The Leather Day Satchel

This is the essential workhorse handbag. A medium to large top handle bag that can hold almost everything. Choose one in a neutral color leather like black or medium to dark brown (stay away from white and light beige, which reveal scuffs and stains more clearly). And steer clear from those with lots of hardware or logos. Those details can date your bag.

This may seem intuitive, but make sure you pick the correct bag for your size. It’s easy to fall in love with a bag without thinking about how it will look on you, until you take it out for the first time. If you’re tall, a diminutive handbag can get lost. (Or it might look like you’re carrying your daughter’s purse.) If you’re on the petite side, choose a bag that doesn’t look like you could get in it.

The Day Clutch

A neat, tailored daytime clutch is a fantastic option if you can deal with editing what goes in and what stays out. Smaller pouches are cute but you can’t get more than a lipstick in there usually. Try to select one that has multiple pockets and a bit of dimension so you can carry your essentials. This is one of those bags you can have fun with — you don’t have to spend a lot on this style, so try playing with different materials and colors.

If you need a bigger day bag for the office but love the idea of carrying a trim clutch for a work lunch or event, just pop the clutch into your larger bag and pack it with your necessities.