Do you stick to one handbag style? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you stick to one handbag style?

karymk

Veteran

I was taking a visual inventory of my handbags and realized that the ones I like best seem to be a two handled satchel with a strap that can pysically stand up on its own. I pretty much shirk the few hobos I have because they collapse when I put them in front of me at a concert, or on the passenger seat in my car. Plus I feel too boho when I use one.

The structured satchel is a workhorse for me, but I keep wondering if I am doing myself a style disservice by not having other styles in the handbag roundup. I try to vary the colors, designers, hardware and material, but still, they are pretty much all the same satchels.

Do you buy purses more for function? Or Do you sacrifice that if you love a particular color or leather type?

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from peacechick

catgirl

Veteran

I have since I got the Brahmin striped satchel. For travel I have a big slouchy leather shoulder bag, and I also have beautiful black Coach satchel that I love. I've realized I'm not much of a bag person and prefer not changing out my bag often.

Anonymous

Good question. I use clutches, shoulder bags, satchels and a couple of totes, depending on the need. I also really like a structured satchel, and stay away from hobos. Like you, I don't want a collapsing bag.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Handbags have to first and foremost function for me, but the functions can vary. Like, a cross-body bag will be used for errand running/sightseeing, while a hobo might be my casual outfit handbag. So in that way I do vary my handbags. And I will switch out bags for different days. What can I say, I do love my bags

Diana

Veteran

Not consciously, but by default most of the bags I like to use are slightly slouchy medium-to-large shoulder bags, at least for day-to-day use (for shorter weekend jaunts or evenings out I have other, smaller bags but even then they need to be functional (for ex, I won't buy a clutch without a shoulder strap)). This is mostly because of what I carry with me on a daily basis - lunch and ipad, plus various smaller things, so they all have to fit and the bag still has to zip closed. Because of the weight, and because I commute on public transit, the bag has to be hands free.

I don't like very structured bags because in order to be able to fit all my stuff, they need to be pretty big and the structure/hard sides tend to make them even bigger and heavier. A slouchier bag also conforms to my body a little bigger and doesn't look quite as enormous.

Anonymous

I gravitate to the same kind of bags as you karymk, for the same reasons. I love the way a crescent shaped hobo looks on the shoulder, but they are murder to find anything in, and will not behave properly when seated (making their handler look bad at times).

I recently got a large daytime clutch in an attempt to shake things up bit, and i think it's working. I can't put any extraneous junk in there, so my wallet, phone, sunnies and key are easy to find. I've been carrying it daily since I got it a month or two ago. It's kind of fun because haven't seen a single person around here sporting a daytime clutch.

Emily

Veteran

Nope, I like different bags for different occasions. During the week I alternate between a hobo bag and a tote (for gym days). I'll use a clutch without a strap for smart casual or dressy sit-down occasions. And for concerts/all day walking (ie sightseeing) I prefer a hands-free crossbody bag.

Petite Marj

Very good question. Being petite, curvy and a member of the "cool-toned" silver sister community, I find that soft-sided leather cross-body or lady bags work best for me. A clutch would never work as I find things slip out of my hands more than they ever used to. I prefer a very clean style with minimal, "silver" hardware. I have at least one in each of the main colours in my palette . As for totes, there are a few, again in "my colurs." My favourite one is made by a group called the "Go Go Grannies." They help support grandmothers in Africa who are raising their orphaned grandchildren.

Debra

Veteran

What an interesting thread
I have a large work tote that holds work "stuff" daily and really like little cross body bags for cards, keys and phone. My clothing style is pretty simple so I think these work....plus I like the hands free aspect.
My other bags, not many, are soft looking....I have a black bucket style bag that is a favorite.
I've tried clutches, but find it annoying that I have to hold them so sit down occasions only.
Always inspired by the lovely bags I see on YLF

karymk

Veteran

I want to like a daytime clutch, but I think I would be a fumbling clumsy person trying to juggle it. They look so nice.

Does anyone here use a backpack? I have one Chanel vintage backpack that is really helpful when I want to be hands-free. Oh, and an old Longchamp backpack that just looks outdated right now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have never really been a bag person before YLF but I am slowly coming round to their charms.

