Leather bags
Handbags, shoulder bags, shoppers, tote bags, bum bags or pouches: each type of leather bag suits a specific use and volume. The material, whether leather or canvas, is chosen afterwards.
A leather bag is chosen in this order: the shape, which determines what it holds and how to access it, then how to carry it, whether by hand, on the shoulder, or crossbody, and finally the material. Making these three decisions in the wrong order almost always leads to a purchase that isn't used.
Bag shapes and their use
Our leather bags come in six shapes, each balancing a compromise.
- The handbag: the structured shape that stands upright and protects its contents.
- The crossbody bag: hands-free, a reduced volume, quick access to contents.
- The tote and the tote bag: the large open volume, for the market or the office.
- The bum bag: the essentials only, worn around the waist or across the body.
- The satchel and the clutch: the flat format, for documents or a phone.
Leather goods and women's bags, what's really different
The distinction is less about gender and more about volume and shoulder strap length. In women's leather goods, the bags with compact formats and short handles dominate the market, but there's nothing stopping a large tote from being the best choice. Focus instead on the adjustable length of the shoulder strap: it’s this that decides whether the bag is worn on the shoulder or across the bust.
Choosing the material for your leather bags
Leather ages well, can be repaired, and is heavy. Canvas withstands rain and is washable. Nylon remains the lightest and cheapest to replace. The same model often exists in all three materials: compare the announced empty weight, which varies much more than the price suggests in our leather bags.
Our Bags category in detail
