Purse Etiquette

Written by Debra Wyatt (last updated April 4, 2022)

There are many different styles and types of purses. The options go from the very upscale designer purses to the affordable everyday purse. A purse or bag says a lot about you. A woman's handbag can tell more about a woman than what her clothing can at times. It is important to remember that a handbag or purse can either make the outfit or break the look.

A woman's handbag is where most women keep all of their important, personal, and private things. It is almost impossible to find the one perfect bag, and that is why you see some women with so many different types of handbags.

A well groomed woman will use various types of handbags for different occasions. Purses can generally be classified into three types.

Evening Purses and Evening Clutches

The evening purse or clutch will enhance your look of femininity as you enter into the evening. This purse should be glamorous, complimenting the evening outfit by being elegant and glamorous it is the perfect accessory. For this particular look it is far better to go without a purse than to carry the wrong one.

Shoulder Bags

A shoulder bag should be in every woman's accessory collection. It doesn't matter what your style is. There is a huge variety so you should be able to find one that fits your style. As you pick your handbag you will want one that is both your style and one that is comfortable to carry.

If you carry a lot of items in your bag and it tends to get heavy, find one that has wide shoulder straps. The straps help to carry the weight of the bag more comfortably. Of all the different types of purses and handbags the size of the shoulder bag does matter.

You want to be sure that the bag harmonizes with your size. A petite woman should carry a bag that is simple while a bigger or full-figured woman will want to choose a handbag that is more proportionate to her size. Most handbags today come with features that help you stay organized, with things such as pen slots, cell phone pockets, and coin purses.

Tote Bags

The tote bag is one of the most multitasking handbags of all. It seems to be a symbol of all the different roles that women play in today's world. It can literally carry everything that a woman may need for the entire day. They are for the stash-and-go type of woman. Tote bags can serve several different functions, sometimes combined and other times separately. This bag can be used as:

  • A fashionable briefcase
  • Book bag
  • Beach bag
  • Gym bag
  • Diaper bag
  • Shopping bag

The great thing about a tote bag is that you can hide a smaller purse inside of the bag. If you tend to carry and want everything and anything imaginable with you, this would be your bag. However, if you are the type to carry only a lipstick, keys, and credit card then a tote bag would be too much.

Author Bio

Debra Wyatt

Deb has a communications degree and applies her talents to her position as Marketing Specialist at Sharon Parq Associates. In her spare time she spends time with her children and grandchildren and devotes time to her church. ...

MORE FROM DEBRA

Electrical Cables for Beginners

Electrical cables can be confusing. Want to know more about the basics of electrical cables? Then read on.

Discover More

Styling Dry Curly Hair

Working with dry, curly hair you want to be careful as to not damage your hair more than it already is. With just a few ...

Discover More

Permed Hair to Straight Hair

Want to change your curly permed hair to straight hair? Don't worry; you can do it. Just follow these simple guidelines ...

Discover More
More Beauty Tips

Using a Hair Curler

Using a hair curler is not difficult. Choose which heated appliance you will use and set it to the proper heat setting. ...

Discover More

Essential Fashion Accessories

There are some main accessories for men and women that will add elegance and sophistication to any outfit. In both cases ...

Discover More

Choosing the Right Accessories

Sometimes your outfit is all but perfect—it just needs the perfect accessories to really set it off. You need to ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five more than 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)