When my husband and I were walking through the mall last week doing a bit of early Christmas shopping, I couldn’t help noticing how many women were wearing cross-body bags.
Does a woman wear her purse? If it’s a cross-body bag, I guess she does. That’s one of its main advantages. In addition to being a deterrent to purse thieves, a cross-body bag is a functional fashion accessory that offers easy access to its contents while allowing hands-free shopping. It definitely makes me wonder why I’ve never carried one!
Though there are many, many handbag styles, most of them would fall into one of four categories: cross-body, shoulder, satchel, or clutch.
Cross-body
Shoulder
Perfect for everyday use, a shoulder bag has a strap long enough to hang from your shoulder. Like a cross-body bag, it also leaves your hands free. Some shoulder bags have an adjustable strap so that it can be carried higher or lower on the body depending on your preference and height. Shoulder bags have always been my purse of choice.
Some shoulder bags, like the one shown here, have straps that are long enough to also be worn cross-body, making them very versatile. I actually have one of these in my purse collection. Perhaps on my next shopping trip, I’ll wear instead of carry!
Satchel
With one or two top handles short enough to be held in your hand or on the crook of your arm, satchels have a ladylike look, but I find them uncomfortable and impractical for shopping. Many come with a detachable shoulder strap which would help, but I would likely leave it on most of the time which would make the top handles redundant. I might as well buy a shoulder bag in the first place.
Clutch
Except for the occasional dressy evening out, I find a clutch, often with no handle at all and virtually no space to carry anything, the most impractical bag of all!
What about you? What kind of purse do you prefer? Cross-body, shoulder, satchel, or clutch? Please leave a one word answer in the comments section, or if you prefer, explain your choice.
Following Augustine 
I’ve been using a leather backpack purse for years. Having two hands free and not being unevenly loaded on one shoulder are my goals. Security is also my goal so I look for backpack styles (yes, there is variety) that works towards that.
I tried a cross body bag…even had its strap altered to fit my short stature, but it still pulled on my neck and shoulders.
I had a backpack purse many years ago that I loved. Other than having to take it off to get into it, it’s a great option. As you mention, it distributes the weight evenly which is definitely a problem with all other styles.
Another consideration…should I lose my balance, I have two arms and hands to catch myself. An increasing concern as I age. 🙂
That’s definitely something to think about as we get older.
I am currently working on culling down the items in my purse so I can always just carry a cross-body bag. I had noticed that A) my larger purses were too heavy and, B) I routinely carried a bunch of stuff I seldom needed. I have never understood the attraction of a satchel…
I need to do the same thing! I’m sure I’m carrying things that I could do without.
Pingback: Shopping in style | Following Augustine