I tend to prefer a structured shopper. That is usually tote-sized on smallish me, it holds all my stuff (even my computer in a pinch -- though not alway elegantly), and it doesn't flop around. I like satchels, too, but I don't care for bags that I need to carry in my hand or on my forearm -- they need some sort of shoulder strap.

I also have a couple of cross body bags for errands.

And I like daytime clutches. I don't carry one often, and prefer if it has a strap or wriststrap just in case, but I love the look and don't mind it for special days when I will not have to lug books or papers about.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I think I got the wrong girl gene for bags because my tastes tend to be very different than most "bag people". I literally recoil at those very done satchels or huge bags with lots of features like you see the stars wearing in those candid shots. I am much more of a function over form person, and prefer low-key and subtle.

I've got different 'categories' of bags but within them they do tend to be very similar - in fact, I've got multiples of a cross-body leather bag that DSW sells, in three colors I think... For days that I'm not hauling my laptop or paperwork around, I prefer something that's about the size of a hardback book, which fits my wallet, cell phone, and little toiletries bag. Those bags have to be convertible so I can wear them on my shoulder or cross-body. Then I've got a few totes that will fit my laptop in its sleeve and/or some binders, books, notebooks etc. I should really start using a proper backpack again when I'm hauling my laptop around all day because I know that carrying it all on one shoulder is bad for me, but I really like the less obvious tote approach, it's much less "please steal my laptop" when you're out and about. Then I've got a few wristlets and smaller bags for going out to dinner or times that all I need is my wallet, keys and phone.

Clutches or structured bags that have to be held in the hands would drive me nutso.

Irene

Veteran

I wear satchels on one shoulder (not cross-body) and a tote bag. No clutches, bowling bags or any other style that doesn't allow my hands to be free.

Marley

Veteran

I'm a "bag-lady" - so I've got all different kinds of handbags. I find that I tend to go between a more slouchy bag and a more structured bag, depending on my outfit. For example, with a fluid, loose outfit - I am more likely to carry a structured handbag - to add a bit of structure to the entire outfit. When I wear a more structured outfit, then I like to carry a slouchier type of bag in order to "loosen" up the outfit a bit. I am also a huge fan of daytime clutches and have actually found that they are not at all difficult for me to manage during the day. And - they also come in a slouchy look or a structured look! Oh - the possibilities! (One last thing - I like to wear a cross-body bag that has a metal strap - it serves as an accessory - so, I don't wear any other jewelry except a watch and maybe some post earrings.)

carter

Veteran

Leather shoulder bags for me. For day-to-day work, they need to be soft rather than too structured because they either get tossed in the backseat or they end up in client's lap. Most of mine are either pebbled or woven leather to camouflage scratches, ink marks etc. Although I have several different colors of bags, my standards are black, chocolate and ivory.

I do clutches or small shoulder bags for evening. I usually travel with a tote and tuck a wristlet inside. I would love to do cross-body bags, but I end up with really weird boob separation with the strap;-)

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I have to make a conscious effort to change my bags, otherwise I'd just wear my messenger bags - they are too easy

Jewell

Veteran

Personally, I crave variety so I intentionally shop for different handbag styles. I feel that certain outfits of mine look best with certain purse styles. As a MOTG, my favorite style is a practical crossbody, but I only own two of those. I seem to have more two handled satchels than anything. I'm not a fan of floppy/slouchy styles, but I have one purple hobo that I love.

Susie

Veteran

I like a variety of styles. As far as numbers, I have mostly satchels and clutches but I also have a couple of totes and/or slouchy shoulder bags. I recently added a small shoulder/cross body bag to use on casual days of shopping/errands.

I also like a variety of colors. I have black, dark green, red, deep purple, yellow, pewter, navy, etc.

fieldmouse

Only messenger/cross-body styles for me. I really dislike carrying anything in hand and I'm also beginning to get issues with my back, so cross-bodies are better for me for that reason also. I also prefer slouchier bags that fold to my body a bit.

