The Cubicle Chick

Career | Midlife | Style

  • Home
  • Career
  • Style
  • Family
  • Travel
  • Culture
She only doing what she know… 🏁 #grandnationa She only doing what she know… 🏁 #grandnationaltour #stl
MAY tings… MAY tings…
A rooftop situation is always a good idea! Recentl A rooftop situation is always a good idea! Recently, I was invited to a Happy Hour of bites and beats at @angadartshotel’s @artbar.stl and when I say the food, drinks, and the vibe were necessary during these stressful times. I see another visit soon in my future. Cheers! 🥂
April photo dump. And things of that nature. ✨✨
Are we twinning or nah? 😂😂😂 Are we twinning or nah? 😂😂😂
4/10 should be declared a national holiday because 4/10 should be declared a national holiday because on this day a king was born! Happy birthday, son. Love you more than words can say! 🎉🎉🎉
May we continue to have crazy/fun adventures toget May we continue to have crazy/fun adventures together. You deserve an overflow of serendipity, and all the joy I can provide. Still celebrating—Happy Birthday, Mommy! 🎉🎉🎉
Worked hard all week so we deserved a little treat Worked hard all week so we deserved a little treat. ✌🏾
My novel ‘A Clermont Lane Wedding’ is certainl My novel ‘A Clermont Lane Wedding’ is certainly not biographical, but there are traces of my life all up and down this book (hint hint). It’s a perfect Spring Break read!

It’s got romance, intrigue, a little mystery, and a family legacy on the line. On sale on Amazon, eBooks and paperback, link in bio.
  • Blog
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Legal
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Media Kit

The Cubicle Chick

Career | Midlife | Style

  • Home
  • Career
  • Style
  • Family
  • Travel
  • Culture

Contributors, Fashion, Featured, In The Closet · April 9, 2015

Style Cues: Five Must Have Handbag Styles


Curating the perfect handbag collection can be daunting. A one-purse-fits-all approach doesn’t work for a diverse wardrobe, but buying a handbag to match every outfit is not an option for most of us. What’s a budget-conscious stylista to do? The key is to buying handbags is to determine the desired ratio of fashion to function based on your lifestyle – and every purse should have some element of both. We’ve come up with the top five must have handbag styles to keep your essentials close and chic, year-round. (Bonus: we’ve included some of 2015’s now-trending handbags!)

Cross-Body Purses

Every woman needs the freedom to carry her items and still do tasks that need both hands. (No, we’re not talking about a fanny pack.) The cross-body purse is the quintessential hands-free handbag. You can find modern updates of this classic pocketbook in virtually every size, color, and fabric. Tip: pay attention to the length of the strap when selecting a cross-body bag. When worn diagonally across your body, it should ideally hit right around the hip. Sling it on, and forget about it!

Cross body purse

Kate spade purse / Purple handbag / FOSSIL black crossbody purse / Chloé genuine leather handbag / MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Bedford Tassel

Clutch Purse

For special evenings, a bulky purse doesn’t cut it. A sleek, sparkly clutch accents a fancy dress and elevates a jeans-and-cute-top ensemble. Clutches come in an array of colors and materials, but have one thing in common: they are strictly for carrying essentials. Case in point: ultra-elegant minaudières are bursting with style, but hold little more than a lipstick. For smaller or thinner clutches, a phone-fit test is highly recommended.

Clutch bag

 

CÉLINE celine handbag,/ Monsoon blue handbag / Red purse / Crocodile handbag / Yves Saint Laurent python handbag / Rebecca Minkoff neon yellow handbag / Rainbow Club silver evening handbag / Genuine leather handbag / Betsey Johnson evening clutch

Satchel

To complement your professional wardrobe, a satchel is up to the job. Characterized by short handles and designed to be worn on your hand or wrist, the satchel’s structured shape is stylish and practical. Grab a larger satchel for important papers or carry a smaller bag for a touch of class in the office. Neutral-toned satchels go with most outfits, but if you want a handbag that will work overtime into happy hour, consider a medium-sized satchel in a playful color like aquamarine.

satchel

Louis Vuitton black leather satchel / Kate Spade genuine leather purse / The Cambridge Satchel Company leather satchel / Vince Camuto metallic handbag / kate spade new york ‘cedar street-maise’ satchel

Tote Bag

For shopping, weekend getaway necessities, and general stuff-lugging capabilities, nothing beats a tote bag. You can keep it casual with a canvas bag or up the fashion ante with a sturdier leather tote. The only caveat is that the unstructured roominess can lead to frustrating rummages for important items, so look for a tote with smaller inside pockets.

tote bag

Snake print handbag / Kate Spade white handbag / MARC BY MARC JACOBS tote bag / Canvas tote/ TOMS white purse/ Madewell ‘The Transport’ Leather Tote

The It-Bag

Once you’ve acquired the basic collection of handbags, there’s room for one more: the “it” bag. While the aforementioned purses are staples, the “it” bag is all about having fun with trends. 2015’s trending purses include the convenient handheld clutch, 70s-inspired saddle bag, and pretty floral prints. Designers like Marc Jacobs and Versace ditched the standard rectangle for circle-shaped purses. Ralph Lauren and Phillip Lim are championing the comeback efforts of drawstring bucket bags. “It” purses are a low-risk way to try a trend, but budget wisely. Your “it” bag may be “out” next season.

