The Clutch Handbags Site

Traditionally satchel handbags were used by school children to transport their books to and from school.  They were top opening with a long strap which could be worn diagonally across the body to help distribute the weight of the books.  However, the term has changed slightly over the years and the type of bag described above is now more commonly called a messenger bag.

A satchel bag now generally describes a relatively large bag with plenty of room for storage (sometimes with and sometimes without internal dividers) and two handles for ease of carrying.  Due to the fact that there is no strict design criteria as you would find for clutch handbags they can be really quite varied in style from quite long and thin to a chunkier square look.   However, they nearly all have triangular gussets at each end so that the bag can be opened far wider than most smaller handbags.

Leather satchel handbags are some of the most versatile bags on the market, mostly due to their size.  They can hold quite large amounts of accessories and so are ideal for everything from day long shopping trips to being bags for Mummies who have to carry everything bar the kitchen sink with them.  They are made to be strong and durable and so will give many years of use and satisfaction.

If you are looking for a bag which can be used on as many occasions as possible then it would generally be suggested that you go for a light, understated colour though of course a black handbag will also complement pretty much any outfit.

Though soft leather is by far the most popular and stylish material for these handbags to be made from you can also find plenty of fabric bags made to a satchel style as well and these often have funky patterns and colours to make them look a bit more trendy.

There is no definitive type of clasp for one of these bags and while some have zips others have a simple button or magnetic clasp to keep them shut.  You can just choose one which best suits you.

As you can see, though there are simply hundreds of styles of bags on sale in stores today from small clutch bags for evening wear to a huge shopping bag for putting your groceries in, satchel handbags are perennially popular due to their versatility and the fact that there are many different types from which to choose.

Nothing is as useful, timeless and classy as a black handbag. Black can be carried with almost any colour outfit, as well working with any style – from jeans to a cocktail dress. Every girl should have at least one or two decent black handbags in her collection, and preferably more than this, in a selection of different sizes, shapes and styles to suit a variety of occasions and uses.

Most of us accumulate a vast amount of ‘stuff’ in our handbags. A lot of this is probably non-essential – but we like to keep it with us just in case! For everyday use, a large black handbag such as a tote bag or a messenger bag is great. This is large enough to carry everything from your lipstick to those work papers. Some are even specially designed to accommodate a laptop computer! Large bags are usually compartmentalized so you can easily find those essential (or non-essential) items when digging around. Another great thing about these kinds of bags is that you won’t have to transfer everything into a different bag on a regular basis. A black bag goes with just about everything, so you can just grab it and go – whatever you’re wearing.

As an accessory staple, large black handbags can be found in almost every bag outlet, including those online. In-store bag departments or shops that specialize in accessories often separate their bags by make, which can make it harder to find what you’re looking for (although it can be fun to work your way through all the different styles and colours and you may stumble across another perfect bag!) Many online stores, however, separate their merchandise into ‘departments’ based on colour and then size (or the other way around) so you can easily narrow down your search criteria.

For evening wear and smart occasions, look at clutch handbags or a small black handbag with a thin shoulder strap or wrist strap. Clutch bags are perfect if you’re after a real touch of class. Opt for one that is simple in shape and unadorned – perhaps a rectangular black patent affair that you can hold in your hand or tuck under your shoulder without drawing attention to it. If you want your evening accessories to stand out more, there is a huge variety of black evening bags available with all manner of decorative features that make them shimmer and sparkle. Look for sequins or gems, glittery insets or shiny metal clasps or handles to add some contrast or colour.

When heading off for an evening out, the last thing you want is to be lugging a large bag around with you, filled to the brim with your everyday paraphernalia. When it comes to evening bags, less is more, and clutch bags are the perfect solution. If nothing else, a compact clutch bag will force you to be economical with how much you take along! Just because they’re small, though, this does not mean they shouldn’t make a statement, or be carefully selected to complement your outfit.

Firstly, think about colours. A black handbag is a classic accessory and will work with a variety of different outfits for all manner of evening occasions, whether you’re attending a black-tie event in a long dress or going out for night on the tiles. However, there are other colours that are equally versatile. A silver clutch bag, or a gold one, could set off your look perfectly. When buying silver or gold clutch bags, be prepared to spend a little more to get a decent one, as cheap bags in these colours can look just that. Silver and gold are both easy colours to match with shoes and other accessories – but remember not to carry a gold bag if you’re wearing silver jewellery, and vice versa. A clash like this will never look very good.

You can really go to town on the decorative features of evening clutch bags. Velvet or satin scattered with sequins will  add both a softness and a sparkle to your look. Beaded decorations on clutch handbags give them a nice weight and make them feel and look expensive. If they’re in contrasting shades, the beads  will also brighten an outfit if you have opted for more muted colours or a monotone outfit. Features such as rosette flowers – whether small and subtle or big, bold and bright – add a touch of fun and flair to your bag. If you’re looking at leather clutch handbags for evening wear, choose a patent rather than a matte finish. The shiny patent will reflect the light and look more ‘special’ than plain leather. Simple patent bags look elegant, but ones with added details such as chain handles, diamante decorations or studded patterns will add further to the style of the bag. Even something as apparently inconspicuous as clasp details can make your clutch bag look spectacular. Vintage-look (or even genuine vintage) clutch bags make for an extra-special evening accessory that will set you apart from the crowd.