What is in this category
The bags category is large and mostly made up of women’s handbags from Italian and international brands such as Love Moschino, Furla, Guess, Michael Kors and Valentino by Mario Valentino, alongside men’s bags, backpacks and some luxury leather pieces. Styles range from small crossbody bags and clutches to totes and backpacks.
Choosing the style
- Shoulder bags: the everyday choice, carried on the shoulder with a shorter strap.
- Crossbody bags: a long strap across the body leaves your hands free; good for travel and busy days.
- Totes: roomy, often with an open top; good for work and a tablet or small laptop.
- Clutches: small evening bags carried in the hand, often with an optional chain.
- Backpacks: spread the weight across both shoulders for commuting.
Size and strap drop
Product photos on a white background make bags look similar in size, so check the width, height and depth in the description. Depth decides whether a water bottle or umbrella fits. The strap drop, from the top of the strap to the top of the bag, tells you how it will sit: under about 15 cm for hand carrying, around 20 to 30 cm for the shoulder, and about 50 cm or more for wearing across the body.
Materials
Read the material carefully: similar looking bags can be leather or synthetic. Full grain and top grain leather wear well and soften with age. Saffiano leather has a pressed cross hatch texture and a coating that resists scratches. Synthetic leather, usually polyurethane, is lighter and cheaper but tends to wear faster. Nylon and canvas suit backpacks and travel.
Checking quality
Look closely at the photos for even stitching, especially where the handles join, solid metal hardware, smooth zips and a neat lining with inside pockets. Larger bags benefit from feet on the base to protect them when set down.
Care
Store bags stuffed with tissue paper in their dust bag, away from sunlight, and never in plastic. Wipe leather with a dry soft cloth and condition it occasionally, testing any product on a hidden spot first. Keep pens and makeup in a pouch so they do not mark the lining.
Common mistakes
- Choosing from the photo without checking the measurements.
- Buying a heavy leather bag for daily use without checking its own weight.
- Picking a clutch that is smaller than your phone.
- Storing leather in plastic, which traps moisture.
For smaller leather goods see purses and wallets, and for the rest of the range, accessories.
Common questions
What is a good everyday handbag size?
It depends on what you carry. Many people find a medium shoulder or crossbody bag around 25 to 30 cm wide fits a phone, purse, keys and glasses. Compare the listed measurements with your own things.
Is saffiano leather real leather?
Yes. It is leather pressed with a cross hatch pattern and coated, which makes it more resistant to scratches and water than many smooth leathers.
How do I clean a leather bag?
Wipe it with a soft, dry or barely damp cloth, let it dry naturally, and use a conditioner suited to the leather now and then. Test any product on a hidden area first.