How to Style Different Types of Handbags with Your Outfit!

From essential accessory to fashion staple, handbags have come a long way. All thanks to leading handbag brands like Gucci, Caprese, Dior, Chanel and others who have brought many of the forgotten handbags back in vogue. Speaking about a comeback, handbags like Saddlebags were reintroduced by Dior in John Galliano’s Spring/Summer 2000 collection, and since then, many it-girls are seen flaunting it. A stylish handbag can instantly uplift your look, leaving people mesmerized. While there are several types of handbags to choose from, here we have shortlisted ten of the masterpiece bags that ladies should surely invest in! After all, who does not like to keep up with the trend! That’s not it; we have also shared styling tips inspired by Divas that would surely help you to get a fabulous look like them.

Factors to Consider While Buying a Handbag for Yourself

1. Size of the bag
2. Brand
3. Purpose of the handbag
4. Versatility
5. Style
6. Quality
7. Price

Different Types of Handbags and Styling Tips for OOTD

1. Tote Bag

Totes, or at times known as modern jholas, are perfect for a woman who likes to carry her world with her. These types of handbags are large and spacious enough. These are ideal for shopping as you can stuff all your purchase in it and move around without any hassle. Tote bags are generally unfastened bags and have parallel handles on both sides. Over time, Totes have evolved and are available in different fabrics/materials, including leather.

Since these are spacious enough thus, Totes are perfect for college-going girls, working women, and others who cannot do just basics in their bag. Interestingly, many high-end brands like Channel, Gucci, and Burberry have customized –monogrammed tote bags that most celebrities like Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Kiara Adwani, Aliya Bhatt etc. own.

Styling Tips: Tote handbags are so versatile that you can team them with any outfit. For a casual and chic look, you can team your Tote bag with your regular jeans or tee or can recreate Anushka’s look. She took her black Fendi Tote bag with a long shirt dress, strappy footwear and black sunglasses. She left her hair loose and punctuated the look with her precious smile.

Brands: Forever New,DailyObjects, And, Mochi, Hidesign, Caprese, Aldo, Channel, Gucci and Burberry

2. Sling Bag

A Sling bag is one of the must-have handbags for women. In simpler words, it is a go-to bag! It has sufficient space to carry all your basics. Sling bags are unstructured; they can be either worn across or parallel to the body. It has an adjustable strap that you can adjust according to the way you wish to style it.

Sling bags are the most versatile handbags; you can pair it with all types of casual dresses. These are perfect for carrying in office, college or any type of casual meetings.

Styling Tips: For a polished look, you can take a style inspiration from Emily Ratajkowski- an American model and actress. She styled her tan sling bag with the body-hugging white top, skinny jeans and overcoat. She kept her hairdo simple and completed the look with minimal accessories. For footwear, she chose long boots.

Brands: Baggit, DressBerry, Mast & Harbour, Lavie, Caprese, Forever New, Daily Objects, Mochi, Accessorize London

3. Backpack Purse

A Bagpack purse is a classic combination of a purse and a backpack. This, too, is quite versatile. It looks best on western dresses. These are available in leather and other materials. Since they have straps on both the sides like a bag pack thus, these are easy to carry.  Backpacks are available in different sizes and are ideal for carrying all your essentials.

Styling Tips: Whether you are a college-going girl or one who love to carry backpacks, you can team it with your casual outfit like Shraddha Kapoor, in the image. She kept the look basic with a black top and blue denim, paired with sports shoes. Her colourful Bagpack added a nice colour to her ensemble.

Brands: Forever New, Allen Solly, DressBerry, Mast & Harbour

4. Satchel Handbag

A Satchel is ideal for women who love to sport a formal look. These types of handbags were traditionally used for carrying books. Over time it has evolved into a style statement. It has enough space for all your valuables. It is known for its versatility. These have a flat bottom, rectangular shape and crossbody strap. Since they have colossal space thus, these are perfect to carry their books, laptops and other heavy items.

Styling Tips: Alia Bhatt never fails to surprise us with her oh-so effortless looks. Her airport look in the image above is quite stunning, she paired her Anya Hindmarch Love Bathurst Satchel with a purple tracksuit and white sports shoes matching her tee and sunnies. This look is ideal for all sports enthusiasts or travellers.

Brands: Aldo, Coach,Forever 21,Baggit, Elle, AND, Lavie

5. Waist Pouch/Bag or Belt Bag

Also known as Fanny Packs, technically, belt bags are not handbags as they are worn around the waist. However, these are available in different styles and designs and could be an ideal alternative for sling bags. These look super classy with western dresses! These are ideal for travelling as you can fit in all your small items like make-up essentials, bank cards etc.

