Women's leather goods: handbags, wallets and clutches

The leather goods category includes leather or textile items used for carrying and storing: on one side bags, handbags, tote bags, tote bags, crossbody bags, pouches, and belly bags, and on the other small leather goods, wallets, card holders, coin purses, key rings, and smartphone cases. From everyday use to travel.

Handbags, totes and crossbody bags: everyday women's leather goods

The choice depends on how you carry it before the colour. A bag held in hand or on the shoulder shapes a smart outfit, a crossbody bag keeps your hands free, and a messenger bag is worn across the body and swings to the back. A tote bag holds what a small handbag refuses, including folders and water bottles. The belly bag can be worn around the waist or high on the chest, while the clutch is the evening style, just big enough for a phone, cards, and keys. On the brand side, our selection of women’s leather goods includes Guess, Desigual, Chabrand, and Kipling, from grainy leather to lightweight nylon. No need to hunt around for a leather goods store, everything can be ordered online.

Everyday leather goods: pouches and wallets

The pouch comes in three pieces. The crossbody bag first, with a short strap worn on the hip for a flat format, and a long strap worn across the bust for a taller model: it has replaced the office pouch, leather for city use, and nylon for the Eastpak bags and Pepe Jeans bags for daily commutes. Then there’s the leather wallet, with two flaps for flat banknotes, compact enough to fit in a pocket without distorting it. Finally, the card holder, as cards replace cash. Luxury leather goods are recognised by full-grain leather, even stitching, and leather lining—not by the logo.

Small leather goods: wallets, coin purses, and key rings

Four items often confused, each organising different things.

• The wallet keeps banknotes, cards, and sometimes a cheque book, in long or compact formats.
• The card holder holds only cards, in soft leather or in a metal eject case.
• The coin purse with a zip is for coins, alone in a pocket or slipped into a bag.
• The smartphone case and the key ring complete the set.

Small leather goods often match the bag, in the same leather and colour. It is also chosen based on thickness: a wallet that’s too stuffed impresses on the fabric of trousers.

What leather goods for classes, the office, and airplanes

For classes, choose a bag that fits an A4 folder upright and a laptop in a separate compartment: a closed tote or a pouch is better than a soft handbag, which crushes everything at the bottom. At the office, a handbag with multiple compartments prevents emptying it all out to find your badge, and a laptop sleeve is enough for a short trip. On a plane, the question isn’t the brand of the bag but its size: depending on the airline, the handbag counts as a personal accessory in addition to your carry-on luggage, or counts as your one item. The acceptable dimensions can be found on the airline's website, and our Cabin Baggage category lists them airline by airline.

Leather, canvas, or synthetic: caring for your leather goods

Grainy leather masks scratches, smooth leather shows them and ages, suede and nubuck absorb water and can be brushed dry, while nylon and coated canvas can be cleaned with a damp sponge. For leather goods, three steps are enough: dust with a soft cloth, nourish with suitable cream when the material feels dry to the touch, and dry away from a radiator after rain. Store the bag filled with paper rather than squashed under a pile, and be cautious with new jeans, which can stain light leather.

Our Leather Goods category in detail

• Bags
• Small leather goods
• Top Brands