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Carry your essentials in nothing but the best. Women’S Shoulder Bags Sale
Alexandra is a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle writer with over twelve years of editorial experience.
The ultimate always-by-your-side consort, a shoulder bag is the vessel you entrust to hold a part of your entire world. There’s a reason that most of the illustrious It-bags in history have all been shoulder bags—they make any outfit look thought out and polished. They’re as magnetizing as they are useful. As one of the most versatile handbag styles, shoulder bags work as well with leggings as with slinky evening dresses.
We rounded up the below bags for your consideration, having judged them on style, quality of design and construction, color options, and price. We also consulted the anonymous handbag expert and It-bag encyclopedia @Y2KBags (a must-follow), editorial, brand, and celebrity stylist Joiee Thorpe, and celebrity and editorial stylist Cat Pope about what to look for in the best shoulder bags and how to wear them.
Why We Love It: Who doesn't love a a reliable everyday bag? This slouchy leather envelope style is a great go-to. It will go with everything, and it's casual yet refined, structured yet relaxed. Size-wise, it’s on the small side but can hold a lot. Aesther Ekme is committed to sourcing extremely high-quality leathers from LWG (Leather Working Group)-certified tanneries that produce and tan leather using sustainable, eco-friendly, and environmentally friendly practices.
Material: Leather | Size: 31 (W) x 17 (H) x 6 (D) centimeters
Why We Love It: If you're looking for sometime to have and hold from now until your golden years, then meet Yves Saint Laurent's Suzanne Baguette. It's totally timeless. The slick, glossy, and smooth rectangular sheet of black is adorned with nothing but a rope-like handle. What it lacks in functionality (it’s narrow and patent leather tends to not be as durable), it more than makes up for in form and versatility as a convertible clutch. The beauty of this bag is in its purity, and it's guaranteed to elevate any outfit.
Material: Leather | Size: 10.5 (W) x 5 (H) x 1 (D) inches
Why We Love It: JW Pei bags, a favorite of Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski, Anne Hathaway, and other celebrities, are sustainably made and vegan. They’re incredibly well assembled and long-lasting—especially considering the very reasonable price point. The Joy bag is available in faux croc and smooth finishes, in over 20 fun, springy colors like key lime green and baby sky blue, as well as more sophisticated tones including oxblood and black.
Material: Vegan leather, recycled plastic bottles | Size: 10.4 (W) x 5.7 (H) x 2.4 (D) inches
Why We Love It: The Small Hop is a masterpiece of soft, exquisite calfskin leather strips that are woven together with Bottega’s signature intrecciato technique. It’s slouchy but structural, anchored with pointed corners, comfortable on the shoulder, internally spacious, and will only look better as it ages. It has no visible hardware or logo markings, which makes it even more sleek (but also hard to believe that it weighs 5.6 pounds!) It’s a luxurious, impeccably crafted work of carryable art that will not go out of style.
Material: Leather | Size: 16.1 (W) x 8.1 (H) x 3 (D) inches
Why We Love It: The simplicity of the Park Tote speaks volumes. The smaller version of The Row’s supreme, Italian-made minimalist tote is well-sized for everyday wear. The buttery, supple leather is extremely high quality and isn’t disrupted by hardware, a jarring logo, or any extraneous details. Because the design is so streamlined, the grained leather takes the center stage.
Material: Leather | Size: 9.4 (W) x 8.7 (H) x 4.7 (D) inches
Why We Love It: This midsize, soft, supple Italian suede pillow bag is simple but sophisticated. It’s sustainably made, has a roomy interior, and is majorly elevated by the elongated, leaf-shaped suede pull tag and the ornamental, high-shine gold hardware. It’s available in neutral browns and blacks and will go with everything in your wardrobe.
Material: Suede | Size: 14.5 (W) x 11.4 (H) x 3.7 (D) inches
Why We Love It: The Tokyo is neutral, polished enough to carry to work, and durable enough to use daily. With a wink of gold, it’s also detailed enough to wear to evening events and will work regardless of the season or your location in the world. It’s available in a slew of colors, ranging from beachy straw to a happy poppy tone to croc white to varnished black. We love that each bag is ethically and sustainably handmade in a small, family-owned factory and that DeMellier offers a lifetime of free repairs.
Material: Leather, raffia, or satin | Size: 10.6 (W) x 5.1 (H) x 2.5 (D) inches
Why We Love It: Loewe’s Puzzle collection is brimming with color, and this black-on-black rendition of the now-classic style family is an inky, monochromatic dream. Asymmetrically cut panels of leather are pieced together to form a semi-slouchy configuration. This Puzzle has a tapered shoulder strap which makes it comfortable to wear, and you can keep your most reached-for item in the external zipper-sealed compartment.
