The different types of handbags: a guide to the styles

Bucket bag, hobo, baguette, tote, satchel, flap bag, top handle… Handbag vocabulary can quickly sound like a foreign language. Yet behind each name lies a precise shape, designed for a particular use. Knowing the different types of handbags means you can choose with full knowledge, rather than relying on a photo or a passing trend.

In this guide to the styles, we review the main families of bags, their strengths, their limits and the situations where they shine. It complements our complete guide to choosing a handbag and opens the "Styles" series, in which each shape will be covered in detail.

1. The cross-body bag: freedom above all

The cross-body bag is recognisable by its long strap, designed to be worn across the body. It is probably the most practical style there is: the weight is spread across the torso, your hands stay free and the bag stays in sight, which reduces the risk of theft. In town, on public transport or when travelling, it is unbeatable.

It comes in every size, from the small flat bag that holds the essentials to the medium size that can carry a whole day. Many modern bags offer a removable, adjustable strap, so they can also be worn on the shoulder or carried by hand. That is the case with LARA, a small cross-body bag with pure lines, or NOÉMIE, whose flap with a gold clasp gives it a dressier look. Find the whole family in our cross-body bags collection.

Its only limit: with a very dressy outfit, the cross-body strap can break the line of a dress or a structured coat. Hence the appeal of convertible styles.

2. The top-handle bag and the shoulder bag

The top-handle bag has one or two short handles. It is carried by hand or in the crook of the arm and embodies classic elegance. Structured, often with a jewel clasp, it elevates a work or ceremony outfit. In our Devotion line, GIORGIA and LUMIA illustrate this style perfectly, with a crafted clasp that works like a piece of jewellery.

The shoulder bag has handles or a medium-length strap that keeps it under the arm or along the side. It is more practical than a pure handbag while remaining very chic. Rounded shapes like HALFMOON or long ones like BAGUETTE are worn this way. Discover our top-handle bags and our shoulder bags.

In practice, the line is increasingly blurred: most of today's bags combine a short handle with a removable strap. That is often the best choice for a first bag.

3. The tote and the maxi bag: for busy days

A tote is a large open or zipped bag with two handles that can hold a laptop, files, a water bottle and a change of clothes. Born as a shopping bag, it has become an essential for working women. Its structured version is perfect for the office; its soft version goes with you at weekends and on trips.

The maxi bag, more broadly, covers all generous sizes. The JANY carryall, worn on the shoulder, keeps the essentials within reach, while GRACE offers enough room for a laptop. CAMEO L offers a structured square shape that holds its form day after day. See our selection of large bags and totes.

One point to watch: a large bag that fills up quickly becomes heavy. Choose a style with inner pockets so you do not mix everything up, and a handle wide enough to spare your shoulder.

4. Soft and rounded shapes: bucket, hobo, half-moon

The bucket bag owes its name to its cylindrical shape, often closed with a drawstring or a zip. Soft, it is easy to fill and has a relaxed look. The hobo bag has a crescent silhouette that slouches slightly when worn on the shoulder, for a boho, laid-back style. Our LOON, a soft bucket bag with visible stitching, is a good example, to discover with the other styles in the hobos and bucket bags collection.

Rounded shapes are also making a real comeback: half-moon bags like HALFMOON, cushion bags like EMY with its delicate pleats, or round bags. Their softness contrasts beautifully with very structured outfits, such as a suit or a straight coat.

These styles are perfect if you value comfort and a natural look. The trade-off: less inner organisation, and a less formal look than a rigid bag.

5. Iconic small formats: mini bag, baguette, flap bag

The mini bag holds only the essentials, but it has won over wardrobes thanks to its ability to lift an outfit. It is worn cross-body, on the shoulder or by hand, from lunch to evening. ELENA, a small top-handle bag with a square clasp, or MYA, with its horizontal flap, are fine examples in our mini bags collection.

The baguette bag, long and narrow, tucks under the arm like the French bread it is named after. Very graphic, it marked fashion at the end of the 1990s and regularly returns to the spotlight. Finally, the flap bag is a timeless classic: its flap, closed with a clasp, a magnet or a buckle, gives it a polished look and protects the contents well. LADY'S, retro-inspired, or MANAROLA, minimal and closed with a clip, embody this classic.

These small formats are rarely a woman's only bag, but they are the ideal complement to a large everyday bag.

Conclusion: a style for every moment

There is no perfect style in absolute terms, only styles suited to particular uses. Cross-body for freedom, top-handle for elegance, tote for busy days, soft shapes for comfort, small formats for evenings out: once you know these families, you will know exactly what to look for. To compare shapes at a glance, browse all our bags, then keep reading with the detailed articles in this series.

FAQ: types of handbags

What is the difference between a bucket bag and a hobo bag?

A bucket bag has a round or oval base and a cylindrical shape, often closed with a drawstring. A hobo bag has a crescent silhouette that slouches when worn on the shoulder.

What is a "top handle" bag?

It is a bag with a short handle on top, designed to be carried by hand or in the crook of the arm. Many styles add a removable strap for extra practicality.

Which type of bag is the most practical for everyday life?

A medium cross-body bag, ideally convertible, is the most practical: it frees your hands, spreads the weight and holds the essentials of a day.

Can a mini bag be an everyday bag?

Yes, if you travel light: phone, cards, keys and a lipstick. For a working day, it is better to pair it with a larger bag.

Is the baguette bag still in style?

Yes. Its long, graphic shape regularly returns in collections and goes as well with jeans as with an evening outfit.