Fanny Packs are known for their versatility, as they can be worn around the waist or can like a Sling bag. You can buy any type of Fanny Packs or belt bags, the ones currently in vogue are elegant leather textures.

Styling Tips: For a glamorous Avatar like Kriti Sanon, you can pair your waist pouch with a crop top and wide legs palazzos. Like the diva, you can blow dry your hair and give a miss to all the accessories and let your Fanny Packs be the star.

Brands: Mango, Puma, Gucci, Allen Solly, Hidesign, Mast & Harbour

6. Shoulder Bag

A Shoulder bag, also known as an everyday bag, is one of the most functional ladies handbags. Most of the handbag brands have a huge collection these types of bags. Unlike Tote bags, these are available in different sizes and are perfect for all types of occasions. In addition, these types of handbags literally have sufficient space so that you can carry all the necessary items. As the name suggests, these bags are hanged on the shoulder.

Styling Tips: The shoulder bag goes well with all types of outfits including traditional pieces. Like fashionista Alia Bhatt, you can team your shoulder bag with a body bodycon dress and leave your hair loose. This look is apt for office, college, and small get to gather.

Brands: Caprese, Metro, Puma, Hidesign, Lavie, Baggit

7. Clutch

A clutch is a compact purse or handbag that can be worn with traditional and western outfits. There are different types of clutch that include envelope clutch, evening clutch. These vary in different shapes and sizes. Some are quite spacious, and some hardly have space for your make up essentials and smartphone. These have a sleek sling attach to them, so it’s up to you whether you want to take it in your hand or carry it like a sling bag.

Styling Tips: For a special event, you canfollow Sonakshi Sinha’s look! She looks royal and elegant as she paired her long red gown with a golden clutch. A golden clutch is a must-have as it goes with most traditional and western outfits.

For a traditional look, you can take inspiration from Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. She styled her golden clutch with a shimmery white saree and punctuated the look with an elegant bun. This is an excellent way to carry your clutch with ethnic dresses.

Brands: Van Heusen, Baggit, Lino Perros, Lavie, Metro

8. Saddle Handbag

The term Saddle means sports, and these types of bags were earlier used to carry essential items while riding a horse. With the change in fashion trends, the utility of these bags has also changed, though the basic look of the bag remains the same.

In 2000, Dior came up with a trendy collection of Saddlebags in John Galliano’s Spring/Summer 2000 collection. Since then, these handbags are ruling bag trends. These types of bags are generally round, have fold-over flap with a crossbody strap. True to its roots, the upgraded saddlebags are also available in leather. However, the modern version has nice detailing.

Styling Tips: From runways to airport looks, you will find many it-girls with Saddle bags. This bag is stylish in itself and would make any of your simple look glamorous, just like Rosie Huntington Whiteley in the image above. She wore a white crop top with straight fit jeans. Her messy bun and black sunglasses completed the look. She added a Dior Saddlebag that upgraded her look instantly.

Brands: Dior, Fossil

9. Duffel Bag

Planning for a weekend gateway? We have a perfect handbag for you! The Duffel bag is a must-have handbag for women. Also known as a weekender bag, this handbag has enough space for all your valuables. These types of handbags are also perfect for gym-goers; in fact, they are gym essentials for many fitness freaks like Janhvi Kapoor! Duffel Bags have  a cylindrical and horizontal shape with top handles and a top zipper. These are waterproof, durable!

Styling Tips: Whether you are heading to the airport or gym, you can take a cue from Janhvi Kapoor! The youth icon is wearing a white tee with shorts. She left her hair loose and wore flip-flops. To up her simple gym look, she carried a shiny duffle bag that definitely stole many hearts.

Brands: Police, Hamster London, Nike, Fastrack

10. Hobo Bag

Hobo bags are types of handbags with a crescent shape; these are large in size and have long straps. This fashion accessory is available in different shapes and sizes. Celebrities like Paris Hilton and Mary-Kate, and Ashley Olsen made it a part of the Boho-Chic trend. The style of purse is carried on shoulders and is ideal for most occasions.

Styling Tips: A colourful Hobo bag like Alia’s is a must-have in your wardrobe. You can pair it with all types of dresses. This kind of colourful bag would instantly give you a million-dollar look.

Brands: Lavie, Leno Perros, Caprese, Hidesigns

Conclusion

From Tote bags to Sling bags and Saddle to Clutches, all these are different types of handbags that are currently ruling vogue. We have often seen celebrities flaunting these handbags giving us major styling goals. You can take inspiration from these celebrities and dress up to the nines with your favourite type of bag.

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