Material: Leather | Size: 11.8 (W) x 5.1 (H) x 4.3 (D) inches
Why We Love It: The Jackie is, undisputedly, one of the most classic and timeless handbags ever to exist. It’s been a part of the Gucci canon for decades. As the story goes, Jackie Kennedy was photographed by the paparazzi while carrying the bag, so Gucci quickly named it after her. The bag has been reenvisioned and designed by several designers including Tom Ford and Alessandro Michele while they were at Gucci. However, its position as an icon bag never wavers. The crescent-shaped purse is adored with muted gold hardware and is available in bright and neutral tones.
Material: Leather | Size: Three available
Why We Love It: Functionally speaking, the Romy is roomy, made from pebbled leather which weathers well, and has an adjustable strap and a zipper closure—so it’s a practical everyday bag. It’s gorgeous, incredibly sophisticated, and truly versatile: you can carry this while you’re walking your dog or to events, and it will always work. The hardware is polished but subtle, and the logo is barely there, which is ideal for a daily driver. It’s available in a handful of neutral tones, and each will work with everything and anything in your wardrobe. Finally, it’s a bag that you’ll use and use, and we’re major proponents of justifying purchases by the cost-per-wear. “I love a shoulder bag because you can carry a lot or have nothing in it—it could go either way. They complement an outfit very well and they can absolutely go from night to day,” @Y2Kbags tells InStyle. The Romy is perfect for carrying everything or nothing, at any time.
Material: Leather; suede lining | Size: 17 (W) x 11 (H) x 2 (D) inches
Why We Love It: Unlike the ever-changing phases of the moon, the moon bag silhouette is having an ongoing moment—and there are no signs of the style falling out of favor. This ultra-slouchy, orb-like bag is simultaneously supple and structured, so it’ll suit your every mood. It zips all the way around, is spacious despite being a relatively small bag, and has a soft, thick rounded handle so it’s comfortable to wear. “I can fit so much in my Khaite Olivia and it also goes from day to night effortlessly,” says Pope.
Material: Leather, raffia, or suede | Size: 16 (W) x 9.5 (H) x 7 (D) inches
Why We Love It: The Joan Mini is a miniature and modernized take on a few of the Y2K era Chloé It-Bags—enough said. It has two straps, so it can be worn in multiple ways, and is detailed with a few distinctive and incredible Chloé signatures, including the braided O-ring, key, tassel, and long leather pull tag. This is a great mini bag for wearing slung over your work bag or a tote. Pope says, “Hardware is key when selecting a day-to-night bag. Gold elements can dress it up.” The Joan Mini is ideal for the evening but, frankly, we’d want to wear it constantly. It also happens to be majorly on sale right now.
Material: Leather, canvas lining | Size: 7.9 (W) x 4.7 (H) x 3.5 (D) inches
Why We Love It: Strips of caramel-toned leather support this airy, ivory bag, making it feel structured enough for daily wear. Raffia bags should, ideally, feel breezy, easy, and light—and this checks all of the boxes. The weaving is tight enough to hold and conceal your belongings, without being too tightly wound, and it has an attached leather pochette for extra utility. Because raffia is so light, this is a great bag for travel.
Material: Natural raffia; leather trim | Size: 40 (W) x 25 (H) x 6 (D) centimeters
Why We Love It: One of the many joys of spring and summer is not overthinking getting dressed, and instead going with whatever feels breezy, bright, and simple. The Freedie is a perfect accouterment for such outfits. It’s an elongated and beautifully shaped take on a carefree, summertime staple: the basket bag. The stripes are lighthearted, and the leather strap and gold hardware punch it up a few notches. This straw bag would work as a beach bag and is structured enough to use as a daily handbag.
Material: Straw; leather trim | Size: 5.67 (W) x 10.16 (H) x 9.88 (D) inches
Why We Love It: The Gigi Bag is evocative of a metallic fishnet full of marbles, crystals, and treasures from the sea. It’s comprised of colored and clear beads and crystals, woven with fine gold chain. Emm Kuo is an AAPI, female-founded and operated brand, and the Gigi Bag is made by hand. Beaded shoulder bags are playful and glitzy; ideal for injecting a neutral outfit with a bit of color or making an LBD more distinctive.
Material: Not listed | Size: 8 (W) x 9 (H) x 2 (D) inches
Why We Love It: The Candy Hobo, a favorite of Katie Holmes, is slightly slouchy, elegant, and cut from supersoft and tumbled calfskin leather. It has a spacious interior, so it’s an ideal purse for those who schlepp a plethora of essentials and has an internal pocket for optimized organization. It’s available in four sizes, from a micro bag to a tote that can hold a 13-inch laptop with room to spare.
