It’s easy to forget to finish your look. You have all the main pieces: dresses, trousers, blouses, jackets, sweaters, shoes. Then the bag. You have a beat up macrame purse that your Aunt Tess made for your birthday when you were 16. You loved it then and now…well, it still fits all your stuff.
But it’s time. Time to step up your handbag game. Here they are in order of priority. In other words…build your handbag wardrobe. No need to run out and buy an entire collection of handbags. You can take it step by step.
The Tote
This is the carryall bag that allows you to haul your laptop to the office, wallet, phone, and even a small child or two. It is your everything and carries anything. The simplicity of the Madewell Transport Tote makes it my #1 choice. Also love this affordable option from Zara.
The Oversize Clutch
This is the bag you carry when you are headed out on a date night with your man or a night out on the town with your girls. It’s not a dress clutch. The funky, oversize style of the clutch lends itself to a weekend night jeans-and-heels look. Rebecca Minkoff’s envelope clutch with zipper detail is one of my favorites. You can also try one of this season’s hottest bag trends — the furry clutch.
The Boss Lady Bag
This is the bag you carry to meetings, lunches, interviews. It is not too big or too small. The sophisticated clean lines of this satchel mean business. Fendi out of your price range? This Ted Baker number is equally stunning and the Zara city bag gets the job done.
The Hands-Free
The crossbody continues to be a great option for weekend outings when you don’t need to lug a bunch of stuff. Just your wallet, phone and some lipstick. Great for concerts or any other outings where you need a bag, but don’t want to carry one. A fun way to access the season’s 70s trend is with a fringed crossbody. The bag adds fun movement to your look without feeling overdone. Coveting this Rebecca Minkoff gem.
The Dress Clutch
This clutch has wattage. It is a smaller size than your date-night clutch and is meant to go with dressier evening/event looks. I recommend going for metallics and lots of sparkle, but not a heavy gold or silver. Try a gunmetal or a mixed-metal option instead — it is a more neutral metallic that will go with just about anything. Love this Alice & Olivia option.