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Bags 101

colorful vintage purses
colorful vintage purses

Wearing the right bag can take your outfit from basic and everyday to stylish and polished. With such a variety of bags available, it can be challenging to choose not only which style will look the best for a given occassion, but also which has the functionality and space you need. Some bags get their name from their overall shape, what is commonly kept in it, or from how the bag is worn. Below is a quick look at some of the most popular bag styles and the occassion where each is generally used.

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BACKPACK
-Two thick straps generally slung over both shoulders
-Originally used as school bags by kids
-The sizes have shrunk and now they’re often worn as a fashion accessory

BARREL
-Carried by hand by two short straps or across the body with one long strap
-The ends are shaped by two circular sides
-Used for travel

BELT
-One long, adjustable strap worn around your waist
-Used for travel

BINDLE
-Inspired by bags hobos would tie at the end of a stick
-Worn by tying the ends together and slinging them over your shoulder
-Sassy and creative bag usually carried as a fashion piece

BOWLING
-Two short handles carried by hand
-Broader at the bottom and a bit slimmer at the top
-Usually worn with business attire

BOXCLUTCH
-Sassy and incredibly classy evening bags that go great with formal attire
-Come without straps or handles, and are meant to be held in your hand

BRIEFCASE
-Small handle to carry around by hand
-Narrower than a satchel or a messenger bag
-Gives classy look to those in business settings

BUCKET
-Worn either with a long strap across your body or handheld by a short handle
-Shaped like a bucket, usually closed with a drawstring, supported by a hard bottom
-Great piece for semi-casual wear

CAMERA
-Used by photographers and vloggers to carry cameras and their equipment

CANTEEN
-Inspiration for its design comes from a flask
-One long strap worn over your shoulder or like a crossbody bag
-Great with casualwear

CLUTCH
-Mini-sized purse that is either handheld or worn on shoulder with detachable straps
-Sophisticated and classy accessory for a cocktail dress, gowns or short dresses

COIN PURSE
-Small bag typically designed to carry coins and change

CROSSBODY
-One long and adjustable strap made of either a chain, leather or canvas, worn across your body
-Casual and chic look

DOCTOR
-Typically made of leather
-Fashionable accessory for a vintage outfit

DUFFEL
-Big, spacious bag with a single long strap and two shorter handles with a zipper closure
-Used as a carryon for travel or as a gym bag

EVENING
-Comes without a strap, but with a detachable chain to wear on shoulder
-Compact and fashionable piece often covered with stones or sequins-Worn with formal wear​

ENVELOPE
-Small and narrow usually with a detachable chain or a leather strap
-Blend of a flap bag and a clutch
-Perfect for a casual evening or even day weddings

FANNY PACK (WAIST AND BELT)
-Waist worn around your waist, belt version worn on a belt
-Unisex style looks great with streetwear or when travelling 

FLAP
-Flap closure on top of a zip closure
-Worn with casual outfits
-Found on many different types of bags 

FRAME
-Metal or wooden frame gives this bag a defined structure and typical trapezoidal shape
-Closures such as zipper, kisslock, magnetic, etc. 

HALF MOON
-Curved at bottom with a long strap to wear over your shoulder or across your body
-Typically closes with a zipper but can also feature a flap
=Cute and creative when worn with sundresses 

HOBO-Slouchy in shape, features a single round strap to either be held or worn on the shoulder
-Classy and chic casual look 

MESSENGER
-Rectangular bag with a long strap to wear it over your shoulder
-One of the most functional bags for carrying documents, books, etc
-Stylish and cool worn with casual attire, to work or while commuting 

MICRO
-A bag smaller than your palm used as a statement accessory

POUCH
-Small bag featuring a drawstring closure commonly used  at Asian weddings
-Also zipper pouches that you can carry around casually 

SADDLE
-Curved bottom with a flap closure
-Stylish especially with a buckle on the flap 

SATCHEL
-Horizontally rectangular in shape with a single strap to wear across your body or over your shoulder
-Also handheld by a small handle carried like a briefcase
-Usually used for casual travel. asa school/college bag, or a work bag 

SLING
-Small bag with one long strap meant to be worn across your body from the shoulder
-Very commonly worn during travel 

TOTE
-Wide-open top with two broad straps designed to hold just about anything and everything
-Very functional and fashionable for casual every day wear 

WALLET
-Mini, narrow bag meant to hold onto your important cards and cash
-Foldable and comes without a strap or handle 

WRISTLET
-Typically are wallets or small clutches that come with a strap worn around your wrist

backpack
barrel bag
belt bag
bindle bag
bowling bag
box clutch
briefcase
bucket bag
camera bag
canteen bag
clutch
coin purse
doctor bag
duffel bag
envelope bag
evening bag
flap bag
crossbody bag
fanny pack
frame bag
half moon bag
micro bag
messenger bag
pouch
satchel
bling bag
tote bag
wristlet
wallet
hobo bag
saddle bag
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