “handbag person” to begin with.

March 30, 2011 at 10:07 am

Sparky

Veteran

I thought I was one of the odd ones out who preferred structured bags, but I guess I have excellent company. Hurrah! I have always been drawn more to structured, although I recently bought my first slouchy bag and enjoy it more than I thought I would; it provides a nice change of pace.

March 30, 2011 at 10:16 am

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Yay for structure! Wow, we should for a club.

March 30, 2011 at 10:21 am

Irene

Veteran

Yes, but I hate that I can’t make most of them hang from my shoulder. I already have to wear a big heavy folder in my arms when I go to Uni, so adding an extra weight in my hands makes it just too hard. If I find one with long enough handles, I may buy it!

March 30, 2011 at 10:25 am

catgirl

Veteran

Yay from me! I love the look and function of a structured handbag – the bowling bags and doctor bag style, along with satchels, are my faves!

March 30, 2011 at 10:32 am

Dusty

(website)

A yay from me. The bag I’m currently carrying is structured and I like it (of course, it could be because of the bright orange color – it’s just happy bag). Although, I haven’t found it to be any easier to find stuff in than my unstructure and semi structured bags. I think I just need more pockets.

March 30, 2011 at 10:36 am

rosee

Veteran

YAY for structured! But I think my few bags are semi-structured: a tote, a hobo, a small crossbody and a vintage beaded evening bag. As long as they are simple, not too serious, organized and have a longer strap /handle (I have a fat winter coat).
I also have a very casual bluegrey crochet hobo-crossbody-have-no-clue-what-it-is-exactly unstructured bag for lugging around more stuff on dress down days. It’s messy in there. When I visit my mom, she always complains about it.

March 30, 2011 at 10:42 am

ismay

Yay! Maybe I can finally find a handbag to carry my laptop in that does not scream “business case” but is sturdy and structured enough to work.

March 30, 2011 at 10:45 am

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

Totally yay. I never really went in for the unstructured handbag – mostly because when I carry a bag I tend to have a few heavier items in there, like a laptop or a camera, and they don’t feel quite safe enough in a floppy bag.

March 30, 2011 at 10:53 am

nancylee

Veteran

I think this look is great if it suits your style, but I’m going to say a qualified “nay” for me. I prefer the casual look of a hobo or bucket bag (even though they are admittedly harder to find things in!). That said, I do like a little structure. Specifically, I like my bags to have a base of some sort so I can set them down and not have them fall over. Like Laura, I am always looking for ways to boho up or relax my classic clothes…so structured bags just don’t fit my style. The short straps so many structured bags have are also an issue for me. They just feel too fussy and conservative. Sort of like those dinky ones Queen Elizabeth always has hanging off her forearm! (an eternal mystery to me: why does she carry a purse?)

Maybe I could be converted over time to a semi-structured bag with longer straps (like the flowered one pictured) or a perhaps a small structured crossbody bag. It could just be that my eye has become accustomed to unstructured, and it might take a while to adjust to a different look.

March 30, 2011 at 11:39 am

Irene

(website)

Active Member

Absolutely YAY. I don’t like to loose my belongings inside some shapeless bag, plus they age not as gracefully as structured one. Usually I’m going around with my camera, water bottle and so, and I do not like when people can see all those bulges on the body of my bag.
But over-structured bags, like framed bags from fifties are not so comfortable, even though I have couple.

March 30, 2011 at 11:54 am

Lynne

Veteran

I’m with Rae – a soft bag suits me better :). I appreciate the look of stuctured bags on others, and I have one small structured evening bag, but my everyday bags are soft, and that suits my casual lifestyle.

March 30, 2011 at 12:16 pm

LuAnn

Active Member

Yay! Most of my bags are structured. They are just more functional.

March 30, 2011 at 12:27 pm

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Right now I am carrying a hand-me-down Furla hobo. I hate it! It functions like 2 cubic feet of black leather Bermuda triangle. I can never find my glasses case, my checkbook wallet, any lipstick that might have slipped out of its organizer, etc. The first real bag I buy for myself is going to have at least some structure. L

March 30, 2011 at 12:32 pm

rute

Veteran

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I prefer bags with structure!!!

March 30, 2011 at 2:36 pm

Beth

Veteran

Huge, giant YAY from me! I’ve never really gravitated towards slouchy, oversized handbags and I’ve been waiting for the return of structured bags for ever.

This makes me really happy:)

March 30, 2011 at 3:36 pm

ImogenL

(website)

Active Member

I love the look of structured handbags, but I’ve discovered that some can be very uncomfortable to carry, particularly if they are wide or boxy (a bit like the tan one on the left in your pictures) as they don’t fit snugly under your arm like a slouchier bag will! Be warned, try them on for comfort before you buy.

March 30, 2011 at 3:45 pm

April

Veteran

Major yay.

