Types of Handbags

A handbag, or purse in American English, is a medium to large bag, often fashionably designed, typically used by women, and used to hold personal items such as wallet/coin purse, keys, tissues, cosmetics, a hairbrush, cellular device or personal digital assistant, feminine hygiene products, etc.

- A medium-to-small-sized handbag with a short handle, designed to be carried (clutched) in one’s hand is often called a clutch.
- A larger handbag with two handles is often called a tote[citation needed].
- A pocketbook is similar to a handbag.
- Vintage pocketbook
- A security bag protects the carrier from travel theft. The handbag includes an invisible stainless steel strap sewn into the fabric and a protectant on the main zipper.

• Clutch :  Small, yet long (rectangular), evening bag without a handle.

• Satchel Bag: A satchel is a bag, often with a strap. The strap is often worn so that it diagonally crosses the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip, rather than hanging directly down from the shoulder. They are commonly used for carrying books. Satchels are most often made of leather or cloth.

• Duffle bag : (or duffle bag) is a large cylindrical bag made of cloth with the closure at the top, often also referred to as a kit bag or gym bag.The name comes from Duffel, a town in Belgium where the thick cloth used to make the bag originated. More recently, a duffel bag typically refers to the specific style of bag, though the phrase may also be used to refer to any large generic holdall or a bag made of thick fabric.

• Tote Bag : is a large handheld bag or purse that is used to carry things, such as books, beach wear, or everyday items. A tote bag is normally made of treated canvas, nylon or heavy pebbled leather. Some totes come with a zipper compartment that divides the bag into sections. The term tote, meaning “to carry” can be traced back to the 17th century but was not used to describe bags until 1900. Several chains of supermarkets offer reusable bags, often made of cotton, as an alternative to paper or plastic shopping bags. These are often labeled tote bags and sometimes also canvas tote bags to highlight their durability.

• Messenger Bag: (also called a courier bag) is a type of sack, usually made out of some kind of cloth (natural or synthetic), that is worn over one shoulder with a strap that winds around the chest resting the bag on the lower back. Messenger bags are often used by bicycle messengers, though they are increasingly becoming an urban fashion icon. Some types of messenger bags are called carryalls.

• Sling bag : is a type of handbag that is worn over one shoulder with a strap that winds around the chest resting the bag on the lower back. Although it is similar to a messenger bag, a sling bag is often smaller.

• Backpack : (also called rucksack, knapsack, packsack, pack, or Bergen) is, in its simplest form, a cloth sack carried on one’s back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders, but there can be exceptions. Light weight types of backpacks are sometimes worn on only one shoulder strap.

• Suitcase : is a somewhat flat rectangular-shaped bag with rounded corners, either hard plastic or soft or made of cloth, vinyl or leather that more or less keeps its shape. It has a carrying handle on one side and is used mainly for transporting clothes and other possessions during trips. It opens on hinges like a door. Suitcases lock with keys or a combination. Originally, suitcases were made of wool or linen.