Handbags: Which ones do you like best?

Dear users, dear authors,
How many handbags do you have? Which ones do you like best? Do you have a clutch, or do you prefer handbags with handles?

I prefer the handbags I’ve sewn myself and tailored to my own needs; 99.9% of them have a strap to wear over the shoulder, because I can’t really use ones with handles—I usually need a walker or other walking aids when I go out. But I also sew bags with handles for the women in my family if they ask for them. Let me show you a few of the bags I’ve
sewn: The one with the blue stripes is a college bag—it was for my granddaughter; the one with the jet and cell phone was my husband’s work bag—I designed that design myself; the Andy Warhol one was actually meant for me, but one of my daughters ended up taking it. The London bag was for my oldest daughter, and the black checked one is my current bag, sewn just a few weeks ago.

Best regards, Inge

I have several in my closet. My favorite is a black bag with roses on it. Unfortunately, the handles are broken. For work, I take a large crossbody bag because it holds a lot. Otherwise, I use a black crossbody bag. It’s a gift from my friend.

I’m just like Inge. I only use my handmade denim bag now. It holds so much. 

If I’m going to carry a handbag, I like it to have a detachable shoulder strap so I can switch things up.

I hardly dare say it, but for me, handbags are a necessary evil ;-) Usually, I have exactly one handbag, which I use until it falls apart. Maybe two or three dusty ones in the closet that I bought at some point under the mistaken belief that I needed some variety.


Inge, I’d take your bags in a heartbeat—they’re great :-)

Unfortunately, I have too many of those as well—all with shoulder straps. I use two of them regularly: my everyday bag for my wallet, glasses, keys, tissues, masks, and cell phone… and my “Sunday bag,” which just fits my keys, glasses, tissues, and coin purse. My favorite is a rectangular dark blue leather bag—simple and elegant.

My handbags have to have a shoulder strap so I can sling them over my shoulder—that way my hands are free. But they have to have plenty of zippered compartments. I’m not really a fan of the ones with magnetic snaps.

I almost always use the blue leather bag. I take the colorful ones I crocheted myself when I go for a walk or for short trips. I have to fit my glasses, tissues, and keys in there.
The one colorful one with a strap—I take that to work; I keep my breakfast, water bottle, etc., in it.

The black one is, so to speak, my “party bag,” for special occasions, and it goes well with my little black dress.

No matter what kind of bag I use, the most important thing to me is that I can find my keys right away and my craft supplies… That there’s a separate compartment for my craft supplies so nothing gets tangled up in the yarn… A shoulder strap is always great, of course...

My handbags need to have plenty of space for all my odds and ends. I pretty much always carry my camera, spare batteries, memory cards, and a USB drive. Sometimes I bring my tablet, too.
Then, of course, there also has to be room for my handwork or, every now and then, a book (when I’m going to the doctor).
Since the pandemic, hand sanitizer, spare masks, and gloves have been part of my bag’s contents.
An adjustable shoulder strap is important so I can sling it over my shoulder and have my hands free.

Whenever we’re heading out, it’s always, “Do you always have to take your travel bag with you?” and then, once we’re on the road, “Surely you still have room for the camera”…

It’s the same everywhere—first it’s “you always had to lug around that huge suitcase,” and then, “Do you still have room for X&Y?” :-)

Best regards, Inge