The It Bag

Handbag / Crossbody purse / J Crew clutch / Dolce Gabbana pink bag

With these handbag styles and options, there is at least one that should fit your lifestyle. Which one is your fave?

carmenb-profile-pic-264x300About Carmen:

Carmen Boeser is a freelance fashion writer, thriftaholic, and vintage lover. She chronicles personal style and love for the St. Louis fashion scene on her blog, The Ruby Zipper. When Carmen is not processing merchandise at a resale boutique, she’s learning the joys of new parenthood with her husband and baby daughter.


Related Posts

  • Style Cues: 2015 Spring Fashion Preview

    Style Contributor Carmen Boeser breaks down four of the hottest trends we will be seeing…

  • Style Cues: What to Wear on Thanksgiving

    Whether you are going to a catered affair or hanging out friends, you may want…

  • Style Cues: Where to Buy Sweaters

    Nothing says fab and warm like a fashionable sweater. It is a must-have staple for…

In: Contributors, Fashion, Featured, In The Closet · Tagged: Carmen Boeser, fashion, handbags, purses, style, style cues

join the cube

You’ll Also Love

Life begins in midlife. I'm sharing what makes me feel sexy fter 40 because more often than not, we've been overlooked.Midlife: What Makes Me Feel Sexy After 40
Over 40 fashion calls for fall style vibes that are functional, comfortable, and versatile. Get some inspiration.Over 40 Fashion: Fall Style Vibes
I needed a respite from cold weather in the Midwest, so I took a quick Getaway in Miami Beach to soak up some sun. Read about my experience.Reminiscing On My 48+ Hour Getaway in Miami

Comments

  1. Leslie says

    April 9, 2015 at 11:33 am

    I generally carry the same pocketbook around all the time, except maybe to switch from winter to summer. I really love that pretty blue satchel in the picture above.

    Reply
    • Carmen says

      May 17, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      I definitely understand that, Leslie! As much as I love collecting purses, I probably use only 1 or 2 the majority of the time. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
  2. Andrea says

    April 9, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    I love ALL the bags! But I am especially a fan of totes and satchel-types.

    Cross-body bags are not a good look for me. And I find clutches glamorous and pretty but so so small!

    Reply
    • Carmen says

      May 17, 2015 at 9:45 pm

      I agree, Andrea-clutches are super cute but not always practical. Totes and satchels work great for most occasions!

      Reply
  3. Hailey Huston says

    July 17, 2015 at 5:17 am

    I love a good clutch. They’re great for the spring and summer and can easily be dressed up or down. Clutches are cute, compact and easy to carry.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Next Post >

Career Reinvention in Five Easy Steps

Advertisement


Hi there! I'm Danyelle Little, a St. Louis blogger, mom & and empty-nester. This site is for those of you who like to get the best out of both worlds-personally and professionally. Learn more about me HERE!

Buy My New Holiday Novel

join the cube

Recent Posts

  • The Nurse Practitioner’s Guide to Building an IV Therapy Brand
  • Career Options in Medicine: Exploring PA and MD Pathways
  • Planning a Vacation to Orlando: The Best Places to Shop and Explore
  • Seattle Round Trip: Elliott Bay, Hawaii, Alaska and More
  • Letter To My Daughter As She Turns 21: The World Is Yours

The Cube on Facebook

Checkout my NEW podcast

Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Google Podcasts

Affiliate

Perdue Farms Special Offer

View the blog

instagram

Follow @thecubiclechick

She only doing what she know… 🏁 #grandnationa She only doing what she know… 🏁 #grandnationaltour #stl
MAY tings… MAY tings…
A rooftop situation is always a good idea! Recentl A rooftop situation is always a good idea! Recently, I was invited to a Happy Hour of bites and beats at @angadartshotel’s @artbar.stl and when I say the food, drinks, and the vibe were necessary during these stressful times. I see another visit soon in my future. Cheers! 🥂
April photo dump. And things of that nature. ✨✨
Are we twinning or nah? 😂😂😂 Are we twinning or nah? 😂😂😂
4/10 should be declared a national holiday because 4/10 should be declared a national holiday because on this day a king was born! Happy birthday, son. Love you more than words can say! 🎉🎉🎉
May we continue to have crazy/fun adventures toget May we continue to have crazy/fun adventures together. You deserve an overflow of serendipity, and all the joy I can provide. Still celebrating—Happy Birthday, Mommy! 🎉🎉🎉
Worked hard all week so we deserved a little treat Worked hard all week so we deserved a little treat. ✌🏾
My novel ‘A Clermont Lane Wedding’ is certainl My novel ‘A Clermont Lane Wedding’ is certainly not biographical, but there are traces of my life all up and down this book (hint hint). It’s a perfect Spring Break read!

It’s got romance, intrigue, a little mystery, and a family legacy on the line. On sale on Amazon, eBooks and paperback, link in bio.
The miracle of being a WOMAN. A life giver. A soul The miracle of being a WOMAN. A life giver. A soul nurturer. A blessing. ✨
Follow on Instagram

Work With Me

  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Media Kit

join the cube

Site Info

  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2025 The Cubicle Chick · Theme by 17th Avenue