Bags of tricks for today’s woman
WE ladies tend to dress according to our mood or where we are going. Sometimes we wear jeans, shorts or capris; sometimes the omnipresent little black dress (LBD), or elegant gown; sometimes a casual dress or skirt; sometimes a work suit. But the one thing we ladies always have aplenty is a stylish handbag. The handbag is an integral part of any outfit, a fact of life we learn by kindergarten. Just look at any little girl and the pride she takes in her bag, in which she invariably touts around her doll, costume jewellery, stickers, crayons etc.
It is significant to the woman what goes into her bag, and handbags are very personal, because they conceal secrets that give us a sense of personal power. For a woman, the bag holds not only the things we need for our day-to-day use, but it is also our personal glamour shop.
While the inside of a woman’s bag is personal and intimate, the outside is public and a status item. To many women, a bag is the entry-level item to the luxury market.
All handbags are not created equal. Like automobiles, some are classic; some are trendy; some are practical; and some are just for show. Some of the most popular include:
The Accordion, which is made of two or three pouches, side-by-side, and fastened together to allow for expansion or contraction of the bag, according to capacity. | ![]() |
The Baguette: Like the French bread after which it was named, the Baguette is a long, small, narrow bag with a shoulder strap, carried under the arm. | |
The Balantine is made of leather, fabric or metal, and suspended from a long cord, which allows it to swing back and forth at knee height as you walk. | |
The Pompadour is a small velvet or lace pouch worn hanging from a cord, and is mainly used to ferry around small items, or money. | |
The Clutch is a small lady’s bag without a handle or shoulder strap. | ![]() |
The Bucket Bag, usually referred to as a “carryall”, is sometimes secured by a flap with a loop to protect against prying eyes, but is usually used open. | ![]() |
The Hobo is defined by its distinct crescent shape. It is generally made out of a slouchy material such as suede, and has a mid-length shoulder strap. | ![]() |
The Satchel is a large bag with two short handles. These bags usually are high-volume, and ideal for travelling. | |
The Tote is generally made out of canvas, and has two handles. Totes are usually more durable than other types of handbags, and are ideal for carrying books, and even groceries. Their lightweight material also comes in handy for days at the beach. | |
The Messenger is a large, rectangular bag with a long strap that goes across the chest. These are popular among business people, and students. | ![]() |