Does it feel like your outfits are missing that “wow” factor? One of the best ways to kick your looks up a notch is by investing in a few essential handbag styles. They can make the difference between a good outfit and a great one. Besides, they’re a functional necessity! If you’re going to be carrying a bag every day anyway, you might as well find some that you love. There are thousands of options differing in shape, size, color, and hardware. How do you know which are right for you?

Finding the essential handbag styles for your wardrobe is about striking a balance between practicality and style, just like with any other part of your closet. You should make sure that you have options that work for any occasion that might come up, including options to take you from the office to errands to happy hour. However, this doesn’t mean buying dozens of bags. They can be expensive! Instead, be selective in your bag purchases so that a few options will cover all your needs.

Handbag Styles

As a rule of thumb, the most versatile handbags will be neutral colors such as black, brown, and beige. We suggest having at least one black bag and at least one bag in the brown/tan/beige color family to get the most bang for your buck. These are timeless colors and much easier to pair than colorful varieties. It’s worth mentioning that old school fashion advice dictated that your shoes, belt, and the bag should match within an outfit – note that advice is now outdated! Feel free to mix and match. This also lets you get away with owning a smaller selection of purses.

The material your purse is made from is also key to its versatility in your wardrobe. Look for all-season fabrics. Leather and suede are the most traditional options and can be worn year-round. Limit the number of seasonal purses you own, such as canvas and straw bags that will only be appropriate in warm months, and bags with shearling details that will only be appropriate in cold months. Only consider adding these to your wardrobe after you have a couple of all-purpose bags in your rotation.

Now, what styles of handbags should you look for?

The Tote

The first on our list of essential handbag styles is the tote. A tote is typically a large bag with top handles and few or no pockets. It’s a simple, unfussy design typically without a fastening. This makes it ideal if you’re going to be pulling items in and out of your bag all day. The size makes it your best option for carrying larger items, like laptops and notebooks. This bag is your best bet if you have a long day ahead and no time to stop at home in between.

For a day at the office or school, a roomy tote will easily hold your paperwork, electronics, a light sweater, and a lunch. It’s like the grown-up backpack, and more modern and practical than a briefcase. Beyond the office, this will be your go-to style for the beach, the gym, and carrying everything your little ones need if you have kids. It can also be your reusable shopping bag for a trip to the farmer’s market. It’s endlessly versatile!

Keep in mind which of these occasions you will be using your bag for when shopping for your perfect tote. This will help determine the size, material, and details that will work best for you. If it will primarily be your work bag, start by measuring your laptop and adding a few inches all the way around to ensure you have ample room. For an all-purpose tote, we recommend one with simple but sophisticated styling, such as this leather tote. You may want to look for an option with an interior pocket to catch smaller items like keys and pens. Go for an unstructured style for a more casual look, or a sturdy shape with feet on the bottom for a dressier look.

The Crossbody or Shoulder Bag

The tote is great for carrying larger items, but you may not need that all the time. For everyday wear, invest in a crossbody or shoulder bag. This differs from the tote because it is typically somewhat smaller, more structured, and may have additional compartments and closures to keep everything in place. This makes the list as one of our essential handbag styles for a couple of reasons. First, it will fit all your essentials, such as keys, wallet, phone, and a few extras. Second, the long strap allows you to have your hands free. This combo makes this style ideal for everyday outings. Take your crossbody with you for errands, meeting friends, and casual meals out. No matter your lifestyle, this bag needs to be in your closet.

The crossbody and shoulder bag are roughly equivalent in terms of function. The choice between the two usually just comes down to personal preference. Either way, this bag should show a bit of your personality while still being simple enough to go with every outfit. A couple of interesting hardware details should do the trick. For added versatility, choose a purse with a second strap option. Many top handle bags now come with a long crossbody strap included! Being able to convert your crossbody to a top handle style is great for slightly dressier occasions.

Crossbody and shoulder bags can range from a small wallet-on-a-chain style to large options nearly the size of your tote. When choosing the one that’s right for you, make sure it’s a realistic size to carry everything you always leave the house with. This depends on your lifestyle. You should also consider if the design of the bag is good for organizing your essentials. You want to ensure everything feels convenient because you’ll be reaching for this purse most days.

The Special Occasion Clutch

Finally, the special occasion bag! You may not use this often, but it is still one of our must-have purses because it’s irreplaceable in your purse rotation. You won’t want to wear your everyday tote or shoulder bag with formalwear. It does a disservice to the rest of the outfit. Instead, opt for a special occasion bag. This is typically a small clutch style that won’t hold much more than your phone, keys, credit cards, and a backup lipstick. Formal occasions won’t require you to bring more than this anyway. And, because these purses don’t have to be as concerned with utility, they can pack a serious punch in terms of style. You can find great options with embellishments, sculptural shapes, and other creative details.

However, you should still ensure that it has some versatility for multiple types of formal events. You’ll bring this bag to weddings, holiday parties, certain religious occasions, and upscale dinners. Make sure the style feels appropriate for each, and that it goes with each of your special occasion dresses. A black clutch is your failsafe option. That doesn’t mean it has to be boring! I love how the ruched texture of this bag adds a little something extra without making it any less versatile.

Essential Handbag Style Wrap Up

Deciding which purses are worth adding to your wardrobe can be confusing. You want to make sure they fit all your practical needs, look good with the rest of your wardrobe, and hold up for years…they’re often expensive, after all.  How many bags does it take, anyway? To start, the tote, crossbody or shoulder bag, and special occasion clutch are the must-have purses every woman should have. Chose versatile options that make sense for your lifestyle. Consider the colors, shapes, sizes, and functional details. Need help figuring out which bags are most realistic for your needs? We would love to help you find options that are right for you. You can also check out our blog page for even more style inspiration and wardrobe tips.