RunswithDolphins

My favourites are buttery soft hobo bags. I just love the softness as I tuck them under my arm. Having said that I have structured satchels, cross body bagsand clutches too and I do use them regularly depending on the outfit and occasion. It's just the sensual feel of soft leather that gets me every time. When I go to a handbag department I just wander around stroking the softest bags.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. About a year ago, I made the switch from shoulder bags, to handbags and clutches, both with at least a bit of structure. It was more about not putting any additional strain on my neck, as opposed to a particular 'look'.

I cannot believe how great my neck has felt since I made the switch!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I always thought of myself as a many-bag girl... until I got the Brahmin, like Una said! I used to switch my bags out daily, because I wanted a different look and also because the bag often injected a different element of personality. BUT for whatever reason, the Brahmin says just about everything I want it to, no matter what outfit I wear. So I stick with it most of the time. I do still have my ombre MJ bag and my silver snake bag because I love them, but I have many more that I have in a bag to consign when I get around to it.

Dee

Veteran

Ooh, interesting thread. I've switched over the last few years from slouchy/hobo bags to bags with more structure. Mostly I got sick of digging around in a black hole for my keys and such. Now I have a variety of more structured totes and satchels with one or two slouchy bags remaining for when the mood strikes. The only defining feature of my everyday bags is that they must be able to be worn on the shoulder or crossbody. I've found I need my hands free to often to use a clutch, even though I always think it looks very put together on others.

Anonymous

I'm another one who gravitates to bags that are hands-free, soft, and roomy.

Like Diana, my bag choices have a lot to do with being a public transit person. My everyday bags spend a bunch of time being slung over my shoulder while hanging onto a train pole for dear life or walking half a mile home with my arms full of groceries. Actually, the one I've been using for work for a while (an eggplant-colored Kate Spade tote) is a little more structured with a slightly shorter strap than I'd have in an ideal world, but I like it enough that I deal with it annoying me sometimes.

I also like outside pockets or some kind of separate compartment so I can grab my Metrocard, keys, phone, etc. without having to open up my whole bag and rummage through it. And I try to avoid anything with complicated fastenings, like buckles you have to undo every time you need to get something in the bag. I love the look of daytime clutches on other people, but they wouldn't work for me at all, sadly.

I do try to change up the shape, color, and details of my bags so I don't get bored. And I have a few smaller, dressier bags for nicer occasions. (With wrist or shoulder straps, always. I can't have anything getting in the way of my ability to hold a glass of wine in one hand and a plate of fancy appetizers in the other!)

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Since I am usually carrying a bag when I am out and about, I prefer either a large bag that I can stuff things into, or a cross body bag. My main requirement is easy to carry, and I prefer minimal hardware, but have a variety within those confines.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm evolving. At least when it comes to bags.

Before YLF, I carried one for each season, changing only for travel or special occasions. I've tried new styles recently, and would like to upgrade my bag collection slowly. I have determined the following for my long-term upgrade plan:

1. 1 black evening bag --- a clutch with an optional shoulder strap is a great choice

2. I need at least a medium size bag for daily use

3. Every daytime bag needs at least a shoulder wearing option, preferably a cross body strap (many satchels come with them).

4. I like having 1 or 2 non-leather options for inclement weather or traveling to places where I might need to, um, sterilize the bag when I get back home. Festivals and sporting events come to mind!

5. I like bags with style longevity, and leather that looks, feels, and smells like leather. A lot of sleek leather bags -- quite pricey, still look like plastic to my eye.

peacechick

Veteran

When I was a corporate worker bee, I had a lot of shoes and was a one bag woman, which typically was a large work tote. When I switched to working at home, I got rid of most shoes and started amassing bags instead.

I now enjoy bags with a classic shape: satchels, boston bags and dome bags. I have come to love a hand held bag in the last few years. I tend to buy matching crossbody straps for them so I can have the best of both worlds. And switching them out is a joy, I love picking out which bag to carry for the day,

Bags I don't really like are those with long shoulder straps as those never stay up and clutches as I can't figure out how to take public transit with one.