Also major yay for the semi-structured variety (Angie, would our Michael Kors “Astor” style count as semi-structured?). I don’t like baggy hobo styles at all.

March 30, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow. Go Team Structured Handbag!

April, the Michael Kors “Astor”, of which I have two, is a semi-structured handbag.

March 30, 2011 at 5:10 pm

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I love most bags, period. All kinds, all types. Semi-slouchy, super-structured, semi-structured. I’ve got them all. For everyday, I go between semi-structured and semi-slouchy (and they are not the same thing!). I don’t really have a super slouchy bag, they are often giant sized and overwhelm me. The other trend in bags I never got into was the over-application of hardware or studs.

March 30, 2011 at 5:13 pm

Jonesy

Veteran

I think I prefer the slouchy or semi-structured look for myself, but I love the looks of these as well, especially the purple Ted Baker one! I think I prefer them if they are flatter/more rectangular vs. a boxier shape.

March 30, 2011 at 7:02 pm

Frances

Active Member

A big Yay! and Hooray! from me. I am 150% a structured bag gal and am delighted to hear we’ll finally be seeing more of them.

March 30, 2011 at 7:09 pm

Bookarella

Veteran

Yay from me, too. I love the ladylike-ness of a structured bag. It just feels more grown up than a relaxed bag. Plus, all my stuff gets lost in a jumble in my unstructured bags.

March 30, 2011 at 7:13 pm

Meredith

Yay!!!

March 30, 2011 at 7:19 pm

Pat

Yay!! Yes! A structured bag helps me feel “put together”

March 30, 2011 at 8:32 pm

Scarlet

Veteran

Nay for me. I think structured bags are beautiful, but a little slouch just suits my style better. I have one or two pretty structured bags but just don’t find myself reaching for them. I still like to look at them them though I don’t have trouble finding things in my unstructured bags–I like bags with lots of internal/external pouches to keep me organized.

March 30, 2011 at 10:23 pm

Nancy

Active Member

Yay, a structured bag is my first choice. However, I also like unstructured bags for certain occasions when I need to carry a bunch of stuff.

March 31, 2011 at 3:24 am

lyn67

Team both, to me. I have sported structured bags at the beginning of my karrier life, but now I like better a big unstructured one, big size, and edgy hardware. This is, because later I like to dress better a bit down, rather than up my smart casual style, but at the moment I own for ex. an unstructured shoulder bag that I will never ever wear to work (this sentence sounds so funny:-)).
Generally, me too, I think structured bags are more suitable for work, and unstructured ones more for play or weekends-and travel.
Now, I do also hate! hate! hate! when I don’t find something in my bag…I guess this is what the bag organisers are for…Just didn’t find yet one that fits perfect in my current bag:-((in my local stores)..

March 31, 2011 at 4:11 am

The Budget Babe

(website)

I love both slouchy and structured bags. As some other readers have mentioned, sometimes a slouchy hobo can be much more comfortable than a boxy satchel but it all depends on the bag. Yay for both!

March 31, 2011 at 10:19 am

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I vote yay. I’m not a big hand bag girl and honestly i think all of my handbags are slouchy at the currently moment but i do like the look of a structured bag. Team Both >.>

March 31, 2011 at 5:48 pm

Lena

Active Member

I haven’t been a big fan of very slouchy bags, and I mostly like those that combine structure and a relaxed attitude. I’m not much for hobo bags, but I can tempted by a hobo that has a solid semi-curved foundation (I don’t know what they are called).

I like strict structured bags (especially smaller ones) and I like semi-structured bags.

March 31, 2011 at 8:46 pm

Sara Moore

Yay, except the rigidity of larger structured bags feels clunky against my body. A friend and I like to accompany our vintage alligator bags out to lunch. We sip margaritas while the bags catch up on news.

April 1, 2011 at 7:02 am

Mac

Veteran

Structured, pls! I feel like they give an outfit instant polish… and I need all the polish I can get! : )

April 6, 2011 at 8:31 pm

Linn

Active Member

I vote Team Yay – love the polished look!

April 7, 2011 at 10:43 am

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I love the look of structured bags but I often find it difficult to find one that is just right. I have an odd insistence that the strap be long enough for me to just sling it over my shoulder without having to use the other hand to hoist it up, if that makes any sense. So while I love the way a bag like the classic Birkin looks, for example, I’d never actually carry one because of the lack of a long strap.

Usually I schlep around everything plus the kitchen sink (actually books and papers) and I hate having to carry more than one bag, so I like big bags. And they must be large enough to hold standard-sized papers, not folded ones. Well, for every-day use anyway. I have several nice little clutches for special occasions.

April 12, 2011 at 12:47 pm

Kristina

(website)

I love, love, love structured bags!

April 14, 2011 at 10:48 am

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