Material: Leather; suede lining | Size: 4 sizes available
Why We Love It: “I’m excited for bigger bags to resurface, even though I appreciate not having the temptation of throwing everything in one bag. I’m craving oversized, bold, sculptural silhouettes,” Thorpe says. The Sac is roomy enough to fit a 13-inch laptop and incredibly chic, so it’s perfect for carrying to work and to your post-office plans. It’s a super light bag that’s designed to balance weight into the center, so it’ll feel comfortable on your shoulder even when you’re carrying a world on your shoulders. We appreciate that the Aesther Ekme logo of three dots is embossed and barely visible.
Material: Leather | Size: 34 (W) x 37 (H) x 11 (D) centimeters
Why We Love It: Simone Rocha’s iconic, pearlescent egg bag, now in its fourth year, will never lose its luminescent gleam. The sculptural case is adorned with a string of pearly orbs, a snow-white ribbon, and metallic rings of hardware to form a bag that will make any outfit. The pearl strap can be worn in several ways, and when draped over the shoulder it serves as enchanting ornamentation. It’s sure to enliven any outfit, from suits to gowns.
Material: Acrylic; calfskin trim; viscose, rayon lining | Size: 4 (W) x 5.5 (H) x 4 (D) inches
Why We Love It: This minimalist, sustainably made, Y2K-inspired baguette is beautifully structured and smooth to the touch. It features a few discreet details like an attached pochette that you can use as a wallet or lip combo receptacle and a concealed lower strap that allows you to hold the bag as an underarm clutch—a trend that was all over the SS24 runways. Because satin is a dressier fabric, this is a great day-to-night bag.
Material: Satin | Size: W 16.5” x 10.2 (H) x 7.1 (D) inches
Why We Love It: This elongated, minimalist bag is structurally sound and can hold a lot without looking overstuffed or packed. The upper folds can be tucked in or worn erect, and because it has two straps, it feels especially comfortable on the shoulder. This is a durable, seasonless bag that will continue to feel fresh and modern.
Material: Ultrafiber | Size: 13 (W) x 6 (H) x 6 (D) inches
Why We Love It: There are chain handles and then there are chain handles—and the bold, shining hardware on this bag steals the spotlight. The three large chain links, which are available in gold or silver-toned metal, are anchored by supple leather knots that attach to the soft bag. The hardcore metal chainlinks take this otherwise timeless, simple bag to a different dimension. “I love that shoulder bags are available in bold shapes, with sick hardware, in an array of colors. Shoulder bags are a winning combination of cute and comfortable, which makes them great everyday bags,” Thorpe says. The Small Chain Hobo tints the day with heavy metal, which we love.
Material: Leather; suede lining | Size: 33 (W) x 26 (H) x 9 (D) centimeters
A small or micro shoulder bag can elevate a casual or formal outfit. Experiment with contrasting colors (i.e. a beige bag against an all-black outfit) and play with the strap length: a micro pouch looks amazing on a super-long, string-like handle, and a small baguette with a shorter strap is stunning. It’s important to never overstuff a bag of any size, so consider the double bag styling trick. Simply sling the handles of the small purse over the handles of a midsize or larger shoulder bag.
Look for “Something that fits perfectly under the arm. These are best for day-to-night transitional outfits,” says Y2K Bags. “Style it with it a leather jacket or, now that we’re heading into the warmer weather, wear it with a tank top, short sleeve shirt, or a summer dress.”
Thorpe says, “A shoulder bag is my favorite bag to carry for many reasons. I love the convenience of having my hands free and just throwing it over my shoulder. For an everyday bag, I prefer something midsize, and I always look for stylish details. An everyday bag should work for just running around by day, and be elegant enough for night.” She also advises, crucially, to choose a bag that you won’t get tired of. Versatile, neutral colors and simple lines are the keys to versatility. A durable, weatherproof, and tough material like leather is ideal.
An everyday bag should be comfortable on the shoulder, so a lighter bag with a soft handle is preferred. Y2K Bags looks for, “Something that ideally won’t slip off of my shoulder and fits all the necessities. When I’ll be out all day and still need to handle business, I’ll pick out a bag that fits my iPad, water bottle, cosmetic pouch, and a snack, with room to spare.” Pope says, “Consider all of its functions: does it have a comfort factor? Can it carry a laptop, water bottle, etc.? Do you need it to go from day to night?”
A bag with a secure closure like a zipper or magnetic snap and an organizational system or internal pocket is helpful: Y2K Bags says, “Ideally an everyday bag has extra pockets. Think utilitarian chic!”
Finally and perhaps most importantly, it should be a bag that you love—it’s often attached to your arm and, if it’s beautiful, it’ll elevate your entire life.
Mink Fur Scarf Alexandra Malmed is a contributing writer with over twelve years of fashion writing experience for publications including Vogue, Man Repeller, Byrdie, and Coveteur. For this article, she consulted with the below experts.