My Favorite Handbags of the Year and Where I Wear Them.

People always ask how many handbags I own, and honestly, I don’t think either of us wants to know the answer. Let’s just say I have enough to know pretty quickly what makes a handbag worth carrying.

Even with plenty of choices in my closet, I tend to reach for the same favorites again and again. A bag has to be comfortable, hold what I actually need, and work with more than one outfit. If it is awkward to carry, difficult to open, or only looks good with one very specific outfit, it usually spends more time sitting on a shelf than going anywhere with me.

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These are some of my favorite handbags I’ve carried this year. A few are practical everyday bags, others are better for travel, and some are smaller styles I carry to dinners, weddings, or special events. I’ll also tell you where each one fits best because a beautiful bag is not particularly useful if it doesn’t work for your life.

What I Look for in a Handbag

After carrying more handbags than I care to count, I’ve learned that appearance is only part of the equation. I pay attention to the weight, the strap, the opening, and how easily I can get to my phone, wallet, and keys.

I also look for colors and materials that work with several outfits. Cognac, tan, cream, and natural raffia tend to earn their keep in my closet because they pair easily with denim, dresses, and most of the colors I wear.

I love a beautiful handbag, but it still has to be practical. I do not want to wrestle with it every time my phone rings or conduct an archaeological dig to find my keys.

Everyday Bags I Reach For

Quince Italian Leather Carry-All Satchel

This Quince Italian Leather Carry-All Satchel is one of the more versatile bags in my collection. It has enough room for the things I normally carry without looking like I packed for an overnight trip.

The simple shape and smooth leather allow it to work with casual outfits, office clothing, and dresses. I also like that it does not rely on obvious logos or trendy details, so it is less likely to feel dated a year from now.

This is the bag I would choose when I need more room than a crossbody provides but do not want to carry a large tote. It gives me space without making the bag the first thing everyone notices.

Apatchy Raffia Crossbody

The Apatchy Raffia Crossbody is one of my newer handbags, so I cannot speak to years of wear yet. However, I have already found myself reaching for it with many of my summer outfits.

I own the larger Esme Raffia Tote Bag with Leather Trim from the same retailer, but there are plenty of days when I do not need a full-size tote. This smaller crossbody gives me the seasonal texture I like without carrying more bag than I need.

The crossbody strap keeps my hands free, which makes it useful for errands, shopping, sightseeing, or lunch. The raffia gives it a summery appearance, but the leather trim keeps it from looking too much like a beach bag.

This one is best for someone who enjoys the look of raffia but wants a smaller everyday style rather than a large vacation tote.

Crossbodies & Shoulder Bags

Quince Italian Handwoven Mini Shoulder Bag

The Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Mini Shoulder Bag is small, so this is not the bag I choose when I want to bring half the contents of my bathroom cabinet along with me. It is better for everyday errands when I only need the essentials.

The woven leather adds texture to a simple outfit, and the cognac color works with almost everything in my closet. I especially like it with denim, neutral dresses, and outfits that need a warmer accessory.

This is a good choice for lunch, shopping, dinner, or an event where a larger everyday bag would feel cumbersome. The smaller size also keeps it from overpowering an outfit.

Quince Triple-Compartment Leather Crossbody

The Quince Triple-Compartment Leather Crossbody is the type of bag I prefer for travel. Crossbody bags leave both hands free, and the separate compartments help keep smaller items from disappearing into one large space.

It is useful for sightseeing, airports, shopping, and days when I will be walking more than usual. I also like that it looks refined enough to carry into a restaurant later without changing handbags.

This would be my choice for someone who values organization and wants a bag that can move easily from daytime activities to dinner. It is more practical than decorative, but it still looks nice with an outfit.

Smaller and Dressier Handbags

Quince Handwoven Gathered Pouch Clutch

The Quince Handwoven Gathered Pouch Clutch is one of the bags I carry when a regular shoulder bag feels too casual or too large. The gathered shape softens the look, while the woven leather gives it enough interest that it does not need a lot of embellishment.

It works well for weddings, dinners, holiday gatherings, and other occasions when I only need a few essentials. Since it is a clutch, it would not be my first choice for an event where I need both hands free all evening. That is worth considering before choosing it over a crossbody.

I like that it feels special without being so formal that it can only come out once every five years.

Tommy Bahama Islamora Lux Crochet Raffia Clutch

This Tommy Bahama Islamora Raffia Clutch is one of my favorite warm-weather bags. The crochet raffia texture gives it a relaxed resort look, but the shape is dressy enough for dinner, a cruise, an outdoor wedding, or an evening near the water.

This is not the bag I would carry when I need a lot of room. Its job is to finish the outfit and hold the necessities, not serve as a portable storage unit.

I especially like it with linen, summer dresses, and neutral outfits because the texture adds interest without introducing another competing color.

Blue Illusion Bowler Bag

This Blue Illusion Bowler Bag has a structured shape that gives an outfit a more finished appearance. It works with jeans, trousers, skirts, and dresses, making it more versatile than a bag that is clearly casual or clearly formal.

A structured bag like this is especially useful when the clothing itself is relaxed. It adds contrast to denim, soft sweaters, and simple tops without requiring a dressier outfit.

This is the kind of handbag I carry when I want something more substantial than a clutch but a large tote would be unnecessary.

Eric Javits Palm Tote

This Eric Javits Palm Tote is the bag I choose when I need more carrying room but still want something attractive. It is especially useful for vacations, beach trips, travel days, or times when I will be gone from morning until evening. The 2-in-1 tote and crossbody makes this the most versatile of all of my handbags.

The natural texture keeps it from looking bulky or overly businesslike, and it pairs easily with summer clothing. It has the relaxed look of a vacation tote, but it is polished enough to carry beyond the pool or beach.

This is better suited to someone who regularly carries extra items or wants one bag to handle a full day away from home. Those who prefer a small, lightweight handbag may find the crossbody one the most practical.

Which Handbag Is Best for Your Lifestyle?

I firmly believe a handbag should work with your life, not just your outfit. The best handbag is not necessarily the most expensive or the most eye-catching. It is the one you reach for without thinking because it is comfortable, useful, and works with the clothing you already own.

For everyday use, I usually prefer a medium-size satchel or crossbody. When I travel, I want organization and a hands-free strap. For dinners and special occasions, I am happy to downsize, although I have to remind myself that I do not need to carry everything I own just because I am leaving the house.

If you could keep only one handbag style in your closet, which would you choose: a tote, a crossbody, a shoulder bag, or a clutch?

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Verse Of The Day

Matthew 6:25 (NIV)
²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?